Sat, Aug 3rd
9am-4pm
The AZ Catholic Homeschool Conference is held annually to support new, discerning and veteran Catholic homeschoolers to build their domestic churches in our Lord and under the magisterium of the Catholic Church. We aim to supply support in faith, community, and curriculum to each other.
Conference Ticket Pricing
$40 per person
(early bird pricing)
$50 July 15th
$60 at the door
$20 Teen ticket
$25 teen ticket after July 15th
Incoming High school or outgoing High school Teens only please. (we don't have childcare. Out of respect for our guests we ask that you adhere to babes in arms only)
About
Sacred Heart Home Educators
Sacred Heart Home Educators (SHHE) is an association of Roman Catholic families in the state of Arizona loyal to the Holy Father and the teaching authority of the Roman Catholic Church. It is dedicated to inspiring, guiding, and encouraging families striving to live authentic Catholic lives through home education. It provides member families the opportunity to participate in various group activities as a means to this end.
Each year we hold an annual homeschool conference to introduce new families to our Catholic Homeschooling community and connect with businesses, colleges and groups that we hope all will find mutually beneficial. The ultimate goal being to help all grow in relationship building up the body of Christ.
Schedule
AZ Catholic Homeschool Conference
Saturday, August 3rd, 2024
8:00 Mass (optional)
8:30-9:00 Continental Breakfast & Welcome
9:00 Opening Prayer - Fr. Passo
9:00-9:45 Homeschooling: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint - Fr. Passo
10:00-10:45 Husband & Wife Homeschooling Panel - Faulks, Greenes & Hines Couples discussing: How do you Homeschool?
11:00-11:45 Media and the Homeschooling Environment - Peter Atkinson
11:45-12:30 Lunch
12:30-1:15 Breakouts
1:15-2:00 Homeschool Journey - Peter Atkinson
2:15-3:15 Veteran & Speaker Panel
3:15-3:45 The Gift of Friendship - Katy Hansen
3:45-4:00 Door Prize Give Aways, Thank you & Closing Prayer
Please note, this schedule is subject to change
Option 1 - High School Transcript and College Prep - Dana Zazick
Option 2 - ESA Questions Answered - Christine Accurso
Option 3 - Padres Hispanos y Homeschooling -Josephine Camou
Option 4 - Homeschooling with Special Needs, Can I do it? -Vicki Ruiz
Option 5 - Homeschooling Through Tough Challenges -Jocelyn Abyad
Option 6 - How to Homeschool, Where to Begin - Caroline Medrano
Speakers
Peter Atkinson
Founder of Merry Beggars the Entertainment division of Relevant Radio
Talks
- Media and the Homeschool Environment
- Homeschool Journey
Peter Atkinson is an entrepreneur, actor, and Canadian immigrant. He was born in Canada, grew up outside Washington, D.C. and studied Classics at Ave Maria University. He received Ave Maria University’s most prestigious award, The President’s Award, and graduated Summa Cum Laude. Working with high school students, Peter founded a study abroad program in Rome and a Shakespearean acting program in Florida. After training in Massachusetts and London, Peter went on to Columbia University’s graduate school, earning his Masters in Fine Arts in Acting. While in graduate school, he starred Off Broadway, founded The Merry Beggars, an entertainment production company, and met his beloved wife, Naomi. In 2021, The Merry Beggars was acquired by Relevant Radio and Peter moved to Chicago to develop original entertainment programming for the national network. Since moving, The Merry Beggars has been nominated for awards, received millions of downloads, and become a part of family homes across America. Peter has walked across America by foot for the Pro-Life movement, taught rock climbing in Switzerland, been published in First Things, and has one beautiful daughter named Francesca Marie Atkinson and an exceedingly handsome son named Peter Joseph “Pip” Atkinson.
Fr. Michael Passo, FSSP
Pastor of Mater Misericordiae and St. Edward the Confessor in Phoenix
Talk
- Homeschooling, its a Marathon, Not a Sprint
Fr. Passo grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. He is one of 7 children in his family -- he and one of his brothers are priests for the Fraternity of St. Peter, one of his sisters is a Carmelite nun, and another one of his sisters is a Poor Clare nun. He looks forward to sharing more about his upbringing and how his homeschool journey kept him close to the Church. He has been the pastor at Mater Misericordiæ (which now includes St. Edward the Confessor) here in the Diocese of Phoenix since 2017. You may also recognize him from the local Nun Run, which he frequently participates in.
Peter & Meri Beth Faulk
Couples Panel - How do you homeschool?
Bio: Peter and Meri Beth have been married 17 years and are blessed with 8 children, ages ranging from 16 down to three-year-old twins. This school year they will have a junior and freshman in high school, and children in 7th, 5th, 3rd, and 1st grades. While engaged to be married, Peter encouraged Meri Beth to consider homeschooling their future children. Not having been homeschooled themselves, this was a new experience to which they felt God was calling them. They have been homeschooling from the beginning, starting out with the Catholic Schoolhouse Co-op and then finding a good fit with Mother of Divine Grace curriculum. They also use the Faith and Life Series, Teaching Textbooks, and are involved in extracurricular activities such as Aquinas Teen Apologetics Club, Choristers of St. Florian, Metropolitan Youth Symphony, American Heritage Girls, and SHHE Boys and Girls Club. The Faulk family has been a part of the Sacred Heart Home Educators for the last 12 years and is so grateful to be a part of a network of families who strive for holiness in their homeschooling journeys. “The miracle of the loaves and fishes in the Gospel has always been a good reminder for us when carrying out the duties of raising children, taking care of the home, and also being good spouses: we give God our poor efforts - our loaves and fishes - and He takes our small efforts and multiplies them to accomplish great things. It is because of His grace that homeschooling is made possible!”
Steve & Becky Greene
Couples Panel - How do you Homeschool?
Bio: Steve and Becky Greene have been married 21 years, and have 5 children here, ages 18 - 8, and one miscarried intercessor in Heaven. They have homeschooled from the beginning for the past 13 years and have been part of Sacred Heart Home Educators for just as long, having just graduated their oldest from homeschooling in May of 2024. Utilizing various curriculums and courses, Becky has considered herself an eclectic homeschooler, but she says she's still learning the ropes and adjusting each year (that's homeschool-speak for she still has no idea what she's doing but believes she's called to this unconventional path). As part of their homeschool journey, the family has participated in various co-ops, including Boys Club Girls Club and Catholic Schoolhouse, and has taken advantage of dual credit opportunities through the Maricopa County Community College system and Angelicum Academy. While she is always looking for new ways to supplement and build out her homeschool, Becky has consistently incorporated IEW, Life of Fred, Critical Thinking Company, Hillsdale Online Education courses, the Baltimore Catechism, and Great Books curriculums into the education plan of her children, and most recently the Holy Family Institute's apologetics and formation programs. She's also a big fan of farming out subjects that can be taught better by others, so she's grateful to Katy Hansen for her high school science classes and to the music and math tutors who have filled in teaching gaps, as well as creative, athletic, and artistic opportunities like Fiat Productions, Make Sewing Studio, and Victory Martial Arts. Becky believes that homeschooling looks different for everyone, but that homeschooling in community is vital to developing solidarity, maintaining accountability, and knowing that you're not alone (or insane) when challenges arise.
Daniel & Candice Hines
Couples Panel - How do you homeschool?
Bio: Dan and Candice Hines have been married 19 years this August. They have 7 children (17, 15, 13, 11, 8, 5, and baby #7 due in September!). From the very beginning they knew they wanted to homeschool their children; so Candice dutifully created a "learning poster" for their oldest child when he was a ripe old age of 18 months! She has been overplanning and overscheduling ever since. When their oldest child was school age, Candice spent many hours researching to find the perfect curriculum (spoiler alert: it doesn't exist). She was gifted a book on Classical Education and dove head first into Mother of Divine Grace for that very first Kindergarten year. Her love of planning and obsession with curriculum led her to learn about Charlotte Mason, Morning Time, Unit Studies, and Nature Study, oh my! When she began juggling multiple children's education at once, she found that MODG did not work well for them, and she began her journey as an eclectic homeschooler; utilizing IEW, Life of Fred Math, RC History, Tan's Story of Civilization, and All About Reading/Spelling. Their older children have learned with EVIT, MCC, and Angelicum Academy. This fall, three of the Hines children will begin a new homeschooling adventure with Regina Caeli Academy. With their children as willing (or unwilling depending on the day) participants, the Hines Family has studied all together at the dining room table, in a school room, at the park or library, and scattered all over the house. They love to go on road trips and study whatever subject presents itself for the adventure. Morning Time has been the best part of their homeschool and they have spent many years learning new folks songs and hymns, folk dancing, reciting poetry, memorizing bible passages and catechism answers, as well as many other subjects. They participate together in SHHE's Boys and Girls Club, learn martial arts, go on field trips, host Rosary Park in the East Valley, and take road trips as often as possible. They are grateful for Sacred Heart Home Educators for supporting them on their homeschooling journey and providing them with a wonderful community of Catholic homeschoolers!
Jocelyn Abyad
Talk -Homeschooling Through Tough Challenges Christ tells us that in the world we will find trouble (John 16:33). There is no escaping hardship and suffering in this life, but Christ also tells us that He has conquered the world. This talk seeks to provide both spiritual consolation and practical tips for how to homeschool through hardship.
Katy Hansen
Talk - The Gift fo Friendship
This talk focuses on the types of friends as defined by Aristotle and ways to build healthy friendships.
Bio: Katy Hansen was born and raised in Minnesota but journeyed south to Arizona 26 years ago with her husband Tom. She is the mom of 5 kids, 4 girls and one son. She has been busy homeschooling them all for the past 20 years while working part-time teaching biology at 2 community colleges and to homeschoolers near and far. Born to fun but competitive parents, Katy enjoys playing tennis and pickleball and watching her kids compete in sports and her husband coach. Katy is the co-director of the St. Philomena Retreat and is honored to share about her love of the Church and the special role of women in the Body of Christ.
Vicki Ruiz
Talk - Homeschooling with Special Needs. Can I do it?
Parents of Children with Special Needs like ADHD, Autism and Dyslexia can feel even more intimidated to begin Homeschooling, feeling overwhelmed and underqualified. YOU can do it and in this class we will discuss tips and tricks to be successful
Bio: Khouria Jocelyn Abyad is the wife of Fr. Zyad Abyad and mother to seven girls, ranging in age from 2 to 20. She received her degree in psychology from Arizona State University in 2001 and worked as a banker for the next decade, until she took a step back from the professional world to homeschool her children. An Arizona native, Kh. Jocelyn feels fortunate to serve alongside her husband at St. John of the Desert Melkite Catholic Church in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, near family and longtime friends. In addition to her work at the parish, she maintains an online presence as “Melkite Momma,” sharing homeschool and liturgical living tips on several platforms. Kh. Jocelyn is a regular contributor to Byzikids Magazine, developing sensory-based children’s religious education and curriculum. She writes the curriculum for the national ByziClassroom program, an extension of Byzikids Magazine, and is the leader of the Phoenix Byzikids Homeschool Co-Op.
Bio: Vicki Ruiz has been married to her husband Chuck for 29 years. After dealing with infertility issues in their first 3 years of marriage, they felt God calling them to build their family through adoption. They are the proud parents to 12 beautiful children. 8 of their children have required some form of special education services ranging from speech therapy alone to full Special Education services in reading, writing and math. They have children who have Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Cognitive Impairment, Developmental Delays and Non-Specific Learning Disabilities. Vicki feels that her training as a nurse has helped her to learn how to be the Best Advocate for her children and get them the help that they need. She began homeschooling 5 years ago and has been amazed at the progress her children have made!
Josefina Camou
Talk - Padres Hispanos y Homeschooling
Josefina Camou is a veteran homeschool mother of 5 children, 2 daughters and 3 sons, one of which is a priest for the Diocese of Phoenix. After homeschooling through high school, all 5 of her children went on to graduate with college degrees. She has been married to Fernando Camou Sr. for 42 years. She has taught NFP for more than 30 years and worked for the Diocese of Phoenix in the NFP office, training NFP teachers. She has worked in marriage preparation, as she knows well that a strong Catholic marriage is essential in the formation of Catholic children.
Caroline Medrano
Talk -How to Homeschool, Where to Begin
Caroline Medrano is first and foremost a beloved daughter of the King and finds her greatest joy in living her feminine genius as her Heavenly Father's little girl. She and her husband Ben have been married nearly 20 years traveling together Heavenly-bound through the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Two decades ago she was an ambitious law student out to overturn Roe v. Wade. God did it without her and instead called her to turn from fighting the Culture of Death, to being obedient to her unique call in building the Culture of Life. Together Ben and Caroline have been homeschooling their 7 children for 13 years now in a little (in proportion to the number of kids) domestic church that is part hobbit hole, part Castle Cair Paravel and all beautiful messiness. She and Ben love to mentor young families as they set out on their journey to discover if homeschooling can help them to live JPII's words: "Family, become who you are!"
Our Sponsors
Please support our Sponsors. We are Working With the Best!
Sponsor Representation Key :
- T-shirt & Special Recognition
- Table at Conference
- Shared information in welcome bag
- Door Prize Raffle Basket
Christendom College is a four-year liberal arts college dedicated to offering young men and women a time-tested education and immersing them in a fully Catholic culture for the purpose of preparing them to go out into the world and "Restore all things in Christ!"
Siena School Choice Bulletin
Christine Accurso's expertise lies in Arizona's ESA and STO programs. She was an ESA mom herself for 9 years, a tireless advocate and defender of the program and she served as the State of Arizona's ESA director in 2023.
.png)
Therapeutic practice that provides faith-based counseling and coaching using Thomistic Psychology and other evidence-based interventions. Services are for individual, couples and families who want to heal, repair, grow in virtue and live authentically as God has designed.
The University of Dallas (UD) is a small, private, Catholic, liberal arts university in Irving, TX that provides top-tier education for students through a rigorous Core Curriculum, which includes a semester abroad in Rome, Italy.
At The Merry Beggars, we're dedicated to providing exceptional audio entertainment for the whole family. As the entertainment division of Relevant Radio, our vision is to support families in building beautiful culture in their homes, and to become the most trusted family entertainment brand in America by serving Christian and Catholic families with life-giving entertainment.
Offering an authentic Catholic liberal education on two beautiful campuses, one in Southern California and a second in Western, Massachusetts, Thomas Aquinas College is known for its curriculum of original texts and discussion/seminar method of teaching.
EWTN Global Catholic Network is the world’s largest religious media network and includes television, radio, internet, social media, newspaper, and more.
The Art of Food
Aveen Toma
Ave Maria University
Benedictine University
Catholic Academy
for Life Leadership
Catholic Heritage Curriculum
Diocese of Phoenix Catholic
Cemeteries & Funeral Homes
Exquisite Religious Art
FiAt Productions
Franciscan University
of Steubenville
Hammer and Strings
Conservatory
Lux Via Mama Maria
Institute for Excellence
in Writing
Ignatius Press
John Paul the Great
Catholic University
Mary College at ASU (UMary)
Merciful Grace Creations
Morning Star Customs
Regina Caeli Academy
Ruah Woods Institute
Sacred Heart Embroidery
Shake Shock Press
St. Cecilia Youth Orchestra
Saintly Heart
San Juan Diego Institute
ESA Education Project
Teach to the Text
Telos Art
We Carry You Still
Witness to Love
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
Can we bring children to the conference?
Babes in arms only please.
Is there Mass and confession available on site?
Holy Spirit Mass Times
Saturday Morning 8am, Vigil starts at 4:30 pm.
Confession is 3:00 pm Saturday.
Can I bring items to give away or sell?
There will be a book swap a the conference where many people donate used items. You also have the opportunity to sell items. You can sign up at registration.
How can I find out more information about being a sponsor and/or vendor?
Please email us at phoenixcatholichomeschool@gmail.com with any questions.