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	Breakout Sessions in Detroit (rev. 6/5/11) American Catholic Council June 8, 2011 http://americancatholiccouncil.org/update-detroit-breakout-sessions/ One of the most dynamic elements of the American Catholic Council will be a series of BREAKOUT SESSIONS scheduled over TWO 90-minute periods on Saturday morning and afternoon (June 11). The focus of most of these breakouts is grounded in our “listening” from nearly 100 local assemblies that have taken place in the grassroots across the country over the past year and a half. Most sessions will demonstrate some application of the Catholic Bill of Rights and Responsibilities (CBRR) which will be presented before the Council on Pentecost Sunday morning, Throughout the breakouts, designated recorders will note the ideas voiced and will produce an “action proclamation” based upon the CBRR for presentation before the Council. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1. Reshaping Parish Governance Presenter: Francis Piderit and others from VOTF Local Action team Developing new participatory structures of governance is at the heart of creating a Church that models the ideals of Vatican II and the needs of our contemporary communities. This workshop will focus on discussing opportunities for greater accountability, transparency and meaningful participation on the parish level. Issues for dialogue: Term limits for pastors and pastor selection Elected, deliberative ministerial councils Liturgy Committees Lay managed foundations 2. “Follow the Money”: Financial Transparency and Accountability Presenter: Jason Berry With the number of financial scandals on diocesan and parish levels, the need to define root causes and their respective systemic solutions is crucial. Jason Berry, author of Render unto Rome: The Secret Life of Money in the Catholic Church, which details cases of fiscal mismanagement and lack of oversight, will lead the discussion of how to recognize and prevent financial abuses. Issues for dialogue: Abuses Forensic audits Alternative donation strategies and other practical solutions 3. Liturgical Renewal: the “New” pre-Vatican II Liturgy in your Future Presenter: To Be Announced Vatican II was a marker moment in our Church because it invited the laity to full, conscious and active participation in the liturgy. Where do we stand? What can we do? Issues for dialogue: Vernacular language and responses to the New Roman Missal Liturgical space – how it can define the agenda Roles in the liturgical assembly 4. Toward a Constitutional U.S. Church: Implications for Governance Presenter: Leonard Swidler Americans’ civil life includes constitutionality, due process of law, representation, choice of leaders, accountability/transparency – in brief, respecting the Human Rights of all. American Catholics’ Church life is one which does not respect Human Rights, but demands unquestioning obedience. The workshop will focus on practical suggestions for how to bring about change. Issues for dialogue: The power of a written constitution Ten Step Program to a Democratic Parish What goes in a Constitution, and what not Setting up a parish-level 501(c)(3) 5. Universal Availability of Ministry: Exploring New Models of Catholic Ministry Outside Existing Structures Presenters: Andrea Johnson, Bill Manseau, and Don Horrigan Vatican II opened the People of God to promises of inclusivity and collaboration where all might actively serve, assuming they have the needed gifts and the community’s support to do so. The fundamental necessity for universal availability of Eucharist, coupled with the current shortage of priests increases the urgency to think outside the box. This breakout will particularly focus upon the experience of married and women priests who are themselves exploring new models of ministry (outside existing structures) as well as the theological underpinnings for their ministry. Issues for dialogue: Theology of Baptism Early historical tradition Experience of Roman Catholic Women Priests Experience of CORPUS married Catholic Priests Experience of CITI married Catholic Priests Dutch Dominican document 6 Universal Availability of Ministry: Models for Effecting Catholic Systemic Change Within Existing Structures Presenters: Ronald DuBois, Therese Koturbash, Anthony Kowalski The Church has always held that the Eucharist is foundational to Catholic life, yet a worldwide shortage of priests makes it impossible for Catholics celebrate regularly. What can faithful Catholics do to preserve the Mass as the center of Catholic worship? This breakout session explores specific models and strategies to effect systemic change within the existing structures of Catholicism. Issues for Dialogue: Theology of Baptism Restoration of the early tradition of welcoming both married and celibate priests Restoration of the early tradition of the female deacons Strategies to continue discussion of women’s ordination 7. Creating Nonviolent Responses to Common Abuses of Authority in the U.S. Church Presenters: Caridad Inda, Chris Schenk What can be done when a new bishop dismantles effective diocesan programs or raids the priests’ pension fund? OR When a beloved pastoral minister is dismissed for believing in women’s equality, OR Your vibrant parish is threatened with closure? This workshop addresses nonviolent spirituality and strategies for responding to common abuses of authority in the U.S. Church, including the influence of Gene Sharp’s writings. Issues for dialogue: Healing internalized oppression Non cooperation Hope, suffering, fear, justice 8. Responding to the Sexual Abuse Phenomenon and Supporting the Survivor Community Presenters: Barbara Blaine, David Clohessey This session will provide data for debunking the myth that clergy sexual abuse is a thing of the past and will review best practices for going forward that not only create safe parishes, but also help build a transparent and accountable Church overall. Issues for dialogue: Techniques for survivor support Healing and recognition of the victim as a person Interplay between civil law and Church practices 9. Bishop Selection Presenter: Dr. Nick Mazza, Ed Wilson Developing new participatory structures of governance is at the heart of creating a Church that models the ideals of Vatican II and the needs of our contemporary communities. Members of the VOTF Universal Action Team will discuss their experience in working to change diocesan governance structures. Issues for dialogue: Elected, deliberative diocesan councils Bishop Selection Financial transparency 10. Women in the Church: Strategies for Empowerment Presenters: Sr. Diana Culbertson, Rita Houlihan, Kathleen Kichline, Gloria Ulterino How can ordinary Catholics begin to change the sexism and misogyny in the Catholic Church? What are effective strategies bringing visibility to the strong women leaders of today, as well as women in scripture and church history? How can we impact our parishes, small faith communities, colleges and secondary schools? Issues for dialogue: Lay Ecclesial Ministers in the Church Apostolic Visitation of US nuns Hidden women of the bible and lectionary Hidden women of Church history Women leaders today 11. The Primacy of the well-formed Conscience Presenter: Jeannine Gramick In the process of the investigation leading to his 1997 excommunication, Tissa Balasuriya remarked, “I had to develop faith in my own conscience.” The Catholic teaching about the authority of conscience is a well-hidden Church secret. This interactive session will discuss the implications of the “Who-What-Where-When-Why” of conscience. Issues for dialogue: Legitimate public dissent Silencing Resistance to change Development of doctrine 12. Alternative Worship Communities: 40+ Years in two Vatican II-inspired Eucharistic Communities Presenters: Members of the PAX Community and NOVA Community Inspired by Vatican II, many Catholics, both lay and religious, have created new ways to celebrate Catholic liturgy and community. Over 40 years ago, in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., two communities, with diocesan and parish support, were formed to carry out the ideals of Vatican II. Issues for dialogue: History, Evolution, and Current Attributes Liturgical and Spiritual Development Community-Building and Governance Social Action and Social Justice Current Issues The Coming Years and Beyond 13. Impact & Contribution of the Latin@ Communities on 21st Century US Catholicism Presenter: Jeanette Rodriguez Building on her keynote address, Jeannette Rodriguez will facilitate a conversation about the promise and challenges of the demographic changes within the Church in the United States. Issues for dialogue: Mestizo Christianity/mulatto Christianity (issues of identity) Church of the poor/ church of the martyrs Tradition and popular religion Small-based Christian communities 14. Sacramental “Eligibility” Presenters: Marianne Duddy-Burke, Frank DeBernardo This presentation will center on sacramental theology of Baptism and Eucharist, particularly on developing an inclusive theology. It will also examine the denial of Eucharist (full communion with the community) to the divorced and remarried, LGBT Catholics, and others. The hierarchy’s threats to withhold space and sacraments as tools to maintain silent obedience among the laity will be discussed. Issues for dialogue: Common concerns among disenfranchised groups Theological constructs/actions that nullify hierarchical threats Strategies for living out inclusive sacramentality in community What do these Sacraments mean in the 21st Century Catholic Church? 15. Black Catholics as Subversive Memories: Does the history of the non-violent resistance movement in the U.S. have lessons for U.S. Catholicism? Presenter: Diana Hayes Persons of African descent have been a part of the Church from its earliest beginnings yet are still seen as newcomers to be missioned to. Having developed their own “way of being Church,” Black Catholics today are articulating a Black Catholic Theology of Liberation and a Black Catholic Spirituality that is affirming and declarative of their active and vital presence in the Church today. Issues for Dialogue: What can the Church as a whole learn from Black Catholics? How did the motifs of empowerment and enculturation of Vatican II resonate with the Black Catholic communities? Does the Black Catholic experience of non-violent resistance hold any lessons to a modern US Catholic resistance movement? 16. The Younger Generation: The Church Now and the Future Presenters: Lisa Hawley, Emily Holtel Hoag We all know that renewal of the church does not happen overnight. The younger generation will need to carry forward the work of this weekend, and the passion and zeal for an inclusive church. Where is this generation? How do we engage them? What are they passionate about? Issues for dialogue: Trends in young adult faith development “Do’s and don’ts” of engagement Top ten ways to involve the younger generation 17. The Church in the Modern World Presenters: Maria Riley, O.P., James E. Hug, S.J. Vatican II’s Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World committed Catholics to engage the “joys and hopes, griefs and anxieties” of the people of its age, especially the poor and afflicted, in service of greater social justice and systemic change. The world has changed. We must see it anew. What are the “Signs of the Times” in our age that we as Church can and must address? Issues for dialogue: Global solidarity Climate change and ecological challenges Church and elections The economy and jobs Church/war/terrorism Church/lifestyle/global solidarity Diminished and conservative commitment of the institutional church’s social justice engagement Immigration Civil discourse and social discernment 18. My Mama’s Mansion Presenters: Women at the Well Theatrical Troupe As we search for every means to engage in constructive reform, let us not overlook the opportunities afforded by creative exploration of new paradigms of what it means to live in the Reign of God. This musical parable shows the reign of God is like a family reunion where everyone is welcomed home. Come, encounter Mama (the Wisdom Woman), Sarah (a mother of Israel and wife of Abraham), the woman with the lost coin, Eve, Mary of Magdala, the Madres of the Plaza de Mayo in Argentina, and Gabrielle Bossis (a twentieth century French actress and mystic.) 19. Breakout Session with Matthew Fox Matthew Fox was added in late program changes to deliver the Saturday afternoon keynote in place of Kathleen Kennedy Townsend who had to cancel due to a conflict in her schedule. Fox will also facilitate a breakout session. The theme will be announced.
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