Bishop Frank Joseph Caggiano of Brooklyn, New York delivers his keynote address "We are His people, the flock He Shepherds." Over 900 people attended the Ministries Day Conference.

"Ministries Day Conference is about how to live and love as a community and how to bring hope to a darken world. We are a community of love based in faith and hope," declared Bishop Frank Joseph Caggiano, keynote speaker for the conference held on January 16 at the American Bank Center.

Bishop Caggiano, Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn, New York, spoke to over 900 people who attended the Ministries Day Conference.

The all-day conference offered a Mass celebrated by Bishop Edmond Carmody, an uplifting and rousing talk given by Bishop Caggiano, three different workshops and a round table discussion.

Attendees included Catholic schools educators, religion education directors and teachers, priests, nuns and lay Eucharistic Ministers.

In his homily, Bishop Carmody outlined the focus of the ministries day conference.

"The laity is co-responsible in bringing the good news of the Lord to others. You are co-responsible for the sheep who have not heard the word of the Lord. We all have great and different talents. You must use these talents to bring God to others."

Bishop Carmody reminded everyone that when doing God's work, "God will never let us down. You are working for the Lord."

Carmody told everyone present that their actions speak louder than their words;

"Witnessing to others and how we live are more powerful than preaching. Christ lives in all of us."

In concluding his homily, Bishop Carmody urged the faithful to "share the good news of the Lord with love, compassion, and great joy."

In his keynote address, Auxiliary Bishop Caggiano continued the theme of the laity being co-responsible for bringing the good news of God to everyone.

"You are a community of faith by its very name, Corpus Christi. The Holy Spirit has called us in celebration and prayer to the great mystery of Jesus Christ. The laity's ministry is to look forward in hope. You are co-responsible to proclaim the Lord. We should never underestimate God's grace."

Bishop Caggiano reminded the faithful that everyone who is evangelizing the Gospels must "live the life of conversion. The examples of our lives should reflect the preaching of the Gospels. The laity are the missionaries of Christ. You are the faithful presence of the Lord. You are the link of the love of God to the people who do not know God."

In concluding his speech, Caggiano gave three steps which would help people better evangelize the word of the Lord.

"Step One is we must spend time deepening our own faith so that Jesus may make us extraordinary. They will know we are Christian by our love. It all begins in faith.

"Step Two begins when we make our communities into communities of faith and love. We must be welcoming. We must open our hearts to others. We should be an open testament to God's love.

"Step 3 is that we must offer hope to our fallen away brothers and sisters. There is hope in Jesus."

Following his address, Bishop Caggiano explained why he had come to Corpus Christi for only 24 hours to participate in the Diocese of Corpus Christi Ministries Day Conference.

"Bishop Carmody invited me. I love coming to these events because spiritually, I get so much more out it. I get more out it than I give. This type of event teaches me a great deal more about the church" and the people of the church.

"The more the people of the church can be connected to each other the more we can strengthen the church," said Caggiano.

Clearly moved by what Bishop Caggiano had said in his keynote address, Valerie Jean Uriegas Aguilar and Ayde Castillo, parishioners of Most Precious Blood paused to reflect on why they came to the Ministries Conference Day.

"This event gives us another opportunity to recharge and focus" on our faith. It helps me to continue to fulfill and proclaim the faith," said Aguilar.

"Bishop Caggaino was amazing. His address showed us how to allow God in our lives and to proclaim Christ to others," said Castillo.

Following the keynote speech, the 900 plus attendees had three opportunities to attend workshops.

There were 16 different workshops available in English or Spanish.

Topics available varied from "Parish Evangelizing Cells," "Vocation Awareness-Everyone's Business," "La Verdadera Iglesia de Cristo and "La Importancia de la Biblia en el Pueblo Catolico."

One workshop which attracted a number of lay Eucharistic Ministers was entitled, "The Importance of the Laity in Pastoral Care and Visitation of the Sick."

This workshop was presented by Ferney Medina, a board certified clinical chaplain and pastoral counselor who served as Director of Services for the Mission Regional Medical Center in Mission, Texas.

Medina spoke of the importance of not forgetting the pastoral care for the family in haste to give Sacramental care to the sick and dying.

"You need to share with the family and listen to the family before giving sacramental care. Pastoral care and sacramental care are linked together."

Medina urged the Eucharistic Ministers to remember to "connect with those who are sick or at home and to link them to Christ through the sacrament."

A lay Eucharistic Minister for Corpus Christi Cathedral, Twosy Haegelin found Medina's message to be insightful and helpful.

"Sometimes when you are in a hurry, you forget to familiarize yourself with the situation. Medina reminded me to be aware of the situation before I give the Eucharistic Sacrament. I need to be part of the people."

Dr. John Bergsma's workshop, "Understanding and Teaching the Scriptures, Part 1: Adam to Abraham," was attended by a large number of religious education teachers and Catholic school teachers.

A professor at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, Bergsma focused his talk on using Scripture to support Catholic doctrine.

He stated that teachers have a tendency to try and modernize Scripture for their students and in doing so the teachers unknowingly changed the meaning of the text.

"You need to teach the stories of Scripture, but you must stick to the actual stories. You must trust in the Scriptures and teach the Church's faith in the Scriptures. The Church has faith in the Gospels. Do not contradict what the church's beliefs are."

Ayde Castillo, a parishioner at Most Precious Blood, summed up her experiences at the Ministries Day Conference when she stated, "This conference helps me to remember God's reassurance and love for me. His love for the woman he created."