Sales
National Consultants
Dr. Saundra Kennedy
Background- Saundra holds a B.A. in Elementary and Special Education from St. Mary's Dominican College, New Orleans; a Masters of Religious Education from Loyola University of the South, New Orleans; and a Doctorate in Education and Religion from Columbia University and Union Theological Seminary, New York.
- Her doctoral dissertation focused on Catholic school religious educators.
- She is a former Catholic school teacher in the elementary, junior high and high school grades and has worked with the deaf community in New Orleans and Brownsville, TX and was Coordinator of the Religious Education program at Chinchuba Institute for the Deaf. She taught sign language to the parents of deaf children for Jefferson Parish, Louisiana.
- Saundra worked as a sales representative for William H. Sadlier Publishers (17 years), serving the states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama and serves as a consultant for production of catechetical materials for William H. Sadlier, Inc.
- She taught in Loyola's summer institute (2002) The Catholic School Teacher.
- She is an Associate with the Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross, Merrill, Wisconsin and is presently serving on the Executive Board of Directors for the North American Conference of Associates and Religious.
- She has been a presenter for numerous keynotes, workshops, and conferences for Catholic school teachers, principals, superintendents, parish catechists, directors of Religious Education and diocesan directors and parents.
Saundra has a presentation style that engages and involves her audience. Her solid presentations, use of humor, and lively delivery capture the attention of her listeners.
Topics of Professional Workshops
Saundra Kennedy can address topics and issues regarding Catholic school teachers and/or Parish catechists, Administrators, as well as parent groups. Some presentations include input, small and/or large group discussion.
Titles of Professional Talks
- The Ministry and Vocation of the Catholic School Teacher What does it mean to be a Catholic school teacher or Catholic school principal and not just a teacher or principal in a Catholic school? Is there a difference? Catholic school teachers and administrators are called to embrace their identity as Catholic Christians. This presentation encourages them to remember and/or become aware of the important roles they play in sustaining and continuing to build the identity of Catholic schools.
- Heralds of the Good News: Becoming the Best You Can Be (for Catholic School Teachers and Parish Catechists) The word "catechist" comes from a word meaning "to echo" and, as catechists, our ministry is to "echo the person of Jesus." Whether we are catechists in a parish or Catholic school setting, we are called to proclaim the Good News of Jesus. This presentation will examine the various qualities of a good catechist and what it takes to become the very best Herald you can be!
- More Than Words: Helping Children to Become Pray-ers and Not Just Sayers of Prayer Helping children to develop an intimate relationship with God goes far beyond the mere teaching of traditional prayer, albeit, that is important. Bringing them to an understanding of communicating with their God and Creator is of primary essence. Various prayer forms are considered in this presentation as teachers/catechists are encouraged to develop their own understanding of prayer.
- Catholic Parenting: Faith Development in the Home Since parents are the primary religious educators of their children, they often look for some assistance in their efforts to guide their children toward an understanding and appreciation of their faith. During this presentation, Catholic Christian parents are offered some practical insights into their child's spiritual growth and ideas which may encourage them to deepen their own faith lives. (Approximately 35 minutes in length)
- Pick Up Your Mat and Walk - Finding the Will to Be Well
(This retreat is offered for parish, as well as, Catholic school ministers. It can be offered as a day of recollection or an overnight retreat.) As ministers in Catholic school leadership or as ministers in parish religious education, it is one of our responsibilities to assist others in their journey toward a life in Christ. However, before we can help others, it’s important for us to take a good look at our own journeys, embracing the blessings of our lives, as well as the challenges. As Jesus told the paralyzed man at the pool of Bethsaida to “pick up his mat and walk,” we are asked to do the same.
Through a process of three presentations, prayer, reflection and group sharing, this time of reflection/retreat will invite participants to reflect on Jesus’ call for us to pick up our “mats” in life and walk into a greater life of faith. - Servant Leadership: Leading in Witness to Jesus
(This presentation will be best used with principals and DRE/CRE groups or those in ministerial leadership roles.)
What does it mean to be a leader? What does it mean to be called by God to leadership in ministry? According to the example of Jesus, leaders in his Church, those called to ministry, are called to be SERVANT leaders…those who are called, not to be served, but to serve. This presentation will address servant leadership and the styles of such leadership that are in keeping with Gospel values and the vision of Jesus for those of us following his example. (If time permits, reflection/discussion questions can be used with the group to allow for personal, as well as, large group interaction.) - The Care and Feeding of Catechists (OR How to Get ‘Em and How to Keep ‘Em!)
(For Parish Directors of Religious Education)
Of all the responsibilities that the parish DRE carries, one of the most demanding and challenging is finding good catechists. Since "warm body recruiting" is “old thinking,” the search for catechists has to be different. How can catechists with skills, enthusiasm and positive attitudes be found…and kept!? Although this presentation is not the "end all, be all," it does address "The Five C’s in the Care and Feeding of the Catechist" and offers suggestions that might spark some new insights, ideas and conversation around this important, and sometimes daunting, task.
(This presentation is intended for DRE meetings. It is approximately 40 minutes in length, followed with prepared questions for small and large group discussion.) - Keys to Proclaiming the Wolrd: The Task of Catechesis
(This presentation can be used with Catholic school religious educators, parish catechists, DRE’s and Catholic school principals.)
Our key objective as catechists, as those who echo the person of Jesus, is to proclaim the Word of God to the people to whom we minister. Thus, we embrace the mission to which Jesus called us “Go...make disciples of all nations…teaching them to observe all that I have told you.” (Mt. 28:19-20) As catechists, how do we go about doing this? What might we do to ensure that the disciples of Jesus today come to know and understand God’s Word and their own mission? This presentation will discuss the goal of catechesis, proclaiming the Word, and making new disciples, in light of “The Six Tasks of Catechesis,” outlined in, both, the General and National Directories for Catechesis.
(The following is a series of three talks that can be presented as a day of recollection.)
- Re-igniting the Flame of Our Baptism: Proclaiming Our Call At the time of our Baptism, a candle was lit for us from the Easter candle signifying that, in Jesus, we, the baptized are "the light of the world." In order to be "light" for others, we are called to live the mission, the message and the dream of Jesus. How do we re-ignite that fire in our lives and ministry when the flame dims, as it sometimes does? This theme is presented in a series of three separate talks which focus on 1.Gifts for Mission; 2. The Nature of a Personal Call; 3. The Call to the Future: Collaboration for Mission.