Workshops, Retreats &
Parish Missions
John Johnson, approved as a speaker by the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, speaks with the passion in his heart for "the truth [that] will set you free" (John 8: 32), as revealed by the Catholic Church, i.e., "the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth" (1 Timothy 3: 15; see also Matthew 16: 18). He offers transformative talks, workshops, and retreats that not only spiritually inspire but also, with his training and 23+ years' experience as a therapist, foster healing and growth in the areas of marriage (for Pre-Cana, too!), family, and other relationships; anger management, suicide prevention, single women, women in general, ["What Makes a Real Man" is available, but not yet listed below], lectoring for the New Evangelization, and ecumenism (working for Christian unity). Each topic addresses specific challenges which Mr. Johnson has discovered--through his counseling and general ministry--to be very common. Contact Mr. Johnson below to discuss options for talks and stipends.
Topics for the Whole Family
“Suffering TRANSFIGURED”
Any population at all; especially good for Lent:
Come and see how the fellowship of sharing in Christ's sufferings (cf Philippians 3: 10) a) is an often-forgotten part of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass (the life-giving one-flesh union of the Word with His bride), b) can, through Godly love, make it easier to cope, and c) can "plug you into the power" of Jesus' own sufferings!
“Eucharist Transfigured”
For any gathering from age 15 to the “young-at-heart”:
Come and see John Johnson unveil the “[mega] mystery” (cf Eph 5: 32; Greek: “mega,” often translated to English: “great”) of the Eucharist as the passionately loving, life-giving one-flesh Union of Christ with His Bride. Ever heard of the New Pentecost and the New Evangelization? Watch how the “transfigured Eucharist” floods light for our understanding of those 2 movements of the Church.
“Family Communication”
Whole parish community, family retreats, marriage events:
Come and see the how glorious truths about the Eucharist “transfigure” healthy communication skills as only .01% “book knowledge” and 99.99% “one other thing”; can you guess what it is?
“I Identify as a Beloved Child of God (Cf 1 John 3: 1)”
For youth, young adults, or the whole parish:
Come and hear Mr. Johnson’s personal story of how he learned to calculate his worth by the Price paid for his adoption (1 Cor 6: 20; Gal 4: 4-5)—as well as his meditations on the 1 st Luminous Mystery… AND Disney’s The Lion King!
“Anger Management / Emotional Regulation”
For the whole parish, youth, adults:
Anger is not the only negative emotion to take the reins on; nor are negative emotions in general! After learning about dysregulation as “getting hijacked by severe stress or other emotions,” come and see the truth of how Self-Regulation can be, in the words of St. Paul, part of “the glorious freedom of the children of God” (Romans 8: 21).
Suicide Prevention
For any gathering from age 13 to the “young-at-heart”:
Mr. Johnson presents “a culture of open and loving communication” as life-giving. Similarly, as he unveils a “[mega] mystery” about God’s love and the Eucharist, he also shows how communication and communion are “Siamese twins.” If all this sounds like a “big stretch” for suicide prevention, get comfortable, and come and see how the Catholic Catechism is not joking when it says, “The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life” (Parag. 1324). Notice the word “LIFE” there.
For Married & Engaged Couples
"From Communication to Communion: An Intensive, Profoundly Catholic Workshop."
Come and see Jesus’ love in the Eucharist “transfigure” marriage with the truth that sets couples free to journey from "mere communication" to truly-holy communion. Along the way, Mr. Johnson not only teaches communication skills--but gives participants a start in the long-term practice needed in order to use these skills to heal and build that communion--while avoiding sharing issues that are too personal.
Topics for the Women's Groups
“Single Women Raising Standards for Men”
A Catholic view of love and marriage “transfigures” the vision for single women to command—and quite possibly receive—chastity, integrity, and emotional connection from men.
“Grace for Women: Spiritual Fertility for the Seed of God's Word"
Meditations on our Blessed Mother, the Bride of Christ, the New Pentecost, and the New Evangelization. Sneak preview: it's all about the Eucharist! Big stretch there? Come and see how it all works together!
Topics for Ecumenical Gatherings
“Lectoring Transfigured: The Spousal Nature of the Lector”
For lectors and other interested liturgical ministers:
Once we as lectors recognize the Liturgy of the Eucharist as renewing the passionately loving, life-giving one-flesh marital union of Christ with His bride (the Church), we can more intentionally participate in the abundantly life-giving ministry of Holy Communion with the Word-Spoken-and-Made-Flesh. And we can do so more fully in the spirit of the New Pentecost and the New Evangelization.
“Christian Unity: Jesus' Prescription for Fruitful Evangelization”
For any ecumenical gathering:
Come and see how the word “synergy,” defined by Mr. Johnson as “the explosive power of teamwork,” is, in fact, rooted in a New Testament word, fueled by the love of Jesus and His Church, and reflects core dynamics of the New Covenant itself.
For Catholics wanting to learn more about ecumenism:
“Ecumenism Transfigured: The Full Consummation of The Marriage between Christ and the Church”
For any gathering of CATHOLICS, ages 15 and up, wanting to grow in the critical ministry of ecumenism
Come and see how the Eucharist (the Sacrament of Unity), along with being securely grounded in the truth and possessed with divine love, calls us to the healing and life-giving work of listening with the heart.