Training

Popular Workshops Offered by Dr. Charlotte McCorquodale

Examining Findings From A Study on Pastoral Leaders Serving Young Catholics Examining Network Vulnerability Amidst A Web of Ministries: Is there a future for youth and young adult ministry?

Over the past few decades, Catholic youth and young adult ministries have changed from models of CYO and youth groups to a comprehensive programmatic ministry model, and now a renewed focus on evangelization and accompaniment. Today, an ever-changing network of ministries from parish to diocese, school to campus, and movements to religious communities all minister to the most diverse population and largest age range of youth and young adults the church has ever tried to engage. Like corporations checking their networks for vulnerabilities as they try to expand, this workshop will compare longitudinal research findings with recent data from focus groups with over 130 youth and young adult ministry leaders throughout the United States, ranging in age, position, experience, and cultural diversity to see what shifts have occurred in this network of ministry leaders. Key findings show that Pastoral leaders of youth and young adult ministries are a conundrum of joy-filled ministers serving at times in a bleak post-COVID mission field. As in decades before, youth and young adult ministry leaders find great joy in ministry, even though they articulated that serving in their roles today is difficult due to various issues. The pragmatics of being a leader in ministry in today’s church were often described as hard due to being on all the time, programming, communication with youth and young adults, or the multiple audiences being served. Conditions they mentioned included insufficient pay and benefits and the need to justify that lower standard of compensation, which often consists of an inadequate work-life balance. An aspect of this conundrum is those who fear for their jobs, while, at the same time, are called to help revive ministry in a bleak post-COVID church. Creating stability in the network of ministry leaders who serve them can no doubt positively impact our ability to turn the tide of youth and young adults leaving the church and help us to accompany the broad audience we seek.

Can Generation Theory Help Us Understand How to Accompany the Younger Generations?

Currently, six generations live in the United States, with the youngest three being Millennials, Gen Z, and Alphas, who were born since the advent of digital technology and the birth of the Internet. These three generations have unique traits and experiences that have shaped them and helped to define them. However, when seen through the common lens of digital technology and culture, issues emerge that appear to be becoming more extreme with each generation. Regardless, coming of age with increasing digital technology at their fingertips and now parenting (Millennials) with it has influenced all aspects of their lives. What are the implications of their experience in this digital culture on how they learn and socialize or how they engage in a culture that embraces relativism and an increasing level of non-religious affiliation? This workshop will explore Generation Z and Generation Alpha, their characteristics, challenges, significant experiences and themes, pandemic impact, as well as their spiritual perspectives and ministerial needs. As part of our exploration of Generation Alpha, we will examine their parents, the Millennials, and the implications of how they parent the youngest generation.

Applying Brain-Based Learning Principles That Help Make Learning Stick and Faith “Sticky”

There is so much distraction and things competing for our attention, how can we make what we are teaching and more importantly what our students are learning stick. There is a lot of talk these days about brain-based learning. What really is the science behind learning? What does it mean to have “sticky” faith? This workshop will answer these questions and help participants apply brain-based learning principles to learning experiences about faith so that we can make our Catholic faith “sticky.” With the growing numbers of young people becoming disaffiliated with religion, it is an important time to examine our current formation practices so that we can reverse this trend.

Engaging Today’s Learner Through Modern Storytelling

We know that Jesus taught with parables but teaching with stories has always been the way we learn as humans. There are many types of stories, some that cause laughter, or provide insight, or evoke emotions from sadness to compassion. Storytelling in today’s world of constant messages and communication challenges teachers and catechists to be more intentional than ever about how they tell the story of faith. In this workshop, we will talk about how to create and find stories to use in teaching, and how to include images and videos in your storytelling to engage today’s learner.

The Future of Learning and Its Implications for Faith Formation: Where Are We Headed and Where Do We Want to Go?

Is the way we learn being changed by the technology that surrounds our lives? With so much information at our fingertips, it is not hard to believe that the way we learn is changing. There is not doubt that the rapidly evolving future of learning will be collaborative, video-based, micro or bite-sized, and mobile. What are the implications of the changing landscape of learning on how we:

• Teach about faith?
• Engage and support parents in forming their children?
• Ensure that our formation will be accessible and engaging to a new generation of learners?

Participants will leave with an understanding of the emerging research and thinking on learning today and in the future with an opportunity to have a dialogue about the implications for how we teach and pass on faith.