Patricia Cullen-Sanford wins SYCFS book

Congratulations to Patricia-Cullen-Sanford, the winner of an autographed copy of my upcoming book, Sharing Your Catholic Faith Story.

We held the drawing at the 2018 Dallas Ministry Conference (DMC). It draws 8,000 to 10,000 clergy, religious and ministers from parishes and schools in the Diocese of Dallas and the North Texas area. Earlier I wrote about the Holy Spirit interview conducted at the same event.

I met Patricia Saturday afternoon in one of the last sessions when we ended up sitting in adjacent rows. After the session, she entered the drawing and later that day, we drew her name as the winner!

Patricia lives in Richardson where she belongs to All Saints Catholic Church. She is not currently active in ministry after serving as a catechist for 12 years prior to 2017. She served in healing ministry until last February. 

Dual purpose

This was Patricia’s second conference. She volunteered with registration at her first conference four years ago and completed her catechesis certification. She attended this year’s conference at the recommendation of her physical therapist. Her attendance served a dual purpose. Patricia injured her back one year ago, and this was her first outing. The therapist wanted to see how Patricia’s body would react.  She also attended to keep up her catechesis certification, as she is required to take ten hours of classes per year and she had not taken any hours this year because of her injury.

Patricia thoroughly enjoyed the conference.  She volunteered the first day as an assistant registrar and enjoyed greeting people and answering general questions.  She also enjoyed all the speakers, especially the following (with her comments added):

Favorite sessions

•  “The Importance of Spiritual Accompaniment and Mentorships’ with Scott Weeman (“Not sure why I had picked this, I found Scott a powerful spokesman and witness to the Grace of God.”)
• “Standing your Ground:  Learning to be Assertive” with Marti R. Jewell.
• “Catholic Leadership:  Dramatic, Nontraditional, and Unexpected” with Linda Khirallah Porter, (“who was very creative. She was a hoot!”)
•  “Rethink Happiness:  Dare to Embrace God and Experience True Joy with Paul George,” (“a funny and excellent speaker.”)
• “Rethinking Life:  Walking People Through the Process of Conversion “with Paul George.
• “What Does It Take to Be One” with Dr. Jo Ann Paradise, (“what not to do versus what to do.”)
• “Engaging Young People in God Talk (part 2)” with Robert McCarty, (“I heard him talk before: he is informative and funny.”)

Patricia’s next goal is to update her Safe Environment as soon as possible and Mass, Eucharistic Adoration and Reconciliation more often.

Special thanks to Greg Wasinski of Let Me Be Ministries for hosting the drawing in his booth.