St. Albert's Priory, Oakland, California -- Steve participated in this Seminar, July 10 - 15, 2005.
- "Called and Gifted" Program Facilitation and Interviewer Training.
- Adult Faith Formation in parishes.

We will facilitate the "Called and Gifted" Workshop and Interview, as a vital tool for forming Parish Social Ministry and helping all parish ministries excel.

Introduction to the theology, spirituality, and mission of the laity
The three major goals of adult formation (from the US Catholic Bishops):
Ongoing conversion to Jesus and holiness of life
Active membership in the Christian community
Mission to the world

Identifying and helping adults through spiritual developmental stages: Seeker, Disciple, and Apostle

The six primary areas of formation for adult Catholics:
Evangelization
Spiritual Life
Christian Worldview
Christian Community
Discernment and Vocation
Taking it to the Marketplace

How to get started:
Organizing lay leadership and communicating the vision
Transforming the parish into a house of formation
Necessary parish and diocesan structures

Evangelism as the foundation of effective formation:
An introduction to truly Catholic, parish-based, sacramentally-centered evangelistic processes that turn nominal or lapsed Catholics into passionate disciples.

Helping adults discern God's call by discerning charisms

The gifts discernment interview
Small group discernment

Implementing formation in the parish and issues of delegation/collaboration
Using formation resources:
How to find and evaluate formation resources and programs
Recommended local, national, and international sources

Presenters:
Sherry Anne Weddell, M.A. created the first gifts discernment process for Catholics in 1993. Since then, Sherry has conducted adult formation workshops for tens of thousands of lay and ordained Catholics in 55 dioceses across North American, Oceania, and Indonesia. Together with Fr. Michael Fones, O.P., she directs the Catherine of Siena institute, which she founded Michael Sweeney, O.P. in 1997.
Michael Fones, O.P. is currently co-director of the Catherine of Siena Institute. Since his ordination 12 years ago, he has worked in Newman ministry and as pastor and associate pastor at Arizona State University, the University of Utah, the University of Oregon, and most recently, directed the St. Thomas Moore center at the University of Arizona.

Michael Sweeney, O.P. president of the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology at Berkeley, co-founded the Institute with Sherry Weddell. He has given presentations on lay formation, the discernment of charisms, parish governance, and the theology of the laity to thousands of ordained and lay Catholics across North American and Indonesia.

We're on our way to Apostleship
We learned about the Offices of the Clergy and Laity; and the importance for living the mission of the Catholic Church - to go out and spread Jesus' Sanctifying Grace to the World.

We will structure every occasion according to the "Rhythm of the Mass" as taught by Rev. Michael Sweeney, O.P.

In the picture: Fr. Michael Sweeney and Steve at the conclusion of "Making Disciples, Equipping Apostles"

Social Ministry in Action
Steve Odo

Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles California -- Steve participated in the annual Social Action Summer Institute and learned very practical means to forming effective Parish Social Ministry in the Diocese of Honolulu. As a bonus, Steve developed relationships with key people from dioceses across the United States and organizations, such as: National Pastoral Life Center, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Social Development and World Peace, Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Campaign for Human Development, and more.

In the picture: Steve and the great people of Catholic Campaign for Human Development