News

Pre-Conference: Sunday May 22, 2016

Title: La Familia: Encuentros de Esperanza en Fe

Pre-Conference Speaker:
Gloria G. Rodriguez, P.D.
Founder and Former President and CEO, of AVANCE, Inc.
Consultant, Author and Speaker

Dr. Gloria Rodriguez is the Founder and was the President and CEO of AVANCE and is the author ofRaising Nuestros Ninos: Bringing Up Latino Children in a Bicultural World. Her work at AVANCE was recognized in White House; the New York Times, McNeil Lehrer NewsHour; ABC World News Tonight; US News and World Report; Business Week; Education Week;   Parade magazine and Parents Magazine.  Dr. Rodriguez was named one of 25 Influential Working Women by Working Mother’s magazine; recognized 100 Most Influential Hispanics in the U.S. by Hispanic Business magazine; included in Notable Hispanic American Women, inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame; received the Life Time Television’s Attitude Award the Temple Award for Creative Altruism, the National Hispanic Heritage Award in Education and the 2006 Mujer Award in Ethical Leadership by NHLI (National Hispanic Leadership Institute).

Pre-Conference Guest Speaker:
Juan Carlos Moreno
Associate Director, Office of Evangelization & Catechesis
Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

Pre-Conference Guest Speaker:
Gerardo Salazar
Associate Director, Office of Evangelization & Catechesis
Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

Juan Carlos Moreno is a native of Monterrey, Mexico, and has over twenty years of experience working in music, campus, and catechetical ministry, and others. He is currently associate director in the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, where he works in the area of sacramental formation and catechesis in primary grades. He is also an instructor for biblical and theological formation.  Has a master’s degree in Pastoral Studies, and one in theological studies, both awarded by the University of St. Thomas in Houston, TX, where he currently resides with his wife Elizabeth and his three children Isabella, Augustine, and Saul.

Gerardo Salazar is a Mexican-American from Los Angeles California and San Luis Potosí. Married for 12 years with Nancy Vasquez and father of 5 children. Proudly son of migrant parents with a large family with 13 brothers and sisters. His mother consecrated him to Saint Gerardo whose name means “Sword of God” and the Virgen del Carmen. He has a Bachelor in Journalism and Communications, a Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry and currently candidate for a Doctorate in Practical Theology. He is a catechist and musician. His passion is the evangelization and formation in the media. Currently he is the Associate Director Hispanic catechists and catechetical leaders in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston in Texas.