Catholic Cares Formation Sessions

The coalition offered virtual formation sessions during the pandemic aimed at providing human, spiritual, and pastoral support for those struggling to understand, affirm, and act on the teachings of Pope Francis, the USCCB, and Catholic Social Teaching.


A Pastoral Response (Aug 30 at 3pm ET)
This experience will feature two unique speaker panels that will provide practical methods of accompanying one another through communal and individual trauma. Each of us is tasked with guiding others in their discernment and accompaniment of vaccine acceptance. First, we must acknowledge the systemic issues and fears that often prevent others from dialogue and discernment. This session will highlight the stories of others. This session will featured two panel discussions.  This session will highlight lived experiences and stories.


Rev. Kenneth Schmidt is a Catholic priest of the Diocese of Kalamazoo where he serves as the Advocate for Priestly Ministry and Support. He earned a master's degree in Counseling Psychology, and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. He is a cofounder of the Trauma Recovery Program in his Diocese , and cofounder and Executive Director of Trauma Recovery Associates. TRA educates and fosters the development of organizational leaders, human service providers, and trauma survivors themselves to respond more effectively to the impact of childhood trauma. TRA has trained in 23 states and seven countries, and provides programs for childhood trauma survivors throughout southwest Michigan, as well as a free online program as people deal with the stress of the pandemic. He has published in the areas of canon law, pastoral theology, psychology, and spirituality, including a book about trauma and spirituality, and another book that paraphrases the Psalms as prayers for people in addiction and recovery.

Jimmy Shoven has been with Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County since early 2019. He oversees major gifts ($10k+) and special events. Prior to Catholic Charities he was a fundraiser at Stanford University for 1 year and Santa Clara University for 9.

Fr. Jon Pedigo is the Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement at Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County. He has been awarded the 2008 Immigrant Advocate of the Year by SIREN (Services, Immigrants, Rights, and Education Network), the 2010 Director’s Award rom the Human Relations Commission of Santa Clara County, and the 2014 Cesar E. Chavez Si Se Puede Award by the Chavez Family Vision Foundation. He was previously the Chair of the Inter-Faith Council on Economics and Justice Board. 

Bridget Balajadia is a Program Manager, Parish Engagement at Catholic Charities based in San Jose, California. Bridget assures community members are connected to the necessary resources.

Victoria Radleigh Smith is the Director of Mission Integration for In Word and Witness. She has more than 15 years of professional catechetical experience and has previously worked at the diocesan and parish level. Victoria is passionate about formation, accompaniment, and mentorship. She recently completed the Strong Foundations for Pastoral Leaders program offered through the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame. As a southern California native, she resides in Burbank, CA. 



John Michael Reyes
All five formation sessions will encourage a discernment model of prayerful accompaniament. This will be fosterd by our prayer leader, John Michael Reyes. John Michael Reyes is the Spiritual Life Coordinator and Director of Prayer & Worship for Sacred Heart Schools, in Atherton, CA. He assists with TeamRCIA, a free online resource for catechumenate ministry. He has experiences as a hospital chaplain, retreat director, and as a campus minister for Jesuit Universities particularly in the areas of Liturgy and Sacramental Formation. He holds a Master of Divinity from the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University and is currently in the Certificate Program for Liturgical Art & Architecture at Saint John's School of Theology and Seminary. His writings can be found at Twenty-Third Publications, Liturgical Press, Liturgy Training Publications, and Paulist Press. John Michael lives in San Francisco, CA.

The entire 5 sessions are as follows:

1. Communal Life of the Church (Aug 2 at 3pm ET)
How has the communal life of the church been influenced by COVID-19? What challenges are we experiencing that require adaptions to further accompany one another, and prioritize the mental and physical well-being of our communities? Our liturgical life and programming cannot revert to what we knew prior to March 2020, as we are being formed into something new. Together, we will look holistically at the reality of our communal life, and discern a deeper theological understanding.



Anne Koester
A former trial lawyer, primarily in the areas of products liability and complex tort litigation, Anne Koester left the active practice of law to pursue theology studies at St. John’s University (MA, Theology), Collegeville, MN. After completing her Theology degree, Anne worked at the University of Notre Dame Center for Pastoral Liturgy. Anne came to Georgetown University to serve as the Associate Director of the Georgetown Center for Liturgy. She has also worked in the Division of Student Affairs and is currently on the staff of the Office of Compliance and Ethics. Anne is an adjunct member of the Theology & Religious Studies Department at Georgetown University, teaching courses in the areas of Catholic worship and Christian initiation. From 2004-2007, Anne served on the U.S. Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Women in the Church and Society. She is a Member of the North American Academy of Liturgy (2002 - present; Seminar Delegate and Member of the Academy Committee (January 2014 - 16)). Anne is also part-time staff at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Washington, DC , where she serves as the Coordinator of The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Process and is co-facilitator of the Women Who Stayed initiative. She is the author of Children and Youth in the Catechumenate (available in September from Liturgical Press).

Rita A. Thiron
Rita Thiron is the Executive Director of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions in Washington, DC.  Its members serve their Bishops as directors of Offices of Worship and on diocesan liturgical commissions. Prior to arriving at the FDLC, she served for twenty years as the Director of the Office of Worship for the Diocese of Lansing (Michigan).  She also served for a decade as the Director of Adult Education and the Catechumenate at Holy Family Parish and as an adjunct professor at Siena Heights University. She holds a Master’s Degree in Theology with a Concentration in Liturgical Studies from the University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame, IN) and a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Xavier University (Cincinnati, Ohio). Rita serves as a consultant to the Bishops’ Committee on Divine Worship of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
She is the author of seven books and countless articles.  She is a frequent presenter in dioceses across the United States. She and her husband have two grown children and three exceptional grandchildren.
 

2. Emerging Data (Aug 9 at 3pm ET)
News of a new variant of COVID-19 seems to be in the news almost weekly. How are we mindful of the different variants and able to make decisions in an ongoing capacity? What is our responsibility, as a Catholic community, for alerting others to emerging data? What role do we play in awareness and support? What are the communal disconnects that prevent others from dialogue?



Lois Privor-Dumm, IMBA
Lois Privor-Dumm is Senior Advisor, Policy, Advocacy & Communications and Director, Adult Vaccines at the International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC). She works at global, regional and local levels across the world to build public and political support for new vaccines. During the COVID-19 pandemic she's been leading VALUE Baltimore, an effort to address inequities in underserved neighborhoods through a workforce of trained peer ambassadors. In low- and middle-income countries, particularly India, her projects have helped support transformational efforts to equitably and sustainably introduce new vaccines. She’s spent more than 20 years supporting policy, building coalitions and a greater understanding of the broader value of vaccines. She holds an International Master of Business Administration from University of South Carolina and studied and worked in Belgium and Spain. She has travelled and worked in more than 70 countries around the world.

Lincoln Snyder
Lincoln Snyder is president and CEO of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). Prior to his appointment at NCEA, Mr. Snyder has served as the superintendent and executive director of schools for the Diocese of Sacramento since 2015. He has been the chair of the California Catholic Schools Superintendents Conference since 2019. Before his assignment as superintendent, he was a teacher and board chair at Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento. Mr. Snyder also has served as vice chair of the NCEA NESBECS Council (NNC) and has been a member of several Catholic school boards. Mr. Snyder holds a bachelor’s degree in international politics from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service. He received a master’s degree in Lasallian Leadership from St. Mary's University of Minnesota. His business experience includes international work as a global key account and project manager for Can-Pack SA, in Krakow, Poland, and domestic work in facilities and development as vice president of Snyder Commercial Real Estate.
 

3. Preparing for Fall (Aug 16 at 3pm ET)
The past 18-months have been filled with uncertainty and change. How do we plan for the Fall while being mindful of the everchanging dynamics? While some families and young people have thrived during quarantine, others went without the nutrition, financial security, emotional support, or connectivity that was needed to succeed. This session will discuss value based decision making when planning for the Fall.

Jared Bryson
Jared Bryson is serves Vice-President, Mission and Church Relations for Mercy based out of St. Louis, Missouri. Where he has served for the past 13 years in various Mission related leadership roles. Dr. Bryson holds a Master of Divinity from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, MO and a Doctorate in Christian Spirituality from Washington Theological Union in Washington, DC. He recently, published in Health Progress, the journal of the Catholic Health Association, an article entitled A Formation Ecology in the Digital Age.



Douglas Leal
Douglas Leal is currently Chief Mission Integration Officer with Providence, a multi-state Catholic health system. Previously, he was Director of the Division of Adult Faith Formation with the Office of Religious Education of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. He also has experience as a management consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers and as a professional actor and director. Douglas is a frequent speaker on spirituality, faith formation, liturgy, and other topics, and he delivers retreats and seminars nationwide. He’s the author of the skill-building book for lectors, Stop Reading and Start Proclaiming!, and its forthcoming second edition, Beyond Reading: Advanced Training for Proclaimers of the Word (Liturgy Training Publications). He co-authored the 2017 and 2018 editions of LTP’s Workbook for Lectors. Douglas holds an MA from the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. www.douglasleal.com

4. Equity (Aug 23 at 3pm ET)
The pandemic, and the many shadow pandemics that followed, highlight the vast inequity in our world. As a Catholic community, how can we remain focused on those on the margins? What does this mean for vaccine distribution and accompaniment? What is the expectation of my local community, school, or ministry upon reopening? Does it take into consideration the inequitable access to information, transportation, finances, and networking?



Fr. Charles Chilufya
Fr. Charles Chilufya is the coordinator of the Africa Task Force of the Vatican Covid-19 Commission. He is a Jesuit priest in Africa working for the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar (JCAM) as director of the JCAM Justice and Ecology Office (JEO) since 2018. The JCAM Justice and Ecology Office works to foster and coordinate the Jesuits’ work in economic, social, migration, gender and climate justice in Africa. JEO is a vital Jesuit interface between global policies in the economic, social and environmental spheres and local issues confronting populations in Africa. In his current work, one of the key areas Fr. Charles is involved in vaccine equity with a special focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. Prior to his current appointment, Fr. Chilufya served at the Copperbelt University, a public university in Zambia, where he worked in the School of Business and as the University Chaplain. In the School of Business Fr Chilufya taught research methods in business and economics as well as history of economic thought.

Brian M. Kane, Ph.D.
Brian Kane is senior director of ethics for the Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA). Dr. Kane serves as a resource for CHA members, including theologians, ethicists and executives within the ministry, as well as CHA staff and other individuals and groups with shared interests.

He is responsible for developing programs and materials on clinical and organizational ethics and assisting in promoting Church relations between the ministry and individual bishops, as well as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). He is editor of Health Care Ethics USA and writes a regular column for Health Progress.

Mary Beth Powers
Mary Beth Powers is the CEO of CMMB (Catholic Medical Mission Board) and has spent more than 25 years working in public health around the world supporting teams to design, implement and evaluate efforts their efforts to improve maternal and child health outcomes.

5. Our Pastoral Response (Aug 30 at 3pm ET)




Each of us is tasked with guiding others in their discernment and accompaniment of vaccine acceptance. First, we must acknowledge the systemic issues and fears that often prevent others from dialogue and discernment. This session will highlight the stories of others. This session will feature 2 panel discussions and allow for the possibility of live communal participation.