January 23, 2012

DAYTON DEANERY — Learning how to see and respect the image of God in others can sometimes be a challenge in everyday life with end of life, immigration, unemployment and death penalty issues.

These issues and others will be viewed through the lens of how the human dignity of the poor and vulnerable are faring at a conference at the University of Dayton’s Kennedy Union Saturday, March 3 from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mass with Auxiliary Bishop Joseph R.  Binzer will follow in the Immaculate Conception Chapel.

The conference, “Imago Dei: Proclaiming our Human Dignity through Solidarity,” will focus on ways to can stand in solidarity with people who are challenged in society, said Pam Long, regional director of the archdiocesan Catholic Social Action Office..
Human dignity also can be challenged by the government’s budget, the trials a family may undergo and societies struggling to be just in how they build their educational systems, she said.

Keynote speaker Felicien Paul Randriamanantenasoa will outline the human dignity issues development in Madagascar, an island country off the east coast of Africa. As the programming manager for Catholic Relief Services (CRS), he assures a focus on agriculture, resource management, building resilience in communities following disasters, health and peace building. His engagement at the conference is part of a national speaking tour for CRS.

A new feature of this sixth annual global solidarity conference is the opportunity for catechists to obtain Justice and Peace course credit toward certification from the archdiocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis. Catechists must attend a lecture at 8 a.m. before the conference starts March 3, attend the conference and complete some additional requirements. Catechists interested in obtaining certification should contact Long at 937-224-3026, or [email protected]. Certificates of completion will also be available for teachers to obtain CEUs through the principal-approved CEU process.

The conference costs $10 for students, $30 for conference participants and $40 for catechists seeking credit for certification. The fee includes a light breakfast and lunch. Scholarships are available. Online registration and the brochure are available at www.catholiccincinnati.org/socialaction.

The CRS Committee of the archdiocesan Catholic Social Action Commission is partnering with the archdiocesan Offices of Catholic Schools, Evangelization and Catechesis, Family and Respect Life, Hispanic Ministry, Mission, Youth and Young Adult and Catholic Social Action, the University of Dayton and CRS to present the conference.