Conference '24 - English Event

“They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” Acts 2:42

From the very start those who claim themselves as followers of Jesus gave themselves over to the Word. Not just reading the Word or sharing stories about Jesus, but living the Word in their daily lives, living the story of Jesus, the Word made flesh. In doing this they could not avoid the very crux of the enfleshed Word, the passion and death of the Lord Jesus. The Word gave his life for us so we could confidently give our lives as living members of the Word. In this, from the very start, they joined in the absolute symbol of this Living Word. Not just doing the action of “the breaking of the bread” but living the reality of that action, by the grace of God. The God who imparts himself to us in His Son and by the power of the Holy Spirit feeds us with his very flesh and life blood. In this, his followers from the very start to this day are fed with the Christ through which they have Life and by which they must bring that Life to all those around. This converted an ancient pagan world, breathing life into a dying society. The same, still longs to breathe life into a society steeped in death. We, the members of His Body are equipped to do this by the power of His very Spirit. May you find this CONFERENCE to be a tool which assists you and your parish in this great and holy work.

We begin on Friday evening with prayer and fellowship. As one Body of Christ, the Church, we are nourished in spirit by the Word and the Eucharist, and nourished in body by the food of our varied cultures that we will share. We delight in the diversity of the disciples of Jesus Christ!

Being Disciples of the Word and Eucharist at Mass

“With Devotion and Awe”

This keynote in English will highlight the profound significance of the various roles within the Eucharist and aim to inspire and re-energize personal commitment to each of the vital ministries. Whether you are new to your ministry or a seasoned liturgical minister, come ready to rediscover the joy and meaning behind your contributions to the Sacred Liturgy. Together, let’s rekindle our passion for serving the community and fostering a vibrant worship experience for all, as we approach our ministries with a humble and open heart, realizing that we need one another and that we can benefit greatly from the gifts that each one brings to the Lord's Table during the celebration of the Eucharist.

SANTIAGO FERNANDEZ

Santiago Fernández has been active in parish music ministry for the past 35 years and is currently Music Minister at Church of the Holy Family in Novi, Michigan. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Wayne State University in Detroit, is certified in both Pastoral Ministry and Liturgical Ministry (locally by the Archdiocese of Detroit and nationally by the USCCB’s Commission on Certification and Accreditation) and is currently studying a Master’s Degree in Theology with a concentration in Sacred Scripture. Santiago is a frequent speaker and workshop presenter at events and conferences around the country and abroad in the area of Hispanic liturgical music. He has four collections of contemporary liturgical music published by Oregon Catholic Press, a number of bilingual pieces published by GIA and is also author of the bilingual book Un Hermoso Intercambio Cultural/A Beautiful Cultural Exchange, offering ideas, reflections and suggestions to open doors and broaden horizons within the multicultural integration of pastoral work in the United States.

Host or Publisher Diocese of Gary - Worship & Intercultural Ministry