CONVENTION TALK DESCRIPTIONS

YOUTH and ADULTS

1.) Games, Icebreakers, Activities Mary Carr and Cyndy Pannullo
What More Can You Ask For?

10:30-11:45 and 1:00-2:15

Come and learn some new ideas to share with other teens in your parish. Also, bring some of your ideas to share with us.

Mary Carr is a volunteer Assistant Youth Minister at Holy Spirit in Virginia Beach and has two children, John who has attended State Convention and Elizabeth who will attend in the future. Cyndy Pannullo is the Youth Minister at St. Nicholas in Virginia Beach.

2.) How Can You Amplify a Wood Bell? Celeste Gregory and Jonathan
Goertz

2:30-3:45

The Haitians have a proverb, “Nobody hears the cry of the poor, or the sound of a wooden bell.” Thankfully, Catholic Relief Services does hear that cry, and is doing amazing work to alleviate the suffering of the poor worldwide. Come learn about the adventures of two young CRS volunteers, the type of work CRS does in 99 countries, and what you can do to make global solidarity a reality.

Celeste spent a year and a half volunteering with CRS in Madagascar. Jonathan, a diocesan seminarian, recently returned from a CRS Global Fellows Trip to Cambodia.

3.) Oh God, Help Me Pass This Test! Mary Henrich

Your Only Prayer?

2:30-3:45

Why pray? What does prayer look like? Who hears our prayers?

My vocation is to married life. I live with my husband of 38 years and enjoy visits from my adult son and two college student children. I am one of two Youth Ministers at St. Ann in Colonial Heights and have been practicing prayer for 6 decades.

4.) 1 vs. 100 Catholic Edition Maureen Van Doren, Jeff
Van Doren, and Victoria
Rosenberg

1:00-2:15

Based upon the game, 1 vs. 100, this game reviews Catholic basics for large groups and can be adapted for Confirmation retreats, youth group meetings, and any other large gathering for review that gets everyone engaged. Come play the game and learn how to take it back to your church.

Jeff and Maureen Van Doren have been catechists at Our Lady of Nazareth since 1999 and Confirmation preparation catechists since 2005. They live in Roanoke, Virginia with their daughters, Allison and Erica and two cats, Rocky and Peebles.

5.) Forgive and Forget? Are you Kidding? Rev. Michael A. Renninger

1:00–2:15 and 2:30–3:45

Forgiveness is a difficult thing. When people hurt us, it’s often hard to forgive them. When we hurt others, it’s hard to forgive ourselves. When we sin, it’s tough to believe that God could really, REALLY, forgive us! Come and join in the conversation as Fr. Mike shares his experiences of having to forgive, being forgiven, and celebrating that gift in the sacraments.

Fr. Michael Renninger is the Vicar for Vocations in the Diocese of Richmond. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Fr. Mike received degrees in music and philosophy before joining a monastery. In 1993, he was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Richmond, and has served at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish in Newport News, St. Bridget’s in Richmond, and the Cathedral. He enjoys jogging, Elvis, and Oreo cookies.

6.) Angel Arms Reach Out Nita Grignol and

Joan Congable

10:30-11:45

An angel! Who me? Could I help a student with disabilities? How would I know what to do or say? But I feel awkward! This interactive session will challenge you to work (with limitations) with your peers to complete a task. Can I make a difference in someone’s life?

Nita Grignol is the Diocesan Director for and with Persons with Disabilities. She has an adult son with disabilities and has been an advocate for over 30 years. Nita worked in the disability field as a vocation trainer, evaluator, and job developer.

Joan Congable is coordinator of Outreach in Love, a religious education program for individuals with mental and/or physical disabilities.

Christopher Anderson, 16 attends St. Edward the Confessor Church in Richmond, VA. He is active in youth group activities. He has been a volunteer with Outreach in Love for several years and was recognized by radio station Lite 98 as Kid of the Week for his volunteer efforts. He attends James River High School and is a member of the crew team and he is a Life Scout with Troop 829.

YOUTH ONLY

1.) What Are You Saying, When You Don’t Amy Woods
Say Anything?

10:30-11:45 and 1:00-2:15

Let’s talk about body language.

Amy Woods has been a Youth Minister for 11 years. She is currently at Sacred Heart in Norfolk. She has two children ages 9 and 6.

2.) No Apologies! Angela Hamrick

2:30–3:45

Ever get asked whether you worship Mary or pray to statues? How about questions about the Pope? In this session we’re going to cover some of the basic questions that Catholics get asked by people of other faiths.

Angela Hamrick has been working as a youth Minister in the Diocese for the last eight years, currently hanging out with the teens at Church of the Holy Family in Virginia Beach. She also serves as the area contact for Life Teen for the State of Virginia

3.) When Love Hurts… Edie Moorcones

10:30 – 11:45

We all have tough times in our relationships. There can be periods when you just don’t seem to get along at all. But when things get worse and physical violence starts to occur, it’s time to do something about it. Learn ways to deal with conflict in relationships and ways to avoid getting into physically abusive environments.

Edie Moorcones is a licensed clinical social worker who currently works for the US Navy. She has worked for over 20 years in the diocese with various youth programs including the CA and Discovery retreats, and been an adult advisor for the Diocesan Youth Council for many years.

4.) What’s So Funny? Jean Denton

1:00–2:15

Sure our faith life is serious business, but sometimes in trying to live according to our faith we are harder on ourselves than God is. Jean brings her cartoon feature “The Flock,” which runs in several diocesan newspapers as well as in the Religion Teacher’s Journal, to help us lighten up a little in trying to follow the Gospel. What, by following some silly cartoon sheep?! Yep. It’s laughable – but could be useful.

Jean Denton, a former parish youth director (Salem), is a longtime Catholic journalist and currently correspondent for the Catholic Virginian. She also is a contributing writer and graphic artist for Catholic News Service and several other publications. Her cartoon feature, The Flock, has run for 10 years in Catholic papers around the country, and in February Twenty-Third Publications published a book of these cartoons with prayer reflections entitled “Well-Drawn Faith.” Jean also has a Specialized Certificate in Christian Spirituality from Loyola University.

ADULTS ONLY

1.) Learning About LifeTeen Angela Hamrick

10:30–11:45

Come learn about LifeTeen. This session will be an overview to the program, how it works in a parish setting, and an explanation of the resources available.

Angela Hamrick has been working as a Youth Minister in the Diocese for the last eight years, currently hanging out with the teens at Church of the Holy Family in Virginia Beach. She also serves as the area contact for LifeTeen for the State of Virginia.

2.) Adult Reception Sponsored by the Diocese of Leroy Orie and Billy Gargaro

Richmond Catholic Youth Ministry Leaders

(D.O.R.C.Y.M.L.) Association

1:00–2:15 and 2:30–3:45

Would you like to meet other youth ministry leaders and talk about the future potential of this newly forming association? Join us for an afternoon reception to find out more. Our main mission is to bridge the gap between full-time staff to part-time volunteers which would allow for more effective communication. Through this communication, we can gather and support one another while beginning to network and share our resources. All adult leaders are welcome to attend and be a part of something exciting and new!

LeRoy is the Coordinator of Youth Minister at the Church of the Redeemer and Billy is Pastoral Associate for Children’s Formation and Youth at Church of the Resurrection.

3.) What’s So Funny? Jean Denton

2:30–3:45

Sure our faith life is serious business, but sometimes in trying to live according to our faith we are harder on ourselves than God is. Jean brings her cartoon feature “The Flock,” which runs in several diocesan newspapers as well as in the Religion Teacher’s Journal, to help us lighten up a little in trying to follow the Gospel. What, by following some silly cartoon sheep?! Yep. It’s laughable – but could be useful.

Jean Denton, a former parish youth director (Salem), is a longtime Catholic journalist and currently correspondent for the Catholic Virginian. She also is a contributing writer and graphic artist for Catholic News Service and several other publications. Her cartoon feature, The Flock, has run for 10 years in Catholic papers around the country, and in February Twenty-Third Publications published a book of these cartoons with prayer reflections entitled “Well-Drawn Faith.” Jean also has a Specialized Certificate in Christian Spirituality from Loyola University.

4.) What A Teen Wants! What A Teen Gets! Debra Gausmann

10:30–11:45

Are there activities that you would like to see happen in your Youth Ministry Program? As a leader come explore what the church leaders say about the importance of youth ministry in the parishes. Then, let’s do some visioning for today and tomorrow.

Debra has been in full-time youth ministry for over 20 years. Debra has completed LIMEX, Certificate of Youth Ministry, and a Certificate in Christian Spirituality. Debra is currently the Director of Religious Education and Youth Ministry at St. Joan of Arc.

Talk Schedule by Time, Title, Speaker and Location

10:30 – 11:45 AM – Morning Session

Talk Title Speaker Audience Location

What Are You Saying When You Don’t Say Anything?	Amy Woods	Youth	Schewel Hall 232
What a Teen Wants! What a Teen Gets!	Debra Gausmann	Adults	Schewel Hall 217
Learning about Life Teen	Angela Hamrick	Adults	Hopwood 12
Games, Icebreakers, Activities?	Mary Carr and Cyndy Pannullo	Youth and Adults	Schewel Hall 208
Angel Arms Reach Out	Nita Gringnol and Joan Congable	Youth and Adults	Schewel Hall 229
When Love Hurts	Edie Moorcones	Youth	Hopwood 14
	Seminarians	Youth	Hopwood 16

1:00 - 2:15 PM – First Afternoon Session

Talk Title Speaker Audience Location

What Are You Saying, When You Don’t Say Anything?	Amy Woods	Youth	Schewel Hall 232
What’s So Funny?	Jean Denton	Youth	Schewel Hall 209
Adult Reception Sponsored by CDR Catholic Youth Ministry Leaders (D.O.R.C.Y.M.L.) Association	Leroy Orie and Billy Gargaro	Adults	Schewel Hall 109
Forgive and Forget? Are you Kidding?	Fr. Michael Renninger	Youth and Adults	Schewel Hall 217
1 vs. 100 Catholic Edition	Maureen Van Doren, Jeff Van Doren, and Victoria Rosenberg	Youth and Adults	Schewel Hall 214
Games, Icebreakers, Activities	Mary Carr and Cyndy Pannullo	Youth and Adults	Schewel Hall 208
	Seminarians	Youth	Hopwood 16
	Bob Perron	Youth and Adults	Hopwood 14

2:30 - 3:45 PM – Second Afternoon Session

Talk Title Speaker Audience Location

No Apologies!	Angela Hamrick	Youth	Schewel Hall 209
Adult Reception Sponsored by CDR Youth Ministry Leaders (D.O.R.Y.M.L.) Association	Leroy Orie and Billy Gargaro	Adults	Schewel Hall 109
What’s So Funny?	Jean Denton	Adults	Schewel Hall 209
Forgive and Forget? Are you Kidding?	Fr. Michael Renninger	Youth and Adults	Schewel Hall 217
How Can You Amplify A Bell?	Celeste Gregory and Jonathan Goertz	Youth and Adults	Schewel Hall 208
Oh God, Help Me Pass This Test! Your Only Prayer?	Mary Henrich	Youth and Adults	Schewel Hall 214
Choir and Musician Practice (until 4:00 PM)	Betsie & John Pendarvis	Youth and Adults	Ballroom
	Seminarians	Youth	Hopwood 16
	Bob Perron	Youth and Adults	Hopwood 14

4:00 - 4:30 PM – Special Session for DYC Candidates

DYC – FYI Diocesan Youth Council Ballroom Special REQUIRED session

For potential new Youth Council members