Fr. Kenneth Paulli, OFM, will be the keynote speaker and will present on “Journey Toward the Heart of God: God is Good, All the Time… All the Time, God is Good.” In this uplifting keynote, Fr. Paulli reflect on how for over eight centuries, the Franciscan community has been noted for its joy in and praise of the Lord. Perhaps St. Francis’ Canticle of the Creatures best exemplifies this as this poem reveals to us God’s goodness in all of creation, and that God is good in every moment of life including the moment of earthly death. This keynote address celebrates such goodness. Join in the sharing of four stories to inspire our hearts to shout out: “God is Good, all the time … All the time, God is Good!”

Session 1: The Keynote Address: A Reprise. This breakout session will underscore some of the themes of the keynote address. This will be followed by a lively conversation about the goodness of God.

Fr. Kenneth Paulli, OFM, is a Franciscan priest of Holy Name Province for nearly thirty years. Fr. Ken serves on the First Year Seminar faculty and is an associate professor of education at Siena College in Loudonville, New York. He is widely recognized as a dynamic and engaging speaker, frequently presenting at conferences, retreats, and parish missions across the country.

Fr. Tim Kulbicki, OFM Conv., will present on “Franciscan Missionary Discipleship .” This talk will explore the missionary spirit at the heart of Franciscan life—how we are called to be witnesses of the Gospel in word and deed, grounded in humility, joy, and fraternity. 

Fr. Tim is visiting us from the Newman Catholic Community Center in Chapel Hill. He entered the Conventual Franciscan Order and professed his first vows in 1977 and his solemn vows in 1981. Fr. Tim received his priestly formation at the Order’s seminaries in Granby, MA, and in Rome, Italy, and was ordained in 1986. After serving as parochial vicar at Mater Dolorosa Parish in Holyoke, MA, he returned to Rome for graduate studies, completing his Licentiate in Ecclesiastical History at the Pontifical Gregorian University in 1990 and his Doctorate in 1997.

Gladys Whitehouse will present on “Aging and Living the Franciscan Charisms.” How do we live the Franciscan charisms as we age and move through life’s many transitions? At the end of his life, St. Francis told his friars, “I have done what is mine to do. Now you must do what is yours.” This talk will reflect on that invitation, exploring how the Franciscan spirit continues to guide us in later seasons of life. Drawing on personal experience and the shared wisdom of others who are aging, we will consider how to embrace these charisms with faith, joy, and purpose.

Gladys Whitehouse is a Secular Franciscan and long time parishioner. For decades, Gladys served the Catholic congregation here at St. Francis of Assisi, eventually being named coordinator for evangelization. She helped grieving families prepare their loved ones’ funerals and prepare couples for marriage and parents for their children’s baptisms but could not officiate at any of these rites. Her tireless work led some in the community to refer to her as “Deacon Gladys”.

Jim Wahl will present on “Becoming God: How the Liturgy Transforms Us and the World.” This session explores how every liturgy is a cosmic and transformative event. Through scripture, tradition, and contemporary theology, Jim will reveal the profound mystery we encounter in the Eucharist and how it shapes our lives and the world around us. 

James (Jim) Wahl has been on staff at St. Francis since 2010. He is the Director of Music and Liturgy and has served as a pastoral musician since high school and professionally since 1997. Before moving to the East Coast, he ministered at parishes in California and Arizona, including the Cathedral of Phoenix. Aside from his role at St. Francis, Jim composes and presents children’s music for World Library Publications, a division of GIA. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music, a Master’s degree in Liturgical Music Composition from St. John’s University in Minnesota, and is currently working on a PhD in liturgical theology from the Durham University in the UK.

Pat and Paul Kelly will present on “Integral Ecology: How Do We Care for Our Common Home?” This session will explore the call of Laudato Sí through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching. With practical examples and spiritual reflection, Pat and Paul will present the Laudato Sí Action Plan as a roadmap for living out ecological responsibility in community. 

Pat and Paul Kelly are active members of the Care for Creation Issue Team and the Ministry Leaders of the St. Francis Community Garden.

Fr. Jim Sabak, OFM will present on “The Franciscan Way of the Cross: How does the San Damiano Cross Speak of Passion and Resurrection”. The San Damiano Cross is the most iconic of all Franciscan symbols. Yet does it only speak of the torment of the crucifixion as so many other crucifixes do, or does it lead us to a more profound but overlooked contemplation on salvation and glory? Come hear Fr Jim give a unique spin on this prolific image around the St Francis campus.

Father Jim Sabak served as the Director of Divine Worship for the Diocese of Raleigh for the past 5 yrs. Fr. Jim is an ordained Franciscan of Holy Name Province (O.F.M.). He has taught at The Catholic University of America, Franciscan School of Theology, and Providence College. Fr. Jim is the chair of the American Franciscan Liturgical Commission and serves as the convener of the Problems in the Early History of Liturgy Seminar for the North American Academy of Liturgy. Fr. Jim also serves as a member of the Executive Committee of the Catholic Academy of Liturgy.

Jennifer Fiduccia will present on “Coaching for Conversion: A Franciscan Approach to Guiding Others Toward God”. St. Francis met people where they were—whether in a busy marketplace, on the road, or in a leper colony—and invited them into a deeper walk with God. In this session, we’ll explore how coaching principles can help us listen like Francis, ask powerful questions, and draw forth the gifts God has planted in others. You’ll leave with practical tools to guide spiritual conversations that lead to transformation, rooted in the Franciscan values of humility, joy, and presence.  

Jenn Fiduccia is Senior Director of Leadership Consultants at the Catholic Leadership Institute. She has been a parishioner at St. Francis since 2010, and was a staff member for ten years serving in various roles, most recently as Director of Formation from 2015-2021. In her over twenty years in lay ecclesial ministry, Jenn has served in music ministry, youth and young adult ministry, adult formation, and with the OCIA. Having earned her undergraduate degree in vocal performance from New York University, Jenn added two graduate degrees in Theological Studies and Catechetical Ministry from the University of Dallas, as well as a Certificate in Church Management from Villanova University. Jenn is also a Master Catechist and sits on the Admissions and Scrutinies Committee for the Office of the Diaconate in the Diocese of Raleigh. She has published liturgical and catechetical music with WLP music, a division of GIA and is a contributing author to the book, “Rising: Learning from Women’s Leadership in Catholic Ministries.” Jenn enjoys serving her parish community as a cantor and choir member, Eucharistic Minister, retreat facilitator, and youth ministry small group leader. She lives in Raleigh with her husband Pat, four children, and four dogs. 

Ann O’Hara will present on “St. Francis of Assisi: Rooted in Prayer.” St. Francis of Assisi lived over 800 years ago and yet we still remember him and look to him today. Why? – because he yearned for what we yearn for – a deeper relationship with God. During our time together we will explore how St. Francis found this union with God through prayer and reflect on what this might mean for our own prayer life. 

Ann O’Hara has spent much of her life immersed in liturgy, both as a cantor and as a lay leader of liturgy at St. Francis of Assisi. She holds a master’s degree in pastoral ministry from Heythrop College in London and has served as a certified Master Catechist in the Diocese of Raleigh. After retiring from NC State University, Ann could be found ministering on a retreat team, where she shared presentations and lead prayer.

She and her husband, Rob, have made Raleigh their home for over 35 years and enjoy travelling to Northern Virginia and Asheville to spend time with their children and grandchildren.

Fr. John Grace will present on “Shaping the Environment (Literally) for Effective Ministry and Credible Witness in your Parish.” Why do we do what we do in our parishes? How do we do it? And what fruit does it bear? Too often, these questions go unasked as we simply follow familiar patterns. This talk will explore how considering Why, How, and What together can deepen the meaning of ministry. Drawing on Laudato Si’, we will reflect on creating a more synergistic approach to ministry that shapes the ecological spirituality of the entire parish community. 

Fr. John is the pastor at  Immaculate Conception in Hampton, VA. He received his BA in history at St. Meinrad College in Indiana, and later his MDiv from St. Meinrad School of Theology. Fr. John was ordained for the Diocese of Richmond in May of 1979. His first two assignments were at Blessed Sacrament in Norfolk and St. Nicholas in Virginia. By 1990, he began working in Campus ministry and university life at JMU and Virginia Tech. He served on national boards and training programs in campus and young adult ministry as well as faith-based volunteer programs both nationally and abroad. He believes that the local community of faith is where the ideals of the faith touch the world. The parish community is where the Church becomes the sign of God’s love for the world, and the place where mercy can be most experienced, shared and celebrated. Jesus called together a community of disciples to witness the power of God’s promise; we as a parish follow that call also.

Angela Flynn will present on, “Gathered, Transformed, Sent: Justice in the Liturgy.” How does the Eucharist shape the way we live and respond to the world around us? This session will explore the profound ways Christ is present in Word, Sacrament, and Assembly, and how that presence both forms us and sends us forth. Together, we will consider how the liturgy calls us beyond the walls of the church to serve, to advocate, and to act with justice, so that we may truly become the Body of Christ for a world longing for healing and hope. 

Angela visits us from Holy Infant in Durham, NC. Angela is the new Director of Liturgy and Music. She has ministered in the Diocese of Raleigh for the last thirty years. She has served parishes in Fayetteville, Sanford, and Durham, spending 13 years as the Director of Liturgy and Music at Immaculate Conception Church in Durham. Most recently Angela has been coordinator of worship and ministry at Duke University Chapel and Dean of Campus Ministry at Cristo Rey Research Triangle High School.

Additionally, she has given time to research and study in the fields of adult initiation and the sacraments of initiation. Angela has been called upon to present nationally at workshops on those topics. She is coauthor of A Guide to the Period of the Catechumenate (LTP, 2024).