To book me to speak at your parish, catholic university center, retreat, conference, parish mission, or organization, please email me – catholictom (AT) gmail.com I will get back to you within 48 hours to discuss the details. DO NOT CALL ME OR EMAIL ME AT MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT. THIS WEBSITE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MY POSITION AT THE UNIVERSITY. THANK YOU. 

PRESENTATION TOPICS: 

“You Too Go Into My Vineyard: Pope St. John Paul II and the Role of the Laity”

Rooted in the Apostolic Exhortation, Christifideles Laici, written by Pope St. John Paul II, Tom examines the role of the laity in the 21st century by explaining the importance the laity plays in the Catholic Church as individuals and within the community of the Church as a whole. Focusing on the importance of Baptism, Holiness, and the “secular character” of the faithful, Tom displays how each and every lay member has a specific role in the vineyard in which we live and how the role should bear fruit. Special attention is given to the life of the parish, “the center of evangelization.”

“The Reunification of Babel through the Catholic Church on Pentecost”

In this talk, Tom will lay out the importance of the Church and it’s relation to the Kingdom of God by reading and explaining a variety of Old Testament and New Testament Scripture passages. He will then move into Acts of the Apostles and explain how Babel (Genesis 11) is reunified at Pentecost through the Catholic Church. At the conclusion of the talk, Tom gives a short outline of the “marching orders” professed by New Evangelization and what it means to “play with the fire of the Holy Spirit.”

“The New Evangelization and What Means for Us as Catholics”

The New Evangelization is a major avenue for Tom in his writing and speaking engagements. In this presentation, Tom will outline the New Evangelization and it’s role for Catholics in the 21st century by referencing the documents written by Blessed John Paul II. The presentation also includes an explanation of the Synod on the New Evangelization and some of the propositions proposed by the Bishops. This is a talk every Catholic today needs to hear.

“Six Reasons Why We Should Not Forget About Mary During A Time of Crisis” 

Based on an interview that Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger gave back in the early 1980’s, Tom will explain why the Blessed Mother should not be forgotten during times of crisis. The talk outlines six important points explaining how important Mary’s role is in the Church and the world today.

“The Annunciation, Visitation, and Magnificat of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

Tom presents a scriptural walk through the Annunciation, Visitation and Magnificat of the Blessed Virgin Mary by giving a detailed account of the important Old Testament scripture passages that foreshadow the Blessed Mother in the New Testament passages. The talk also includes how the Ark of the Covenant, Gabriel’s return in the Scriptures, and Hannah’s Prayer are all fulfilled in the Infancy Narratives.

“The Catholicism Series by Fr. Robert Barron” 

Using the “Catholicism Series” DVD box set, Tom can lead a group discussion after watching each episode, teach on the topics presented in the episodes, and also provide handouts for participants to take home with them for further study on their own.

“The Lives of the Saints – Our Brothers and Sisters in Christ”

Tom begins this talk with an overview of the Saints with an explanation of the Communion of Saints and with what authority does the Church name saints. Tom will provide a detailed teaching on the Criteria and Process of Saint Canonization and explain key terms that will assist the audience to understand this important process in the Church. The talk will continue with an apologetic element answering the two main questions – Do Catholic pray to the Saints and Do Catholic Worship the Saints? The talk will conclude with Tom talking about the lives of specific saints (you can tell him what saints you want to hear about if you wish).

“Four Saints That Will Change Your Life”

Focusing on St. Teresa of Avila, St. John Bosco, St. Gianna Beretta Molla, and Blessed Karl I of Austria, Tom breaks down the lives of these great four saints and explains the importance each play in their own right this side of Heaven. He also focuses on what we as Catholic Christians today can take from the lives of these saints and how to apply their teachings to our daily life.

“The New Evangelization and the Role of the Catechist”

The New Evangelization is a major avenue for Tom in his writing and speaking engagements. In this presentation, Tom will outline the New Evangelization and the role that catechists play in the mission that is the Church. Focusing on the writings of Pope St. John Paul II, Tom lays out how catechists should present the Good News of Jesus Christ. This talk is geared towards catechists working with children, adolescents, and adults.

“The Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation”

In this talk, Tom lays out the three sacraments that fully initiate someone into the Catholic Church. He will begin the talk by defining each sacrament. He will then explain why the sacrament is needed; provide a brief history of the sacrament; explain the effects of the sacrament, and conclude with why receiving the sacraments are important in the life of every Catholic. [This talk can be divided into three separate talks if needed.]

“The Five Marian Doctrines”

Mariology, the study of theology that pertains to the Blessed Mother of God, is another avenue that Tom finds to be important in his ministry as a catholic speaker and blogger. This talk will provide an overview of the five Marian Doctrines – Theotokos, Perpetual Virginity, Immaculate Conception, Assumption into Heaven, and Co-Redemptrix (Meditation and Advocate). Tom will define each one, give references from both Scripture and Tradition, and conclude with Mary as the New Ark of the Covenant. This talk will help Catholics understand the importance of the theology of Mary in the life of the Church over the centuries. [The talk can also be “The Four Marian Dogmas” if needed].

“The Importance of the Scriptures through the Theology of Pope Benedict XVI and Verbum Domini” 

This is one of Tom’s favorite talks to give since it focuses on two things he truly loves – the Holy Scriptures and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. This talk which is rooted in the Post-Apostolic Exhortation, Verbum Domini, Tom will unfold five points developed by Benedict: Hearing and Knowing the Scriptures, The Scriptures and the Liturgy, Sacred Scriptures and the Sacraments, The Mission of the Lay Faithful to the Scriptures, and Praying with the Scriptures. Once you hear this talk, you will run to read the Holy Bible.

“Verbum Domini – Life, Purpose, and Mission in the Church”

Nearly the same talk from above – “The Importance of the Scriptures through the Theology of Pope Benedict XVI and Verbum Domini”. However, this talk is a bit more academically tuned since Tom focuses on the Magisterial texts written on the Scriptures beginning with Providentissimus Deus and ending with Dei Verbum, the Dogmatic Constitution on the Divine Scriptures from the Second Vatican Council. After explaining these dynamic documents, Tom will focus on the same five points as above.

“The Theological Virtues – Faith, Hope, and Charity” 

Using the theology of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Tom explains the definition of virtue and then will provide a short summary of the Cardinal Virtues and how they coincide with the three theological virtues. He will then show the understanding that virtue is seen as a “habit.” Once this has been completed, Tom will end with a detailed explanation of the three Theological virtues and give practical ways to live them in daily life.

Other topics: