Mods
Speakers
Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J.
Fr. Mitchell Pacwa, S.J. is the Founder and President of Ignatius Productions, a Catholic media production apostolate whose mission is to teach people the scriptures, educate Catholics about their Faith, and promote unity and understanding within the Mystical Body of Christ. Through this apostolate, Ignatius Productions, Father Pacwa comes to the conference to share his knowledge of scripture and the Church. Father Pacwa’s teachings and travels are available as CDs and DVDs on his web site. There you’ll find a list of all his available teachings, his calendar of upcoming events as well as information about his video production company.
He has taught at the high school, university, and seminary levels. Being a well-known biblical scholar, he has lectured at hundreds of conferences and churches around the world, and has appeared and hosted international radio and television programs. He is best known for his appearances on the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), where he currently hosts two programs – “Threshold of Hope” and “EWTN LIVE.” Father Pacwa also serves as the weekly host of EWTN Radio “OPEN LINE” program.
Father Pacwa is fluent in twelve languages and has a unique understanding of the peoples and cultures of the Middle East. Father’s extensive travels throughout the Middle East, Europe, and the Holy Land has inspired him to write the “Holy Land Prayer Book,” which has been published by his own apostolate, Ignatius Productions, and can be used as a prayer book guide for any pilgrim traveling to the Holy Land. Father Pacwa also has the privilege of being bi-ritual, which means he can also celebrate the Maronite Mass of the Eastern Catholic Church.
Presentations:
- Marriage: God Defines the Family
- Discernment: Identifying God's Will in Everyday Life
- Cultural Conflict
Sally Robb
Sally Robb received her undergraduate degree from Yale University and her Masters degree in theology from the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas. She hopes to finish soon (sometime before her teeth are in a glass by the bed!) the last few classes she needs for her Masters of Theological Studies from the University of Dallas.
Ms. Robb has taught RCIA, adult religious education, and youth ministry classes in the Diocese of Austin for 20 years. She has taught courses in theology, philosophy, and moral theology at St. Michael’s Academy and St. Stephen’s, both college preparatory high schools in Austin. She has been the guest lecturer at conferences and retreats across the country.
Sally debuted on Catholic radio as the co-host of "Morning Air" on Relevant Radio, a national Catholic radio network. Then, as the Director of Formation for Relevant Radio, Sally composed and recorded Scripture reflections and meditations, which were broadcast throughout each day on their network of 30 stations.
Sally currently hosts with Cheri Lamonte, “Mary’s Touch”, a weekly radio show heard on over 50 Catholic radio stations across the country. She also has a show, “Thread of Grace”, heard three times a week on Catholic Radio International.
Sally continues to give conferences and retreats across the country. Despite her busy schedule, she considers her greatest vocation to be that of wife to her wonderful husband of 26 years, Brad, and mother to their six children, ranging in age from 24 to 5 years old.
Presentations:
John and Anne Bielejeski
Anne & John Bielejeski are parents of 11, ages 22 to 3. They speak to encourage Catholic family life and especially to strengthen marriages. They like to remind homeschooling parents to remember that "Believe it or not, it will just be us someday!" Their humor and down-to-earth, practical advice makes them very popular presenters.
Presentation:
Anne Gross
Anne Gross says she proudly has received the “should-I-really-be-doing-this?” award for the past 10 years. Anne, her husband, Mike, and seven of their nine children live in Falcon Heights, Minn.
Presentations:
Michael Mann
Michael Mann is an award-winning storyteller, author, training consultant and speaker, bringing a variety of educational programs
and workshops to children and adults. Michael has been an active advocate of the mission of the National Institute on Media and
the Family since 1997, originally as a media rater for the MediaWise® KidScore® program.
Michael and his wife, Vicki, live in Minneapolis and have four children, Jennifer, Laura, John, and Tim, and a grandson, Jackson.
Michael presents to more than 15,000 children and adults each year, and has appeared on Channel 9's Good Morning Minnesota, KARE 11 TV, and Twin Cities Public Television. He has been the subject of feature articles in the St. Paul Pioneer Press and Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Michael was a nominee for the Anne Richardson Reading is Fundamental national award and is currently working in the area of storytelling and emergent literacy. As a founding member of Cygnus Storytelling, he worked with the families and staff of the Waldorf Schools to develop a family storytelling curriculum.
Presentations:
- How Do I Parent in a Digital World?
- Curiosity and the Dance of the Imagination – Igniting the Love of Learning
Stella Riker
Stella Riker is a Youth Services Librarian at the Maple Grove Library for Hennepin County. She still marvels that after 20
years of working in youth services how wonderful is the library profession. She is a homeschooling mom of her six-year son
Abraham who has Asperger's. Stella and Abraham are currently pursuing their blue belts in Kuk Sool Won when they are not
engaged in Abraham's passion for ornithology.
Presentation:
Jim Weiss
Jim Weiss has been a storyteller for over 25 years. He and his wife, Randy, formed a production company,
Greathall Productions, and have thus far produced 39 storytelling recordings with
enticing titles from classical literature, such as Greek Myths, King Arthur and Sherlock Holmes. Jim's Greathall line is
the recipient of more than 75 major national awards from The American Library Association, Parents' Choice Foundation,
NAPPA, the Parents' Council, The Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, The Film Advisory Board, Parents' Guide to Children's Media
Award and more. Weiss' newest releases are "Abraham Lincoln and the Heart of America" and "Famously Funny! A Collection of
Beloved Stories and Poems."
Presentations: