Talks that fit your needs
Founding Principles
All of my content has as its foundation St. Thomas Aquinas' ontological structure of man and is amplified with today's science of psychology. This combination leaves participants with a CLEAR understanding of their God-given human design, as well as ACTIONABLE STEPS they can take with confidence and security, knowing that it fully uplifts Catholic moral teachings.
Flexibility
My deep knowledge of these founding principles allows me to apply them to a variety of people and circumstances with ease, so that I can tailor each session to my audiences' particular struggles and life circumstances.
Although the principles stay the same, each talk I give is unique and specifically structured to suit the needs of those sitting in front of me.
"Rita has an incredible gift of speaking on big topics in a way that is straight-forward and direct while also being gentle and humorous... Rita's extensive knowledge and life experience easily captivates them into not only desiring to hear her speak, but they leave inspired to take action in their own lives. It has been our honour to have Rita speak at many of our events and it can be said without hesitation that we will have her back to speak in the future."
Adelaide Quickfall
Office Manager & Volunteer Coordinator, FacetoFace Ministries
Virtues
If you want to give your participants a renewed hope and clarity of vision for their life, this topic is sure to deliver! Virtues are the lost gems of our time and they are what make life rich with joy and peace. This is why I love helping Catholics better understand what virtues are, what their role is, and how they impact everyday life and relationships.
Marriage & Addiction
With my husband's incredible support and encouragement, I am now openly sharing much of the lessons that have transformed our marriage into a beautiful and joyful vocation, despite the ongoing struggles with addiction. We are all aware that this is a growing issue in our church with far too little information and resources to support those struggling with it. Although my master of psychology does help with the scientific understanding of addiction, it is truly my 8 years of experience with my husband's addictions to pornography and alcohol that have given me a foundational understanding of the emotional and spiritual side of it. There is so much hope for our marriages when we learn how to lean on God and activate the riches of Grace and Virtue in our lives.
Personal Growth & Healing
So many desire to heal their emotional and relational lives, but don't know where to start. And most of what is currently out there is not rooted in Catholic teaching, which often leaves them weary of implementing any of what they learn. This is my bread and butter! Having been swimming in the world of modern psychology for almost 20 years, I have become very good at guiding other Catholics through these sometimes merky waters, so they can be confident that they are keeping their soul safe and in-line with Catholic Teaching.
The Spiritual Life
A lack of spiritual directors and mentors has left many Catholics stuck, not fully understanding how it all works. Over the past few years, I have learnt how to simply and clearly teach the basics of the Spritiual life (Prayer, Grace, and Virtue). What they are, how they work, and how they relate to one another. Its incredible to see the excitement and energy in my participants after these concepts become clear to them. So many have exclaimed that they never knew so much of what I teach them even though they have been actively seeking formation for decades, and that it has profoundly impacted their lives.
A Few Examples of what I do:
Mechanics of Virtue ( 5 Part Series)
This 5 part series walked participants through the most important and fundamental understandings of virtues, the structure of the human person, how the body and soul relate to and influence each other, how our emotions can lead us to holiness, and concluded with a practical strategies for developing virtue in the day to day.
Each of these sessions/topics are incredible on their own, but together, they allow for a fully integrated understanding of virtue in the Catholic Spiritual life.
Reclaiming Virtue (5 Part Conference)
This 5 part series was designed to fit beautifully with the lent and advent seasons in the Church. Participants are walked through a step-by-step understanding an application of Catholic Spiritual Theology. The first session begins with an introduction to the mechanics of grace and virtue. Secondly move into how grace becomes blocked and how we can go about activating and increasing it in our lives and the lives of those around us. The third and fourth sessions delve into how each of our emotions can serve as guiding lights, showing us where grace is being blocked. And lastly, we focus on a 6-step action plan for removing those blocks and growing in grace and
What is Grace Anyway and How does it Work?
In my experience, Catholics will happily proclaim that God's grace is a necessary part of their lives, but still struggle to understand it in a clear way. This talk is practical and simple, and leaves all ages with a clear understanding of: What happens at baptism, the two main types of graces active in our daily lives, how they work/help us, how the two influence each other, and how we can practically increase these graces in our lives.
Healthy Boundaries in Relationships (For men)
Many faithful men today find themselves in a culture that is increasingly difficult to maneuver. In a joint talk with her Brother-in-Law, Rita and Luke Taylor helped young men tackle some of the negative side effects of feminism today by answering this one question: How to honour and respect women while also maintaining your own dignity as a man.
This talk focuses on practical skills and scripts that equips men with effective and respectful solutions for developing healthy and life giving relationships with women, in both friendships and romantic relationships.
Hope in Marriage
What is hope? What is its purpose? Is it always good, or can it sometimes be harmful?
It's time for us, as Catholics, to reclaim the true meaning and understanding of Hope, a hope that breathes life and strength into difficult situations. This talk focuses on clearly defining the difference between the emotion of hope, how it can sometimes keep us stuck and frustrated in our marriages, and the Virtue of hope, which frees us and brings purpose to our difficulties.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT AGE GROUPS DO YOU CATER TO?
My participants typically range from 14 years old to 80+. My style and content is not best suited to those who are younger.
DO YOU TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF CANADA?
Yes. I am willing to travel to a variety of countries.
WHAT HOURLY RATE DO YOU CHARGE?
My rate varies depending on the amount of time and travel required for the event. I understand that not every organization has access to the same funding, and I do my very best to work with each organization and its budget to come up with an amount that suits both parties.
DO YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND OFFER COUPLES SESSIONS?
Yes! My husband is an excellent speaker and we love to do ministry together. Please know that his work schedule only allows for this during the months of April and May each year.
OTHER QUESTIONS?
If you don't see the answer to your question here, you can either fill out the booking form above and place you question in the last box, or you can go to my contact page and send me an message directly! Just click here.