Renowned presenters highlight Archdiocesan Catechetical Conference, Feb. 10-12
January 5, 2011
HOUSTON — The Office of Continuing Christian Education is sponsoring the bi-annual Archdiocesan Catechetical Conference, Feb. 10 to 12, at the George R. Brown Convention Center. The conference, with the theme "God So Loved the World," will include diversified national and regional presenters of formation in Scriptural, theological, spiritual, liturgical, moral and social justice themes. The gathering will focus on local Archdiocesan and global realities by addressing issues on cultural diversity, persons with disabilities, lifelong faith formation and interreligious dialogue.
Among the presenters at the conference is Dr. Scott Alexander, who will speak on "Islam, Muslims, and the Current Global Context: What Thinking Catholics Need to Know." Alexander is associate professor of Islam and Director of Catholic-Muslim Studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. He is a regular consultant on Catholic-Muslim relations for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, sits on the editorial board of the Journal of Islamic Law and Culture, and is co-editor of the forthcoming "Cambridge Dictionary of Christian-Muslim Relations." He is currently writing a book, funded by a grant by the Association of Theological Schools and the Lilly Foundation, on the end to triumphalism in Christian-Muslim relations.
Sister Edith Prendergast will present "Finding God in the whirlwinds of our Lives." Sister Prendergast is currently the Director of Religious Education for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and directs the annual Religious Education Congress in Anaheim, Calif.
Father Bryan Massingale will discuss "At Table with Jesus: Jesus' Meals and the Eucharist as Moral Gift and Challenge." Father Massingale specializes in Roman Catholic moral theology with a focus on applying Catholic social thought to the issues of affirmative action, racial reconciliation, environmental justice, terrorism and the challenge of peacemaking, liberation theologies, African American religious ethics and racial justice. He has written more than 60 articles, book chapters and book reviews, published in journals and published his most recent book, "Racial Justice and the Catholic Church" (Orbis Books, 2010). He is a consultant to the USCCB, providing theological assistance on issues such as criminal justice, capital punishment, environmental justice and affirmative action.
In addition to the wide array of presenters, the conference includes a host of exhibitors consisting of Catholic publishers, Catholic bookstores and vendors who offer various resources for faith formation. Daniel Cardinal DiNardo is scheduled to preside at the closing Mass.
For registration information, visit www.galveston-houstonconference.org. †
tch@archgh.org