2024 Class Grid

2024 Class Descriptions

Adult Classes                                
Period A
1) KEYNOTE
Patricia O'Connel Killen, Ph.D.
See front page for more information.

Period B
2) Dialogue with Keynoter
Patricia O'Connel Killen, Ph.D.
An opportunity to explore specific topics presented during Keynote through discussion in a small group setting. 
3) Deconstructed Catholicism
Bill Zuelke
What is the relationship between being a Catholic and believing in all that the church teaches? Using the Catholic Catechism and statistics about Catholic praxis, we will explore the wide range that Catholics experience in this area and explore for ourselves what the spectrum looks like for each of us.
4) SoulCollage®
Val Hornburg
Explore the theme of “Life as Pilgrimage” as we navigate our lives during these ever-changing times. Through this no-fail creative and intuitive process, we will use images to assemble collaged prayer cards, journaling with them and using them as a visual form of prayer to accompany us on our interior and exterior journeys. Get out of your head and listen to your heart!!

Period C 
5) The Meaning and Beauty of the Catholic Funeral
Fr. Rutherford
Throughout our time together, we will dive into the rich tradition of our Catholic funeral liturgy, and spend time pondering why we do what we do when our loved ones die.  We will also have an opportunity to begin planning our own funeral liturgy.
6) Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker Movement
Bruce Weber
Dorothy Day (1898-1980), founding editor of The Catholic Worker newspaper, sought to put into practice the teachings of Jesus and Catholic social encyclicals by establishing Catholic Worker houses of hospitality that welcomed, housed, and fed the poor and marginalized. This class will look at her writings, interact with the local Catholic Worker community, and reflect on how the writings and experiences of the Catholic Worker movement might be relevant in our own lives and times.
7)  Lectio Divina Prayer Group
Various Teachers
Join us for scriptual reading, meditiation, and prayer. Every afternoon we will experience this beautiful and contemplative Benedictine tradition.

Intergenerational Classes                
Period B 
8) The Daily Bluffer
Peter Weber 
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) Fun Games and Movement 
Erin Fox and Christy Kohler
Have fun in the outdoors, moving our bodies through stretching, warm-ups, and playing group games in a supporive environment.Gr. 5 and up
10) Wanna Drum?
Fr. Charles Gonzalez
Come learn basic techniques and rythms of the drums. In this class you will have the opportunity to learn how to play various percussion instruments like the cajon, djembe, and drumset. Gr. 5 and up. 
11) Knitting and Prayer Shawls
Lisa Conroy
Know of someone who could use a hug and a prayer? Welcome to the beautiful art of prayer shawl knitting. We will cover colors and their meanings, patterns, and different yarns, as well as the history of prayer shawls.  Your shawl will be finished over follow-up Zoom classes, as desired. Participants need to know how to cast on, bind off, knit and purl.  Gr. 5 and up

Period C
12) 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.
13) 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. 
14) Mosaics
Toni Cooper 
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. 
15) Cookie Decorating
Sadie Hjorth
Let's get creative with cookies (and other treats)! Bring your imagination and we will explore different ways to decorate cookies and treats using different types of icings and other edible delights. No experience necessary and no matter what you make, it will taste delicious!
Gr. 5 and up. 


Children's Classes                           
Period A
16) Keynote Infant Care
Teacher TBD 
17) Promise A (Pre K-Gr 1)
Caitlin Breitenstein and Alyssa Hughes
18) Karing Kids A (Gr 2-4)
Teacher TBD
19) Horizons (Gr 5-6)
Paul Vanderwal
20) Choices (Gr 7-9)
Jack Kiesewetter
21) Youth & the Church (Gr 10-12)
Paul Burch

Period B
22) Promise B (Pre K-Gr 1)
Sarah Burch and TBD
23) Karing Kids B (Gr 2-4)
Jen Furl

Period C
24) Play and Stories 
Bobbie Weber and Dolores Golden
For children at the end of a busy day, we will offer 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)
25) Kids-R-Cookin'
Anna Drake
Come explore the science of baking and cooking as we learn to create delicious foods without gluten or dairy. We will also practice basic cooking skills such as measuring, cutting, and mixing. Kids will enjoy their unique kitchen creations from homemade pita sandwiches, fresh baked cookies and more. *Please note the instructors for this class will work to ensure a fun and safe environment for those with gluten and/or dairy allergies. Gr. 2 and up. 
26) BUILD IT! 
Teacher TBD
Create and build with us every afternoon as we explore science and engineering. Gr. 1 and up. 
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Spiritual Direction
TBD
Signups will be available for 30 minute appointments during the day with several advisers. You choose the topic and they will guide!

2024 Staff

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: 1st grade 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. Director of Liturgical Music, and Director of Piano and Voice program at St. Paul Catholic Church and School. BA Music University of Portland 2002; MM Piano Pedagogy U of O 2005. 
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. Currently facilitate retreats, hosts Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke Podcast and loves family and the great outdoors..
Campbell, Susie: Retired 28-year women’s head tennis coach at UP and currently the Director of Tennis at The Racquet Club in Portland, Oregon.
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
Drake, Anna:  Graduate of OSU. Wife, Mother to 4, Keeper of all things home. Homeschooling parent for the last five years. 
Fox, Erin:  Wife and mother of 5 kids, substitute teacher and loves being in the outdoors.
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.
Golden, Dolores: Retired elementary school teacher and grandma.
Gonzalez, Fr. Charles OSB:  Priest-Monk: Mt. Angel Abbey, Drummer 15+ years: Family Band, Jazz Band, Seminary work.
Hjorth, Sadie: Kindergarten teacher in the Portland Public Schools. Avid crafter and baker.
Hornburg, Val:  Spiritual Director; Retreat leader specializing in Creative Prayer and Expression.
Hughes, Alyssa:  Freelance photographer with experience taking photos for Gonzaga and The Inlander Newspaper in Spokane. Gonzaga alum, now attending grad school at U of O.
Hughes, Chris: Physical therapist for the last 40 years specializing in Orthopedics and Pelvic Health.
Kiesewetter, Jack:  Theology teacher at Marist Catholic High School in Eugene.
Kohler, Christy:  Wife, mother to 2 boys, PT of 20+ years.
Langer, Ellen:  Mom of three, cell biologist and cancer researcher; basketball coach.
Langer, Jakub:  Hand surgeon, soccer dad, outdoor enthusiast, beer brewer, unicyclist.
Oldham, Zac:  A Summer Conference participant since infancy; B.A. Engineering from Gonzaga University; former Jesuit Volunteer in Woodburn, Oregon.
Rutherford, Rev H. Richard C.S.C.:  Holy Cross Priest and professor emeritus of liturgical theology,Fr. Rutherford taught at UP from 1976 until his retirement in 2012. His teaching and research interests include Catholic funeral and cemetery liturgy and early Christian baptismal ritual and archaeology.
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:  Communications professional and singing mailman with a background in sociology and a childhood filled with biblical studies. 
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.
Zreliak, Natalia: Communications Coordinator at Marist Catholic High School in Eugene.
Zuelke, Bill: Cradle Catholic, resigned and married priest, teacher and artist specialist in discernment of spirits, and spiritual formationM.Div in Theology and M.S in counseling.