Kathleen Chesto

Dr. Kathleen O'Connell Chesto is a woman of faith, a storyteller, a wife, mother, and grandmother. She leads parish retreats/missions and speaks at catechetical congresses internationally. She also gives talks for doctors, therapists, and caregivers of people with multiple sclerosis.

Kathleen holds an MA in religious studies from St. Joseph College, West Hartford, and a doctorate in ministry from Hartford Seminary. Her doctoral dissertation was in family ministry. She has been the recipient of the Hartford Seminary Distinguished Alumna award, the Emmaus Award for excellence in catechesis, the NACFLM award for outstanding service to families, and the CT Multiple Sclerosis Society's mother of the year award. Many of her books, articles, and videos have also received awards from the Christophers, the National Catholic Press, and the Associated Church Press.

Kathleen, her husband, and her three grown children, all live in the northeastern US.

                                                          8:30 - 9:00 am........................... Hospitality & Check-In
                                                          9:00 - 9:20 am........................... Welcome/Opening Prayer
                                                          9:20 - 10:00 am .........................Keynote - Kathleen Chesto
                                                          10:00 - 10:15 am .......................Break
                                                          10:15 - 11:30 am....................... Workshop #1
                                                          11:30 am- 12:30 pm.................. Lunch
                                                          12:45 - 2:00 pm........................ Workshop #2
                                                          2:00 - 2:15 pm.......................... Break
                                                          2:15 - 3:30 pm.......................... Workshop #3
                                                          3:45 - 4:00 pm.......................... Closing Prayer

Keynote Address

Telling Our Story: Naming and Claiming Our Faith – presented by Kathleen Chesto
How do we become people of faith?  What are the important steps in that journey and how is the
responsibility for faith development shared by the family, the catechist, the church?

Workshop Offerings - Period #1 - 10:15 am - 11:30 am

1-1 Faithful Citizenship: What are the National Issues? - Presented by Jeff Caruso
This presentation will outline the key principles found the "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship," the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops' November 2007 statement on civic responsibility.

Jeffrey F. Caruso, Esq., is the founding Director of the Virginia Catholic Conference, established by Bishops Loverde and DiLorenzo to advance the mutual public-policy interests of the Commonwealth's two Catholic dioceses. Originally from Maryland, Mr. Caruso spent two years practicing law in his native state and then more than six years as one of three associate directors at the Maryland Catholic Conference before coming to Virginia in January of 2005. He graduated from the Pennsylvania State University in 1993, with a B.S. in Mathematics and Psychology, and from Notre Dame Law School in 1996. He and his wife reside in Fredericksburg.

1-2 Advent Fiestas and Festivals - Presented by Ivonne Gordillo
The Advent in Latin America is so special and different; it is a big celebration and it is a time to be ready for the big DAY waiting for the Christ Child. We sing Villancicos (village songs), we do Posadas (carrying candles singing and praying). We have Novenas and also we do processions (pass through the streets, carrying figures of Mary and Joseph) It is so emotional and so important for us, it is a special family time. We gather and pray, we share beautiful moments, doing all of this looking for lodging for the Holy Family. It is really awesome how the community and the families in this time of the year are so close sharing and praying TOGETHER. Come see how you can bring some of these celebrations into your classroom this year!

Ivonne Gordillo Gordillo is originally from Peru, married, mother of two beautiful girls. Her family came here to USA 11 years ago and have been living in Virginia almost 5 years. As soon as they got here and found Saint Michael Catholic Church, they felt so welcome. Since then Ivonne started working with her girls in faith formation. In Peru she used to be part of a parish called Cristo Salvador and experienced great moments there. She has thanked GOD for giving her the opportunity to find this parish and work here with her family together. That it is really a big blessing.

1-3 Youth Ministry: Retreats, Prayer, Outreach & Music - Presented by Area Youth Ministers
Starting a Youth program at your parish?  New to Youth Ministry and have the “Deer in the headlights” look?  Than this is the place for you!!  Spend some time chatting with some veteran Youth Ministers where you can ask questions, get some great suggestions, advice or if nothing else, some support!

Elise Chapman has been actively involved in Youth Ministry for the past 12 years, and is currently the Coordinator of Youth for St. Michael Catholic Church in Glen Allen.  When she is not at the church (like that’s a possibility), she is spending special quality time with her husband, Chris, and 4 year old son, Jamie.  She also coordinates, with her mother, Karen, the former DRE at Sacred Heart in Prince George, a Multi-parish Confirmation Retreat and is the Diocesan Retreat Assistant for Christian Awakening in the Richmond area.

Joan Nelson has been the Youth Minister at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church since 2001.  She married her delightful husband, Mike, in 1997 and together they are the (tired) parents of Molly (4) and Mary Kate (1 ½).  And because she does not have enough to do, Joan is also working on a Master’s in Theological Studies at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in Washington D.C.

Richard Maume is currently the Youth Minister for St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Chesterfield.  He ahs been involved with the Diocesan youth retreats (Discovery and Christian Awakening) since 1984.  Richard is the current retreat assistand of the eastern region of the Diocese for Discovery retreats and will oversee two teams in the winter of 2009.

1-4 Positive Guidance for Preschool and Kindergarten Classrooms - Presented by Kathy Larue
Positive Guidance with emphasis on developmentally appropriate expectations and social/emotional teaching strategies.

Kathy Larue is an Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Development and Education at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. She has a Master's Degree in Adult Education and conducts professional development seminars for professional in the field of early education and care. She is a member of the Church of the Redeemer in Mechanicsville where she is co-chair of the Haiti Ministry.

1-5 A Walk through the Mass: What’s New and What’s Not! – Presented by Catherine Combier Donovan
The word on the street is that there are lots of changes coming soon to the Mass as we celebrate it.  What are they and when are they coming into effect?  We’ll walk through the Mass and look at changes: future, present, and past (those ahead, those we’re doing now, and those we’ve not yet implemented, some of which are more than 30 years old…).  Questions are welcome!

Catherine Combier-Donovan is the Director of the Office of Worship for the Catholic Diocese of Richmond.  Catherine (pronounced “Catrine”) was born in Lyon, France.  She earned a BS in Languages and Linguistics (Spanish) from Georgetown University and a recent MA in Liturgical Studies from St. John’s University School of Theology-Seminary in Collegeville, MN.  Her final graduate semester was spent in the Holy Land, an experience which transformed her and made Scripture come alive as nothing before.  Catherine has served in a number of parishes on the East coast as a director of liturgy, RCIA, and adult formation, as a pastoral associate, and as a choir director.  She is the author of several articles and reviews, and has just completed writing for the 2010 Sourcebook for Sundays and Seasons (LTP).  Her passions include liturgy,  liturgical art and architecture, French cuisine and wines, gathering family and friends around the table, and most especially, her son and daughter and her two grandchildren.  Catherine loves Virginia and has found a true home in Richmond, both in her little cottage in Westhampton, and in her ministerial work with Bishop Francis DiLorenzo

1-6 Psalms: A Conversation with God and Each Other - Presented by Fr. Dan Brady
Hebrew poetry has a certain character to it - it is more about "rhyming ideas" than rhyming sounds. As we tend to currently use or read it (as in the Psalms) we sometimes lose the "feel" and the depth of this wonderful literary form. It is generally written to be a conversation revealing what the Hebrew people believe about God and themselves. By approaching this poetic form in new ways we can join in that conversation and discover that we are also conversing with God!

Fr. Dan Brady was born on November 25, 1945 on Long Island, New York and grew up in a small up in the small town of Roosevelt. Following high school graduation he attended Hofstra University earning a double degree in both Chemistry and History. He then served in the Peace Corps for three years in Ghana, West Africa as a teacher at Mount St. Mary's Teacher Training College in Somanya-Krobo, a tiny village barely on the map.Upon return from Africa he attended Law School at the University of Virginia and graduated in 1973. He returned to New York where he practiced law for four years before entering the seminary on Long Island. He left the seminary after two and a half years and closed out his father's legal practice upon his father's death. When he re-entered his studies he came to the Diocese of Richmond because of its missionary work. He completed his seminary training at Theological College in Washington, D.C. For his remaining two years of training he served as seminarian and then deacon at St. Edward's in Bon Air and ultimately was ordained a priest in May of 1984. His first assignment was at Our Lady of Nazareth parish in Roanoke where he served for two years until 1986 when he was made pastor of the churches in Tazewell and Pocahontas. He came to St. Michael's in June of 2006.

2-1 Practical Outreach and Social Justice Issues for Youth

2-2 A Walk through the Mass: What’s New and What’s Not! – Presented by Catherine Combier Donovan
The word on the street is that there are lots of changes coming soon to the Mass as we celebrate it.  What are they and when are they coming into effect?  We’ll walk through the Mass and look at changes: future, present, and past (those ahead, those we’re doing now, and those we’ve not yet implemented, some of which are more than 30 years old…).  Questions are welcome! Note: This is a repeat of session 1-5.

2-3 Beatitudes: Know Our Blessings - Presented by Kathleen Chesto
The beatitudes from Matthew 5 are not a new, harder set of commandments.  They are exactly what Jesus called them – blessings.  Come and discover a new understanding of beatitude and find your own blessing.

2-4 Spiritual Journey of the Catechist - Presented by Mary Ellen Winkler
Yes, we are "Called to be Disciples". Let us hear, heart to heart, the echoes of the journey.

Mary Ellen Winkler presently serves as the Director of Christian Formation at St. Ann Church in Colonial Heights, VA. She has done catechetical service in the Diocese of Richmond since July 1, 1994. Mary Ellen has an Undergraduate degree from Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio and a Graduate Degree in Religious Studies from LaSalle University in Philadelphia, PA.

2-5 Catholic Answers to Protestant Questions - Presented by Pat Clement
The title says it all!! Come join us for an interesting and interactive session discussing the Catholic answers to some of the most popular questions other denominations ask about our Faith. Come prepared with your own questions.

Dr. Patricia Clement is currently the Minister of Christian Formation at St. James Church in Hopewell, Virginia. She has been a leader in Catechetical Ministry for over 30 years, has published several articles in national magazines, and was one of the creators of the original (1998) PATHWAYS Catechist Training program.

3-1 Faithful Citizenship: What are the Local Issues? - Presented by Jeff Caruso
This presentation will focus on the Virginia Catholic Conference's advocacy at the state level, and discuss ways in which parishioners can get involved.

3-2 The Preschool/Kindergarten Catechist as Storyteller - Presented by Kathy Larue
Young children worship naturally, learn through stories and learn through doing. Use all of these attributes to create a classroom environment that encourages a sense of wonder and a place to experience and praise God.

3-3 How to Do Retreats for our Youth - Presented by Elise Chapman
We all know that retreats and outreach seem to reach our young people (although we often have to drag them to the first event kicking and screaming).  Let’s talk about what can make a retreat a success, how you can plan one and not get overwhelmed and explore various retreat opportunities that are available to you!

3-4 Practical Outreach and Social Justice Issues for Children

3-5 Multicultural Saints Around the World

3-6 Catholic Questions about Protestant Denominations - Presented by Pat Clement
Join us for a stroll through history as we discover how many of the Protestant denomination were formed and how each compare and contrast to Roman Catholicism.

3-7 Ritual Prayer in the Classroom
Experience using rites and rituals that can be taken back and used in your parish or school religion classes. This is geared towards teaching students in the elementary and middle grades.

Loretta Beeman - Loretta is the Vice-Principal and Religion Coordinator for Our Lady of Lourdes School and teaches Middle School Math. She has a Masters in Religious Education from Loyola University. Loretta has been very active in OLL's parish ministry over the years as a teacher of Religion in the School, in the First Sacrament Program, Jr. Youth Minister, Chair of Arts and Environment, catechist, a member of the Liturgy Committee, and Christian Formation Committee.

For more information, contact:

John Sweet - 740-4044, ext. 17 (St. Mary's Church)
or email jsweet@stmarysrichmond.org.