BALTIMORE—Sixty-six Catholic catechetical leaders based on United States Military installations throughout the eastern U.S. will gather in Baltimore, Md., this weekend for three days of training, fellowship, discussion, and prayer at the eighth annual Mid-Atlantic Congress (MAC). The Congress is co-sponsored by the Association of Catholic Publishers, which represents more than 60 Catholic publishers of books, music, videos, and other liturgical resources, and the Department of Evangelization of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The conference gives diocesan and parish staffs and volunteers an opportunity to explore current challenges in the areas of management, finances, human resources, and planning. MAC 2019 will take place at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor, 401 West Pratt Street. More than 1,300 are expected to participate in this year’s Congress, the theme of which is “Prophetic Discipleship.”
It’s not too late to register for the Mid-Atlantic Congress. To register, visit midatlanticcongress.org/register.html. The regular rate for all three days is $185 if payment is postmarked before Jan. 15, or $210 onsite. Military catechists may register ahead of time at the discount rate of $135 by using the promo code, “MAC2019.”
The military group will focus on ways to develop catechetical leadership in faith formation activities for families in the armed forces. On Friday, February 15, His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio (pictured), J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, will host an appreciation dinner (RSVP required). The dinner will take place in the Ruth Room of the Hilton beginning at 6:45 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time). Archbishop Broglio will speak on the topic, “Prophetic Disciples – Home, Catholic Community, and World.” Mr. Paul Senz of Ignatius Press, sponsor of the dinner, will share resources available to catechists through the San Francisco-based Catholic publishing house. The Thursday-to-Saturday schedule is otherwise filled with breakout sessions, speeches and exhibits, as well as, opportunities to receive the sacraments of reconciliation and the Eucharist.
Presentations specifically intended for military catechetical leaders include the following:
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Topic:
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Joyful Momentum: Six Best Practices for Building Spirited Women’s Ministries
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Presenter:
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Ms. Elizabeth Tomlin, Esq.,
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General Counsel, Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, (AMS),
Past President, Military Council of Catholic Women |
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Location:
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Johnson Room, First Floor, East Building,
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Hilton Baltimore, 401 West Pratt Street
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Date:
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Friday, Feb. 15, 2019
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Time:
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1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time)
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Topic:
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Faith – More Caught than Taught
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Presenter:
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Father Robert R. Cannon, M.A., J.C.L., AMS Chancellor
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Location:
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Johnson Room, First Floor, East Building,
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Hilton Baltimore, 401 West Pratt Street
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Date:
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Friday, Feb. 15, 2019
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Time:
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3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time)
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The AMS group comprises representatives of the Archdiocese, including Msgr. John J.M. Foster, J.C.D., Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia; Dr. Mark Moitoza, Th.D., D. Min., Vice-Chancellor for Evangelization; Ms. Mary Lavin, Executive Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving; and lay leaders from the following military installations: Aberdeen Proving Ground, Dover Air Force Base (AFB), Fort Meade, Joint Base Andrews-Naval Air Facility (JBA-NAF), Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, and Langley AFB. Special guests will include Father Canice Enyiaka from JBA-NAF and Father David Kruse and Father Richard Poole, both from Dover AFB. Archbishop Broglio, Msgr. Foster, Dr. Moitoza, and Ms. Lavin will participate in a Bishops’ Leadership Round Table meeting during the Congress.
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles next month, a similar conference will be held for dioceses and parishes in the western U.S. The Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, sponsored by the Office of Religious Education of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, will take place March 21-24, 2019, at the Anaheim Convention Center, 800 West Katella Avenue, in Anaheim, Calif. The theme of the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress is “Thirsting for Justice.” Catholic catechetical leaders from U.S. Military installations throughout the West will participate. Archbishop Broglio will host a dinner and address those gathered on Friday, March 22. For more information, visit milarch.org/leadership-development/conferences/.
