B-1 6 Traits Writing: An Introduction to the Qualities of Good Writing
Michael Borka, Professor, Department of Education, College of St. Benedict/St. John's University, Collegeville, MN
If you have been hearing about Six Traits writing but have wondered what it's all about, this session is for you. Join other participants to learn about the Six Traits and the place they have in your writing classroom.

B-2 Asperger's Syndrome in the Educational Setting
Holli Boelz, Autism Resource Specialist, and Bonnie Cassady, Teacher, District 742, St. Cloud, MN
Participants will learn about the characteristics of Asperger's Syndrome and how these characteristics affect students with Asperger's in the educational setting.

B-3 Church in the Modern World: Vatican II Lived in Parishes Today
Father Steve Adrian, Pastor, St. Matthew's Church, St. Paul, MN
The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World provides the local church with principals for witnessing to the mystery of God's love in a contemporary, pluralistic, divided and disparate society. Description of how one urban church undertook this challenge over the past 40 years.

B-4 Deacons in the Catholic Church: Who are They and What Can They Do for Your Parish
Deacons Vern Schmitz, Director, Diaconate Office, Diocese of St. Cloud and Steve Pareja, Deacon, St. Francis Xavier, Sartell, MN
The session will begin with a thirty minute overview of the diaconate of the Diocese of St. Cloud. The remainder of the time will be held open to answer the 101 questions people have about this relatively new member of the clergy.

B-5 Eight Essential Elements Of Highly Successful Stewardship Efforts
Michael Walsh, Founder and President of Walsh & Associates
Successful stewardship efforts encourage people to convert to a new way of life and to live as Jesus did, for the benefit and well being of others. They encourage people to be more Christ-centered and less self-centered in all aspects of their lives. As Christian stewards we recognize that all we have and are, are gifts from God. We are not the owners of these gifts. We are merely the caretakers and gift recipients. As a result and as a means of responding appropriately to these gifts, we know that we should thank the Giver regularly and repeatedly. We must also realize that we are tasked and asked to care for and cultivate these gifts to the very best of our abilities, to share them lovingly and generously with others, and one day return them with increase to Him. This is the essence of what Christian stewardship is. It is not merely about money. Rather, it is a much more holistic concept that embraces how we care for and share all of God’s gifts. This is the starting point and foundation for all highly successful stewardship efforts. This session will cover the eight essential elements of highly successful stewardship efforts so that you begin to put them to work at your church.

B-6 Food for the Soul:Chocolate and Discipleship
Jackie Witter, Ed.D. Director of iLLUMINARE, Project of St. Paul’s Monastery, St. Paul, MN
We have a ‘sense-able God’ whose love and presence are revealed to us in even the most ordinary elements of our lives. Chocolate can give us insights into the ways we know and experience God’s presence among us, and can deepen and enrich our spiritual lives in surprising and delightful ways. This reflection on the ordinary and extraordinary gift of chocolate can lead us to greater awareness of God’s presence all around us. Come to ‘taste and see the goodness of the Lord’.

B-7 Forming Young Disciples: A Challenge and a Promise (Part 1)
Robert McCarty,Ph.D., Director, National Federation of Youth Ministers, Washington, DC
"Leaders create culture, but cultures, in turn, create their next generation of leaders." In this postmodern culture of individualism, relativism and materialism, we are faced with the challenge of forming disciples. If young people are to take their rightful role in the Church and in society, we must provide them with skills, relationships, and vision. This workshop will offer effective strategies for forming young disciples, which leads to signs of promise.

B-8 Health Insurance: Trends in the Marketplace
Gayle McCann, President, Johnson McCann Benefits
At this session we will be exploring the options that exist in today's markeplace; statistics nationally and locally as to what other employers are offering; overall health care expentitures; methods to reduce healthcare spending; emergence of wellness programs and what is working; communication with employees: the keys to success. Finally, a brief overview of health savings accounts.

B-9 Heralds of the Good News: Becoming the Best You Can Be (for Catholic School Teachers and Catechists)
Dr. Saundra Kennedy, National Consultant, William H. Sadlier, Inc.
Becoming the Best You Can Be (for Catholic School Teachers and Parish Catechists) The word "catechist" comes from a word meaning "to echo" and, as catechists, our ministry is to "echo the person of Jesus." Whether we are catechists in a parish or Catholic school setting, we are called to proclaim the Good News of Jesus. This presentation will examine the various qualities of a good catechist and what it takes to become the very best Herald you can be!

B-10 "I by my works will show you my Faith" (James 2:18): How American Youth can Address this Statement to the African Youth?
Fr. Joseph Atadana, Ghanan Priest
Fr. Atadana, a Ghanan priest, will share with us about his experiences, and about strengthening our faith in GOD, reinforcing our baptismal responsibility to share the faith, the call of our young people in doing mission as expressed by the Holy Childhood Association, concrete ways of expressing this faith in the needs of African children, and proposed structures that will enhance delivery.

B-11 Juggling Multiple Priorites--Faith First
Tom Sparough, Space Painter, Juggler, Storyteller, Writer, and Facilitator
Balancing the demands of work and life is a juggling act. We spend much of time worrying about mistakes. Our never ending stream of decision drains away our energy. We need something to keep our eye on in order to stay balanced. Look beyond the competing demands of this world. Empowering and interactive, calming and reflective, this workshop will remind you that the burden is light.

B-12 Let's Be Practical!
Pixie Smith, National Consultant, RCL/Benziger Publishing
Can we connect learning & teaching using effective teaching techniques? Say it with me.....YES, WE CAN! Jesus, the master of all master catechists used these methods and we can too. Jesus said in John's Gospel, "If I, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet." (John 13:14) Come to do and learn!

B-13 Ministry to Those Struggling with Same-Sex Attraction: An Open Dialogue
Fr Mark Innocenti, Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Little Falls, MN and Chaplin of the Courage Ministry, Diocese of St. Cloud and Tom Klecker, licensed social worker and psychologist, St. Cloud, MN
Brief overview of the Church’s teachings followed by an open dialogue on the topic.

B-14 Our Spiritual Pace Quickens: Faith Formation in the Elder Years of the 70s, the 80s and Beyond
Dr. Richard Johnson, Ph.D., PCSG, Senior Adult Ministry, Johnson Institute, St. Louis, MO
The challenge of faith formation in the elder years is upon us now. The elder years are a time of enhanced personal and spiritual integration like no other, a time for developing a keener spiritual vision of life, and a time for “re-membering” ourselves. This presentation offer the nuts and bolts of successful faith formation with elder adults from an entirely new perspective.

B-15 Parish Social Ministry That Works!
Jack Jezreel, Director, JustFaith Ministries
Drawing from 25 years of success of engaging church members in the work of social ministry, Jezreel will address the practical matter of how to form and inspire members of your parish to engage passionately in the work of charity and justice. Those interested in expanding the work of justice and charity in their churches are encouraged to attend.

B-16 “Sing to the Lord”: What's in the New Music Document from our Bishops?
Fr. Anthony Ruff, OSB, Associate Professor of Theology, School of Theology, St. John's University, Collegeville, MN
In November 2007, the US bishops approved a document which provides extensive guidance on the role of music in the liturgy. This session will review and summarize the most important teachings and directives in the document, with a view toward practical advice for parish worship. Fr. Anthony was on the committee which drafted this document for the bishops' conference.

B-17 Spirituality for Those who Minister Within the Liturgy
Vicki Klima, Director of Leadership Development, Pax Christi Catholic Community, Eden Prairie, MN
What does it mean to be a liturgical minister? How does our personal spirituality connect with our ministry? Explore each of the liturgical ministries and come to understand how our lives are shaped by our ministry and how our ministry shapes our lives.

B-18 Suicide Prevention Awareness
Roxann Storms, LSW, MS, CT, Life Transitions Coordinator, Catholic Charities, St. Cloud, MN
A question all survivors of a suicide death ask is “Did I miss something; could I have done something?” Participants will distinguish fact from myth regarding suicide, recognize warning signs of someone contemplating suicide, and learn concrete ways to offer help to someone who’s suicidal. In most cases, suicide IS preventable: be aware BEFORE it’s too late.

B-19 Supporting Families in Ethical End of Life Decisions
Fr. Thomas Knoblach, Ph.D., Pastor, Saint Anthony, St. Cloud, MN, and Holy Spirit, St. Cloud, MN, Diocesan Consultant for Healthcare Ethics, Diocese of St. Cloud, MN
"At times, families face difficult decisions about the appropriate use of medical technology - ventilators, feeding tubes, dialysis, and other interventions - especially at the end of life. This workshop will provide background on ethical principles and some practical suggestions to help those in ministry support parishioners in their decision-making process."

B-20 The Parish is the Curriculum
Barbara Sutton, Director of Ministerial Formation and Field Education, School of Theology, St. John's University, Collegeville, MN
Planning your next program? This workshop will encourage participants to pause before implementing another program. The parish is the primary place to summon and sustain adults in lifelong conversion of heart, mind, and life. It is, “without doubt, the most important locus in which the Christian community is formed and expressed.” (GDC, 257). The quality and total fabric of parish life can inform, form and transform a community into a visible place of faith-witness. This workshop will provide insights into building koinonia—a Christian community empowered by the Spirit; and forming people for mission— not by a new program, rather by building on its natural parish systems and its life together.