Coming This June: A Journey of Accompaniment and Mission!
Team Initiation Members—don’t miss our upcoming exclusive four-part online speaker series:
“Embodying the Heart of Synodality through the Catechumenate.”
Join us as we explore what it means to walk with seekers and parishioners in a spirit of accompaniment. Each session will dive into one essential aspect of our ministry:
🕊️ Accompanying One Another When Conflicts Arise
🕊️ Inspiring Parishioners to Accompany Seekers
🕊️ Discerning Readiness for Baptismal Mission
🕊️ Listening for the Spirit in Mystagogical Accompaniment
📅 Mark your calendars:
Four Wednesdays in June 2025
11:00am Pacific / 2:00pm Eastern
(June 4, 11, 18, and 25)
Let’s grow together in the art of synodal leadership—centered in Christ, grounded in community, and open to the Spirit.
👉 This series is available only to Team Initiation Members.
Not a member yet? Click here to learn more!
Take a look at the details for each conversation in this members-only speaker series we’re calling “Embodying the Heart of Synodality through the Catechumenate.”
Wednesday, June 4, 11:00am PST / 2:00pm EST
Inspiring Parishioners to Accompany Seekers
Cynthia Bailey Manns, DMin
Director of adult learning at Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Community
Cynthia Bailey Manns, DMin, was a United States representative at the Synod on Synodality in Rome. She has served as professional faculty in St. Catherine University’s Theology Department, and she is a contributor to the anthology, Embodied Spirits: Stories of Spiritual Directors of Color.
Dr. Cynthia Bailey Manns will share with us her insights as a catechist, spiritual director, and synod delegate to help us inspire the hearts of our parishioners to draw closer to those seeking Jesus.
Wednesday, June 11, 11:00am PST / 2:00pm EST
Listening for the Spirit in Mystagogical Accompaniment
Rita Ferrone
Acclaimed Liturgist and Author
Rita Ferrone is one of the most respected voices on liturgical renewal today. She is the author of Pastoral Guide to Pope Francis’s Desiderio Desideravi.
Steeped in the art of mystagogy, Rita Ferrone will help us attune the ears of our hearts to the Spirit’s voice announcing the Gospel in every liturgy and already speaking in the heart of every seeker.
Wednesday, June 18, 11:00am PST / 2:00pm EST
Discerning Readiness for Baptismal Mission
Donna M. Eschenauer, PhD
Associate dean and associate professor of pastoral theology at St. Joseph’s Seminary
Donna M. Eschenauer is recognized as a national expert on Christian initiation and has presented at many national conferences on the topic. She has over twenty-two years of pastoral experience in parish ministry at the Cathedral Parish of St. Agnes and has written numerous books, including Role of the Coordinator in Christian Initiation and Recruiting and Forming Your Parish Initiation Team.
Dr. Donna Eschenauer will lead us in exploring how to recognize the signs of the Spirit shaping us and our seekers more and more into missionary disciples of Jesus in the world.
Wednesday, June 25, 11:00am PST / 2:00pm EST
Accompanying One Another When Conflicts Arise
Robert C. Bordone, JD
Senior Fellow at Harvard Law School, founder of the Harvard Negotiation and Mediation Clinical Program, and founder of the Cambridge Negotiation Institute
Robert C. Bordone is an internationally-recognized expert, author, speaker, and teacher in negotiation, conflict resolution, mediation, and facilitation. He is the coauthor of Conflict Resilience: Negotiating Disagreement without Giving Up or Giving In.
Walking together isn’t always easy, but it will always bear good fruit if we see Christ in one another. Robert Bordone will give us some tools to help us navigate conflicts along the way.
This series is open to all Team Initiation Members. To get 30% off your first year of membership and save your seat for these important conversations, click here.
We’re thrilled to be able to offer this important formation opportunity as we continue to breathe new life into our ministry of initiation. Sign up to become a Team Initiation Member, then mark your calendars for the four Wednesdays in June. Each one starts at 11am PDT time. Prepare your questions for the speakers, and get ready to be inspired!
