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CATECHETICAL WORKSHOP

Christian Anthropology: Responding to Modern Challenges, Diocese of St. Augustine, Spring 2025

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March 17, 2025

8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Workshop Overview

Are trans people sinful? Is sex a spectrum? Are sex and “gender” two different things? At this workshop, we’ll unpack both theology and science to answer these questions and more. Learn the beauty of the Church’s teaching on the human person, and how to share that truth with charity and compassion.

This Workshop blends scholar presentations with interactive pedagogical sessions, giving you a chance to explore content with a respected scholar, as well as explore and simulate practical teaching strategies with ready-to-use classroom materials. Share best practices and enjoy catered breakfast and lunch with your fellow Diocese of St. Augustine teachers and catechists.

This Workshop is being offered at the following two locations:

Bishop Kenny High School, 1055 Kingman Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32207

Bishop Snyder High School, 5001 Samaritan Way, Jacksonville, FL 32210

Registrations are being handled by the Diocese of St. Augustine and schools will be assigned a location by the Office of Catholic Schools

Schedule

  • 8:00-9:00am

    Breakfast and Check-In

  • 9:00-9:15am

    Program Introduction

  • 9:15-9:45am

    Defining the Human Person through Images

    Examine sacred art and other images to discuss how Christian anthropology and gender ideology define the human person.

  • 9:45-10:30am

    A Clash of Anthropologies: Responding to the Current Culture

    This session will explore the current secular cultural view and contrast it with the Catholic worldview.

  • 10:30-10:45am

    Break

  • 10:45-11:30am

    The Gift of Our Bodies

    Engage in hands-on interactive activities that will help their students have a firmer grasp on Christian anthropology.

  • 11:30am-12:15pm

    Scriptural Reflection and Rosary

  • 12:15-1:00pm

    Lunch

  • 1:00-1:45pm

    Scientific and Medical Considerations

    This session will explore the science behind biological sex and medical consequences of surgical procedures performed on those seeking to “transition”.

  • 1:45-1:55pm

    Break

  • 1:55-2:50pm

    A Pastoral Response: Practical Tips on Accompanying Students and Parents

    Learn what the Church truly means by accompaniment and receive practical strategies to help guide students and parents who are hurting.

  • 2:50-3:00pm

    Additional Resources, Evaluation

Join us, and you'll receive…

Catechetical Formation

Engaging sessions by a catechetical scholar provide background knowledge.

Practical Application

Research-based teaching strategies, and concrete tools to apply this knowledge in the classroom.

Spiritual Formation

You'll explore your vocation as a teacher, and your calling as a witness to Christ.

Ready-to-Use Materials

Receive a free supplemental guide featuring 10-12 lessons with activities and sacred art.

Presenters

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Jose Gonzalez

Jose Gonzalez joined the team at Sophia Institute for Teachers in 2014 after more than 10 years as a Catholic high school teacher. In addition to teaching, Jose has experience working in parish and diocesan ministry. Jose has been leading Workshops in over 70 dioceses for 10 years, and contributes regularly to our teacher’s guides and digital instructional resources. He has a BA in theology with a concentration in religious education from Franciscan University of Steubenville, and an MA in evangelization and catechesis from the Augustine Institute. Jose and his wife, Mary Beth, have four children.

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Susan Selner-Wright

Susan serves among the leadership of the Person and Identity Project, a project of the Ethics and Public Policy Center. The Person and Identity Project offers formation, workshops, and pastoral guidance on transgender issues and the human person. Having taught philosophy to undergraduates and Catholic seminarians since 1985, Susan Selner-Wright recently retired from St. John Vianney Theological Seminary where she held the Archbishop Chaput Chair in Philosophy. Her specialty is the metaphysical thought of St. Thomas Aquinas. She is the author of the Endow study guides, St. Thomas for Beginners I and II as well as a number of articles in professional journals. Her most important academic work is an edition and translation of Thomas Aquinas’ De potentia Dei, Q. 3, published by Catholic University of America Press under the title, On Creation. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame (BA, PLS, 1983) and the Catholic University of America (MA, Philosophy, 1986; PhD, Philosophy, 1992).

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Veronica Burchard

Veronica Burchard is the Chief Operating Officer at Sophia Institute. Before stepping into the COO role, Veronica helped found Sophia Institute for Teachers in 2013. For the last decade, she has played a key role in the shaping of Sophia's professional development Workshops for teachers and catechists, as well as the production of Sophia's religion series including Spirit of Truth, A Family of Faith, and Walking with Jesus. Prior to joining Sophia, Veronica spent seven years as a High School English teacher in Florida and Northern Virginia, and in leadership roles at an educational non-profit in Washington, D.C. She holds an MA and BA in English.

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Deacon Gerard-Marie Anthony

Deacon Gerard-Marie Anthony is a deacon and Director of Religious Education for Holy Trinity Catholic Church. He received his B.A in Theology from Christendom College and his M.A in Theology from the Catholic Distance University. He has written for numerous magazines such as Our Sunday Visitor, Mind and Spirit: Integrating Psychology and Faith, Ethics and Medics, the Black Catholic Ministries Newsletter, Deacon Digest, Lay Witness, Homiletic and Pastoral Review, Immaculate Heart Messenger, CatholicMatch, and the Catholic Stand. He also has two apostolates which are A M.O.M.S Peace (an organization that helps mothers experiencing the trauma of a miscarriage or stillborn birth) and Mother Of Light Center (which helps to bring the love of God to the homeless and those who are forgotten and abandoned).

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