Please register here by January 4. $25 per person ($10 discount for Mareda members) includes lunch. Complete descriptions of the workshops are available below.
Round One Workshops (10:30-11:15)
Extending Faith Formation Beyond Sunday Morning (Or Monday Night etc.) Maureen Rotramel, Director of Faith Formation, St. John XXIII
We have such limited face to face time with our participants in faith formation that there’s no way to “cover” everything, not to mention what is lost between sessions. In this presentation, we will look at how we can extend faith formation using technology beyond your in-person gathered times.
The Simplicity and Complexity of the Human Firewall Marc Puechner, Director of Communications and Technology Integration, Our Lady of Lourdes
Seven easy things for you to do to help keep you and your parish safe from cyber do-badders. Organization hacking is at an all-time high. In this workshop we will explore what can you do to help your parish or school avoid being invaded by cybercriminals.
Projection Screens at Mass: Are We Attracting or Detracting? Bryan Staedler, Director of Liturgy and Music, St. Leonard
In the years following COVID, projection screens have risen in popularity among Catholic churches, but their use has been widely debated; do they enhance the liturgy or distract from it? Come to discuss some practical applications of this technology aimed at promoting “conscious, active participation” within your assembly.
Round Two Workshops (11:30-12:15)
Using Technology to Teach Beyond the Textbook Lisa Jachimiec, Director of Child Ministry, St. Leonard
Our publishers' textbooks do a great job of providing the basics - but - in order to really reach students today, we need to move to where they are. Learn some basics - and more - in using technology to reinforce the concepts learned from the textbook to engage a class in new and exciting ways.
Telling the Story of Your Parish Bryan Ramsey, Director of Community Engagement, Good Shepherd
Communication tips and shortcuts to efficiently tell the world your story of the who, what and why of your parish mission. Plus, we want to learn about how you are telling the story of your parish in that unique and standout way.
Harmonizing the Sacred: The Vital Role of Sound Systems in Liturgy Randy Tritz, Technology Design, SMW
We will discuss the concepts of sound and acoustics in the liturgical environment in easy to understand language, to provide the basis of understanding of what your sound system is all about and how the environment can enhance or detract from the performance of your system. We will look at tips and tricks to help you respond to problems, learn about simple set up techniques to mic your choir and where to troubleshoot most sound issues. This will be a dynamic and highly engaging forum for learning take-aways that you can bring back to your liturgical mission.
Database Share Shop Corinna Ramsey and Maureen Rotramel
We need to track our parishioners and students in formation which means we need a parish database system but sometimes they are hard to navigate. During this share shop, participants will have a chance to share what has worked well and bring forward questions about what their parish is currently using, including Parish soft and Parishstaq.
Round Three Workshops (2:00-2:45)
Digital Registrations and Forms Corinna Ramsey, Director of Child and Youth Ministries, Good Shepherd
We all know how hard it is to get parents and others in our parishes to return paper forms and registrations. Make it easier by making it digital! Not only is it easier for you to collect the data, but it's easier for them to fill out so you are more likely to get it turned in. Come explore how to use different forms for different purposes. We will go through making forms with Google, Parishstaq, Sign up genius, Survey Monkey and WuFoo. We will talk about which instances call for which forms. Specifically targeted for use in formation but skills will of course translate
Unlocking Creative Potential: Harnessing Canva for Visual Brilliance Maureen Rotramel, Director of Faith Formation, St. John XXIII
In a digital age where visuals dominate communication, Canva has emerged as a game-changing tool for individuals, businesses and parishes alike. This is a hands-on workshop designed to demystify the art of graphic design and equip participants with the skills and knowledge to leverage Canva effectively – for free!
Do’s and Don’ts of Bulk Email Blasts Marc Puechner, Director of Communications and Technology Integration, Our Lady of Lourdes
During this workshop, we will explore best practices of effective email communication to your parish and schools.
Meaningful Online Worship - Connecting with your Virtual Parish Tom Halverson, Technology Coordinator, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Whether you just want to start streaming your Mass, or you’ve been doing it for a while, the question is how to provide a meaningful worship experience and build a sense of belonging and community with your virtual parish. In this session we’ll talk not only about the technology needed to make your livestream look great, but also how to engage and embrace your virtual parish family.
Extending Faith Formation Beyond Sunday Morning (Or Monday Night etc.) Maureen Rotramel, Director of Faith Formation, St. John XXIII
We have such limited face to face time with our participants in faith formation that there’s no way to “cover” everything, not to mention what is lost between sessions. In this presentation, we will look at how we can extend faith formation using technology beyond your in-person gathered times.
The Simplicity and Complexity of the Human Firewall Marc Puechner, Director of Communications and Technology Integration, Our Lady of Lourdes
Seven easy things for you to do to help keep you and your parish safe from cyber do-badders. Organization hacking is at an all-time high. In this workshop we will explore what can you do to help your parish or school avoid being invaded by cybercriminals.
Projection Screens at Mass: Are We Attracting or Detracting? Bryan Staedler, Director of Liturgy and Music, St. Leonard
In the years following COVID, projection screens have risen in popularity among Catholic churches, but their use has been widely debated; do they enhance the liturgy or distract from it? Come to discuss some practical applications of this technology aimed at promoting “conscious, active participation” within your assembly.
Round Two Workshops (11:30-12:15)
Using Technology to Teach Beyond the Textbook Lisa Jachimiec, Director of Child Ministry, St. Leonard
Our publishers' textbooks do a great job of providing the basics - but - in order to really reach students today, we need to move to where they are. Learn some basics - and more - in using technology to reinforce the concepts learned from the textbook to engage a class in new and exciting ways.
Telling the Story of Your Parish Bryan Ramsey, Director of Community Engagement, Good Shepherd
Communication tips and shortcuts to efficiently tell the world your story of the who, what and why of your parish mission. Plus, we want to learn about how you are telling the story of your parish in that unique and standout way.
Harmonizing the Sacred: The Vital Role of Sound Systems in Liturgy Randy Tritz, Technology Design, SMW
We will discuss the concepts of sound and acoustics in the liturgical environment in easy to understand language, to provide the basis of understanding of what your sound system is all about and how the environment can enhance or detract from the performance of your system. We will look at tips and tricks to help you respond to problems, learn about simple set up techniques to mic your choir and where to troubleshoot most sound issues. This will be a dynamic and highly engaging forum for learning take-aways that you can bring back to your liturgical mission.
Database Share Shop Corinna Ramsey and Maureen Rotramel
We need to track our parishioners and students in formation which means we need a parish database system but sometimes they are hard to navigate. During this share shop, participants will have a chance to share what has worked well and bring forward questions about what their parish is currently using, including Parish soft and Parishstaq.
Round Three Workshops (2:00-2:45)
Digital Registrations and Forms Corinna Ramsey, Director of Child and Youth Ministries, Good Shepherd
We all know how hard it is to get parents and others in our parishes to return paper forms and registrations. Make it easier by making it digital! Not only is it easier for you to collect the data, but it's easier for them to fill out so you are more likely to get it turned in. Come explore how to use different forms for different purposes. We will go through making forms with Google, Parishstaq, Sign up genius, Survey Monkey and WuFoo. We will talk about which instances call for which forms. Specifically targeted for use in formation but skills will of course translate
Unlocking Creative Potential: Harnessing Canva for Visual Brilliance Maureen Rotramel, Director of Faith Formation, St. John XXIII
In a digital age where visuals dominate communication, Canva has emerged as a game-changing tool for individuals, businesses and parishes alike. This is a hands-on workshop designed to demystify the art of graphic design and equip participants with the skills and knowledge to leverage Canva effectively – for free!
Do’s and Don’ts of Bulk Email Blasts Marc Puechner, Director of Communications and Technology Integration, Our Lady of Lourdes
During this workshop, we will explore best practices of effective email communication to your parish and schools.
Meaningful Online Worship - Connecting with your Virtual Parish Tom Halverson, Technology Coordinator, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Whether you just want to start streaming your Mass, or you’ve been doing it for a while, the question is how to provide a meaningful worship experience and build a sense of belonging and community with your virtual parish. In this session we’ll talk not only about the technology needed to make your livestream look great, but also how to engage and embrace your virtual parish family.