Speaking
“Whatever the topic or occasion, my goal is to open up the doors to our hearts and minds so that God can speak to us, his family, through the inspired words of Sacred Scripture. If the ideas are coming just from me, well, that’s not the point. Let’s let the words of the Bible in the living Tradition of the Church speak to us. My task is to break down the barriers and help prime the pump!”
-Colleen
Colleen has spoken at a wide range of events including parish missions, retreats, conferences, staff/volunteer training, workshops, and more, developing custom presentations and messages for whatever your pastoral need is. Talks can be customized from as short as 20 minutes to multiple sessions for a day-long event or retreat.
Explore topics, see reviews, and ask about your idea/need.
Past Talks
Keeping the “Good News,” the Good News
The “Gospel,” literally the Good News of a world-altering announcement, can get lost amidst the many other good things, good intentions, and good deeds in our lives. Why does the Good News stand apart?
Feasting at the Table: Entering into the Liturgy of the Word at Mass
Where does the structure and content Liturgy of the Word come from? How does it connect to the Eucharist? How can we fully participate, in heart, mind, and soul, during this vital part of Mass?
Catholic Parenting as Discipleship
Parenting can already feel overwhelming. But being a Catholic parent?!? Even harder! The pressure and comparisons to others are something others place on us, not from God! Hear an encouraging message that with God’s grace, you are enough as a parent.
Martha (Women’s Retreat)
Enter into Martha’s experience of Jesus as revealed in Sacred Scripture through talks based on John 11:1-12:2 and Luke 10:38-42. Martha’s courage and compassion are essential elements in our own relationship of prayer with God.
Kerygma: God’s Plan to Share
Kerygma. Many people talk about it, but what is it? How do you know if you believe it? And, what do we need to know to confidently and joyfully share it with others? Every baptized person, no matter what their vocation in life, is anointed by God to start sharing this Good News.
Parables of Trust (Advent)
Parables about the end times and waiting are among the most perplexing in the Bible. Yet, these parables are meant to prepare us for the adventus (“coming”) of Christ Jesus, at the end of time. In surprising ways, these parables reveal that God’s plan for our waiting is not anxiety, but an opportunity for loving trust.
Easter Family Holy Hour
A mix of music, time for silent prayer, journaling, or coloring, plenty of space to move around, spoken reflections, and guided communal prayer.
Witness: Stories of the Twelve
The word “witness” is used over a dozen times in Acts of the Apostles. How do the lives of the early believers in Acts show us how to become and continue as witnesses for Jesus.
Dare to Follow
Jesus’s preparation for a life of ministry, his time of temptation and solitude in the desert and his public baptism in communion with Father and Spirit, are a model for us to follow. Putting the foundation of being with God before all that we do.
Sex and Divine Intimacy
Unpacking the Church’s wisdom, Sacred Scripture, and our modern world when it comes to human sexuality, marriage, and our personal relationship with God.
Eucharistic Living
What the very first writing in the New Testament that tells us about the Eucharist (Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians) reveals about the transformative power of the Eucharist in our lives.
Full talk audio (30 min) →
Acts of the Apsotles: Parish Mission Series
A one-of-a-kind, New Testament book, Acts of the Apostles tells the continuing story of God’s People (that’s why we read it first at Sunday Mass during the Easter Season!) as they grow in their own understandings of God’s plan in a world where followers of Jesus make up < 1% of the population.
Introduction and closing →
Reviews
“Colleen is so joyful and knowledgeable, she presents so well it is relaxing to hear. Her enthusiasm and faith makes the Bible come alive and truly brings you along.”
“Love her enthusiasm! It’s infectious and makes it fun to listen. Colleen is both audacious and subtle in her talks. She can say something deeply theoretical, and follow it up with an equally revealing side comment.”
“Colleen conveyed a love for the Scriptures and for God himself. She is so encouraging and teaches the Word of God as ‘living and effective‘,’ having a deep respect for God’s Revelation and everyone present.”
Send an Inquiry
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Colleen Reiss Vermeulen 