Light the Match 2025
Light the Match is a two-day conference designed to kick-start your ministry at the start of a new school year and energize your evangelization team for the year ahead. Each day of Light the Match includes a dynamic keynote talk, a variety of breakout topics, and of course, great food and fellowship.
Keynote Speaker: Josh Danis
Joshua Danis, a Dayton native, serves as the Head of Parish and Diocesan Partnerships for Hallow. He holds degrees in theology and philosophy from Franciscan University of Steubenville. He previously worked for Alpha, in Catholic radio, and for the Archdicoese of Cincinnati. He is also the author of “Living the Fruit of the Spirit,” published by Word Among Us. Joshua is a lifelong Catholic and a cycling enthusiast. He currently resides in Minnesota with his wife Hollie, and their children, Lillie and Michael.
Daily Schedule
9:00am – Mass at St. Joseph Church
411 East Second Street
10:00am – Check-in at Dayton Metro Library
Hospitality by The Coffee Hub
10:25am – Welcome & Opening Prayer
11:00am – Keynote Sessions
Monday: Sparking Vibrant Parish Culture
Tuesday: A Culture of Joy and Hope
12:00pm – Lunch by The Coffee Hub
1:00pm – Breakout Sessions
2:15pm – Breakout Sessions
3:15pm – Closing Prayer and Announcements
4:00 pm – Happy Hour at Warped Wing Brewing Co. (Monday Only)
26 Wyandot St, Dayton, OH 45402
(Not included in registration price)
Breakout Sessions:
Monday
Breakout Session 1
Skills for New Evangelists, part 1 – Shane Legg & Audrey Melton
All about the day-in-day-out aspects of professional ministry life, including a year one roadmap, safe environment considerations, the first things of ministry, and communicating effectively.
Lifelong Discernment – Paco Patag
Learn about the cultural pitfalls of an excessive focus on the state-in-life dimension of vocation, how it can be properly integrated with the universal and personal dimensions of vocation, and ways in which your parish can foster a culture of lifelong discernment and responsiveness to the Lord’s callings.
Josh Danis – Building a Culture of Prayer
In this breakout session, Josh will facilitate conversation around what steps we can take today to build the kind of intentionally prayerful community that astounds and delights those who encounter us.
Breakout Session 2
Skills for New Evangelists, part 2 – Shane Legg & Nicholas Hardesty
Navigating the daily relationships in ministry can be confusing! This breakout is all about professional relationships, how they differ from personal ones, and practical tips on succeeding in a professional ministry setting.
On Mission with your Catholic School – Matt Daniels, Superintendent of Schools
Parochial schools are an extension of the mission of the parish, but oftentimes there’s a gap between the parish and their school. Come learn about how to bridge this gap, and not just communicate better or share resources, but how to go on mission with your Catholic school.
Reframing & Renewing
Moving from a mindset of negativity to a mindset of positivity and hope is essential to reframing and renewing your ministry. Learn about the impact of moving from negativity to positivity and practical first steps to make the switch.
Tuesday
Breakout Session 3
Skills for New Evangelists, part 3 – Shane Legg & Christine Baumgardner
Conflict is inevitable but combat is optional! This breakout is all about how to embrace conflict as an inevitable part of ministry and turn it into an opportunity for growth, relationships, and hope.
Cultural Paradigms – Nicholas Hardesty
Deacon Keith Strohm proposed cultural paradigms that support or hinder the Church in her mission to evangelize in his book, Ablaze. Come explore these paradigms and how they apply to families of parishes in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, and how to leverage them for mission in your family.
Going Deeper With Culture – Josh Danis
In this presentation, Josh will take us into a deeper dive on questions of building out our parish culture such that it begins to take effect in our systems, our communications, and the habits we train people to adopt.
Breakout Session 4
AI & the Church – Fr. Ambrose Dobrozsi
Explore the current state of artificial intelligence, how it’s affecting the Church, and how to leverage AI for ministry.
Neurodivergent Catechesis – Megan Apple & Carolyn Krug
Learn how to move beyond classroom management of neurodivergent students and how to embrace various neurodivergences in catechesis.
Working with Volunteers – Christen Aquino
The best ministries have the best volunteers! Come learn how to discern who should be on your team, how to approach and recruit them, and how to manage your team of volunteers once you’re all knee-deep in ministry together.
