2023 Class DescriptionsPeriod A (8:40-10 a.m.)
ADULTS CLASSES A 1) KEYNOTECecilia González-Andrieu, Ph.D. CHILDREN'S CLASSES A 17) Keynote Infant Care Rachel Klinger 18) Promise A (Pre K-Gr 1) Ruth Hambley and Genesee McCarthy 19) Karing Kids A (Gr 2-4) Lauren Sanders 20) Horizons (Gr 5-7) Paul Burch 21) Choices (Gr 8-9) Laura Makowski 22) Youth & the Church (Gr 10-12) David Lester Period B (10:30-11:45 a.m.) ADULTS CLASSES B 2) Dialogue with Keynoter Cecilia González-Andrieu, Ph.D. An opportunity to explore specific topics presented during keynote through discussion in a small group setting. 3) Monastic Musings: 7 Rich Ways of Living the Christian Life Br. Charles Gonzalez, OSB For 1,500 years, the Rule of St. Benedict has recommended a balanced life of work and prayer that has built up a civilization of peace and communion in monasteries around the world. Certain practices, or “rich ways” of living, have sustained Benedictine monastic life and attracted others to practice them daily. We will examine the 7 Rich Ways of Prayer, Life Together, Deep Reading, Life Centered on the Eucharist, Hospitality, Promoting Arts and Culture, Caring for the Land and Environment and see how you might apply them to your family and everyday life. 4) Be Still and Know Through Writing Jen Furl Take some time to write and reflect on your Summer Conference insights and how they may guide you in navigating the joys and sorrows in your current life. Using the keynote address, excerpts from spiritual memoirs and poetry as inspiration, we will write and share together as a way to be still and know God's presence. Be sure to bring a journal and pen. INTERGENERATIONAL CLASSES B 8) The Daily Bluffer Peter Weber and Paul Vanderwal Come help us chronicle Summer Conference! We will find and tell the stories of Conference and publish a daily companion to our shared life for these five days. Bring your whimsy, your sense of humor, your curiosity, your storytelling, your artistic talents and, if you want, your camera. All skill levels welcome. Gr. 5 and up. 9) Mosaics Toni Cooper & Monica DeBruyn Come learn the art of mosaics, from design to production to presentation. Priority will be given to first-time class participants. All supplies provided. Gr. 5 and up. 10) Praying With Collage Randy Derrick This class will provide a forum for individuals to explore the medium of collage as a way to engage their understanding of faith and the self. Gr. 5 and up. 11) Let's Dance Rachel Lidskog-Lin & Jack Lin 2022 Summer Conference Dance Party phenoms return for more, this time an intergenerational Period B dance class! Gr. 5 and up 12) Fun Games and Movement Instructor TBD Come join in a variety of outdoor games! Having fun is the only rule, and success is measured on communication, attitude and perseverance. Gr. 5 and up CHILDREN'S CLASSES B 23) Baby and Me (Ages 0-3 and their caretakers) Anna Drake and Lisa Conroy A space for adults and their infant or toddler (who are not yet old enough for classes) to hang out and play. We will provide the space and the toys and you bring your child(ren), the conversation, and desire for community building. No attendance taken — this will be a space to drop in, play and chat. 24) Promise B (Pre K-Gr 1) Sarah Burch 25) Karing Kids B (Gr 2-4) Caitlin Breitenstein Period C (3:30-5 p.m.) ADULT CLASSES C 5) Catholic Bioethics in the Modern World Nick Kockler We will survey the major bioethical issues facing society today, such as reproductive health, end-of-life choices, and gene editing. We will reflect upon and discuss the intersection of scientific findings, Church teaching, and legal aspects to better understand how one may navigate these issues within the Catholic faith tradition. 6) Discerning the Spirit on the CompleX and Divisive Issue of Immigration Jay Conroy & Bruce Weber In this class we will explore together the complex and divisive issue of immigration. Using the process of “Observe, Judge, Act,” participants will reflect on the history of immigration in this country and in their own families, and briefly review the social teaching of the church on immigration. We will explore different perspectives on how our nation and our own communities should act toward those who migrate or seek to migrate, and we will discuss possible faith-based responses in our own daily walk. 7) Igniting the Spiritual Imagination: Praying with The Saint John's Bible Beth Barsotti Our time together will begin with an introduction to The St. John's Bible, an illuminated Bible commissioned by the Benedictine community at St. John's Abbey in Minnesota. It is the first illuminated, handwritten Bible in more than 500 years using traditional materials. The Bible is a feast for your eyes to behold! The illuminations will become part of our prayer as we engage in Visio Divina, a form of prayer where we slow down and both listen to and seek to see God's Word in Scripture and art. Come and be willing to be transformed by the graces we behold. INTERGENERATIONAL CLASSES C 13) Tennis Anyone? Susie Campbell For anyone who wants to try tennis for the first time or wants to improve their tennis skills. This class involves all participants. Come join us! Bring a racquet if you have one! Gr. 2 and up. 14) Restore, Reverse & Re-energize Chris Hughes We will visit and explore various topics including posture, movements, and breath awareness. Come learn and experience new ways of moving, challenging and resting with your body. Will be appropriate for athletes, "boomers," and anyone interested in gaining more self-awareness. Gr. 9 and up. 15) Beginning Quilting for Others Judy Conroy Using fabric as the medium and the sewing machine as a primary tool, we will create a “charity quilt." Maybe as a gift to a beloved monk, and/or a Holy Cross priest. Fabric will be pre-cut, and the quilt will be simple and scrappy. Help bring warmth to a body and soul as you learn quilting and sewing skills. Beginners are welcome. Gr. 5 and up. 16) PHOTOGRAPHY Alyssa Hughes For anyone who wants to develop (pun intended) their photo taking skills, we will learn some simple tricks to help you create pleasing composition while writing with light! Bring your camera or phone with a good camera. Gr. 5 and up. CHILDREN'S CLASSES C 26) Story and Playtime Bobbie Weber and Sadie Hjorth For children at the end of a busy day. We will have fun activities and great books to read. Children will be able to move between activities and listen to stories. The class is for children who are 4 years and older. Parents of children 3 and younger are welcome to join in and stay with their child(ren). Ages 4 and older. (Ages 0-3 with an adult) 27) Kids-R-Cookin' Peggy Thompson So many choices! Come learn basic cooking skills such as measuring, cutting and mixing as we explore the kitchen and express our individuality. Kids will enjoy their unique kitchen creations from fresh fruit smoothies to tortilla inventions and more. *Please a make note if you have dietary restrictions/allergies on the registration form so Peggy can make accommodations in advance. Bring an apron and a smile. Gr. 2 and up. 28) BUILD IT! David and Catherine Otto Build a scale model of a boat, house, or bridge or a flyable kite. Each model will be constructed using parts and materials from a prepared kit. Extra materials will be available to customize the design of your project. Gr. 2 and up. ADULTS Spiritual Direction Fr. Bob Antonelli, CSC Fr. Bob Antonelli said he is willing to accompany adults through one-on-one conversations to help “see that God is everywhere and it is possible to find God's peace in both pleasant and painful places." Signups will be available for 30 minute appointments during the day with Fr. Bob. You choose the topic and he will guide! |
2023 StaffAntonelli, Fr. Bob CSC: Retired Holy Cross priest; Volunteer Archivist at U.P., Ph.D. in biblical studies from University of Strasbourg; Licentiate in Sacred Theology, Gregorian University; M.A., Johns Hopkins University; B.A. University of Notre Dame.
Barsotti, Beth: Senior Specialist for Faculty and Staff Formation at Gonzaga University; M.Div. University of Notre Dame; B.A. Theology, Seattle University. Currently finishing Ph.D. in Theology and Education at the School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College with a focus on faculty formation in Jesuit higher education. Barsotti, Tara: Teacher at St. Paul Catholic School in Eugene; has three children and enjoys reading, watercolor, and staying active; University of Portland graduate. Breitenstein, Caitlin: Middle school theology and math teacher at St. Paul Catholic School in Eugene. Burch, Paul: K-12 Music Director at Lundy Elementary and Lowell Jr./Sr. High School with a vocation of equal access to a high quality arts education and musical literacy for all children regardless of circumstance. Burch, Sarah: Private piano and voice instructor for 20+ years. Owner of Emerald Piano Studio and teacher at St. Paul Catholic School. Music Director at St. Paul Catholic Church. BA Music University of Portland; MM Piano Pedagogy University or Oregon. Buccola, Molly: Spent the first 25 summers of her life at Mount Angel Summer Conference where amongst the vibrant families, she found faith, inspiration, love, and life-long friendships. B.A. Religious Studies and Psychology, Santa Clara University; Master's in Catholic Educational Leadership, U of San Francisco. Campbell, Susie: Retired 28-year women’s head tennis coach at UP and current Director of Tennis at The Racquet Club in Portland. Conroy, Jay: Retired high school teacher and administrator, including seven years as principal of Marist Catholic High School in Eugene; B.S. in political science, OSU; J.D. from UO Law. Conroy, Judy: Wife, (grand)mother, retired pharmacist. OSU alum, longtime quilt lover. Conroy, Lisa: Nana to 16, wife and mother. Lover of Christ and all things “children!" Retired OSU 4-H Extension agent. Clarke, Don: Director of Campus Ministry at Jesuit High School in Portland and student of all things Catholic; he loves his job, camping and playing guitar. Cooper, Toni: Journalism and photography teacher at Marist Catholic High School in Eugene; B.A. Art Education, UO. DeBruyn, Monica: Multi-media artist and daycare provider at Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Lake Oswego. B.A, Fine Arts Graphic Design, University of Illinois. Derrick, Randy: Theology teacher at Marist Catholic High School in Eugene. Drake, Anna: Wife, mom, homeschooling parent of four. OSU and Newman Center alum; longtime sport enthusiast. Driscoll, Abbot Jeremy, OSB: The Abbot at Mount Angel Abbey since 2016 and a Benedictine monk and priest for 50 years. Ferrari, Julie: Assistant Campus Minister, theology teacher and service director at Marist Catholic High School in Eugene. Furl, Jen: An instructional designer based in Austin, Texas; has been a writing facilitator with Write Around Portland and Free Minds Austin. Gonzalez, Br. Charles OSB: Solemnly Proffessed Monk of Mount Angel Abbey, Ordained Deacon, theology grad student, cobbler, drummer. Hambley, Ruth: Transitional kindergarten teacher. Hjorth, Sadie: Kindergarten teacher in Portland Public Schools; Bachelor of Education in Special Education from Gonzaga University; has taught elementary K-5th and special education K-8th grade since 1999. Hughes, Alyssa: Freelance photographer with experience taking photos for Gonzaga and The Inlander Newspaper in Spokane. Gonzaga alum, now attending grad school at UO. Hughes, Chris: Physical therapist for the last 40 years specializing in Orthopedics and Pelvic Health. Klinger, Rachel: Rachel returns to Summer Conference ready to soothe, rock, change, and entertain your infant during Keynote; engineering degree from University of Virginia. Kockler, Nick, PhD, MS, HEC-C, Vice President for System Ethics Services, Providence St. Joseph Health. Langer, Ellen: Mom of three, cell biologist and cancer researcher; basketball coach. Langer, Jakub: Hand surgeon, soccer dad, outdoor enthusiast, beer brewer, unicyclist. Lester, David: Service Director and theology teacher at Central Catholic; adjunct instructor in theology at UP. Lidskog-Lim, Rachel: A professional dancer, singer, and choreographer, has been teaching dance as a certified dance professional since 1989. Lim, Jack: Jack started ballroom dancing in 1998 at the Carnegie Mellon Ballroom dance club; has described dancing as his “church," a place to share God’s love and the joy of dance with as many people as possible. McCarthy, Genesee: Spanish teacher at St. Pius X Grade School in Portland. Makowski, Laura: Theology teacher at Central Catholic High School in Portland Otto, Catherine: Retired school teacher; Mount Angel Abbey oblate. Otto, David: Decades of joyful experience in fooling around and learning from failure and willing to lead others astray in the same process; B.A. Geography, Humboldt State University; Mount Angel Abbey Oblate. Sanders, Lauren: Elementary school language teacher; Religious Ed Coordinator at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Corvallis; mother of two. Thompson, Peggy: Recently retired after 33 years of practicing physical therapy in the Portland area; loves to cook and has taught her two children how to appreciate good homemade food. Vanderwal, Kelly: Program Manager at Nike with a passion for finding the positive in every situation; loves spending time with family and friends and staying active. Vanderwal, Paul: Paul is a communications and marketing professional in the Portland area currently working in the technology industry. Weber, Bobbie: Brings a lifetime of working with young children including her own grandchildren as well as having graduate degrees in child and human development. Weber, Bruce: Retired after 42-years as an applied economics professor at Oregon State University; worked in Oregon’s communities promoting civic dialog on taxes and the social safety net and other public spending. Weber, Peter: Writer and editor at The Week, an online, weekly news and entertainment magazine; has worked at a financial newswire, Facts on File, and The New York Times Magazine; longtime Conference participant. Weber, Rachael: Has worked in the field of international education and intercultural training in U.S. higher education for more than 22 years; longtime Conference participant. |