RCL Benziger Staff – Presenters*

Kate Ristow, National Catechetical Consultant

Kate Ristow is National Catechetical Consultant for RCL and a frequent speaker at national and regional conferences. For the last fifteen years, she has also served as a contributing editor and feature writer for Catechist magazine. Kate has written Catechist and Teacher Guides and Student Text materials for every elementary grade level and has worked in religious education for over thirty years as a classroom teacher, catechist, and an administrator. Kate has a BA from Marquette University and a Master’s Degree in Religious Studies from Mundelein College. She is married and the mother of three adult sons and five grandchildren.

• Faith-Filled Leaders: Implementing the United States Catechism for Adults
• Investing in the Future: Helping Students to Take their Place in the Parish
• Deal or No Deal: Strategies for Teaching Moral Development
• Praying, Playing and Growing in Faith: Creative Ideas for Pre-School
• The A, B, C’s of Being a Catechist
• There’s a Method to Our Ministry: Creative Strategies for the Classroom

Jo Rotunno, Director of Creative Development

Jo Rotunno is a seasoned religious educator with over 35 years experience catechizing children, youth, and adults. She currently serves as Director of Creative Development for RCL where her special emphasis is adult faith formation and catechist formation. She also currently serves as RCL Project Director for the Echoes of Faith Plus catechist formation program being created in collaboration with the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership. Jo offers workshops throughout the United States.

• What’s Different about the New Adult Catechism?
• A Tool Kit for Today’s Catechist
• What Difference Does Faith Make?
• Catechesis in a New World
• Including All Children: The Many Ways of Learning
• Building Strong Households of Faith

Steven Ellair, Senior Editor

Steven Ellair has been involved in catechetical ministry for over 17 years. A former Parish Catechist, Youth Minister, and Catholic school teacher, he most recently served as the Consultant for Elementary Catechesis in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for over eight years. Steven is currently a Senior Editor with RCL and continues speaking and writing nationally on issues related to catechesis.

• Called to Mission: Ritual Catechesis and Confirmation
• The Faith Connection: Keys to Effective Adult Faith Formation
• Sharing the Good News: Catechesis from the Headlines
• The Catechist/Catholic School Teacher as Living Witness of Faith
• Effective Prayer with Children! It’s Easier Than you Think!
• Lord, I Love ‘em, but They’re Driving Me Nuts!

Nancy Bird, Lead Manager

Nancy Bird has been involved in religious education for the past 30 years as a Master Professional Catechist, Parish Catechetical Leader and Youth Minister. She combines practical experience, creativity and motivational enthusiasm to energize those called to the vocation of Catechist. Nancy has been a featured speaker at the East Coast Conference, NCEA/NPCD, Los Angeles Congress, OCEA and many Diocesan events throughout the country. Presently she serves as Lead Manager for RCL – Resources for Christian Living.

• Six Steps to Cultivate the Creative Catechist
• Four Secretes of the Spirituality of Self Care
• The Power of Prayer: Using Symbol and Ritual with Children
• Celebrating Confirmation – Leading Young Disciples into a Life of Witness and Mission
• Happy and Holy Households of Faith!
• Hope – Humor – Healing – Reclaiming Your Joy in Ministry

Anne Campbell, Regional Manager

Anne Campbell has over 15 years of service to the Church as a Catholic school teacher and DRE. She holds the MRE degree from Catholic University and is well known for her work included in two popular books by RCL, Creative Crafts for All Seasons and The Faith-Filled Classroom. Anne, the mother of three adult children, is currently Regional Manager for RCL and lives in Texas with her husband.

• Let the Children Come to Me: Engaging Stories, Songs and Activities for Early Childhood
• Bright Ideas for Teaching Catholic Social Justice
• Creative Catechesis: Enriching Lessons with Arts and Crafts, Music and Song
• Getting Started: Planning and Preparing for a Great Catechetical Year
• Prayer and Ritual in Liturgical Catechesis
• DRE Endurance: The Balancing Act!

Donna Glaser, Associate Director, Marketing

Donna Glaser, Associate Director of Marketing for RCL, has over 20 years experience as a DRE in rural, suburban and urban parishes, and served schools and parishes in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana as an independent consultant in religious education. A popular workshop and retreat presenter, she emphasizes creative and practical ways to engage children and adults in sharing their faith. Donna is a recipient of the NCEA Religious Education Excellence Award and lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband, Tom.

• Roadmaps for the Journey of Faith: Effective, Practical Ways to Foster Adult Formation
• Jumpstart Your Year! A Creative Ideas Workshop - Customized for any age group pre-K through adult
• Building Bridges Between Faith and Life: Faith Sharing Models for Adults
• Parents, Kids, and Catechists: An Essential Partnership
• Building Blocks for Classroom Prayer: Season, Symbol, Story and Song
• Called and Gifted: Recruiting, Empowering and Affirming Catechists