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July 9, 2026 by Jacob Emser

The Marriage & Family Evangelization team will be hosting the annual Marriage & Family In-Service on September 29, 2026 from 12:00 pm to 3:15 pm at St. Mary of the Assumption, Springboro. This workshop provides formation and fellowship for all in leadership roles: clergy, parish evangelists, marriage apostolate leaders, and NFP instructors. This year’s theme is “Reconciliation with Christ and His Church: Convalidations” and the keynote speaker is Fr. Jacob DuMont, L.C. The cost is $10 per person to cover lunch and materials.

keynote Speaker
Fr. Jacob DuMont, L.C.

July 6, 2026 by Jacob Emser

Cycle Prep is a nationally acclaimed first-period workshop developed by Pearl & Thistle and offered locally through Small Things Fertility’s Heidi Schaap. This engaging, age-appropriate experience is designed for parents and daughters to learn together what’s really happening in her body as she approaches her first menstrual cycle.

During this 90-minute interactive workshop, families will explore:

Female anatomy
Hormones through the “Story of the Kingdom” illustration
Ovulation and cycle timing
Period products and what to expect
Normal cycle variations
How to build a supportive “Culture of Care” at home

The workshop equips both girls and parents with clear science, shared language, and practical tools to talk about puberty with truth, dignity, and calm—helping the conversation continue long after the event.

Girls will leave with:

A custom period-product kit
A workbook and discussion guide for continued learning

Parents will receive:

Guides for talking with your daughter’s doctor
Resources to support ongoing conversations
Additional tools for navigating puberty with confidence

For girls aged 9-11

Only one ticket per a family is needed.

Schedule:

Sign-in & Refreshments: 8:30am – 9:00am

Workshop: 9:00am -11:15am

DOWNLOAD FLYER

June 29, 2026 by Jacob Emser

Join us to equip and inspire your catechists. This training will provide a blend of prayer, formation, and practical skills to help your catechists grow in their faith and their ability to teach and lead others. Whether your catechists are brand new or seasoned veterans looking to strengthen their skills, there will be something for everyone!

Who is this event for?
This training is for DRE’s/DoE’s in the St. Joseph Deanery. If you are outside of this deanery and want to attend, please contact Chris Baumgardner.

Parish staff should complete the registration form below and include the approximate number of catechists attending. There is no cost to you!

May 19, 2026 by Jacob Emser

Light the Match is a two-day conference designed to kick-start your ministry and energize your evangelization team for the year ahead. Each day features a dynamic keynote, a variety of breakout sessions, and, of course, great food and meaningful fellowship. This year’s theme is the voice of God.

Keynote Talks

Keynote #1 Monday – Hearing the Voice of God in Your Personal Life

Speaker: Deacon Russ Feldkamp, Encounter Ministries

Why it’s important to consistently hear the voice of God
Practical ways to cultivate listening to God
How to distinguish God’s voice from others

Keynote #2 Tuesday – Hearing the Voice of God in Your Professional Life

Speaker: Brad Bursa, Stella Maris

How hearing God’s voice at work is different from our personal lives
How to discern God’s voice within a team
Practical ways to start integrating practices into work

Breakout Sessions

Monday

Breakout Session 1

Breakout #1a – Discernment & the Eucharist

Speaker: Nicholas Hardesty, CNE
Discernment is always in partnership with Jesus
How to engage the Eucharist as part of a discernment process
Model a mini-discernment process

Breakout #1b – Theological Imagination

Speaker: Dr. Martin Madar, Xavier University
The differences between catechesis & theology
How to have an imagination for theology
Practical ways to start “doing” theology

Breakout #1c – The Cult of Busyness

Speaker: Andrea Patch, NET Ministries
The role of busyness in the modern American experience
We were created for leisure
Practical ways to work against busyness and take advantage of leisure

Breakout Session 2

Breakout #2a – The Theology of Belonging

Speaker: Ana Ramirez, CNE
The role of belonging in evangelization
The theological underpinnings of belonging
How to start cultivating a culture of belonging

Breakout #2b – Well-Ordered Life

Speaker: Paco Patag, CNE
A model of a well-ordered life
The role of the interior life
Practical ways to move from disorder to order

Breakout #2c – Mental Illness & the Church

Speaker: TBD
How the Church understands mental illness theologically
How mental illness impacts the experience of the divine
Practical ways to minister to those will mental illness (with testimony)

Tuesday

Breakout Session 3

Breakout #3a – How to Form & Manage Your Team

Speaker: Shane Legg, CPV
Hiring the right people
Setting your meeting schedule
Helping balance vocation & work

Breakout #3b – Catholic Anthropology

Speaker: Courtney Brown, Ruah Woods
The “Ruah Way”
How good Catholic anthropology informs good ministry
Practical ways to integrate Catholic anthropology into ministry

Breakout #3c – Making Events Kerygmatic

Speaker: Brad Bursa, Stella Maris
You aren’t ready to overhaul ministries or institute a discipleship pathway
Why events should be kerygmatic
Practice ways to start making one event kerygmatic

Breakout Session 4

Breakout #4a – Year-Round Initiation Ministry

Speaker: Tyler Castrucci, St. Gertrude
Why initiation ministry should be year round
First steps for implementation and roadblocks
Consider children’s initiation ministry

Breakout #4b – How to Teach Ignatian Discernment

Speaker: Samuel Vasquez, CNE
Brief overview of Ignatian Discernment and when to use it
How to teach it to others
Best resources for implementation in a parish

Breakout #4c – How to Be Relational with Parents

Speaker: Renee Renee Piekutowski, St. Francis of Assisi
The importance of being relational with parents
How to get started; practical first steps
Testimony about the impact & fruits

March 9, 2026 by Jacob Emser

All young adults (age 18 to 35) are invited to our Pentecost Vigil on Saturday, May 23, at St. Gertrude Parish (6543 Miami Ave., Madeira, OH). The free event begins at 7 p.m. with Mass, followed by a bonfire and social with burgers, hot dogs, and more from 8:30 to 10 p.m. All are invited to bring a side dish to share. Come ready for fun, food, and fellowship, and a hunger for the Lord and the gifts of the Holy Spirit that he wants to fill you with this Pentecost!

Please register below so we can have an estimated headcount, and sign up to bring a dish. We look forward to seeing you!

March 9, 2026 by Jacob Emser

Join us for lunch at the Pastoral Center at 11:30 on Tuesday, June 30th in Conference Room 1A. This will offer us a chance for fellowship with one another and an opportunity to discuss what the Archdiocese envisions for evangelization and catechetical efforts in parishes and schools. This event is being hosted by Christine Baumgardner, Associate Director of Children’s and Family Evangelization and Veronica Murphy, Director of Religion Curriculum and Resources.