Friday, October 14, 2016
Without a witness to mercy, life becomes fruitless and sterile. The time has come for the Church to take up the joyful call to mercy once more. “Mercy is the force that reawakens us to new life and instills in us the courage to look to the future with hope – Pope Francis, Misericordiae Vultus
Pre-Conference Sessions
UNLESS WE PRACTICE MERCY, WE WILL NOT FIND MERCY
During an execution, the family members of the condemned are isolated from their loved one. Dr. Susan Ward Recinella has worked tirelessly to address the spiritual and corporal works of mercy with the families who suffer from a practice of legitimized state killing. Dr. Recinella will share her experience of ministering to these families.
Dr. Susan Ward Recinella, Clinical Psychologist, Florida State University Counseling Center and Catholic Lay Minister to Families of the Executed
YEAR OF MERCY’ HOMILETICS FOR SOCIAL ISSUES (CLERGY ONLY)
Through presentations based on scripture, Church documents, parish ministry and real life stories, clergy deepen their understanding and commitment to formation in Catholic Social teaching and Global Solidarity.
Fr. David Garcia, Priest in Archdiocese of San Antonio and Senior Advisor for Clergy Outreach on the national staff of Catholic Relief Services
General Session
THE POWER OF GOD’S MERCY
* Real-Time Spanish Translation Available
Jesus is the “face” of the Father’s mercy. We follow Jesus’ example when we open ourselves to the Father’s mercy by looking “sincerely” into the eyes of our brothers and sisters, including those “who are denied their dignity.” – Pope Francis, Misericordiae Vultus
The death penalty is one of the great moral tragedies facing our culture. Sr. Helen Prejean has dedicated her life to sharing the Gospel message of the merciful love of God. She will outline a vision that promotes life, not death, as a defining characteristic of the kingdom of God.
Sister Helen Prejean, Author of Dead Man Walking: An Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty in the United States
REQUIEM FOR THE INNOCENTS PRAYER SERVICE
The Requiem for the Innocents is a reflective prayer and music experience on the effects of abortion and the importance of mercy, hope and healing. The prayers are created from scripture and poems of women who have had abortions.
Louis Cantor, OEF, Music Director, Holy Redeemer Parish, Kissimmee, FL
Saturday, October 15, 2016
Becoming Heralds of God’s Mercy
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and freedom to those in captivity; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour” (Is 61:1-2) A “year of the Lord’s favour” or “mercy”: this is what the Lord proclaimed and this is what we wish to live now. – Pope Francis, Misericordiae Vultus
General Session
MERCIFUL LIKE THE FATHER
* Real-Time Spanish Translation Available
True Mercy, the mercy God gives to us, and teaches us, demands justice, it demands that the poor find a way to be poor no longer. It asks us to ensure that no one ever again stand in need…of legal assistance in order to have his/her legitimate right recognized to live and to work, to be fully a person.” -Pope Francis, Misericordiae Vultus
We think of “mercy” as compassion or sympathy, but the word has a much deeper meaning. It is more than feeling sorry for someone. Having mercy means we enter into the other person’s suffering. We stand in solidarity with them and experience what they experience. When that happens, we are moved to respond in a merciful way. Fr. David Garcia will share the “Good News” of living a life of mercy and solidarity in the Year of Mercy.
Fr. David Garcia, Priest in the Archdiocese of San Antonio and Senior Advisor for Clergy Outreach on the national staff of Catholic Relief Services
THE CALL TO MERCY AT THE BEGINNING OF LIFE
* Real-Time Spanish Translation Available
The fundamental law that dwells in the heart of every person who looks sincerely into the eyes of his brothers and sisters on the path of life. – Pope Francis, Misericordiae Vultus
Mercy demands justice in all aspects of our lives. Advances in technology and human reproduction have created a moral dilemma for bioethicists. To promote justice we are called to protect the most vulnerable persons in the human family. Fr. Tad Pacholczyk, a neuroscientist and priest, will present the science and morality of methods that protect or destroy life at its earliest stage of development.
Fr. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, PhD, National Catholic Bioethics Center
MISSION OF MERCY IN THE CHURCH
* Real-Time Spanish Translation Available
The Church is the visible face of a merciful God in the world. To be witnesses to this mercy the Catholic laity must be well formed and engaged in its mission. Dr. Jonathan Reyes works with the United States Bishop’s 2017 initiative to engage Catholics in a faith that is genuinely missionary and centered on the sacredness and dignity of life.
Dr. Jonathan Reyes, Executive Director, USCCB Department of Justice, Peace, and Human Development
MERCY RISES FROM A CLEAN HEART
* Real-Time Spanish Translation Available
With our eyes fixed on Jesus and his merciful gaze, we experience the love of the Most Holy Trinity. The mission Jesus received from the Father was that of revealing the mystery of divine love in its fullness. “God is love.” (1 Jn 4:8,16) This love has now been made visible and tangible in Jesus’ entire life. The relationships He forms with people who approach him manifest something entirely unique and unrepeatable. The signs He works, especially in favor of sinners, the poor, the marginalized, the sick and the suffering are all meant to teach mercy. —Pope Francis, Misericordiae Vultus
The United States Bishops recently created a pastoral statement on the cultural consequences of a society inundated with pornography. Pornography denigrates the Spirit, destroys lives and is devoid of mercy. USCCB Secretary, Msgr. Bransfield worked with the bishops on this statement and will focus on the pervasive and profound need for God’s mercy in a society that has an increasing disrespect for the dignity of human life and the human person.
Reverend Monsignor J. Brian Bransfield, STD, General Secretary, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Workshops Session A
THE CHURCH IS COMMISSIONED TO ANNOUNCE GOD’S MERCY
Touching the hearts and minds of Catholics and others on the death penalty challenges all of us to share the fundamental message of Christ; God is love, not vengeance. Dale Recinella, a prophetic voice on this issue, will share his witness of mercy as a death row chaplain and a strategy to end the use of the death penalty.
Dale Recinella, Catholic Correctional Chaplain for Florida’s Death Row
MERCY IS DICTATED BY LOVE FOR ALL THAT IS HUMAN
Adoption is often considered the last option for many. Rose Llauget will share the impact of choosing a loving and merciful option for life.
Rose Llauget, Director of Pregnancy and Adoption Services, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St Petersburg
SEEING INVISIBLE CHAINS THROUGH THE EYES OF MERCY
Deacon Molina has raised the visibility and impact of human trafficking in Florida. He will explore the targeting of vulnerable youth and our invitation to embrace the call to mercy.
Reverend Mr. Fernando Molina, Deacon at Resurrection Catholic Church in Winter Garden, FL and Coordinator for Diocese of Orlando Human Trafficking Task Force
Workshops Session B
WHERE MERCY AND JUSTICE MEET
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul St Peter Claver Prison Ministry mission puts into practice the corporal work of mercy by Visiting the Prisoner and creating a safe and sustainable future for those who reenter the community. By providing compassion, direction, and services to these marginalized and vulnerable individuals, lives are transformed.
Bruce Stumbras, St. Peter Claver Prison Ministry Conference Head Diocese of Orlando
GRACE AND MERCY AT THE END OF LIFE’S JOURNEY
Fr. Tad explores the medical and ethical issues surrounding brain death, organ donation and the process of proportionate treatment.
Fr. Tadeusz Pacholczyk,, PhD, National Catholic Bioethics Center
WOMEN’S HEALTHCARE AS A WORK OF MERCY
Dr. Littell exposes the misinformation and confusion in women’s healthcare by sharing his expertise on a range of procedures and treatments that may be unnecessary and immoral.
John T. Littell, MD, Family Physician, Kissimmee & Ocala, FL
Informal Luncheon Sessions
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS PRO-LIFE INITIATIVES FORUM
The Knights of Columbus from the Orlando Diocese would like to invite all the Knights from around the state present at the conference to join them during the lunch hour on Saturday to discuss KOC Pro-Life Initiatives of different Councils and to share best practices. Join us as we share ideas on how to engage your communities in pro-life work.
POST ABORTION WORKSHOP
This informal workshop will center on Post-Abortion Ministry throughout the state and feature the Rachel’s Vineyard retreat model currently in use here in Orlando. Please join us to discuss this important issue and to share best practices and ideas for reaching out to women and men so they can express, release and reconcile painful post-abortive emotions to begin the process of restoration, renewal and healing.