Exceptional Thought Leaders & Practitioners
Intercongregational Collaborative Novitiate: Learnings and Best Practices
Presenter: Sister Nancy Gerth, SCN, MEd
Seminar offered in partnership with the InterCongregational Collaborative Novitiate (ICCN)
What are we learning about the work of inter-congregational formation? In this session, InterCongregational Collaborative Novitiate (ICCN) Co-Director, Nancy Gerth, SCN, MEd, will present data gathered from both the formal evaluation of the program and the day-to-day experiences of directors and participants. It will include an overview of the most salient learnings and best practices, and create space for dialogue around how such can inform prophetic and hope-filled community in the future.
Nancy Gerth, SCN, MEd is a Sister of Charity of Nazareth. She is a native of Louisville, Kentucky, and was previously her province’s Formation and Novice Director. Nancy’s ministry experiences include elementary education, social service, vocation ministry, and administration at a shelter for unhoused youth and young adults. She enjoys reading, art, home repair, sunshine, and exploring Chicago.
Lifelong Learning for Aging Sisters and Brothers: Expanding Access and Engagement
Presenter: Patrick Maddux, MAE
Most vowed religious would consider themselves lifelong learners, yet challenges like full schedules, mobility limitations, and technology barriers can make access difficult. How can we create engaging, flexible, and inclusive educational opportunities for all?
At Mount Carmel Bluffs, we are exploring strategies to enhance communication and expand access. Through email, video, closed-circuit television, online streaming, print materials, small in-person meetings, and community events, we are working on making learning more accessible. Input from community members is essential to shape future programming based on their needs and interests. Join us for a thoughtful discussion on making lifelong learning more inclusive and impactful.
Pat Maddux, MAE serves as the Director of BVM Life and Mission for the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Before joining the BVMs, he spent 22 years in academic technology at Clarke University, an institution founded by the BVMs in 1843.
Navigating Tough Terrain with Hope and Perseverance: Religious Worker and Immigration Law Updates
Presenter: Miguel A. Naranjo
This workshop will discuss current changes to U.S. immigration policies with special attention to the religious worker immigration law programs. Though immigration laws and regulations permit international religious workers to work in the U.S., the process of obtaining an R-1 religious worker visa and religious worker permanent residence has become more challenging in the past several years. This workshop will discuss the latest legal updates and issues in the following areas
- The administrative, regulatory, and legislative changes impacting U.S. immigration law generally at the present time.
- The R-1 religious worker visa program including the processing of the I-129 nonimmigrant petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) and applying for the R-1 visa abroad.
- The impact of the backlog on the religious worker permanent residence program including the processing of the I-360 Special Immigrant petition and how prolonged delays are forcing religious workers to leave the U.S.
- Other nonimmigrant visa options for religious individuals to remain in or visit the U.S.
- Planning and strategies for religious workers and their sponsors.
The workshop will also offer perspective and historical analysis from past administrations’ policies impacting U.S. immigration and the religious worker immigration law programs.
Miguel A. Naranjo is Director of Religious Immigration Services for the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC).
The Commitment to Justice, Equity, and Inclusivity in Religious Life Today
Presenters: Sister Pat Dual, OP, and Sister Gail Trippett, CSJ
In this session, Sisters Pat and Gail will engage participants in an in-depth exploration of the role of justice, equity, and inclusivity in religious life today. Attendees will leave with valuable ways to involve the entire community in the mission of welcome and inclusion. Participants will also come away with best practices for how these values can become the norm for communities focused on hope for a better future.
Sister Patricia Dual, OP is a member of the Dominican Sisters of Peace. She holds a bachelor of arts in religious studies from St. Leo University and a master of arts in religious studies from Mount St. Joseph University. She has previously been engaged in parish ministry. In her role as coordinator of formation for the Dominican Sisters of Peace, she has accompanied 12 individuals through the formation process from candidacy through perpetual profession. In addition to women born in the United States, these sisters have included women of African, Vietnamese, Mexican, and European descent. She feels honored to have accompanied this diverse group of women, guiding them on their sacred journey into religious life.
Sister Gail Trippett, CSJ is a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet. She holds a bachelor's degree from Spelman College, a master's in education degree from St. Louis University, and a master's in theology from Xavier University. Sister Gail enjoys combining the transformation of human growth principles with spiritual growth to enable one to do the will of God. Cross-disciplines include Healing Touch training, Emotional EQ training, Character Education training, Development training, and Integral Leadership training. Her ministries include teacher, principal, pastoral associate, parish life coordinator, field associate for annulments, and congregational novice director.
Agents of Charism: Forming and Equipping Religious
Presenters: Brother Robert Schieler, FSC, EdD, and Sarah Laitinen, MA
Religious are increasingly being asked to form non-consecrated partners or colleagues within their ministerial or community settings. How is religious formation preparing them for this? This session will engage participants in a facilitated reflection around their own community’s approaches to charism formation, as well as potential practices and opportunities to be attentive to within this emerging formation area of need.
Brother Robert (Bob) Schieler, FSC, EdD is the former Superior General of the Brothers of the Christian Schools (2014 – 2022). He was the 27th successor of Saint John Baptist De La Salle, Founder of the Brothers in 1680. Prior to that he was the General Councilor for the United States and Canada and Visitor of his Province. Currently, he resides and serves as Novitiate director in Philadelphia. He is the recent author of A Charism Ever New, a reflection on his participation in five General Chapters of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. In 2018 he was one of two Brother Superiors selected by Pope’ Francis to participate in the Bishops’ Synod on Faith, Youth and Vocational Discernment at the Vatican.
Sarah Laitinen, MA is director of education and formation at Christian Brothers Conference, the office for the Lasallian region of North America. In her role, she oversees regional formation and education programs that serve both lay partners and Brothers: the Buttimer Institute of Lasallian Studies, the Brother John Johnston Institute of Contemporary Lasallian Practice, the Lasallian Social Justice Institute, and the Huether Lasallian Conference. She also partners with the Lasallian Association of Secondary School Chief Administrators on their annual conference. Additionally, she collaborates with District mission and education directors, assesses Regional needs, and develops innovative initiatives to advance the Lasallian educational mission. Sarah lives in Warwick, Rhode Island, with her husband, Eric, and their three children; Logan (8), Lainey (4) and Leo (10 months).