Annual Hofinger catechetical conference Jan. 9-11

    The 32nd Annual Johannes Hofinger Conference for parish and school religious educators, based on the theme “Generations of Saints – Open the Door of Faith,” will be held Jan. 9-11, 2014, at the Pontchartrain Center, 4545 Williams Blvd., in Kenner.
    Hundreds of catechists from across the south are expected to attend the conference, which began in 1978 as the Gulf Coast Religious Education Conference and is named in honor of the late Jesuit Father Johannes Hofinger.
    The conference is sponsored by the seven dioceses of Louisiana and the dioceses of Mississippi and Alabama.
    There will be three keynote addresses:
    ➤ Father Ron Lewinski, a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago best known as a pioneer in implementing the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) in the U.S., will speak Jan. 10 at 9:30 a.m. on “Liturgy: Praying Our Way into Mission and Ministry.”
    ➤ On Jan. 10 at 4:30 p.m., Amy Florian, a teacher and retreat director with special emphasis on issues of grief and dying, will speak on “Living Water for the Journey: Lessons from the Woman at the Well.”
    ➤ Paulist Father Lawrence Rice, who specializes in crisis communications and in using technology in ministry, will speak on “Witnessing to Christ in the Digital Age: Strategies for Discipleship and Tactics for Evangelization,” Jan. 11 at 9:30 a.m.
    In addition to a series of catechetical workshops, there will be a separate clergy track for priests, deacons and their wives Jan. 9 from 2 to 6:30 p.m., with presentations by Father Rice (“A Brand New Parish for a Brand-Driven Culture”) and Father Lewinski and Dr. Carole Eipers (“Liturgy Needs Catechesis Needs Liturgy”). Registration for the clergy track, which includes snacks and dinner, is $35 through Dec. 18, and $45 thereafter.
    Publishers will make their latest catechetical materials available Jan. 9 from 6 to 7:45 p.m.
    All registered conference attendees may attend the Johannes Hofinger Concert Jan. 9 from 8 to 9:30 p.m., with music by Gary Daigle, David Haas, Lori True and Good Ground.
    Sessions will be offered on a variety of topics, including adult faith formation, catechesis, RCIA, disabilities, environment, evangelization, leadership, marriage and family life, media, teaching methodology, morality, music, sacraments, Scripture, social justice, spirituality, technology, young adults and youth ministry.
    For registration information on the Hofinger Conference,  go to www.hofingerconference.org. Cost for the Friday and Saturday programs is $110, if registered by Dec. 18, and $125 thereafter. One-day registrations (Friday or Saturday) are $70 by Dec. 18 and $80 thereafter.