STEUBENVILLE, OH—Two noted Franciscan University of Steubenville catechetics professors and two Franciscan alumni will speak at the Liturgical Catechesis and the New Evangelization Conference, April 16-17, 2015, at the Liturgical Institute in Mundelein, Illinois. Franciscan University catechetics professor Dr. James Pauley has organized the conference and will be the keynote speaker.

Pauley is an associate professor of theology and catechetics, and has served on the theology faculty at Franciscan University since 2002. He was recently appointed editor of The Catechetical Review, Franciscan University’s innovative journal dedicated to the new evangelization. His primary interests center on revitalizing catechetical teaching methods and liturgical catechesis, as well as equipping catechists for evangelization.

“The novelty of this conference is that it will bring together leaders involved in both liturgy and catechesis for an important series of discussions regarding how their shared work can advance the new evangelization,” says Pauley. The conference targets those pursuing academic study, pastors, parish and diocesan catechetical leaders, religion teachers, catechists, RCIA, and youth ministry leaders. Pauley’s keynote speech, “A Catechetical Response to an Escalating Crisis: Sacramental Practice in the 21st Century,” will be offered as the Liturgical Institute’s Hillenbrand Distinguished Lecture. Pauley will engage the widespread issue of the decline in the number of people partaking in the sacraments within the Church. He will also address what can be done to communicate to those indifferent or unengaged the possibility that liturgy can be a transformative encounter with God.

Also speaking at the conference is Franciscan University catechetics professor Dr. Petroc Willey, BD, STL PhD, PhD. Originally from England, Willey worked in Catholic higher education in Oxford and in Birmingham for more than 25 years. He is a widely respected catechetical expert who serves as a consultant for the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization.

Speakers also include two Franciscan University alumni, Jim Beckman ’87 and William Keimig ’00; and other speakers such as Father Douglas Martis, director of the Liturgical Institute; and Mary Mirrione, the national director for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.

For more information and to register, visit the Conference website, or call (847) 837-4542.