Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., recognized parish ministers as bearers of hope for the faithful of the diocese, and he urged the 550 women and men gathered for the March 29 bilingual Faith Formation & Parish Ministry Conference to remember that their role “has never been more important.”
Keynoter Chris Padgett combined music, humor and stories of faith in his presentation.
Michael Ehrmann
“As leaders in the Church, you are living beacons of this hope,” Bishop O’Connell said, referring to Pope Francis’ calling for the Jubilee Year of Hope and his reference to the book of Romans that hope does not disappoint, because God’s love “has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”
PHOTO GALLERY: Faith Formation & Parish Ministry Conference
“Christian hope is not just wishful thinking or blind optimism,” Bishop O’Connell said. “It is rooted in the promises of God and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
“Every lesson you teach, every child you prepare for First Communion, every young adult you guide on the path to Confirmation, every prayer you offer – all of this is a testament to the hope that Christ has entrusted to you. Your ministries are acts of profound faith that plant seeds of hope in others, even when you do not see the immediate fruit,” the Bishop said.
The daylong conference in St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel, was inspired by the Jubilee Year 2025 and had “Hope in Our Hearts” for the theme. A collaborative effort between the diocesan Office of Pastoral Life and Mission and the Annual Catholic Appeal, the conference’s goal was to provide support for all people involved in handing on the Catholic faith to others. The day included Mass with Bishop O’Connell, two keynote presenters – Chris Padgett and Father Agustino Torres, a member of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal – as well as dozens of breakout sessions.
‘Hope is contagious’
In his homily, Bishop O’Connell urged the attendees to use the conference as a time to renew their own hope.
“Find it in the small moments: the joy of discovering God’s love for the first time, the gratitude of a family strengthened by prayer, the quiet assurance of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist. Let these moments remind you that your work, though sometimes unseen, is part of a greater tapestry woven by God himself,” he said. “Let us also remember that hope is contagious. When we carry it in our hearts, it radiates outward, touching all whom we encounter. Your witness as catechetical leaders and ministers brings light into darkness, brings courage into fear, faith into doubt and hope into despair.
“As we continue our Lenten journey toward the joy of Easter, let us entrust ourselves to the One who is our ultimate hope,” the Bishop said. “May the risen Christ renew our hearts and, as pilgrims, fill us with the hope that sustains us with the strength to carry his light to others.”
Throughout the day, participants were able to browse exhibits featuring noted Catholic publishers and vendors and attend their choice of the more than 50 breakout sessions that were available in English and Spanish and focused on an array of topics concerning spirituality, practical ministry and theology.
The 45-minute workshops included updates for preparing liturgies for young people, family catechesis, creative teaching techniques, religious education for students with special needs, Lectio Divina, marriage in ministry and information on the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.
Being dysfunctional is a good thing
The theme of hope resonated during the two simultaneous keynote addresses given by Padgett, who presented in English, and Father Torres, who presented in Spanish.
Well-known for injecting humor and keeping his presentations light but pointed, Padgett was met with a lot of heads nodding in agreement, smirk-like expressions and quiet chuckles from his audience when he said, “When God gets ya to start doing ministry, he certainly gets ya.”
Padgett is an author, musician, speaker and comedian, well-known to many catechists through the Ascension Press Confirmation Program, “Chosen.” He and his wife, Linda, also co-founded The Center for Holy Marriage, which is dedicated to empowering couples to fully embrace the Church’s vision for marriage and family life.
He zeroed in on the apostles and likened their work to that of the parish ministers. He then addressed the challenges facing people serving in ministry. Padgett said one such challenge is a continuous desire to strive for perfection – and when a ministry experience proves unsuccessful, it’s easy to equate it to a sin.
“You have not duped Jesus into loving you because of your sin,” he said. “Christ already knows the trainwreck you are, the dysfunction you are, and the greatest thing we can do when we talk about ministry is to offer our dysfunction, our poverty to Jesus,” he said, noting that poverty, in the spiritual sense, does not mean financial, but a lack of inner satisfaction in not having achieved success.
“Your poverty is a gift that can be given to God; you need to be offering that poverty to Jesus, because the poverty which you think is a detriment is actually the avenue for your sanctity,” he said.
“I believe that God calls the most dysfunctional and misfit people to do ministry,” Padgett said. “He picks you because that poverty you have will always make you cling to Jesus. Your weakness will become your strength,” he said, then added that having a strong relationship with Jesus is essential for doing ministry.
“If you are faking [that relationship], you will burn out, you will give up,” he said, “but if you can love Jesus, then you will be free to love the people he gives you.”
Thank a priest
Father Torres focused his presentation on hope based on his own life and faith experiences. He acknowledged the challenges that priests face, saying, “It’s just that we are used to receiving complaints and not so much gratitude.
“If you see a priest, look at the priest and say, ‘Thank you, Father,’” Father Torres said, emphasizing that priests, and especially pastors, face many challenges that are often not realized by their community. He also recognized ministry leaders’ “unique challenges,” including low attendance, uncooperative parents and personal sacrifices.
Father Agustino Torres addresses Spanish speaking parishioners in his keynote address. M.Ehrmann
Father Torres is the founder of Corazón Puro, a ministry focused on awakening and accompanying leaders that face significant challenges, especially in Hispanic communities. He is also the principal author of REAL formation, a Confirmation program designed for Gen Z, which nurtures both catechists and young people.
“It’s difficult nowadays to share the Good News,” he said, then acknowledged the “invaluable” work of his audience “which is a true testament of love and faith.”
“You have to have a lot of hope,” Father Torres reiterated, then shared about the perseverance he needed when he was working with young people and feeling that his efforts were unsuccessful.
“I was showing all my tricks to these young people but thinking they’re not getting it.” Then one day, he said, a student who had always seemed not to be paying attention surprised him with a profound response, demonstrating that even when ministers feel their efforts go unnoticed, “God is still working through them.”
Father Torres concluded by saying that some in the audience might have decided: “This is my last year. I can’t do it anymore. I’ve given all I could.”
“And I’m, here to tell you, ‘No, we’re not finished. We’re just getting started. We are enjoying a Jubilee year,’ and the Lord is going to recharge our batteries,” Father Torres said.