Key Speakers

Most Rev. Martin Drennan DD

Most Rev. Martin Drennan DD is bishop of Galway and chairperson of the Episcopal Commission for catechetics. He will open the RE Congress.  

Timothy Radcliffe OP

Biographical Synopsis: Timothy Radcliffe OP was born in London in 1945, the fourth of six children. He was educated by the Benedictines at Worth and Downside schools. He joined the English Province of the Dominican Order in 1965, and was ordained a priest in 1971. He studied at Blackfriars and at St John’s College in Oxford, and in Paris. He was a chaplain to the University of London in 1974 – 76, before returning to Oxford, where he taught scripture and doctrine for twelve years. Besides teaching and preaching, he was involved in the Peace movement and in ministry to people with AIDS. He was Prior of Oxford from 1982 – 88, when he was elected Provincial of the English Province. He was President of the Conference of Major Religious Superiors. In 1992 he was elected Master of the Order, finishing his term in 2001. He was Chancellor of the Angelicum University in Rome, S.Tomas in Manila, the Ecole Biblique in Jerusalem and the Theology Faculty in Fribourg. He is now an itinerant preacher and lecturer based at Blackfriars, Oxford, spending two thirds of the year travelling, and is on the board of the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development. He is an Honorary Fellow of St John’s College, Oxford, and Doctor of Divinity hon. causa of Oxford University and the Pontifical University of St Thomas (Angelicum), and has honorary doctorates from various other universities in France, and the United States. He is the author of ‘Sing a New Song’, ‘I Call You Friends’, ‘Seven Last Words’, and ‘What is the point of being a Christian?’ His next book, ‘Why go to church?’, is due to appear in December 2008. He was awarded the Michael Ramsey Prize for theological writing in 2007. He is a Sarum Canon of Salisbury Cathedral.

Title of Presentation: Between Memory and Hope

Joyce Rupp

Biographical Synopsis: Joyce Rupp describes herself as a "spiritual mid-wife," one who assists others in birthing an ever fuller faith life. Her ministry includes writing, retreats and conferences, spiritual direction, and co-directing The Institute of Compassionate Presence. Joyce is a Servite Sister and a volunteer for Hospice. To learn more about Joyce and her publications: www.joycerupp.com

Title of Presentation: Growing in Faith Through Difficult Times.

Synopsis of Presentation: In what way does our past history shape us, our present situation transform us, and our future vision enliven us? Joyce Rupp looks at this question through the lens of the paschal mystery. She invites participants to approach difficult times as opportunities for birthing fuller love, stronger faith, and deeper peace. This workshop will include song, prayer, poetry, speaker presentation, small group dialogue, and large group response. The workshop will be focused on personal spiritual growth. It will also include ways in which to carry the content of the workshop into one’s catechetical ministry.

Dr. Carole Eipers

Biographical Synopsis: Dr. Carole Eipers is Vice President and Executive Director of Catechetics for William H. Sadlier, Inc. She served in parish ministries for over 20 years as a teacher, Director of Religious Education, Youth Minister and Pastoral Associate. Carole was Director of the Office for Catechesis for the Archdiocese of Chicago for nine years and also served as President of the National Conference of Catechetical Leadership. Carole has been a member of the adjunct faculties of Mundelein Seminary, Loyola University Chicago, Loyola University New Orleans and Catholic Theological Union, Chicago. She has written and presented for national and international groups in the area of catechetics. Carole holds a Master of Pastoral Studies degree from Loyola University, Chicago and a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Graduate Theological Foundation in Indiana.

Title of Presentation: The Fire of Catechesis: Igniting Memories, Kindling Hope.

Synopsis of Presentation: Saint Paul reminds us to "fan into flame the gift of faith." Catechesis teaches us to treasure the memories of faith and to embrace the hope that faith offers. How do we form disciples of Jesus Christ who remember, who hope, and who can be salt for the earth and light for the world?

Fr. Peter McVerry SJ

Biographical Synopsis: Fr. Peter McVerry SJ, while working as a priest in the Inner City in Dublin, encountered some homeless children and opened a hostel for them in 1979. He subsequently opened six more hostels and drug treatment centres. He has written on many issues relating to young homeless people, such as accommodation, drugs, juvenile justice, the gardaí, the prisons and education. In 2003, he produced a book of his writings, called “The Meaning is in the Shadows”. His most recent publication in 2007 is “Jesus – Social Revolutionary?”

Title of Presentation: “The Collapse of the Global Economy – where to now? Has the Church anything to offer?”

Synopsis of Presentation: The Global Economic Crisis has revealed some inherent flaws in the current economic model. Many are waiting for the recession to end, so that the world can get back to “business as usual”. Has the Church anything to say about the economic model of the past? Has it anything to contribute to the emergence of a new, and more just, economic model for the future?  

Daniel O’Leary

Biographical Synopsis: Daniel O’Leary is a priest, author and teacher since 1960 in the Diocese of Leeds, England. He was Chair of the Religious Studies Department in St Mary’s University College, London before becoming Episcopal Vicar for Christian Formation in his Yorkshire diocese. He holds Masters Degrees in theology, spirituality and religious education. ‘Begin with the Heart: Recovering a Sacramental Vision’, his twelfth book, is recently published by Columba Press, Dublin.

Title of Presentation: Begin with the Heart: Recovering the Sacramental Vision in Religious Education.

Synopsis of Presentation: Between memory and hope we re-member. Re-membering happens only in the here and now. That re-membering is called ‘a sacramental moment’. It is called a sacramental moment because it holds together the light and the dark - the truth of Revelation even as it struggles to shine in our confused and often-despairing world.
The heart of this truth is the concept of sacramentality, that key grace of seeing into the very essence of our redeemed lives, a revelation that has been lost and forgotten for far too long. The recovery of this powerful, orthodox tradition of the Catholic Church will transform our understanding of the love and meaning at the core of our teaching and catechising.
Working within the treasures of an attractive and transforming theology of nature and grace, this Congress address hopes to offer nourishment and inspiration to teachers and catechists, both personally and professionally. It introduces a radical dimension to the work of education and formation through its appeal to the creative imagination. It is only from the teacher’s and catechist’s own inner passion and conviction that the hearts of others will catch fire. The faith is caught as well as taught.

Rev. Ruth Patterson

Biographical Synopsis: Rev. Ruth Patterson is a Presbyterian minister currently director of Restoration Ministries, an interdenominational organisation seeking to promote peace and reconciliation. In 1976 she was the first woman to be ordained in Ireland. Her first book ‘A Farther Shore’ was published in March 2000. Her second book ‘Journeying Towards Reconciliation – A Song For Ireland’ was published in March 2003 and her third book ‘Proclaiming the Promise’ was published November 2006. In January 2003 Ruth was awarded an OBE for her work in reconciliation.

Title of Presentation: Looking Back To Tomorrow – A Spirituality For Between The Times.

Synopsis of Presentation: Based on Scripture this presentation will explore how we are called to live in the present moment, as a bridge between the past and the future.   

His Eminence Cardinal Seán Brady DCL, DD is the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland. He will preside at the closing Mass of the congress.

Workshop Presenters:

Rev. David Loftus (Adult Catechesis) Los Angeles, California.
Dr. Claire Maloney (Primary Catechesis) St. Mary’s, Marino.
Rev. Tom Hamill (Holistic Christianity) Dundalk – Armagh Archdiocese.
Orla Walsh and Enda Donlon (Online Catechesis) Veritas and Mater Dei.
Maeve Mahon and Rev. Martin Delaney (Do This in Memory).
Sr. Jennifer Perkins fma, Rev. Richard Hendrick ofm (School Retreats).
Brian Mc Kee and Bobby Moore (Peace and Reconciliation) Youthcom.
Hilary Musgrave and Monica Brown (Creativity) Emmaus Productions.
Dr. Patricia Kieran and Catherine Mc Nally (Faith and Food) Mary I.

David Loftus

Biographical Synopsis: A Mayo native, Fr. David Loftus is a graduate of Boston College and All Hallows College, Dublin. Based in Los Angeles, he works in the Office of Religious Education as a Consultant for Adult Faith Formation. He speaks regularly throughout the United States, has served as Vice President of the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership, and has facilitated the International Consultation on Adult Faith Formation.

Title of Presentation: Between Memory and Hope: A New Horizon for Faith Formation.

Synopsis of Presentation: The landscape of our lived faith is in perpetual transition, calling us to lift our eyes to horizons different from those with which we have enjoyed familiarity in our past. Passing on our faith tradition requires that we consider with renewed intentionality a personal and communal commitment to discipleship – a discipleship for “big” boys and girls. This session proposes lifelong faith formation and discipleship as essential to what it means to be a person and a people of faith for the 21st century.  

Clare Maloney

Biographical Synopsis: Teacher.

Title of Presentation: Parababbles.

Synopsis of Presentation: Jesus didn’t – as far as we know – teach children. He taught adults. He did – as far as we know - do two things in relation to children – bless them and confirm their greatness, kingdom-wise. Thus, it seems to me, children’s religious education - if it is to be “kingdom-wise” should be experienced as a blessing, confirming children’s greatness in a transcended order-of-things. For this to be the case, rather than centring itself on dogmatic concerns carried by a clerical hierarchy, primary religious education must have story at it’s heart, classic and contemporary children’s stories, stories being as they are, the very ‘pulse’ of childhood. This presentation will explore some such ‘parababbles’. 

Biographical Synopsis: Born in Louth, lived in Dundalk! A Christian Brothers, Pat's Armagh, & Maynooth boy! Then The Biblicum in Rome, & Jerusalem! The time of the figtree's pruning&fruiting was in Mount Oliver Institute '69 to '92! Since then, work-with-other-adults on the retrieval of The Breath-for-Now of the ancient biblical, & other, generative narratives: & a sifting of their various divine priorities, & embodiment of the most resonant Discipleship-for-The21stC, that will mediate TheChristWholeness to self, & all-others, & our planet Gaia!

Title of Presentation: 2012! Merest New-Age Mullarkey? Or Serious Wake-Up Call?

Synopsis of Presentation: A modest exploration of some often-unacknowledged facets of our cosmic reality, that are presenting in these significant times! That our larger deeper self may awaken into Wisdom’s-Truth!
a. What are ‘TheSigns-of-TheTimes’ referred to by Vatican II?
b. Where am I in regard to the recognition-of, &the coping-with, these phenomena?
c. How adequate is my ‘Christianity’ for the increasing complexity of ‘TheModernWorld’?
d. How developed is my
* Self-Knowledge?
* Life-as-Spirit-of-Jesus?
* Canniness vis-à-vis ‘TheOtherGods’?
* Adult Discipleship? 

Tom Hamill's Poetry

Orla Walsh

Biographical Synopsis: Orla Walsh is married with three children and lives in Trim Co. Meath. She is a full-time religious education writer with Veritas since January 2005. Orla has a Masters degree in Religious Education from the Mater Dei Institute of Education. She began her career with ten years teaching experience and then worked as a Dublin diocesan Post-Primary adviser for a further eight years. Currently, Orla is writing the content for and facilitating FaithConnect. She also lectures on the Mater Dei outreach adult education programme.

Enda Donlon

Biographical Synopsis: Enda Donlon is a lecturer in education at the Mater Dei Institute of Education, Dublin, where he teaches on the use of ICT in teaching and learning. He is currently a member of the FaithConnect project team, and has worked on several other web-based ICT in RE projects in the past, including Logos and Wellsprings.

Title of joint Presentation: FaithConnect: Web-based Religious Education.

Synopsis of Presentation: Faithconnect is a new and exciting religious education website for Transition year students. It is a joint initiative between the Mater Dei Institute of Education and Veritas Ireland. Using the theme ‘The Search for Meaning’ Faithconnect works to achieve three outcomes.

1. An information-based outcome presented in a creative web format.

2. A formation-based outcome that has a sense of peer ministry.

3. A parish-based outcome that will involve the students engaging with people in the locality in an effort to explore how specifically chosen topics (from the content), have affected/impacted upon their lives in various ways.

Maeve Mahon

Biographical Synopsis: Maeve Mahon is Diocesan Adviser for Religious Education in the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin. Working with Rev. Martin Delaney she has delivered workshops on the Do This in Memory programme all over Ireland and abroad. 

Rev. Martin Delaney

Biographical Synopsis: Rev. Martin Delaney is a priest of the diocese of Ossory. He worked for thirteen years as Diocesan Adviser for Religious Education in Primary Schools.

Title of joint Presentation: The Do This in Memory programme.

 Synopsis of Presentation: This workshop will offer an overview of Do This in Memory and will explore the catechetical and liturgical principles that underpin this parish based preparation programme. As the programme is now being used, nationally, for the sixth consecutive year the authors believe it is also timely to offer the opportunity to reflect on the pastoral issues and implications that are emerging as a result of its implementation.  

Biographical Synopsis: Jennifer is a Salesian Sister. She has an MA in Education and Diplomas in Pastoral Ministry, Youth Ministry, Liturgy, Catechetics and Social Science. She is a secondary school teacher of considerable experience, a trained spiritual director and has worked as a development officer in the Limerick Youth Centre. She is a trained supervisor with the William Glasser Institute.
Jennifer has experience in youth retreats both in Ireland and in the UK and has given training workshops to retreat teams. She has worked as a full time member of the Emmaus Retreat Team. She also pioneered the Shekinah Training Project. 

Richard Hendrick

Biographical Synopsis: Richard is a priest-friar of the Irish Capuchin Franciscan province and holds honours degrees in Philosophy, Theology and English Literature and a post graduate Diploma in Holistic Studies. As well as working in parish, hospital, prison and preaching ministries he has been involved in Youth Ministry for the past ten years and is currently provincial director of youth ministry for the Irish Capuchins. His work includes chaplaincy and retreat ministry to over sixteen different secondary schools and four different third level colleges, the teaching of Christian forms of meditation to young people and the direction of the “Sanctuary for Schools” programme in the Sanctuary Retreat and Spirituality Centre in Dublin city centre. He is also one of the founders and directors of the Dublin Gospel Choir.

Title of joint Presentation: School Retreats

Synopsis of Presentation:
1. A presentation on the history and different forms of school retreats up to the present day.
2. The current situation regarding school retreats.
3. ‘Shekinah’ – a training course in facilitating school retreats, currently presented by the All Hallows Pastoral Department and compiled and directed by Jennifer Perkins fma and Richard Hendrick ofm, cap.  

Brian McKee

Biographical Synopsis: Brian is Director of Youth Ministry in Down and Connor diocese. Married to Elizabeth with four children, he has worked in youth ministry and adult faith formation for almost 30 years. He has taught at primary and secondary level and is a member of the Academic Board for the Youth Ministry Studies Programme. Having studied in All Hallows College, Dublin, Brian was awarded a Masters in Pastoral Studies.

Dr Robert M Moore
D. Psych., M.Ed. M. Med Sci. (Psychotherapy), Adv. Dip. Sup.

Biographical Synopsis: Bobby is Registered Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist (ICP) and Certified Group Psychotherapist (AGPA). He currently works in individual and group psychotherapy in private practice in Belfast engaging in training and organisational consultancy with Religious Congregations and Dioceses through Ireland and Britain. He is also Director of supervision on training at the Personal Counselling Institute in Dublin.

Title of joint Presentation: Peace and Reconciliation

Synopsis of Presentation: How can the experience of conflict in the north of Ireland guide the catechist to become an agent for change in the increasingly diverse society which is modern Ireland? A personal reflection on living through “the Troubles” leads into an exploration of the questions raised for faith and catechesis in the context of communal conflict. We look at how church and faith may be viewed through the lens of communal conflict, and how conflict might be understood through the lens of faith. Among the issues explored are the power of memory, and its impact upon our sense of identity and belonging.  

Monica Brown

Biographical Synopsis: Monica Brown, from Sydney Australia, is director of Emmaus Productions and is an internationally acclaimed Christian composer and workshop facilitator, who works regularly in Ireland, as well as The UK, Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand, in the areas of religious education, spirituality, liturgy and the integration of the arts. She has been awarded a Masters Honours Degree in Education from the Australian Catholic University, having completed her thesis on spiritual development and the integration of creative process. Her music for children, youth and adults is widely used in communities, schools, parishes and retreat centres, and is touching the hearts of people throughout the world.   

Hilary Musgrave

Biographical Synopsis: Hilary Musgrave, from Tramore, County Waterford in Ireland, is a former Teacher, Principal and Religious Education Advisor in the Dublin Diocese. She received her Master’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry and Spirituality from Boston College, and works extensively in the area of Creative Spirituality through sacred clowning, storytelling and facilitation, throughout Ireland, as well as Canada, the USA, Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Hilary was the subject of the highly acclaimed Would You Believe RTE TV Program, ‘A Clown’s Story’. Her recent book “Listen Here God” has touched and warmed the hearts of many.

Title of joint Presentation: The Word is Made Flesh

Synopsis of Presentation: This workshop will be a practical exploration of the use of creative process in breaking open the Word of God with children and youth. Through the integration of music, mime, sacred clowning, scripture storytelling and other creative process, participants will be actively involved in developing creative ways to support and nurture the spirituality and faith development of the their students. The workshop will reflect on why we do what we do in faith formation, while demonstrating the practical “how to” in breaking open the Word in the lived experience of children and youth.  

Patricia Kieran

Biographical Synopsis: Patricia Kieran is a lecturer in Religious Education at the Department of Learning, Society and Religious Education at Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick. She has written articles and chapters on the area of Catholic education, sacred objects, Roman Catholic modernism and has co-authored and co-edited three books (with Anne Hession): (2005) Children, Catholicism and Religious Education, Dublin: Veritas; (2007) Exploring Theology: Making Sense of the Catholic Tradition, Dublin: Veritas; (2009) Exploring Religious Education: Catholic Religious Education in an intercultural Europe, Dublin, Veritas.

Catherine McNally

Biographical Synopsis: Catherine McNally is a qualified (B.Ed) primary school teacher with fifteen years teaching experience. She has a Masters degree in Theology (Coventry University) and an M.Phil. (University of Lampeter) in Biblical Studies. She regularly cooks with her class of thirty sixth class boys and has found that the experience of communal meals brings life to faith and faith to life for the children in her class.

Title of joint Presentation: Faith and Food: Recipes for the RE classroom.

Synopsis of Presentation: Sacred meals and religious foods form a key element of catechesis in primary and post-primary schools. The first part of the workshop will provide a brief overview of the key theme of foods, fasting and meal rituals in Religious Education. Foods and meal rituals from Jesus’ life (Sabbath meal, Passover, Eucharist) and the early Christian community (Agape) will be highlighted as central to providing students with an understanding of who Jesus was, how he related to others and how we as Christians respond to the risen Christ today. However, teachers cannot assume that students have an understanding or indeed positive experience of meal ritual in their homes and everyday lives. Fast foods, dashboard grazing, TV dinners, all diminish the experience of communal meals and change the nature of meal rituals for so many. Inevitably when this is the case it is difficult for teachers to explore the nature of sacred meals with children.
The second part of the workshop will focus on how teachers can enable children to experience communal sacred meal rituals. It will involve preparing basic recipes for religious meals. The workshop will provide participants with a small booklet of recipes for religious meals in the classroom, guidelines on how to celebrate communal meals with students as well as samples of some of the foods we have previously made in classrooms when exploring this topic of sacred food. 

Music/Liturgical Coordinators:
Rev. Pat O’Donoghue and Orla Walsh.