Workshops

GWCC = Georgia World Congress Center. All NCYC activities at GWCC take place in Building B. All workshops are on either Level Two or Three.

Round 1 Workshops
Friday, October 28 – 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Roundtable Discussions with Bishops

GWCC Level Two - B211-212
Spend time with bishops from throughout the United States discussing a variety of issues important to young people today. Each table of ten will include a bishop, a facilitator, and six to eight young people. Each table will discuss a different subject and you will be able to choose which you would like to discuss. Don’t miss this great opportunity!

Healthy Dating Practices

(Young Men Only) GWCC Level Three - B312-314
(Young Women Only) GWCC Level Three - B302-305
Want to make the right choices when it comes to your relationship with your boyfriend or girlfriend, but not sure how? Join us for tips on making healthy decisions in the context of dating.
Presenters: Paul George and Michelle Benzinger

Practicing Faith at College

GWCC Level Three - B308-309
For those headed off to college in the next year or two, questions may be surfacing about how you will maintain your faith without the support of your family, high school, or home parish. This session will offer suggestions for keeping the faith away from home.
Presenter: Dr. Kelly Bowring

Round 2 Workshops
Friday, October 28 – 1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Standing Strong in the Winds of Change: Skills for Yes and No

(Young Men Only) GWCC Level Three - B312-314
There are many winds buffeting our resolve to lead faith-filled lives. Learn to make commitments that are set solidly as rock and be capable to refuse that which will only serve to weaken us.
Presenter: D. Scott Miller

Saying "No" with Style

(Young Women Only) GWCC Level Three - B302-305
Girls, are you tired of regretting what you did the night before or being put in situations where it's hard to say no? If so, then this session is for you. We need to stand up and reclaim the dignity that is ours. This session will empower you to do the right thing while not losing your social status. We are going to get real, pray, laugh, and bond as girls.
Presenter: Caroline Gambale

Unwind Your Mind: An Ordinary Holiness Approach to Stress Management

GWCC Level Three - B308-309
Brace yourself for a down to earth, common sense look at stress management. Using music, games, prayers, and stories we will unravel ten stress reducing tips and ways to apply them to your life right now. This is one hour well worth your time!
Presenter: Jamie Dillon

This Just In: The National Study on Youth and Religion (Adults Only)

GWCC Level Two - B206
Hear about the fascinating and challenging results from the first ever national study on youth and religion. Help inform and shape your ministry with this crucial information.
Presenter: Bob McCarty

Round 3 Workshops
Friday, October 28 – 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Bishops Q & A Session

GWCC Level Two - B206
We all have questions about our faith. Who better to answer them than a panel of bishops? The participating bishops are also anxious to ask participants questions about topics that are important to all of us. Be sure to make time for this unique opportunity for dialogue with bishops.

Spirituality

(Young Men Only) GWCC Level Three - B312-314
(Young Women Only) GWCC Level Three - B302-305
Prayer and worship can take many different forms. These sessions will examine elements of spirituality from the male and female perspectives.
Presenters: John Beaulieu and Tammy Evevard

Practicing Faith at College

GWCC Level Three - B308-309
See description from Round 1

Round 4 Workshops
Saturday, October 29 – 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Bullying

(Young Men Only) GWCC Level Three - B312-314
Bullying takes many forms from the overtly physical to the covertly emotional. What causes some to act out in such a way? Participants will learn about the origins of these behaviors, ways to respond, and ways to resist.
Presenter: Bob Perron

Friendship vs. Cliques: When a Close Circle Starts to Constrict

(Young Women Only) GWCC Level Three - B302-305
Friendship should be about support and encouragement not about demands and guilt. How do you keep your friendships healthy? Participants will learn about the definition of a clique, ways young people can respond, and ways for groups of friends to resist becoming a clique.
Presenter: Kristin Witte

Unwind Your Mind

GWCC Level Three - B308-309
See description from Round 2

Encuentro: Now and Later (Adults Only)

GWCC Level B206

Join bishops and Hispanic and youth ministry leaders for an important conversation about the meaning of the Encuentro process for young people on the parish, diocesan, regional, and national levels. Help empower our Hispanic young people into a more active, enthusiastic, and influential participation in the life and mission of the Church in the United States. Participants will also discuss the major needs of our Hispanic youth and how we respond as a Church.

Workshop Speaker Biographies

John Beaulieu

John has been sharing the love of Christ with teenagers for the past twenty-two years. After graduating from Franciscan University, he worked with teens at an alcohol and drug rehab center in Dallas, Texas, before hearing the call to move into full-time youth ministry. He spent more than thirteen years at parishes in Texas, Colorado, and North Carolina developing thriving youth programs. John is the director of youth and young adult outreach for Franciscan University. In addition, he speaks to thousands of teens each year at parish, diocesan, and national youth events. John lives in Steubenville, Ohio, with his wife, Lisa, and their four children Andrew, Madeleine, Catherine, and John Paul.

Return to Round 3 Workshop Descriptions

Michelle Benzinger

Michelle and her husband, Chris, have been missionaries for the past several years with Trinity World Missions serving in the Netherlands, Austria, and Mexico. With Chris, she is the author of a ten-week bible/character study designed for men and women to study together. They are currently writing a women's bible study on the Eucharist. In March, Michelle and Chris began work at Covecrest Life Teen Camp in Tiger, Georgia. She will lead the way in the visioning and development of spiritual formation. She and Chris are parents to two young boys, Noah and Luke.

Return to Round 1 Workshop Descriptions

Dr. Kelly Bowring

Dr. Bowring is dean of the spiritual mission and associate professor of theology at Southern Catholic College. Previously, he was associate professor of sacred theology at St. Mary's College of Ave Maria University and director of Ave Maria Catechetical Institute. He holds degrees in theology from the University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome and Franciscan University of Steubenville. He is licensed in sacred theology from the Dominican House of Studies and John Paul II Institute. His book, The Faithful Exposition of Sacred Doctrine, is being published by Alba House.

Return to Round 1 Workshop Descriptions

Jamie Dillon

Jamie left a promising health care career six years ago to become a youth minister. She draws on her healthcare background, religious education, and experience as a wife and mother to reach out to her audiences, combining her message with a mixture of music and humor. Jamie plays guitar and writes her own music, which is as popular with teens and young adults as it is with parents and grandparents. Her insightful lyrics are presented in a catchy and rhythmic style. You can get more information on Jamie and purchase her CDs at www.jamiedillon.com.

Return to Round 2 Workshop Descriptions

Tammy Evevard

Tammy has been ministering to young people around the country for the past fifteen years on relationships, women's issues, and God's great love for us! She is a past member of National Evangelization Teams (NET) Ministries and REACH Youth Ministries traveling youth teams. Tammy has appeared on CNN to talk about natural family planning and chastity issues and has been published by YOU! magazine. Tammy presently lives in Boulder, Colorado. She and her husband, Mark, have three children.

Return to Round 3 Workshop Descriptions

Caroline Gambale

Caroline is a 1993 graduate of Franciscan University. She is a youth minister at St. Joseph's Parish in Hillsborough, New Jersey, and the New Jersey/Philadelphia Area Contact for Life Teen. She has been active in youth ministry for thirteen years, including one year with the National Evangelization Teams (NET). Caroline has spoken at many diocesan and national conferences for youth and youth ministers. She is a passionate speaker and has a great love for young people. She enjoys parachuting and playing guitar, but not at the same time.

Return to Round 2 Workshop Descriptions

Paul George

Paul George is co-founder of ADORE and travels throughout the United States speaking at conferences, rallies, and worship encounters for young adults and teenagers. In addition, he works for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, walking with men interested in the priesthood. Gifted in developing a Gospel relevancy for young adults and channeling his message through stories and humor, Paul shares his passion for God and his vocation in leading worship. He is married with three children. Visit www.adoreworship.com.

Return to Round 1 Workshop Descriptions

Bob McCarty

Bob is executive director of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry. Since 1973 he has served in parish, diocesan, and community youth ministry programs. Bob received his doctorate of ministry from the Graduate Theological Foundation in Indiana in 1998. Together with his wife, Maggie, he volunteers in youth ministry at St. Francis of Assisi in Fulton, Maryland.

Return to Round 2 Workshop Descriptions

D. Scott Miller

Scott is the coordinator for adolescent faith formation in the Division of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. He re-joined the DYYAM staff in June after six years with the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry as director of membership services. Scott has served for more than twenty years in parish, diocesan, regional, and prevention settings. He has recently completed a master's in religious education from Felician College and volunteers in youth ministry at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fulton, Maryland. Scott is father to Nichole, Clark, and Meghan. Visit www.dscottmiller.com.

Return to Round 2 Workshop Descriptions

Bob Perron

Bob is a Catholic edu-tainer. His blend of humor and education have made him a highly sought after speaker. Bob's presentations leave his audiences laughing, smiling, thinking deeply, and perhaps even shedding a tear or two. His excitement, enthusiasm, and love has motivated and inspired thousands of young people and adults since 1984. Currently the executive director of the St. Thomas More Center and the Office of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Des Moines, Bob’s primary vocation is being a husband and father of four amazing children. Visit www.stooge4christ.com.

Return to Round 4 Workshop Descriptions

Kristin Witte

Kristin serves as the coordinator of pastoral care for the Archdiocese of Baltimore Division of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Before taking on that challenge, Kristin enjoyed five years as a parish coordinator of youth ministry in the Archdiocese of Washington. She presently holds three master’s degrees and is pursuing a doctorate in ministry at Catholic University of America. Kristin and her husband, Andrew, just celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary.

Return to Round 4 Workshop Descriptions