Accompaniment and Communication with Young Catholics virtual workshop

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Accompaniment and Communication with Young Catholics virtual workshop

October 24-26, 2023

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Registration for this virtual workshop is open in the store.

This virtual workshop is essential for those who promote vocations and want to learn more about young Catholics. This three-day virtual workshop offers participants opportunities to learn and understand nuances of the Gen Z and Alpha generations, ways to bridge generational communication gaps, and how to integrate these learnings and meaningfully engage with young adults in pastoral and vocation ministry contexts.

Please note: This workshop is not recorded to allow the presenter and participants the opportunity to speak authentically in a learning community. Personal recording is prohibited.

Workshop Schedule

Please note this three-day workshop begins on October 24 at 9:30 a.m. and ends on October 26 at 3:30 p.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT) U.S..

There is a 60-minute break from noon - 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT) U.S. Workshop materials will be mailed to participants at least two weeks before the workshop.

Day 1: Understanding and Ministering to Generation Z and the Alpha’s, presented by Dr. Charlotte McCorquodale, Ph.D.

During this session, participants will explore various characteristics, nuances, and spiritual needs of Generation Z and Generation Alpha. As part of our exploration of Generation Alpha, participants will examine the millennial generation and the implications for how they parent the youngest generation. The session will incorporate findings from a recent study on the current generations of leaders leading ministry with the young Church.

Day 2: Increasing Understanding Across Generations: Communication Strategies, presented by Dr. Stephen Carroll, Ph.D.

During this session, participants will learn strategies for creating a safe, respectful environment for people of different generations to share their experiences and develop trust. The session will offer practical strategies for vocation and formation directors to work through resistance due to generational biases and understand modules for collaboration. This workshop will also address social media’s role in generational divisions and present communication strategies to address bias and misunderstanding. Thank you to Saint Luke Institute for partnering with the NRVC in sponsoring a portion of this presentation.

Day 3: How to Meaningfully Engage with our Emerging Generations, presented by Mr. Darius Villalobos

During this session, participants will be able to connect the prior two presentations by primarily exploring practical ways vocation ministers can more meaningfully engage the highly diverse Gen Z and Alpha generations. Participants will particularly consider how the COVID-19 pandemic impacts youth and young adults emerging identities. Incorporating recent ecclesial documents, the emphasis will be on pastoral ministry to and accompanying our youngest generations. Thank you to the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry for partnering with the NRVC in sponsoring a portion of this presentation.

Presenters

Dr. Stephen Carroll, Ph.D., LCPC, a licensed mental health counselor, has been a member of the clinical services department at Saint Luke Institute since 2012. Currently, the director of aftercare services, Dr. Carroll received his doctoral degree in counseling from Loyola University Maryland and a master’s degree in pastoral ministry from Boston College. He served as a visiting professor at Loyola University in the school counseling department and conducted research for Georgetown University’s Woodstock Theological Center. His research on the impact of religion and spirituality on employment attitudes and behaviors has been published in the Journal of Mental Health, Religion, and Culture along with the American Psychological Association’s Handbook of the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality.

Dr. Charlotte McCorquodale, Ph.D. has served the church in several capacities for over 40 years. She completed her Master’s Degree in Religious Education from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, and her doctoral degree from the School of Human Resource Education and Workforce Development at Louisiana State University. Dr. McCorquodale serves as President of Ministry Training Source. MTS is a non-profit organization committed to the research and formation of ministry leaders by providing customized ministry formation solutions using the latest research and technology. Presently, she is an international educator, researcher, and consultant for the fields of lay ecclesial ministry, certification standards and processes, youth ministry, online and eLearning.

Mr. Darius A. Villalobos serves as the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion for the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM). He previously served in the Archdiocese of Chicago in a variety of ministry roles, including youth ministry, young adult ministry, evangelization, and catechesis. He currently serves on the National Advisory Team for Young Adult Ministry of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and as a founding board member of the National Institute for Ministry with Young Adults. He is a graduate of DePaul University where he received his bachelor’s degree in English and Catholic Studies. Mr. Villalobos is a Bernardin Scholar at Catholic Theological Union in the Master of Arts in Intercultural Ministry program.

Workshop fees

Workshop fees include materials, speaker stipends, and postage.

NRVC member: $ 655 Non-member: $ 932

Become an NRVC member here to save on workshop fees.

Cancellations

Cancellations for workshops must be received in writing to dinasp@nrvc.net. After October 1, all fees are non-refundable.

Financial assistance available

To assist NRVC members with their professional development, the Misericordia Scholarship Fund is available. Scholarship funds can be applied to NRVC workshops; however, they do not cover the cost of transportation, accommodations, meals, or personal expenses. If you need financial assistance to attend an NRVC workshop, please apply here.

Workshop terms and conditions

Please read our NRVC terms and conditions for all events and programs.

Workshops are designed from the NRVC curriculum for those who wish to deepen their understanding of the complex theological, spiritual, psycho-sexual, ethical, and diversity issues often present in contemporary vocation ministry. NRVC recommends that vocation ministers participate in ongoing educational opportunities to attend to their own vocation, faith formation, and to further develop their professional competencies.