Jubilee Year conference will be time of formation, renewal for persons in ministry
December 11, 2024 at 9:38 a.m.
Image CaptionPersons serving in various ministries in parish and school communities can delve deeper into their Catholic faith and strengthen their skills of ministry during a daylong bilingual Faith Formation and Parish Ministry Conference scheduled for March 29 in St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel.
Sponsored by the diocesan Department of Catechesis and the Annual Catholic Appeal, the conference is open to catechists, Catholic school teachers, campus and youth ministers, and those who serve in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, adult faith formation and baptismal and marriage preparation, and has as one of its main objectives “to equip individuals serving in various ministries with the formation they need to thrive,” said Denise Contino, director of the diocesan Department of Catechesis.
Father Agustino TorresWith the aim to draw 500 participants from all corners of the Diocese, Contino said, “this conference is designed to support everyone involved in passing on the Catholic faith. It will offer opportunities for collaboration, training, networking and community building. Attendees will leave with a renewed sense of their ministry, along with practical tips and ideas to implement in their parishes and schools.”
Inspired by the Jubilee Year 2025, the conference has the theme, “Hope In Our Hearts.” Contino said it “reflects the opportunity to ignite and renew the theological virtues of hope infused in our souls at Baptism.”
“Renewed in this hope, persons who serve in ministry are called to be tangible signs of hope to others,” Contino explained.
Highlights of the day include Mass with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and two keynote speakers, Chris Padgett and Father Agustino Torres, “both of whom bring extensive experience in serving Catholics across all ages and life stages,” Contino said. The keynote speakers will explore the theme, “linking it to the Jubilee Year and they will emphasize the importance of our witness, creativity and enthusiasm for ministry.”
Padgett is an author, musician, speaker and comedian, well-known to many catechists through the Ascension Press Confirmation Program, “Chosen.” With his wife, Linda, he 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.
Chris Padgett
Father Torres is the founder of Corazon Puro, a ministry focused on awakening and accompanying leaders, particularly within Hispanic communities, which face significant challenges. He is also the principal author of REAL formation, a Confirmation program designed for Gen Z, which nurtures both catechists and young people.
“Their dynamic and engaging presentations will resonate with all attendees, regardless of their specific roles, providing practical insights and fostering a sense of hope and encouragement,” Contino said of Padgett and Father Torres.
After Mass, which the Bishop will celebrate at 11 a.m., and lunch, the afternoon portion of the day will allow participants to browse exhibits featuring noted Catholic publishers and vendors and attend breakout sessions that will be offered in both English and Spanish focusing on an array of topics including Practical Ministry, Spirituality and Theology. In all, there are more than 50 breakout sessions from which attendees can choose two. The breakout sessions will be facilitated by parish and diocesan staff as well as professionals serving in ministry from other parts of the state and throughout the country.
“The purpose of the day is to restore and inspire catechists from across the various areas of parish ministry from womb to tomb. The day will allow them to learn new skills and develop approaches to meet the needs of their communities,” Contino said.
The conference schedule begins with check-in and refreshments at 8 a.m., and optional “early-bird breakout sessions” will be available from 8:30 to when the conference officially begins at 9:30. The keynoters will present simultaneously with Padgett addressing English speaking attendees and Father Torres presenting to Spanish speakers. Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. with lunch running from 12:15 to 2:15 p.m. and breakout sessions going from 12:15 to 3 p.m.
“This conference is designed to support everyone involved in passing on the Catholic faith and will create a vital space for all parish volunteers and staff who share the faith,” Contino said. “It offers opportunities for collaboration, training, networking and community building. Attendees will leave with a renewed sense of their ministry.
“There will truly be something for everyone in ministry!” she said.
Registration opens Dec. 29. Early registration fee is $25 or $35 after Jan. 31. To learn more, visit dioceseoftrenton.org/hope2025. For more information, call 609-403-7174 or email [email protected].
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Image CaptionPersons serving in various ministries in parish and school communities can delve deeper into their Catholic faith and strengthen their skills of ministry during a daylong bilingual Faith Formation and Parish Ministry Conference scheduled for March 29 in St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel.
Sponsored by the diocesan Department of Catechesis and the Annual Catholic Appeal, the conference is open to catechists, Catholic school teachers, campus and youth ministers, and those who serve in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, adult faith formation and baptismal and marriage preparation, and has as one of its main objectives “to equip individuals serving in various ministries with the formation they need to thrive,” said Denise Contino, director of the diocesan Department of Catechesis.
Father Agustino TorresWith the aim to draw 500 participants from all corners of the Diocese, Contino said, “this conference is designed to support everyone involved in passing on the Catholic faith. It will offer opportunities for collaboration, training, networking and community building. Attendees will leave with a renewed sense of their ministry, along with practical tips and ideas to implement in their parishes and schools.”
Inspired by the Jubilee Year 2025, the conference has the theme, “Hope In Our Hearts.” Contino said it “reflects the opportunity to ignite and renew the theological virtues of hope infused in our souls at Baptism.”
“Renewed in this hope, persons who serve in ministry are called to be tangible signs of hope to others,” Contino explained.
Highlights of the day include Mass with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and two keynote speakers, Chris Padgett and Father Agustino Torres, “both of whom bring extensive experience in serving Catholics across all ages and life stages,” Contino said. The keynote speakers will explore the theme, “linking it to the Jubilee Year and they will emphasize the importance of our witness, creativity and enthusiasm for ministry.”
Padgett is an author, musician, speaker and comedian, well-known to many catechists through the Ascension Press Confirmation Program, “Chosen.” With his wife, Linda, he 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.
Chris Padgett
Father Torres is the founder of Corazon Puro, a ministry focused on awakening and accompanying leaders, particularly within Hispanic communities, which face significant challenges. He is also the principal author of REAL formation, a Confirmation program designed for Gen Z, which nurtures both catechists and young people.
“Their dynamic and engaging presentations will resonate with all attendees, regardless of their specific roles, providing practical insights and fostering a sense of hope and encouragement,” Contino said of Padgett and Father Torres.
After Mass, which the Bishop will celebrate at 11 a.m., and lunch, the afternoon portion of the day will allow participants to browse exhibits featuring noted Catholic publishers and vendors and attend breakout sessions that will be offered in both English and Spanish focusing on an array of topics including Practical Ministry, Spirituality and Theology. In all, there are more than 50 breakout sessions from which attendees can choose two. The breakout sessions will be facilitated by parish and diocesan staff as well as professionals serving in ministry from other parts of the state and throughout the country.
“The purpose of the day is to restore and inspire catechists from across the various areas of parish ministry from womb to tomb. The day will allow them to learn new skills and develop approaches to meet the needs of their communities,” Contino said.
The conference schedule begins with check-in and refreshments at 8 a.m., and optional “early-bird breakout sessions” will be available from 8:30 to when the conference officially begins at 9:30. The keynoters will present simultaneously with Padgett addressing English speaking attendees and Father Torres presenting to Spanish speakers. Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. with lunch running from 12:15 to 2:15 p.m. and breakout sessions going from 12:15 to 3 p.m.
“This conference is designed to support everyone involved in passing on the Catholic faith and will create a vital space for all parish volunteers and staff who share the faith,” Contino said. “It offers opportunities for collaboration, training, networking and community building. Attendees will leave with a renewed sense of their ministry.
“There will truly be something for everyone in ministry!” she said.
Registration opens Dec. 29. Early registration fee is $25 or $35 after Jan. 31. To learn more, visit dioceseoftrenton.org/hope2025. For more information, call 609-403-7174 or email [email protected].
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