While the First Liturgical Catechesis Convention is now history, the conference schedule and workshop descriptions are posted here in the hope that you will look it over and let us know what you like most, least, and what you would want to have in the way of presentations at the NEXT convention, which we hope to have in 2003 or 2004. If you would indicate your interest in participating in or even possibly hosting the next convention it would help us set the date and schedule. Just drop a quick email to Sue Espinosa, the convention coordinator.

The 2001 Liturgical Catechesis Convention was a practical, hands-on exploration of liturgical catechesis and its importance to the church of the 21st century. Sponsored by Ministry & Liturgy magazine and the Worship Office of the Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph, this event has been endorsed by the St. Louis Office of Worship, New Ulm Office of Religious Education, St. Paul/Minneapolis Office of Worship, Orlando Liturgy Office, Phoenix Office of Worship, Dallas Office of Catechetical Services and Austin Religious Education Office.

The convention  provided practical skills and powerful experiences. Working from different ministerial perspectives, participants collaborate on the mutual goal of creating and celebrating the liturgy for the 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time and its complementary catechetical process.

The format included general sessions, communal prayer and liturgical experiences, specific skillshops, exhibitors and special pre-convention workshops. There were eight tracks — four for liturgical ministers and four for catechists. The liturgical tracks worked all day Saturday to create a liturgy that was celebrated on Saturday Evening. The catechetical tracks worked all day Saturday to create a mystagogical catechesis that flowed from the liturgy celebrated on Saturday evening.

The four liturgical tracks are ritual, environment, music and movement. The four catechetical tracks are: word, space, time and action.

Liturgy is not ceremony and catechesis is not text. They are the faith actions of our communities. Liturgy is always catechetical — it is where we discover what it means to be a people of God. Catechesis guides this discovery by assisting us in actively reflecting on our experience. It is this process of experience and reflection that allows us to deepen our relationship with God and come to a better understanding of our place in the world. This understanding translates into action for justice. Using the languages of symbol and song, movement and mystery, season and space, time and tradition, participants will fully, actively and consciously engage in the dynamic process of liturgical catechesis.

This isn’t like any convention you’ve been to before. The participants build the experience themselves. Richard Fragomeni from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and Kathy Brown from Catholic Relief Service were the keynote speakers. Track facilitators include Nancy Chinn, Miriam Malone, Kevin Yell, Diana M. Kaulback, Michael Mansfield, Samuel Torvend and Nick Wagner.

Background. Liturgical catechesis is a more meaningful and satisfying way of instructing our faith communities because it starts with people’s lives and their experiences of God. People learn doctrine and core beliefs as a result of faith-building experiences within the worshiping community. This being so, it is imperative that our liturgies be authentic, vital experiences. At a time when the bishops of the world are asking that our communities move toward more explicitly liturgical forms of catechesis, the vigilant faithful, who by virtue of their baptism have been called to “full and active participation,” recognize an exciting opportunity for true renewal.

 Register here!

Who Should Come

Location

 Kansas City, Mo., has something for everyone, including fabulous zoos, theme parks, festivals, live music, world-class dining, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, with its Henry Moore Sculpture Garden, the American Jazz Museum and the newly renovated Union Station featuring Science City.

The nearest airport is Kansas City International Airport, located 18 miles northwest of downtown. According to the Wall Street Journal, fares in and out of Kansas City are among the lowest in the nation and KCI has one of the best on-time records of any airport.

 Register here!