Grandparent Spirituality
Andrea Woronick
Whether you see your grandchildren as angels or aliens, your role as a grandparent is unique. In this workshop we'll explore the important role of grandparents in a child’s life. We'll offer practical ways to share your spirituality and pass on the faith to your grandchildren, and discuss difficult issues such as parents who don’t bring the children to church, living far apart, and the changing world we live in. We'll take a look at grandparents through the eyes of children and show why grandparents are needed more than ever.

Recommended Reading:
The Gift of Grandparenthood, by Thea Jarvis

The Practice of Loving Relationships
Peggy A. Lauria, Psy.D.
Understanding and developing our capacities to love will be explored. Learning to love, like many arts, requires insight and practice. Many aspects of love, including self-love, romantic love, love of family and friends and love of God, will be discussed with practical examples from a seasoned psychotherapist.

Recommended Reading:
The Art of Loving, by Erich Fromm

Fundamentalism: A Catholic Response
Brandon Nappi
Christian fundamentalism is a growing phenomenon in the United States and across the world. What makes this approach to Christianity so attractive to so many? What are the strengths and weaknesses of a fundamentalist worldview? Are there any similarities between Christian fundamentalism and the fundamentalism of other religions? How might the Catholic vision of the Bible and the spiritual life differ? Is there a healthy, compassionate, life-giving response to fundamentalism that is rooted in love? These questions will be addressed in the workshop.

Recommended Reading:
Biblical Fundamentalism: What Every Catholic Should Know, by Ronald Witherup

The Practice of Love by the Church
Fr. John Baptist, C.P.
How do we express Christian love in the public sphere? What is our responsibility to create a society of love, peace, and justice? This workshop will explore the confluence of faith, charity and justice within the role of State/Church relations.

Recommended Reading:
Pope Benedict XVI's Encyclical Letter, God Is Love
Living Justice: Catholic Social Teaching in Action, by Thomas Massaro

 
Becoming a Joyful Person
Fr. David Cinquegrani, C.P.
Too many of us get caught up in the bad news around us. The stress and violence that are part of contemporary culture may hide the goodness that surrounds and is within us. With the helpful advice of psychologist David Niven and through reflection on the scriptures, we will discover ways to live and share true happiness and peace.

Recommended Reading:
The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People, by David Niven


Global Climate Change and the Future of God's Creation
Graziella Zinn, Ph.D.
As people of faith, we believe that our response to global climate change has to be respect for the gift of creation. Starting with a cosmological perspective, we will try to understand the natural causes of climate change and the influence of human activities. We will explore responsible ways of dealing with the problem in our ordinary daily life. Our guiding principles will come from Catholic social teaching and a commitment to the universal common good.

Recommended Reading:
The Great Work: Our Way into the Future, by Thomas Berry, C.P.

Compassionate Communication During Conflict
Theresa Wiss
Whenever we come in contact with other human beings, there is the chance that their ideas or plans may exclude the possibility of our own needs and desires being met. Thus, we are in a place of conflict, and our anger and resentment often overcome our desire to be compassionate children of God. Still, we are called by Christ to love and forgive our enemies. How do we do that? The skills of compassionate communication give concrete direction on how to live out this central teaching of Christianity.


What is my Purpose in Life?
Tom Burlington, D.Min.
Is thinking about one's purpose like being in a dream world? We are going to uncover a blueprint that you were given at birth, a thread, if you will, that runs through your life. We are going to see how that thread has been woven into your journey so far, and where that thread will go next in your life.

Recommended Reading:
Finding a Job You Can Love, by Ralph T. Mattson

Care for the Caregiver
Sr. Ginny Sheehan, S.N.D.
Are you a primary care provider for a loved one? Do you work in the medical or social services professions? This workshop will explore how the body and mind work together, as well as offer spiritual enrichment for those whose energies are dedicated to providing care. Helpful practices, like mindfulness and meditation, will be introduced. Stress affects us all, but caregivers especially need to take this time for self-care.

Recommended Reading:
Prayers of Renewal and Restoration in Times of Caregiving, by Robert Hamma
May I Walk You Home? by Joyce Hutchison


Who is my Neighbor?
John Ryan
Jesus was asked this question about the Samaritan 2000 years ago. Today, in our country and many others, IMMIGRATION is an issue being discussed at all levels of society. The question asked of Jesus could be the first question Christians ask themselves when developing a point of view on this very current moral issue.

Recommended Reading:
Strangers no Longer, by the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops


The Church We Love
Fr. Terry Kristofak, C.P.
We live in an imperfect world. Much like in our natural family we have moments of celebration in our Church as well as moments of struggle. This workshop will name our moments of celebration and talk about the concerns we have as members of a Church we love.