Leadership for Tomorrow Coming Soon!!

Audio Synopsis - Leadership for Tomorrow Announcement

Leadership for Tomorrow, a national awardwinning scholarship program, is in the process of transformation. Moving the core of the program online, we hope to increase its accessibility and flexibility to best serve the students participating. Starting in 2007 (can you believe it is almost 2007??), all topic sessions will be located here, both in written and recorded format. In conjunction with the written work, we will host at least five gatherings throughout the year to build community, delve more deeply into the topics, answer questions and explore facets of Catholic faith.

The tentative program lineup is below:

Opening Retreat
Our Journey with Christ
All participants in the program will gather for a one-day retreat where they will explore their journey within the Church, learn more about the program, and share in the communal experience of faith.

Introductory Session
Faith & Theology
What is theological reflection and why is it important? Establish a basic framework by which to approach the rich history, traditions and teaching of the Catholic Church.

Segment One: Connecting to Christ Jesus
Quiet Conversations
What does it mean to pray? How and why do we as Catholics incorporate prayer into our lives? What kind of prayer fits best with me? Explore the richness of the Catholic prayer life and enhance your ability to maximize that conversation with God.

I’m Catholic - Do I Know my Personal Lord and Savior?
What does salvation require of us? Gain a Catholic understanding of what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and how that relationship intersects with the community of believers.

Back to the Bible: Scripture Basics
What is the Bible and how did it come to be? How do we as Catholics use scripture in prayer and in our lives? Don’t believe the old myth that Catholics don’t know their Bible.

A Beatitude People for the “Least of These”
How do the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount guide our faith? What does it mean to be a people of the beatitudes or to serve “the least of these”?

The Search for Jesus
Who is Jesus Christ? What does it mean that He was fully human and yet fully divine? How does this impact our understanding of the world today?

Spiritual AND Religious
What does it mean to be spiritual? How can spirituality be expressed in the context of prayer, action and faith? Explore various types of Catholic spirituality to help develop your own practices.

Segment Two: Connecting to the Catholic Church
Our Family Memories
Like any family, the Catholic Church has a long and rich history, some good along with some not-so-good. Take a look at the top ten key moments in Church history that have shaped how we function today.

Touching God in the Real
A sacrament represents a physical sign that points to God among us. How can we see, hear, touch, smell and taste God? What are the seven defined sacraments of the Church and why? How are the seven sacraments different from everyday sacramentality? Learn to be more aware of Christ with us.

Mass Confusion: Liturgy
Why do we celebrate the Mass the way we do? How has the current Mass developed over the years, and what do the different parts mean? Learn how to be truly present and involved in the liturgy of the Eucharist.

Tomato, tomahto…What IS Church?
“Upon this rock I shall build my church…” What does it mean to be the People of God? Why do we come together as a body of believers? How is the Church defined by its various ministries and structures? How do the two interact? Discuss how your parish or community of friends reflects the idea of Church.

Somethin’ About Mary…and the saints…and eternity
What roles do Mary and the saints play in our tradition? How did specific saints shape our Church? What does it mean that God is, was and always will be?

I Believe…
What shapes our faith? Explore the components of the Nicene Creed (Trinity, Apostolic succession/Papacy, eternally begotten, forgiveness of sins, etc.) to gain a deeper understanding of what we recite at mass.

Segment Three: Connecting to the Mission of the Church in the World
Small Things with Great Love
Explore the many tenets of Catholic Social Teaching and its proper role in shaping our lives. Where do we see injustice in our lives and what are we called to do about it?

Your Will not Mine
How is discernment different from decision-making, and what role should it play in my daily life? Examine different techniques of discernment and explore what questions might help you along in the process of uncovering God’s will.

Tongues of Fire
What exactly happened at Pentecost?? Thought the Holy Spirit in our Baptism and Confirmation, we are each given unique gifts to help the Church and other gifts to better understand God. What are those gifts and how do we uncover and maximize them? Take a spiritual gifts inventory and reflect on the special characteristics that are unveiled.

That’s not Just a Cricket in Your Head…Morality and Conscience Development
How do we develop our consciences to make better decisions in our lives? Explore the basic components of formation and its importance for us as Catholics.

Go, Therefore, and Make Disciples…
Two by two He sent them out…what is our role in spreading faith in Christ? Learn more about the Catholic perspective on evangelization.

Faith Without Works is Dead
What is the difference between “belief” and “faith”? How do we live our faith? What does it mean to say that “faith without works is dead”? Does action define faith, or do they complement one another? Discuss how the two intersect in an adult, lived faith.

Segment Four: Connecting to One Another

Too Hot to Handle?
(A) Homosexuality,
(B) Ordination and
(C) Contraception
If you listen to any news report on the Catholic Church, it is likely that one of these three topics will surface. Many faithful Catholics disagree on how to approach these issues. What does the Catholic Church officially teach on these subjects and why? What are the contrary arguments? How can we faithfully form our consciences on these topics? Experience an open and non-judgmental discussion about official Church teaching, practical experiences and beliefs.

Christ to One Another
What does a faith in Christ mean when it comes to relating to one another? How do we balance self and others? Is it possible to create lasting, meaningful connections in a world that is increasingly isolating?

Many Parts, One Body
What does it mean to be a universal Church? Is there room for diversity in our modern Church, and how do we understand our role in the community of faith? Share thoughts and experiences of Church as one family and explore ways to become involved.

Final Project
No Hands but Ours..
All participants must complete a practical experience within a ministry of their parish. This project will require the participant to be involved in a project or event from the planning to implementation to gain a better understanding of how a parish functions and works within the community. All projects proposals must be approved by Genesis Ministries prior to commencement, and must be completed within one calendar year.

Scholarship
A $750.00 scholarship will be issued no later than one semester following upon satisfactory completion of all requirements. The scholarship will be sent to the institution’s financial aid office to be applied to your semester bill.

If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please email Genesis Ministries at lft@genesis-ministries.org to be added to our Leadership for Tomorrow email list.