The 11th annual Dallas Ministry Conference (DMC) was held Oct. 19 - Oct. 21, 2017, at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas. The event featured two keynote addresses, one in English and one in Spanish, as well as 91 other speakers, who included teachers, members of the clergy, lay ministers, authors and motivational speakers, just to name a few — not to mention several members of the University of Dallas faculty, from the Gupta College of Business and various Constantin College departments (from history and education to theology) to, of course, the Ann and Joe O. Neuhoff School of Ministry.

“I taught in the Diocese of Dallas for 10 years. Participating in the DMC gives me an opportunity to be with the Catholic school teachers and to share with them the experiences and the learning I’ve had since I left the elementary school classroom,” said Associate Professor and Chair of Education Janette Boazman, Ph.D. “It’s a way of giving back to the teachers and to the diocesan schools that are so important to me and to the development of our future leaders.”  

"With the grace of God, for sure the DMC impacted many lives as it has in the past years. Its rich offerings and the participation of the faithful in the diverse keynotes, topics, workshops and resources, and the opportunities of prayer and fellowship with the extended church, paint an authentic DMC portrait of a church that is alive," said Neuhoff School of Ministry Affiliate Instructor of Hispanic Ministry Sister Yolanda Cruz, MTS '05. "The participants will bring back a variety of multiple gifts to use for the spiritual enrichment of their schools, parishes and dioceses. It's a true blessing to be a part of this event-offering as we continue to "walk together in faith" with our local and universal church."

The English keynote was given by Dallas Bishop Edward Burns. The eighth Bishop of Dallas, Burns was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Pittsburgh in 1983, serving in various parishes and doing seminary work in the diocese before working at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) as executive director of clergy, Consecrated Life & Vocations. He was appointed bishop of the diocese of Juneau, Alaska, by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009, and named the bishop of Dallas by Pope Francis on December 13, 2016. His talk was titled “Missionary Disciples: Called to Follow, Love & Serve.” 

The Spanish keynote, “Discipulado misionero: del encuentro a la misión,” was delivered by Auxiliary Bishop of Denver Jorge Rodriguez, S.T.D. Born and raised in Merida, Mexico, Rodriguez was ordained a priest on Dec. 24, 1987, and received a Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Gregorian in Rome in 1994. He has taught theology at universities and seminaries and served in parishes in both Rome and Colorado. He was named the auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Denver in 2016. He speaks Spanish, English and Italian, reads French, and is the author of various theological publications.

"Simply, it is wonderful to speak to the choir — that is, to so many people of different ages and backgrounds, who are alive in the Catholic faith — and eager to know more about, specifically, American Catholic history," said Professor of History Tom Jodziewicz, Ph.D. "It is a privilege."

 "In a changing world, it is good to take a moment and be with colleagues who care about our church and our children, and gather new ideas about the work and ministry that we do,” said Neuhoff School of Ministry Associate Professor of Theology Marti Jewell. “I am so grateful to the university and the Diocese of Dallas that they are willing to invest in those of us who do this work."