ROM2016 Program

“Young love needs to keep dancing towards the future with immense hope.�

Amoris Laetitia 219

“PERHAPS NOW MORE THAN AT ANY TIME IN OUR HISTORY WE NEED A RENAISSANCE, A REDISCOVERY . . . UNITED IN THE GOAL OF ADVANCING OUR UNDERSTANDING OF CATHOLIC MARRIAGE.” BISHOP MICHAEL KENNEDY, BISHOP DELEGATE TO THE AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC MARRIAGE AND FAMILY COUNCIL AND THE CATHOLIC SOCIETY FOR MARRIAGE EDUCATION

Welcome!

AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US To say that marriage is topical at the moment would be an understatement, and it is arguable that a renewed focus on marriage from within the Church has never been more needed. Amoris Laetitia, the culmination of the Synods on the Family, provides a rich backdrop to this conference and we are blessed to have three speakers with us who participated in those Synods.

Anyone who lives in a marriage and a family – which is all of us – understands that reaching for holiness is a messy business. It is from this messiness that we welcome Amoris Laetitia; an important, and indeed confounding, document that walks bravely into the messiness of pastoral life.

The work of this conference is not theological; it is evangelical. Marriage as a Sacrament plays a critical role in the evangelical mission of the Church. It is the vocational calling with the largest membership. It is the sacramental life that most Catholic adults live out for the majority of their adult life. And it is the means in which we cooperate with God to form new life.

MARRIAGE MATTERS! And it especially matters to you who have joined us at this conference. We are each involved in different ways in the formation, education, support and enrichment of married love. In particular, we have many at this conference who are innovating in this area and we come to learn from and encourage each other to go even further in order to be more effective in our mission.

We trust you find this time together productive, enriching and encouraging.

Enjoy!

Byron & Francine Pirola Conference Convenors, Directors of the Marriage Resource Centre

VENUE MAP

Restroom

Terrace

Thomas

0m 6m

BROADWAY THOMAS Broadway

10m

Jones

JONES 20m Harris

HARRIS

Bar

ENTRY Terrace

Gadigal People of the Eora Nation

TERRACE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY We would like to acknowledge the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation upon whose ancestral lands this conference takes place. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for this land.

Aerial UTS Function Centre

Wattle

WATTLE

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21 9am

Registration, Morning Tea on arrival

1

IMPACT Session 1 Broadway/Thomas

12:20pm Lunch

Foyer /Terrace Foyer/Terrace

1:20

IMPACT Streams Schools & Youth

Harris

Engaged & Newlywed

Jones

Enrichment & Support

Broadway/Thomas

3 Break

Foyer/Terrace

3:30

IMPACT Session 2

Broadway/Thomas

5:30

Drinks & Canapes

Foyer/Terrace

7

Dinner & Keynote

Broadway/Thomas

9 Close

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22 | FEAST OF ST JOHN PAUL II 9am

KEYNOTE: Christopher West

Broadway/Thomas

10:30

Morning Tea

Foyer/Terrace

11

Workshops A

Shakovskoy (Men): Meeting the Maker in Every Man

Jones

Doyle (Women): The Feminine Genius

Broadway/Thomas

12:30pm Lunch

Foyer/Terrace

1:15

Workshops B

Lejeune: New Tech for the Marriage Message

Harris

RM Pirola: Renewing the Parish through Marriage

Jones

Mullins: Teaching children to love what is of true value

Broadway/Thomas

McLindon: The Infertility Solution

Wattle

2:20

Workshops C

Goes: The Accidental Counsellor

Harris

Hill: Love & Joy in the Lounge Room

Jones

Ninnes: Getting Real in the Digital World

Broadway/Thomas

Parker: Pathways to Sexual Wholeness

Wattle

3:15 Break

Foyer/Terrace

Final Keynote

Broadway/Thomas

4 Mass

Broadway/Thomas

3:45

5 Close

IMPACT 1 SESSION 1

Friday 10am, 20 mins each + Q&A panel

BROADWAY / THOMAS

A Renaissance of Marriage

Dr Byron and Francine Pirola

MARRIAGE HAS NEVER BEEN MORE TOPICAL... and the living witness of good marriages never more needed.

We have a teachable moment both within the Church and as a Church to bring good news to the world. We are called to grasp this challenge. Byron and Francine will draw on some 25 years of work with married couples to frame why a ‘Renaissance of Marriage’ is both needed and possible.

8

Amoris Laetitia: Archbishop Mark Coleridge

JOY AND LOVE IN THE CHURCH Amoris Laetitia is Pope Francis’ response to the two year, worldwide consultation on the challenges facing modern families. Archbishop Mark brings his pastoral experience of many years with his direct experience at the second synod to unpack the document, and discover its gems.

Maybe I Do Hon Kevin Andrews MP

TIPS FOR MODERN MARRIAGE What makes a marriage successful? Author, veteran marriage educator and Member of Parliament, Kevin Andrews, exposes some modern myths about marriage and reveals the factors that assist in forming healthy, happy and lasting relationships.

Marriage in the Marketplace David Lejeune

A MESSAGE THE WORLD IS HUNGRY FOR David Lejeune is an international expert in marketing, communications technology and social media. Yet he is convinced that the most powerful messaging on marriage comes from within our own marriages, families and homes.

NOTES

9

IMPACT STREAMS A YOUTH & SCHOOL

Friday 1:20pm, 15mins each + Q&A panel

HARRIS MC: Jude Hennessy

Pornicious Paul Ninnes

PORNOGRAPHY AND THE SEXUALISATION OF OUR CULTURE... has infiltrated our schools, churches and families. It is shaping the thoughts, relationships and hearts of our young people. The question we face is: “What are we doing and is it enough?” This talk will address the issue of pornography and demonstrate its devastating effects on young people. We will ask the tough questions and inspire and equip participants to make a real difference in young people’s lives through their influence in schools, churches, communities, and homes.

10

Reaching Hearts Frances Hopkins & Chris Da Silva

CONNECTING WITH OUR YOUNG PEOPLE In a culture that twists meaning and distorts the desires of our hearts we seek to bring hope through a culture of encounter. By meeting young people where they are at, and journeying with them, we reveal to them the goodness and beauty of their own hearts.

Sharing, Service, and Sanctity Dr Andrew Mullins

STRATEGIES FOR EFFECTIVE FORMATION The greatest challenge for parents and teachers is to raise young people to ‘give themselves to others’ using the words of Pope Francis. Are we sufficiently focused on this critical success factor in parenting and teaching? Andrew will present three probing questions and three key strategies.

Forming Teachers Jonathan Doyle

INFLUENCING THE INFLUENCERS A critical task in building an effective sexuality and relationship education curriculum is the formation of teachers. Drawing on his extensive experience in running teacher training and inservices, Jonathan will present the essential factors for success.

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IMPACT STREAM B ENGAGED & NEWLYWED Friday 1:20pm, 15mins each + Q&A panel

JONES MC: Ben Smith

The Good News...

Matthew McDonald

& THE KITCHEN TABLE Pope Francis has spoken a lot about ‘accompaniment’. What does this mean and what relevance does it have to your everyday life? Matthew will share a story of how seemingly little incidents around the kitchen table can have lifechanging results.

12

A New ‘Marriage Catechumenate’...

Dr Brigid McKenna

FOR THE NEW EVANGELISATION Increasingly, people working to prepare couples for marriage (and accompany them during the early years of marriage) need the head and heart of ‘missionary disciples’. Proposals for a more extensive, prolonged ‘marriage catechumenate’ hold tremendous potential, but they should be a pathway towards, not an obstacle to, the sacrament.

Bringing Baby Home Denise Lacey

THRIVING THROUGH TRANSITION The transition to parenthood is often a time when couples may experience many challenges. What happens to couples when their dream of becoming parents meets with the wonderful, yet intense reality? What can they do to both protect and care for their relationship and also develop a strong emotional and loving bond with their baby?

Single, Engaged...

Derek and Karen Boylen

& FINALLY MARRIED Transitioning to married life might seem simple but many couples struggle to do this. Bringing their professional expertise and personal experience of working with thousands of couples, Derek and Karen will unpack the essential elements of building a successful Catholic marriage.

NOTES

13

IMPACT STREAM C ENRICHMENT & SUPPORT STREAM Friday 1:20pm, 15mins each + Q&A panel

BROADWAY / THOMAS MC: Ann O’Brien

Marriage...

Lara Kirk

A DYNAMIC FAITH JOURNEY As Catholic marriage educators we have more to offer young couples than tips and tools for achieving a fulfilling relationship. We have an opportunity to invite young couples into a dynamic and challenging faith adventure which will draw them out of themselves and open them to resources beyond themselves to create something good in the world. Being joined with Christ in baptism every Catholic couple has a real source of power to draw on in facing the joys and challenges of married life.

14

Sexual Trauma James Parker

INSIGHTS AND IMPACT Drawing on years of experience, working with sex addiction and survivors of sexual abuse, James will explore how people can break free from destructive patterns and how others can help support them.

An Honest Mess: Peter Holmes

BEING HUMBLE ENOUGH TO ASK FOR HELP WITH MY MARRIAGE All marriages go through challenging times. Yet shame and stigma can often prevent us from seeking the help we need. Drawing on his professional training and experience as a husband and father, Peter will explore how couples can be encouraged to foster the humility necessary to ask for help in difficult situations.

The Way of Mercy for Couples Dr Byron and Francine Pirola

EVERYONE HAS SOMEONE TO FORGIVE Resentments and emotional wounds can destroy the love and joy in a marriage, but forgiving is not always easy. Francine and Byron will explore the power of forgiveness as a pathway to healing and provide a powerful strategy for helping couples to engage in the Way of Mercy.

NOTES

15

IMPACT 2 SESSION 2

Friday 3:30pm, 20 mins each + Q&A panel

BROADWAY / THOMAS Jonathan Doyle

A Few Good Men HOW MANY OF OUR CURRENT SOCIAL PROBLEMS... including the attack on marriage, can be traced to back to a crisis in manhood, fatherhood or the role of husbands in leading and serving in their own families?

Why are there so few passionate men chasing after God’s heart and what are the implications of this continuing? Jonathan will outline the challenges everyone faces when men remain on the sidelines of the battle over marriage, family and culture and what men and women can do to turn things around.

16

Marriage Dr Ray Campbell

IN THE IMAGE OF THE TRINITY St John Paul II left us with a brilliant legacy of theological insights into marriage, family and our eternal destiny as the beloved bride of Christ. Ray will unpack some of the pope’s insights into the Trinitarian concept of the communion of persons.

Pastoral Care...

Fr Gerry Gleeson

OF REGULAR PEOPLE IN IRREGULAR SITUATIONS Amoris Laetitia has attracted widespread praise and criticism. It is an extensive document with some highly significant theological developments. Fr Gerry will unpack some of the more contentious parts of the document and provide a framework for interpreting the Pope’s approach to complex pastoral situations.

Pope Francis Prof Ron and Dr Mavis Pirola

WHERE MIGHT HE BE TAKING US? Pope Francis is taking us on a ‘course correction’, by calling us to a lifestyle of radical, merciful tenderness. This does not alter Church teaching but it engenders radically different responses. It is a call to focus on empathy in the midst of complexity while holding dearly to clear principles. Simultaneously, society is engaged in social engineering on an unprecedented scale, raising innumerable daily ethical and moral dilemmas, particularly in the area of sexuality. Married couples and their families face complex pastoral situations on a daily basis. They have much to offer in the evolving challenges.

NOTES

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Closing Prayer THE DIVINE ROMANCE Tonight, the same night that the Jewish people begin their Sabbath celebrations, let us prayerfully revel with God in the gift of creation, especially the gift of man and woman, and the gift of our capacity to love, all of which reveals the Divine Love of our Creator.

Loving God, Creator and Lover of all creation, Open our eyes to the beauty of your world, and to the wonder of your people.

May we never be too busy or too distracted to revel in your gifts and to stand with holy awe before the power of your love.

May we be fertile ground where the seed of your Word may be sown that in turn we might grow and experience the fullness of life.

Bless our gathering…

Bless each person here, our relationships, our families, our communities, our loved ones.

O Lord, may we never be afraid to grow.

We ask this through Jesus Christ and in his Spirit. Amen.

SH’MA YISRAEL Based on Deut 6:4-7. Music by Teresa Pirola © 2008

Sh’ma Yisrael, Sh’ma Yisrael. Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Ehad.

Sh’ma Yisrael, Sh’ma Yisrael. Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Ehad.

Verse 1.

Love the Lord your God, with all your heart, and all your soul and all your might.

And teach your children to love the Lord.

For all generations, Sh’ma Yisrael.

Verse 2.

Love the Lord your God, with all your heart, and all your soul and all your might.

All day, every night, when you sleep, when you wake.

Surrender your heart, Hear O Israel

18

TERRACE BROADWAY / THOMAS

DRINKS & CANAPES DINNER KEYNOTE FRIDAY 7PM

The Joy of Love Most Reverend Anthony Fisher OP

Archbishop Anthony Fisher is the ninth Archbishop of Sydney and was a foundation director of the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and the Family in Melbourne. Among other responsibilities he chairs the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Commission for Family, Youth and Life. Archbishop Fisher will share his thoughts and reflections on Amoris Laetitia and the unique opportunities and challenges of the family in the modern world.

19

Keynote Saturday 9am I HOUR + Q&A

BROADWAY / THOMAS Christopher West

Male and Female He Created Them Men and Women are different! Everyday experiences tell us so, yet our culture has never been more confused about our sexual identity and destiny. Hear a world leader in St Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body unpack this revolutionary approach to human fulfilment that is transforming the way the Church approaches sexuality and marriage education.

20

Workshop A Saturday 11am, 1.5 hours

BROADWAY / THOMAS Karen Doyle

The Feminine Genius BASED ON KAREN’S GENIUS OF WOMANHOOD... an exciting body of work that explores the profound teaching of St Pope John II on the vocation and dignity of women.

JONES Peter Shakhovskoy

Meeting the Maker IN EVERY MAN As cofounder of Men Alive, Peter has worked with thousands of Catholic men, helping them to engage with their faith and assume their leadership role in the family and in the community. He will bring his practical insights to this workshop exclusively for men.

NOTES

21

Workshop B Saturday, 1.15pm, 1 hour

HARRIS David Lejeune

New Tech FOR THE MARRIAGE MESSAGE How do we get the marriage message out? How do we inspire young people to ambition for marriage and how do we effectively market Catholic marriage to the broader community? Learn how David uses his internationally acclaimed skills in social media marketing to craft your marriage message for higher impact.

22

JONES Prof Ron & Dr Mavis Pirola

Renewing the Parish THROUGH MARRIAGE The family, in all its ‘messiness’ ... is a major force for evangelisation in the Church and society. At the heart of the family is the married couple. The witness of their sacramental relationship is key to this mission of the family. Yet marriage is under-utilised as a resource and there is an urgent need to build a marriage culture within parishes. Ron & Mavis bring their extensive experience in parishbased initiatives to discuss practical ways in which couples and families can be empowered to re-energise parish life.

BROADWAY / THOMAS Dr Andrew Mullins

Teaching Children...

TO LOVE WHAT IS OF TRUE VALUE A home is a school of love, where your children learn to put others, and ultimately God, first in their lives. What motivates you as a parent should motivate your children; children love what we love. But often our example, and emotional example can undermine our best intentions. We fail to communicate the importance of what is good, true and beautiful. We can even fail to demonstrate the joy of a life of generous dedication to God and to others. In this session, we look at very practical ways to examine and improve our own example, particularly emotional example, in order to effectively motivate our children.

WATTLE Dr Luke McLindon

The Infertility Solution PRACTICAL AND ETHICAL SOLUTIONS FOR COUPLES With one in six couples experiencing fertility difficulties, an ethical and effective response for infertility has never been more needed. Join Luke as he explores the treatment options for couples and unpacks the exciting innovations in fertility treatment that conform to and elevate the Catholic vision for marriage.

NOTES

23

Workshop C Saturday, 2.20pm, 1 hour

HARRIS Anne-Marie Goes

The Accidental Counsellor TIPS FOR EVERYDAY CONFIDANTS Have you ever had someone confide in you about their marital difficulties?

Research indicates that well before couples seek the assistance of a professional counsellor, they are talking with trusted family and friends.

Psychologist Anne-Marie Goes will outline simple strategies for you to deploy when you become an ‘Accidental Marriage Counsellor’.

24

JONES Anthony & Cathy Hill

Love & Joy...

IN THE LOUNGE ROOM: PARISH-BASED MARRIAGE PREP When couples present to the Church for marriage it represents an evangelisation opportunity. Yet for most parishes, running their own marriage preparation is daunting and beyond their resources. Learn how new innovations in online delivery can make this a practical reality in your parish or community.

BROADWAY / THOMAS Paul Ninnes

Getting Real...

IN THE DIGITAL WORLD Never before has the digital world brought with it so many risks. This topic is getting more and more difficult for educators to handle. From sexting to bullying, pornography to tech-addiction, new problems keep arising. this session, we look at very practical ways to examine and improve our own example, particularly emotional example, in order to effectively motivate our children..

WATTLE James Parker

Pathways to Sexual Wholeness: ACCOMPANYING THOSE IN PAIN Using case studies from his extensive work with men and women, James will explore how the experiences of shame in childhood and adolescence can have long lasting impact on the individual’s sexual identity and orientation. Gain powerful insights and learn practical strategies for accompanying others on the journey of sexual healing.

NOTES

25

BROADWAY / THOMAS Dr Byron and Francine Pirola

Closing CONFERENCE WRAP UP Saturday 3:45pm

MASS Bishop Peter Comensoli

HOMILY: DO YOU LOVE ME? A reflection on the Gospel for the Feast of St John Paul II.

26

NOTES

27

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