What is the Faith and Reason Conference?
Each Faith and Reason Conference explores a different area of study for PK-12, by considering the foundational theological, philosophical, and pedagogical principles that inform a distinctively Catholic approach to teaching these subject areas. From February 13–15, 2023, we will host the first Faith and Reason Conference at The Catholic University of America, on the topic of “The Arts in Catholic Education.” This conference will bring together 350+ PK-12 Catholic school teachers, leaders, catechists, and homeschooling parents for a one-of-a-kind formation opportunity that will include liturgical prayer, plenary sessions, breakout sessions, concerts, master classes, and invited exhibitors and vendors.

Who is invited to the Faith and Reason Conference?
ITCE is excited to bring together PK-12 Catholic school teachers, leaders, catechists, and homeschooling parents from around the country for a one-of-a-kind formation opportunity! While this year’s Faith and Reason Conference is focused on the arts, it is not intended solely for music, art, and drama teachers but for everyone who wants to explore and grow in appreciation of the distinctive gift of the arts in a Catholic education. 

Please note that no one under the age of 18 is permitted to attend the Faith and Reason Conference.

Why the Arts in Catholic Education as the conference theme?

As Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger said in 2002: “The true apology of Christian faith, the most convincing demonstration of its truth against every denial, are the saints, and the beauty that the faith has generated. Today, for faith to grow, we must lead ourselves and the persons we meet to encounter the saints and to enter into contact with the Beautiful.”

During these three days, we aim to inspire and support educators, catechists, and parents to appreciate the value and gift of the arts in education through the communal experience of beautiful celebrations of the Liturgy, theological and philosophical reflection, and practical applications for classrooms and schools. We pray that all of our participants will return to their school communities renewed, supported, and encouraged for their work of education and evangelization.

Monday, February 13, 2023
8am | Check-In
7am & 8am | Mass at the National Basilica
9:30am | Opening prayer, welcome remarks, and plenary 1
11:30am | Lunch and plenary 2
1:30pm | Breakout sessions 1
2:45pm | Break

3:15pm | Breakout sessions 2
5:00pm | Vespers
6:00pm | Dinner and plenary 3
8:00pm | Concert

Tuesday, February 14, 2023
7:30am | Breakfast
9:00am | Plenary 4 and St. Luke Sponsor
11:00am | Mass
12:00pm | Lunch and concert 2
1:30pm | Breakout sessions 3
3:30pm | Cultural opportunities and concert 3
6:30pm | Keynote dinner and St. John Paul the Great Sponsor

Wednesday, February 15, 2023
7:30am | Breakfast
9:00am | Masterclass
12:00pm | Lunch and plenary 5
3:00pm | Closing Mass

What is the cost to attend the Faith and Reason Conference?
Registration for the conference is $400 per person. With this ticket, you will have access to attend all four plenary sessions, all three breakout sessions, a masterclass, and three concerts performed by CUA’s Benjamin T. Rome School for Music, Drama, and Art. In addition, all meals are provided (two breakfasts, three lunches, and two dinners). Registration fees do not include hotel accommodations.

How do I register for the conference? 

You can register on this page.

May I pay the registration fee by check?

Yes, ITCE will accept check payments for conference fee registration. Simply select this payment option when you register.

Please email itce-events@cua.edu if you need us to send you an invoice.

Can we use Title II-A professional development funds for this conference?
Title II-A funds for professional development under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) may be available for you to attend the Faith and Reason Conference. These funds may be used to pay for the “secular, non-ideological” sessions that the participant attends. Requests must be made to the local school district office (LEA) that controls the government funding for these programs. Typically, the registration fee is paid directly to The Catholic University of America by the LEA. Schools will be responsible for all registration fees if payment is not made by the local educational agency (LEA) by June 30, 2023.

For those schools that wish to pursue this funding route, please have your LEA contact itce-events@cua.edu. Detailed conference schedule and other information will be available in December.

However, since space is limited and this process can take some time, it is strongly recommended that schools consider engaging donor support in funding attendance at this once-in-a-lifetime formation experience.

Payment and Cancellation Terms:

Please send cancellation requests to itce-events@cua.edu. Individuals requesting a refund prior to or on December 16, 2022 will receive a refund of 50% of the fees. Refunds will not be granted after December 17, 2022. Registrations can be gifted to another individual or transferred to a future conference.

We reserve the right to cancel due to low enrollment, inclement weather, or other circumstances which would make the event non-viable. If we cancel the event, all registrants will be able to apply the fee to a future conference or receive a full refund. If the event is postponed or rescheduled, no refunds will be provided.

Photography and Videography:

By registering for this event, you are authorizing the Institute for the Transformation of Catholic Education (ITCE) and The Catholic University of America to use any photos and/or video taken of you during the event for future marketing/promotion.

Please note that guest parking is available on CUA’s campus. You will receive more information on parking options after you register.

BY CAR 

Driving from the West, I-66
I-66 from Virginia empties onto Constitution Avenue. Continue east on Constitution Avenue and turn left on 6th Street, NW. Turn right on E Street, NW. Turn left on North Capitol Street. Drive approximately 2 miles and turn right on Michigan Avenue, NE. You will soon see the dome of the Basilica on your left marking a university entrance at 4th Street, NE.

Driving from the South, I-95
When I-95 intersects the Capital Beltway in Springfield, Virginia, follow I-395 North. After crossing the Potomac River, take the “Route 1 North” exit. The road becomes 14th Street, NW. Turn right on Constitution Avenue. Turn left on 6th Street, NW. Turn right on E Street, NW. Turn left on North Capitol Street. Drive approximately 2 miles and turn right on Michigan Avenue, NE. You will soon see the dome of the Basilica on your left marking a university entrance at 4th Street, NE.

Driving from the East, Route 50
Take Route 50 West (becomes New York Avenue) and exit on South Dakota Avenue. After approximately 1.3 miles, turn left onto Monroe Street. Follow Monroe Street until it merges with Michigan Avenue. You will see the dome of the Basilica on your right marking a university entrance at 4th Street, NE.

Driving from the Northwest, I-70 to I-270
From Frederick, Maryland, take Exit 53, I-270 South to Washington. I-270 divides. Take the 495 East, Silver Spring/College Park exit (two left lanes). You will eventually feed onto the beltway, I-495. Continue on I-495 and take Exit 22 B, the Baltimore/Washington Parkway. Continue traveling south on the Parkway and exit at Route 50 West. Take the South Dakota Avenue exit. After approximately 1.3 miles, turn left onto Monroe Street. At Michigan Avenue, Monroe Street ends. Bear left and you will see the dome of the Basilica on your right marking a university entrance at 4th Street, NE.

Driving from the North, I-95 to I-495
Follow I-95/I-495 South to Exit 22B, the Baltimore/Washington Parkway. Continue traveling south on the Parkway and exit at Route 50 West. Take the South Dakota Avenue exit. After approximately 1.3 miles, turn left onto Monroe Street. Monroe Street ends at Michigan Avenue, NE. Bear left and you will see the dome of the Basilica on your right marking a university entrance at 4th Street, NE.

BY TRAIN

From Amtrak at Union Station
Metrorail (recommended): Take a red line train (direction of Glenmont) three stops to the Brookland-CUA station. Exit to the left when leaving the station. Taxi services also are available outside the main entrance to Union Station.

FROM AREA AIRPORTS

Visitors to the University arriving at local airports have a variety of choices in getting to campus. Rental cars, taxis and mass transit are available to transport visitors to Catholic University and downtown D.C. The information and links below will help you plan your travel.

Reagan National (DCA)
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is the closest airport to Catholic University. Upon arrival visitors can take a taxi, Metrorail or rental car to reach campus.

Metrorail is the fastest and easiest way to reach campus. Travelers take Metro’s yellow line to the Gallery Place/Chinatown station, transfer to the red line, in the direction of Glenmont, and arrive at the Brookland-CUA metro stop. Travel time is approximately 30 minutes.

Taxis from National to Catholic University are also available with an approximate travel time of 20 minutes.

Baltimore/Washington International (BWI)
Visitors to Catholic University arriving at BWI on a weekday, can take the Marc train to Washington’s Union Station or the B30 Metro bus to Greenbelt Metro Station. From there board Metro’s red line, in the direction of Glenmont, and take it to the Brookland/CUA stop.

Visitors to Catholic University arriving at BWI on a weekend, who wish to arrive by rail, need to take Amtrak to Union Station. From there board the Metrorail red line, in the direction of Glenmont, and take it to the Brookland/CUA stop.

The Super Shuttle is another way to access CUA from BWI. The shuttle takes you from the terminal and delivers you to the Catholic University campus in about 45 minutes.

A number of car rental companies have operations at BWI.

Taxis from BWI to CUA are readily available with a travel time of approximately 45 minutes.

Dulles International (IAD)
The Silver Line Express Bus is an affordable and expedient way to travel from Dulles to Washington. Leaving every 15 minutes, the express bus delivers visitors to the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station connecting them to Metrorail. Continue on the Metro to the Brookland/CUA station on the red line. The trip from Dulles to Catholic University via the express bus and Metrorail is approximately 70 minutes.

The Super Shuttle is a convenient way to access CUA from Dulles. Picking you up at the terminal, the shuttle delivers you to Catholic University in about an hour.

Taxis are also available. Travel time to the CUA campus is about 50 minutes.

Each registrant is responsible for securing overnight accommodations. Please visit CUA’s campus travel website for special rates on local hotels.

If you choose to book a vacation rental, you may find it helpful to enter “Brookland, Washington, DC” for housing within CUA’s neighborhood.

Will there be modifications for food allergies and/or dietary restrictions if needed in my meals?
Our caterer is prepared to make dietary accommodations for gluten, dairy, or meat restrictions.

Will Mass be offered at the conference?

Yes, the 2023 Faith and Reason Conference schedule includes daily Mass opportunities.

What is the dress code?

Dress for the Faith and Reason Conference is business casual. Please bring appropriate shoes and outerwear to walk comfortably outdoors around CUA’s campus and in consideration for the winter season. The weather in Washington D.C. during February tends to be cold with temperatures between 30°F and 44°F.

Is there an option to participate virtually?

Participation in this conference requires in-person attendance.

We hope you can join us for ITCE’s inaugural Faith and Reason Conference. If you have any questions that are not answered on this website, please reach out to us at itce-events@cua.edu. God bless you!