Choose one workshop from each session (1, 2 and 3).

WORKSHOP SESSION 1:

A | Parenting Upstream: When 'all the other moms' say it's OK

Mary Ann takes a humorous and informative look at coping with: children's manners, TV watching, puberty, chastity, building confidence, and dealing with "All the Other Moms." From the beauty of receiving a blessing with her first child to being elected by her children as president of the "Mean Mothers' Club," Mary Ann has learned to handle the challenges of parenting with humor and prayer.

Speakers: Mary Ann Kuharski

Mary Ann Kuharski is a wife, mother of 13 children and author of 4 books including, Building a Legacy of Love (Queenship Publishing). Mary Ann is also director of PROLIFE Across AMERICA

B | Caregiving For A Loved One: Ideas and Encouragement

In January 2000, Theresa's husband was diagnosed with a rare and incurable cancer. The Lord taught her some important lessons and principles to live by through the past 8 years. Through sharing, discussion and prayer, she hopes to encourage all who find themselves in a caregiving situation.

Speaker: Theresa Difato

Theresa Difato, wife and mother of 3 children, editor and writer for The Word Among Us, is a local and national speaker on the topics of the love of God, prayer, and family life.

C | Our Sweetness and Our Hope: Growing Closer to Mary Through the Saints

How much do we know about our Blessed Mother? How is she relevant in today's world? Is the Rosary as powerful as our tradition tells us? Come learn how devotion to Mary transformed the lives of the saints, and how she can transform our lives today. "It will be she who makes the soul live incessantly for Jesus Christ, and will make Jesus live in the soul" (True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin, by St. Louis de Montfort).

Speaker: Father Robert Altier

Fr. Robert J. Altier, ordained in 1989, served for 3 years as an Associate Pastor at the Church of St. Raphael in Crystal, MN and he served as the Associate Pastor at the Church of St. Agnes in St. Paul for 14 years.  He is currently the Chaplain at the Regina Medical Center in Hastings, MN.  Fr. Altier has lectured throughout the Twin Cities and is best known for his series on the Fundamentals of Catholicism and for his devotion to the Eucharist and to the Blessed Virgin Mary

WORKSHOP SESSION 2:

D | Outnumbered! The Blessings of a Large Family

To outsiders, the Kuharski family life sometimes looked like controlled chaos. With 13 kids-seven by birth, six by "airport" (adopted)-it sometimes felt that way to family members, too. Through it all, by the grace of God, much prayer and lots of common sense, the family became an oasis of stability and love. Whether your family is big or small, whether you have young children, old children, grandchildren or no children, Mary Ann will help us see the very special family table we each have in our homes.

Speaker: Mary Ann Kuharski

Mary Ann Kuharski is a wife, mother of 13 children and author of 4 books including, Outnumbered!: Raising 13 kids with Humor and Prayer (Queenship Publishing). Mary Ann is also director of PROLIFE Across AMERICA.

E | Top20 Teens: A framework for success and sanity

Come learn the secrets of "The Line!" - strategies that will help you discover your inner power to enhance and improve your parenting skills. Join Tom and Willow for a lively, upbeat, and engaging discussion on how to eliminate negative thinking, identify and overcome bad habits when communicating with your kids, and create an environment of mutual respect and positive energy.

Speakers: Tom Cody and Willow Sweeney

Tom Cody and Willow Sweeney are co-authors of Top 20 Teens: Discovering the Best Kept Thinking, Learning, & Communicating Secrets of Successful Teenagers. They both speak locally and nationally on Top 20 concepts.

F | Lord, When Did I See You? Tracking Your Spiritual Biography

This is a time to step out of the busy-ness of life and reflect on your unique life journey and where God is along the way. It will be a chance to understand where God has been present in your life and to focus with hope on your future.

Speaker: Linda Bennett

Linda Bennett is a certified Spiritual Director with Sacred Ground Center for Spirituality in St. Paul, MN. She is also a member of Christian Life Communities and a member of the Lay Leadership Team in collaboration with the Wisconsin Province of the Jesuits.

WORKSHOP SESSION 3:

G | The Power of Forgiveness

Love your neighbor as yourself. Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. I tell you anyone who is angry with his brother is subject to judgment. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Jesus lived out his message every day of his life on earth. When he was crucified he cried "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing." Explore and experience the power of forgiveness and the need for us to have forgiveness as one of our core values. Forgiveness unleashes healing, freedom and love. You'll never be the same!

Speaker: Theresa Difato

Theresa Difato, wife and mother of 3 children, editor and writer for The Word Among Us ,is a local and national speaker on the topics of the love of God, prayer, and family life

H | Toe to Toe or Heart to Heart? Communication Skills for a Healthy Marriage

Join Tom and Willow for a fun and engaging discussion on strengthening communication in the marriage relationship. Living with a positive attitude, monitoring your moods and behavior, and resolving conflict are all topics that will be covered.

Speaker: Tom Cody and Willow Sweeney

Tom Cody and Willow Sweeney are co-authors of Top 20 Teens: Discovering the Best Kept Thinking, Learning, & Communicating Secrets of Successful Teenagers. They both speak locally and nationally on Top 20 concepts.

I | Teaching Our Children the Faith

The Catholic Tradition is one of richness and beauty with historical, theological and spiritual perspectives we can spend a lifetime learning about. How do we bring the wonder of our faith to our kids? How can we, as the primary teacher of faith for our kids, give it justice? Join Waverley to learn simple and practical ways to make the faith come alive for children using art, literature and the liturgical calendar.

Speaker: Waverley Booth

Waverley Booth is a mother of 5 children who with her husband is joyfully raising their children in the Catholic Faith. She is also a foster parent, recovering attorney, and writes a column on literature based learning for the St. Paul Public School’s Early Childhood Special Education newsletter. She lives in St. Paul, MN.

Sponsored by: Office of Marriage, Family & Life of the Archdiocese
of St. Paul and Minneapolis