Ministries Day 2009 - St. Paul: Proclaiming the Gospel Today

Join us at the American Bank Center for Ministries Day 2009 on
Saturday, January 17th


Keynote speaker Teresa Tomeo will discuss "Media and Culture". Workshops will include training to benefit all ministries.

Conference Schedule

8:00-8:45	Registration/Exhibits
8:45-9:45	Mass - Bishop Edmond Carmody
9:45-10:15	Break/Exhibits
10:15-11:15	Keynote Speaker: Teresa Tomeo - "Media and Culture"
11:15-11:30	Break
11:30-12:25	Workshops - Round
12:30-1:25	Lunch (Roundtable discussions available during lunch)
1:30-2:25	Workshops - Round 2
2:25-2:40	Break
2:40-3:35	Workshops - Round 3

Keynote Speaker
Teresa Tomeo, "Evangelizing Through the Media"

When most people think of the media and its consistent promotion of the culture of death, they sometimes limit the spin doctors to the news media alone. But as Teresa Tomeo points out in this eye-opening presentation, the corruptive campaign promoting abortion, birth-control, euthanasia, and sexual promiscuity is insidious and has crept into virtually every area of the mass media and our culture including advertising, music, TV and radio, Hollywood, and even children's programming. Teresa shows us the depth of this problem and how we can engage rather than give in to the culture of death.

Teresa Tomeo Biography

Teresa Tomeo is an author, syndicated Catholic talk show host, and motivational speaker with nearly 27 years of experience in communications as a talk show host, radio and TV news woman, and newspaper columnist.

Teresa left the secular media in 2000 to start her own speaking and communications company. Teresa's daily morning program, "Catholic Connection", is produced by Ave Maria Radio in Ann Arbor, Michigan and heard on over 120 Catholic stations through EWTN Global Catholic Radio, as well Sirius Satellite Radio.

Teresa is a columnist and special correspondent for the national Catholic newspaper, "Our Sunday Visitor", as well as a writer for the Zenit Catholic News Agency. She has also appeared frequently on EWTN Catholic Television and has been featured on "The O'Reilly Factor" and Fox News and has a brand new five part series airing on EWTN next week which she will tell us about.

Recently Teresa was chosen as only one of 250 women from around the world to serve as a delegate at the Pontifical Council for the Laity's International Women's Congress held in Rome, marking the 20th Anniversary of John Paul the Second's Letter On the Dignity and Vocation of Women, Mulieris Dignitatem.

As a speaker Teresa travels around the country addressing the topic of media awareness and activism, as well as sharing her faith journey and providing concerned citizens with the tools needed to stand up against the immoral aspects of today's culture. Her first book, "Noise-How Our Media Saturated Culture Dominates Lives and Dismantles Families", was published by Ascension Press. "Noise" is a Catholic best-seller and is now in its second printing. Her second book, "Newsflash! My Surprising Journey from Secular Anchor to Media Evangelist" is published by Bezalel Books. Teresa has also co-authored a series of books, All Things Girl, for tween girls focusing on modesty and chastity.

Workshops/Presenters

Click here to download Workshop descriptions (pdf)


Teresa Tomeo - "Evangelizing Through the Media." Although the media can be correctly blamed for some of the immorality present in our culture, it can also be used as a positive tool for evangelization. Teresa Tomeo is an author, syndicated Catholic talk show host, and motivational speaker with nearly 27 years of experience in communications as a talk show host, radio and TV news woman, and newspaper columnist. (Rounds 1 and 2 only)


Hermana Guadalupe Ma. Cervantes, P.C.I. - "La Eucaristía hace la Iglesia mediante la participación en el Cuerpo y la Sangre del Señor." Este taller nos enseñara como la communion nos une con Jesús y con nuestros hermanos. La Hermana Guadalupe Maria pertenece a la congregación de Pax Christi Institute. (Sesión 2)

Rev. José Naul Ordóñez - Sesión 1: "San Pablo, Un Evangelio para Nuestro Tiempo: Conversión." Sesión 2: "San Pablo, Un Evangelio para Nuestro Tiempo: Bautismo." Sesión 3: "San Pablo Un Evangelio para Nuestro Tiempo: Predicación." El Padre José Naul es párroco vicario en la parroquia de la Sagrada Familia en Corpus Christi.

Jaime Reyna - "Como Puedo Yo Evangelizar Niños y Donde Comienzo?" (Sesión 3, Español)


Rev. Pete Elizardo - "The New English Translation of Significant Parts of the Mass." Fr. Pete is the Director of the Office of Worship and the Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry in the Diocese of Corpus Christi.

Rev. Peter Marsalek, SOLT - "St. Paul's Encounter with the Risen Lord." St. Paul's encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus marked one of the most spectacular conversions in history. This workshop will examine St. Paul's meeting with the Lord and the impact that it had on his thoughts about the Church. Fr. Peter is the Director of the Office of Religious Education and the St. Paul School of Catechesis in the Diocese of Corpus Christi. (Rounds 2 & 3 only)

Grace Rank - "Circle of Grace." Circle of Grace is a K-12th grade Catholic program designed to educate and empower children and young people to actively participate in a safe environment for themselves and others. Grace Rank is the Director for the Office for Child and Youth Protection in the Diocese. ( Rounds 1&2 only)

Jaime Reyna - "How Can I Evangelize Children and Where Do I Start?" Jaime Reyna is the Programs Ministry Assistant of the Office of Evangelization. (Round 2 only)

Sister Mary Rita - Session 1: "Are you feeling burned out? 'Drink Deeply of God's Love.'" This workshop will examine how to become receivers of God's love through contemplative prayer and journaling. When we are weary and burdened we need to stop what we are doing and take time to experience His love, His presence and His word within us. (Round 1 only) Session 2: "Contemplation, the Foundation for Spiritual Warfare." We can't take on anything unless we are in union with Jesus. As St. Paul states, "Put on the armor of God."(Ephes. 6:11). Sr. Mary Rita is a member of the Intercessors of the Lamb, a Catholic religious community whose charism is communal intercession and whose spirituality is contemplative, Marian and charismatic. (Round 2 only)

Sr. Mary Rowsome and Dcn. Allen Cicora - "Catholics Returning Home - Training." Catholics Returning Home is a parish based ministry designed to reach-out and invite non-practicing (inactive) Catholics to return home and resume the active practice of their Catholic faith. Sr. Mary Rowsome is a St. John of God Sister from Wexford, Ireland. Deacon Allen Cicora is a newly ordained deacon in the Diocese of Corpus Christi. Both have been involved in the Catholics Returning Home program at St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles in Annaville. (Rounds 2 & 3 only)

Andrew Rivas - "Legislative Agenda of the TCC in 2009." Andrew Rivas is the Executive Director for the Texas Catholic Conference.

Rev. Rudy Vasquez - "Divine Indwelling: A Brief Catechesis on Grace." The sacraments of the Church impart grace to the soul. But what is grace? How does it work in the soul? Why is it necessary? Father Vasquez is a counselor and teacher at John Paul II High School.

Sherry Wendell - "You Have Been Gifted to Answer God's Call." Introduction to the discernment of charisms: ways that we are supernaturally empowered by God to be instruments of his love for others. How discerning and exercising our charisms can change our lives and the lives of many others.