August 8, 2009
Theologian, expert in Hispanic culture to speak at ministry day
By Herald staff
Jesuit
Father Allan Deck, shown in 2006 in the chapel of the Loyola Institute
for Spirituality in Orange, Calif., is executive director of the Secretariat
for Cultural Diversity in the Church of the U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishops. CNS file photo
More than 1,000 catechists, Catholic school educators, parish coordinators of religious education, youth ministers and other parish leaders are expected to attend the Diocese of Sacramento’s Catechist Ministry Day on Sept. 26 at St. Francis High School.
“Catechesis and the Proclamation of the Word” is the theme for the event, which begins with 8 a.m. registration and concludes with closing prayer at 3:30 p.m.
Jesuit Father Allan Figueroa Deck, executive director of the Secretariat for Cultural Diversity in the Church of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, D.C., will be the keynote speaker and give an address from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Father Deck is the former president and executive director of the Loyola Institute for Spirituality in Orange, Calif., and superior of the Jesuit Community of Orange.
He holds numerous degrees, including a doctorate in Spanish and Latin American studies from St. Louis University, a master of divinity degree from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, Calif., a diploma in pastoral ministry from the Brazilian Development Institute in Rio di Janeiro, and a licentiate and doctorate in sacred theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
He founded the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians and was the first president of the National Catholic Council for Hispanic Ministry.
Various workshops in English and Spanish will offered to catechists who work in parish faith formation programs, youth ministry programs, adult education programs and in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.
Bishop Jaime Soto will celebrate Mass at 9 a.m. to begin the day’s schedule.
Among the workshop topics are evangelizing catechesis; exploring the liturgical calendar with children; the confirmation preparation process; the baptismal journey with children and youth; praying with children; catechesis as witness; Hispanic youth ministry; recruiting and managing volunteers; Theology of the Body for teens; the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults; catechesis and vocations; family catechesis; understanding the Mass; effective ministry with young people; and nurturing Christian imagination.
Registrants are asked to choose the workshops in advance that they wish to attend.
The cost to attend is $25 per person with registration by Sept. 10 and $35 person after that date. The registration fee includes lunch. The high school is located at 5900 Elvas Ave.
For more information or registration forms, call the Department of Evangelization and Catechesis at (916) 733-0123 or visit the Diocese of Sacramento’s Web site at www.diocese-sacramento.org.
