2025 Class Grid

2025 Class Descriptions

KEYNOTE
Fr. Billy Biegler, S.J.
See front page for more information.

PERIOD B Adult
DIALOGUE WITH KEYNOTER
Fr. Billy Biegler, S.J.
An opportunity to explore specific topics presented during keynote
through discussion in a small group setting.

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.

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 B intergenerational
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.

QUILTING
Judy Conroy
Join us cutting, sewing, and creating a quilt block or two using a
variety of techniques. Beginners welcome. Gr. 5 and up.

FUN GAMES AND MOVEMENT
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

THAI COOKING
Caitlin Breitenstein
Learn how easy and welcoming Thai cuisine can be! Beginners to
experts, noodles to rice to desserts. Leave every class with recipe
cards and a bowl of delicious food. Gr. 5 and up

BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU
Jonathan and Saori DeBruyn
A form of self-defense, BJJ is a grappling martial art and a fun
way to stay in shape, make friends and learn to use your body. Gr.
5 and up

PERIOD C - adult

WOMEN IN SCRIPTURE
Deb Wilhelm
Come for a creative, informed exploration of the many ways that
women speak through scripture, with a special focus on several
specific biblical women. What does the Holy Spirit show us through
women's words, their silences (chosen or not), and how history has
viewed them? How can our listening help us to be active, hope-
filled people of God?

PILGRIMS OF HOPE
Jay Conroy, David Otto, and Bruce Weber
Pope Francis is encouraging us to be "pilgrims of hope" during
the 2025 Jubilee Year. This class will take an historical look
at the origins and goals of notable pilgrimages throughout the
world. We will review the interior experience of pilgrims through
autobiographical accounts of pilgrimage and explore how all of us
can become “pilgrims of hope” on our own spiritual journeys.

PLAYFUL PRAYER
Molly Buccola
Awaken Inner Wisdom! In a peaceful and playful setting, we will
explore various ways to cultivate intuition and deeply listen to how
the Holy Spirit moves within you and in your life. This class offers
practical tools to notice your nudges and enhance your personal
relationship with God.

​PERIOD C - intergenerational

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.

RACKET SPORTS
Susie Campbell
For anyone who wants to try tennis and pickleball for the first
time or wants to improve their skills. This class involves all
participants. Bring a racket and/or paddles to share. Gr. 2 and up.

MASSAGE AND MOVEMENT
Chris Hughes
Come to experience and learn several massage techniques. You get
to practice giving and receiving. Come as an individual or with a
partner. Gr. 7 and up.

IGNATIAN EXAMEN
Don Clarke
The Examen is found in the Spiritual Exercises that St. Ignatius of
Loyola wrote during a significant time in his life. Through music,
movie clips and prayer, we will look at the structure of the Examen
and our assumptions of God and the Trinity. Gr. 9 and up.

ENGINEERING SHENANIGANS
Zoe Vanderwal
Join other budding engineers in hands-on challenges everyday
from building a roller coaster with paper to balloon race cars and
homemade ice cream. Gr. 7 and up,

PLAY AND STORIES
Bobbie Weber and Elsie 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. Caretakers of children 3 and younger are welcome
to join in but are asked to stay with their child(ren). Ages 4 and
older. (Ages 0-3 with a caregiver)

KIDS-R-COOKIN'
Peggy Thompson
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. *Please note if
you have gluten intolerance or other dietary restrictions/allergies
on the registration form so Peggy can make accommodations in
advance. Gr. 2 and up.

KIDS & CRAFTS
Anna Drake and Teresa Conroy
Unleash your creativity in Kids & Crafts! This fun and engaging
class will explore a variety of art mediums and techniques. Kids
will develop their fine motor skills, problem-solving abilities, and
imaginations while creating unique and exciting projects to take
home. Get ready for a colorful and inspiring experience! Gr. K and
up.

SCIENCE EXPLORERS
Jennie Olson
Create and build with us every afternoon as we explore science
and engineering. Pre-K and up.

2025 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: Caitlin: mother of
Ian and Ara, both adopted from Thailand.
Has been teaching Thai cooking to
elementary-high school for over a decade.
Her family returns to Thailand every other
summer.
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.
Buccola, Molly: Longtime Summer
Conference Participant. Former Director
of Campus Ministry at Priory School
in CA for 16 years. Founder of Beyond
Stillness: Stories After Stroke.
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: Father of four Summer
Conference graduates, has been on one
Camino pilgrimage and is headed for a
second in June.
Conroy, Judy: Long time participant at
the conference, wife, mom, grandma who
loves quilting, gardening, and tennis.
Conroy, Teresa: Former event fundraiser
& enjoyer of all things crafting. As a wife
& mother of 5, she uses much of her "free
time" as a brain injury advocate after
sustaining one herself in 2015. She often
says she is no expert in one single craft
but a dabbler in many & always ready to
try something new.
Clarke, Don: Director of Campus
Ministry at Jesuit High School in
Portland and a 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.
DeBruyn, Jonathan: Musician; Purple
Belt in BJJ.
DeBruyn, Saori: Opera Singer; Blue Belt
in BJJ.
Drake, Anna: wife, mom to 4 awesome
kids and one crazy pup. Some learned
to make sourdough, I learned to
homeschool. Enjoys hiking, the outdoors,
kids, dogs, learning/education, sports.
Fox, Erin: Wife and mother of 5 kids,
substitute teacher and loves being in the
outdoors.
Golden, Dolores: Retired teacher. Enjoys
liturgy, prayer, and families at Summer
Conference.
Golden, Kelly: Helps build cool buildings
at Nike and mom of two ridiculously
active student athletes.
Gonzalez, Fr. Charles OSB: Priest-
Monk: Mt. Angel Abbey, Drummer 15+
years: Family Band, Jazz Band, Seminary
Work.
Hambley, Ruth: Transitional
kindergarten teacher and fabulous
grandma.
Helbling, Anie: Elementary teacher at
O'Hara Catholic in Eugene.
Hjorth, Elsie: Conference attendee since
infancy. Senior at Central Catholic HS in
Portland.
Hjorth, Sadie: Kindergarten teacher in
the Portland Public Schools; Bachelor
of Education in Special Education
from Gonzaga University; has taught
elementary K-5 and special education
K-8th grade since 1999.
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 and UO alum..
Hughes, Chris: Physical therapist for the
last 40 years specializing in Orthopedics
and Pelvic Health.
Kiesewetter, Jack: HS theology teacher
and retreat moderator at Marist HS in
Eugene. First time attending Summer
Conference, blessed to be bringing his
wife and daughter.
Kohler, Christy: wife and mother to 2
boys, physical therapist 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.
Olson, Jennie: Nurse Practicioner, avid
reader, and mother to two explorers.
Otto, David: Geographer, with interests in
physical geography, biogeography, GIS,
cartography and landscape evolution.
Manager of parish cemetery. Co-director
of Certificate in Evangelization program
for St. Bernard’s School of Theology and
Ministry.
Thompson, Peggy: Recently retired after
33 years of practicing physical therapy in
the Portland area; loves to cook and has
Page 4
taught her two children how to appreciate
good homemade food.
Vanderwal, Zoe: Civil Engineering Student
at Colorado State University. She has a
passion for all things STEM and loves
learning about nature, playing with water,
and running through parks.
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.
Wilhelm, Deb: Adjunct Professor of
Preaching and Evangelization at Aquinas
Institute of Theology; Lecturer in
Practical Theology at Loyola University
New Orleans; author; preacher.
Weber, Bruce: Retired applied economics
professor at Oregon State University;
volunteer in local social assistance
efforts; aspirational pilgrim.
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.
Wimer, Jessie: Long time Catholic school
educator and mom of an infant care
participant.
Zuelke, Bill: Cradle Catholic, resigned
and married priest, teacher and artist
specialist in discernment of spirits, and
spiritual formation. M.Div. in Theology
and M.S. in counseling