Annual Diocesan Faith Formation Conference

Parish leaders, catechists, Catholic school teachers, lectors, RCIA leaders, parents and all involved in parish ministry are invited to attend the fifth annual Diocesan Faith Formation Conference, which will take place Saturday, Aug. 9 from 8:30am to 3:00pm at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1200 South Washington.

Topics include the Sacraments, Preparation for the Sacraments and the Gospel of Joy according to Sister Janet M. Abbacchi, SSND, Coordinator of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Amarillo.

Speakers include Bishop Patrick J. Zurek; nationally known speaker Kathy Hendricks; and, Father Richard Zanetti, parochial administrator of St. John the Evangelist Church, Borger and St. Ann’s Church, Stinnett.

Bishop Patrick J. Zurek was installed as the eighth Bishop of Amarillo on Feb. 22, 2008. He was ordained a priest in St. Peter’s Basilica by Pope Paul VI on June 29, 1975. He served as a priest in the Diocese of Austin until his episcopal ordination as Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio by then-Archbishop Patrick F. Flores on Feb. 16, 1998.
Bishop Zurek has authored two Pastoral Letters as Bishop of Amarillo: The Church: A Pastoral Letter (La Iglesia: Carta Pastoral), issued on April 12, 2009 and From Many Cultures, One Church: A Pastoral Letter (Muchas Culturas, Una Iglesia: Carta Pastoral), issued on Nov. 1, 2010.

Kathy Hendricks is a National Consultant for William H. Sadlier and a contributing writer for several of their programs and resources, including the blog, www.WeBelieveAndShare.com. A popular national speaker, she offers talks and retreat around the country and overseas.

For six years, she served as the general editor and contributing author for the Catechetical Sunday resource materials, published annually by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

Hendricks is the author of Pocket Prayers for Parents, Prayers and Rituals for the Home and Everything About Parish Ministry I Wish I Had Known, both published by Twenty-Third Publications. She has worked as a pastoral minister, Director of Religious Education, teacher and catechist in diocesan offices, parishes and Catholic schools in Colorado, Alaska and British Columbia.  

A native of Fairfield, Calif., Father Richard Zanetti was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Ciudad Guayana, Venezuela, on July 5, 2003. He served in parishes in the Diocese of Ciudad Guayana and was also director of seminarians from 2007 to 2008.

A graduate of Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Father Zanetti received a Licentiate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He has been parochial administrator of St. John the Evangelist Church, Borger and St. Ann’s Church, Stinnett, since Sept. 1, 2012.

“The topic for this year’s conference is relevant, realizing that the preparation for the Sacraments is so necessary for every parish,” said Sister Janet. “This is an opportunity to grow in faith as a catechist, RCIA leader, youth director and as an adult faith formation leader.

Registration is $14.00 per person and includes lunch. For more information, contact Sister Janet M. Abbacchi, SSND, Coordinator of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Amarillo at 383-2243, ext. 113 or ext. 111.