TranslateBreakouts & Speakers
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Convocation Speakers
Keynote: Building up Communion, Participation and Mission
Sister Donna Ciancio is a Dominican Sister of Caldwell, New Jersey, a graduate of Caldwell University and New York University, and holds a doctorate from Drew University. She is Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Newark and Director of Church Leadership Consultation. Sr. Donna works internationally and nationally in promoting parish vitality and pastoral direction, congregational and leadership development, faith formation, Small Christian Communities, consulting with parishes and dioceses, and in many other areas. She served as the International Coordinator for Renew and the Director of Pastoral Services of the National Pastoral Life Center and as parish consultant for the Jesuit Conference USA.
with Sr. Donna Ciangio, O.P., D. Min.
Sr. Donna has served as the Director of Adult Faith Formation at St. Rose of Lima Church in Short Hills, New Jersey. She is an adjunct faculty member in Drew University’s Doctor of Ministry program, and a consultant for RCL Benziger Publishing Company. Sr. Donna also serves on the Board of Trustees of Caldwell University and the Center for Ministry Development and is Chairperson of the North American Forum for Small Christian Communities.
BREAKOUT SPEAKERS:
Msgr. Edward J. Arnister was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Trenton in 1979. He received his J.C.L. degree from Catholic University, Washington DC in 1983. Msgr. served in the Chancery Office from 1983 to 2011 in various roles as Vice Chancellor, Secretary to the Bishop, and on the staff of the Diocesan Tribunal. He was the Episcopal Vicar for Monmouth County from 2013 to 2019. He is currently a member of the College of Consultors. His parish assignments have been at Corpus Christi, Willingboro, Holy Cross, Trenton, and for the past twelve years has been the Pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Belmar, NJ.
For Pastors only: Straight Talk re: Ways to Make the Most of your PC with Msgr. Arnister & Kathy Brady
Kathleen Brady is an ICF certified career and life management Coach, author and motivational speaker with more than 25 years of experience helping individuals identify and integrate their professional and personal goals in order to live life more joyfully. In addition to her work as a coach at the international law firm, Latham & Watkins, Kathleen has published four books about career/life transitions. She holds an M.A. in Theology from Georgian Court University and a B.A. in Sociology from Fordham University
Gary Maccaroni has served The Church of Saint Ann in Lawrenceville, NJ, both as a Pastoral Associate since 1996, providing pastoral leadership in a variety of ministries, and as the Director of Religious Education since 2019. Gary is a commissioned Lay Ecclesial Minister and a certified master catechist. He has an MA from Princeton Theological Seminary. He taught religious studies at the high school level and a course on the world religions at Holy Family College in Newtown, PA. Gary is a regular adult faith formation presenter in his parish. He has served on a number of diocesan advisory boards, providing experts and leading workshops in adult faith formation and parish lay ministry.
Cultivating Stewardship, Participation and Co-Responsibility for Mission with Gary Maccaroni, Parish Catechetical Leader, St. Anne's Church
Josue Arriola, Director of the Department of Evanglization and Family Life, and former Associate Director of the Office of Evangelization in the Diocese of Metuchen, earned a Master of Arts degree in Theology from Augustine Institute, Denver; a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in Humanities from Thomas Edison State College, Trenton, undertook studies in pastoral ministry at Georgian Court University, Lakewood NJ and Pastoral Hispanic Leadership at The Catholic University of America, Washington DC.
Keys to Evangelization and Becoming a Welcoming Parish with
Josue Arriola & Denise Contino
Denise Contino is currently the Director for the Department of Catechesis at the Diocese of Trenton. Previously she was the Director of Faith Formation at St. Benedict Church and School in Holmdel, NJ for more than 10 years. Denise has earned her MA in Theology from Georgian Court University, Lakewood NJ. Denise and her husband, John, have two grown children and live in Monmouth County, NJ.
Practicing Listening & Group Prayerful Discernment with
Milissa Else
Milissa Else currently works with the Chancellor in the Archdiocese of Newark and serves as coordinator for parish strategies and small group ministry. Milissa and the Chancellor provide ongoing training and support for pastors, parish staff and Parish Pastoral Councils. Since 2021, their work has also focused on the Synod on Synodality. Previous to her work with the Archdiocese, Milissa spent nearly five years as the Director of Pastoral Services for RENEW International. While with RENEW, Milissa provided training to small group facilitators in 20 dioceses across the country. Prior to joining RENEW International, Milissa was Vice President for a consulting firm. Through the consulting firm, Milissa served the Catholic Church for nearly 20 years. Milissa worked with a wide variety of Catholic organizations, parishes, dioceses, and religious communities directing strategic planning efforts, conducting planning studies, and consulting on capital campaigns. Prior to joining the consulting firm, Milissa worked for several nonprofits in administrative leadership positions. Milissa received her Masters in Pastoral Ministry from Loyola University, New Orleans
New PPC Members: What Does it Mean to Serve on a PPC? with
Linda Dickinson-Pancila
Linda Dickinson-Pancilla has participated in parish life in one capacity or another for the last 25 years since moving to Monmouth County in 1998. Linda has served the Church as a catechist for 16 years, as a pastoral council member, small group and bible study facilitator, and program coordinator at St. Mary's Colts Neck. Linda also served as a member of her parish's cohort team and then as a project manager on the diocesan Faith in our Future planning initiative. As parish staff, Linda worked in the following areas: adminstration, communications, community building, evangelization, adult faith formation, youth ministry and fundraising, and is currently the Business Manager at St. Veronica Church, Howell. Linda has a BA and MA in Education and is currently working towards her MA in Theology. Linda also holds two levels of Catechetical certification and a Certificate in Adult Formation and Leadership.