Convicted of the need for strong marriage and family in today’s society, in your parish and in your home? The ‘2015 LiveFamily! Expo’ this April 10-12 in Crystal MN is jointly sponsored by the Cana Family Institute, the Archdiocese of St Paul & Minneapolis and the Diocese of St Cloud. It offers refreshingly bold speakers and workshops to give you cutting edge tools and words to act and be successful.
The Expo starts with Mass with Bishop Andrew Cozzens followed by an appetizer and wine reception and the keynote address by Curtis Martin, FOCUS Founder and President. Later in the Expo, Father Thomas Loya of the Tabor Life Institute will speak on ‘Marriage the Next Generation’ and participants will take part in incisive tactical workshops and planning forums.
When asked who the Expo is targeted for, Cana Family Institute President and Executive director (as well as long time Regnum Christi Member) Jeaninne Backstrom responded “If you are someone with a heart for working with families, a Cana Family Institute or Familia apostle, or discerning whether or not this ministry is the place where God is calling you to serve others and their families, this is the Expo is for you! You’ll be encouraged in your own marriage and family as you hear from dynamic speakers, participate in tactical workshops with practical tools and be filled with the Holy Spirit through the friendships begun. “
´Therefore encourage one another and build one another up´ 1 Thessalonians 5:11
The Expo also aims to equip Catholics in the ‘art of accompaniment’ encouraged by Pope Francis:
The Church will have to initiate everyone – priests, religious and laity – into this “art of accompaniment” which teaches us to remove our sandals before the sacred ground of the other (cf. Ex 3:5). The pace of this accompaniment must be steady and reassuring, reflecting our closeness and our compassionate gaze which also heals, liberates and encourages growth in the Christian life.
POPE FRANCIS
EVANGELII GAUDIUM
THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL
A highlight of the event will be the presentation of the “Cana Award” given each year to someone who has contributed in a significant way in the ministry of the ‘Familia’ program over the years, and who has now moved on to continue serve the Church and families through another outreach. This year’s recipient is Leslie Kuhlman. In the 1990s Leslie was part of a team of people who started ‘Familia’ in the greater Ohio Valley area. She was also involved at the national level, being instrumental in the development of online resources for trainers and facilitators. Today, she serves as the Executive Director of Ruah Woods, a “first of its kind” Theology of the Body education center located in Cincinnati, Ohio.
For more information visit www.canafamilyinstitute.com.