PHC Mission
Vision
A sacred place to seek, find, and renew faith.
Mission
Provide a welcoming Catholic environment that serves local and faith communities through beauty, peace, and historical connection.
Core Values
Radical Hospitality
Devotion to the Blessed Mother
Restoration
Service
Historical Preservation
Community
The first of its kind, in a Georgia now gone.
By 1790, the former British colonies had risen up to create a new nation, the United States of America. It was then that a group of English Catholic families from Maryland, lured by the fertile lands and religious tolerance of Georgia, moved to what was then Wilkes (now Taliaferro) County and established a farming community. They called their settlement Mary Land.
Soon, French Catholics fleeing the revolution in their country and the slave revolt in Haiti joined them. Later, Irish settlers came, including the ancestors of authors Margaret Mitchell and Flannery O’Connor.
The little village of Mary Land eventually became known as Locust Grove. The settlers built their first church, literally just a log cabin, in the late 1790s. As the congregation grew, the log church was replaced by a larger frame structure in 1821. Sometime between 1818 and 1821, the first Catholic school in Georgia was chartered as Locust Grove Academy. It was to be the alma mater of three future governors of Georgia, including Alexander Stephens from nearby Crawfordville.
By the mid-1800s Locust Grove was the center of Catholic life in much of Georgia. The parish had grown to serve several remote “stations” (usually homes where Catholics gathered for Mass and confession). These were located in or near Washington, Crawfordville, Athens, Louisville, Sparta, and even across the Savannah River in South Carolina.
A new beginning and then…
By the time of the Civil War, the Catholic community in Locust Grove had migrated to the nearby town of Sharon, which had sprung up along the railroad that was built through the area in the 1850s. In 1877, the Church of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary moved to Sharon, which entailed the relocation of the wood frame church initially built in 1821 in Locust Grove Cemetery.
In 1883, with the old frame church no longer adequate for the parish’s needs, the present church was built. It was a bright, beautiful building, almost indistinguishable from Protestant churches of the time. Communicants arrived to a white clapboard church drawn by the peal of its bell, the same bell we hear today. Then, as now, towering double-hung sash windows let in generous amounts of light to the nave.
The Sharon campus grew to include a new school, Sacred Heart Seminary, which was run by the Sisters of St. Joseph from nearby Washington. Sacred Heart Seminary housed a convent, a boarding school for boys, and a day school for girls. The school operated until the 1940s. Sacred Heart Seminary originally stood on the property to the left of the church.
During the height of its prosperity, trains rolled in and out of Sharon laden with cotton from surrounding plantations. It was a bustling community well into the early 20th century, but the onset of the boll weevil during and after 1915 decimated the cotton economy in Georgia and Sharon. Plantations were sold. People moved elsewhere.
Over the course of the 20th century, the population of Sharon slowly dwindled, as did the number of Catholics there. In 2001, the Archdiocese of Atlanta downgraded Purification Church to station status under St. Joseph’s parish in Washington. In 2017, The Church of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary was designated as The Heritage Center of the Purification of the Virgin Mary. The church and both cemeteries are now maintained and operated by Purification Heritage Center.
Board of Directors
Betsy Orr, President
Judy Anderson
Ashley Andrews
Bill DeGolian
BJ DeGolian
Nancy Ewing
Amanda Hailey
Helen Young
Staff
Ginger DiMascio, Development Director
Mary Konieczny, Historic Preservation
Since its debut in 2021, the Saints Alive Podcast has quickly become one of the top podcasts in the world and go-to resources for quality Catholic content. Telling the stories of the saints in radio-drama fashion, Saints Alive aims to inspire and empower the next generation of saints. In a world with an endless amount of content but little that families can trust, Saints Alive has entertained families all across the world while also calling them to holiness.
Founders Alex Dee and Tanner Kalina will share a special, live Saints Alive interactive program with youth and families during the Star of the North Eucharistic Congress. For all ages!
After graduating from Texas A&M and pursuing an oilfield sales career Matt took a leap of faith and became the youth minster at his parish in Houston, Texas. He received a master’s in theology from the University of St. Thomas and is still sharing the Gospel with teens across the country. Matt and bride, Stephanie, started Survive and Thrive Ministries to share their story of healing and hope with other families. The Regitz clan, which includes their four kids at home and a daughter in heaven, Mary Clare, love soccer games, barbeques, minivan road trip, and the communal life.
Bob Rice
Bob Rice is an internationally known speaker, acclaimed musician, and innovative writer. He is a Professor of Catechetics and the Director of the Masters of Arts in Catechetics and Evangelization at Franciscan University of Steubenville. He has a PhD in Theology from Liverpool Hope University where he researched Catholic youth and evangelization. He is a highly sought after presenter at youth conferences, young-adult gatherings, men’s conferences, parish missions, and catechetical workshops. Bob has authored many books, articles, and award-winning scripts that have helped people come to a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith. Bob has recorded numerous CDs and leads worship for over ten thousand people every year, mostly through the Steubenville Adult and Youth Conferences. He is the host of EWTN’s Franciscan University Presents. Bob lives in Steubenville with his beautiful wife Jennifer and their seven adorable children. You can find out more about him at bob-rice.com.
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo
His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo is the metropolitan archbishop of Galveston-Houston and pastor to its 6.2 million people. He was elevated to the College of Cardinals in November of 2007 and served as a Cardinal-Elector in the Papal Conclave of 2013, which saw the election of Pope Francis to the See of Peter. He currently serves as President of the US Catholic Conference of Bishops, having been elected on November 15, 2016. He is a member of the Pontifical Council for Culture, the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, the Pontifical Council for the Economy, and is on the Board of Trustees of The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Jennifer Carr Allmon
Jennifer Carr Allmon is executive director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops (TCCB). She oversees the day-to-day work of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops including legislative activities, communications, convening and collaboration, and management. Allmon develops legislative strategy and relationships with diocesan staff and other legislative partners including developing and delivering legislative testimony and policy papers.
Allmon monitors all legislation filed and tracks legislation related to our policy priorities. She is available to provide training and technical assistance to dioceses and TCCB departments in review of and preparation for legislative session. She is also responsible for facilitating collaboration among the departments of the conference as well as supervising the coordination of the TCCB General Assembly.
Prior to this position, she served as the advocacy director at Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston where she was responsible for directing the agency’s public policy efforts. This included issues such as access to healthcare, immigration reform, and the needs of the poor and vulnerable. Allmon also served for four years as Catholic Charities’ HIV/AIDS education coordinator, where she developed and implemented HIV/AIDS and chastity education programs for Catholic parishes and schools in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.
Allmon has given presentations throughout the United States on the issues of substance abuse treatment and prevention, chastity, social justice, and advocacy. She has published numerous articles on HIV/AIDS education in a Catholic context and on various public policy and legislative issues. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from University of St. Thomas in Houston and is a Texas Certified Teacher. She has a master’s of arts in moral theology-bioethics and has completed the National Catholic Bioethics Center’s Bioethics Certification Program.
John Angotti
Keynote
John Angotti is a full time music missionary who travels throughout many parts of the world providing inspirational music and faith witness to all ages through concerts, workshops, retreats, missions, conferences, and worship. He is originally from Clarksburg, West Virginia, and now resides in Nashville, Tennessee. He is a graduate of West Virginia University and the U.S. Military School of Music, where he was a member of the U.S. Navy Band as lead vocalist. John received his Master’s Degree in Pastoral Studies from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago in 2013.
Amy McEntee
Sponsored by RCL Benziger/Kendall Hunt
Amy McEntee earned her MA in Theological Studies from the University of Dayton and has ministry experience in the areas of faith formation for children, youth, and adults. Amy has presented locally and nationally, particularly in the areas of catechist formation, young adult ministry, and technology in ministry. Currently, she is the project manager for RCL Benziger, a reluctant runner, and avid reader. She lives with her husband Patrick in Dayton, Ohio.
Kimberly Kay Cox
Kim has led the Father McKenna Center since November 2014. In that time she has focused the work of the Center on Case Management for the Day Program and healthy groceries for the Food Pantry. “It is a joy to work with such a strong team,” she writes. “The staff and volunteers are dedicated to seeing the dignity of each person who visits the Center and supporting his or her journey to stability and meaning in life.” Kim spearheaded the Slow Miracles Campaign to raise $4.5M for a total renovation of the lower level of St. Aloysius Church and enhancements to the programs, so that the Center can better meet the needs of their guests and those who rely on the Center each day. Kim holds a B.A. in Russian Language and Literature from the University of Iowa, a Masters in International Affairs from Johns Hopkins SAIS, and a Ph.D. in Economics from Duke University. For almost twenty years, she taught Economics at the university level.
Fr. Frank DeSiano
Sponsored by Paulist Evangelization Ministries
Paulist Fr. Frank DeSiano is president of Paulist Evangelization Ministries. He also serves as director of formation for the seminary as well as superior of the Paulist Fathers who live in Washington, D.C. Fr. Frank served as president of the Paulist Fathers from 1994 to 2002.
A national leader in Catholic evangelization, Fr. Frank served as a consultor for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Evangelization for more than a dozen years. He frequently travels across the country to give presentations on evangelization topics at national, diocesan, and parish gatherings. He has written numerous books on the Catholic faith focusing on evangelization and spirituality.
Fr. Frank is a native of the West Side of Manhattan in New York City where, as a boy, he was an altar server at the Paulist Fathers’ mother church, the Church of St. Paul the Apostle.
Richard’s passion to grow food comes from a long-line of filipino farmers. A Los Angeles native, Richard lives to see that no life or land is wasted in the City of Angels. Richard studied at St. John’s Seminary College and has extensive experience in pastoral ministry inside juvenile halls and prisons. As a pastoral minister, youth advocate, and urban farmer, Richard knows how growing food is a transformative way of bringing people together. Since completing an M.A. in Pastoral Theology at Loyola Marymount University, Richard incorporates principles of restorative justice into urban farming. Before launching Alma Backyard Farms, Richard initiated garden programs for schools and restaurants. Richard trains urban farmers to create beautiful landscapes, install raised beds, and grow food. As a skilled craftsman, Richard builds innovative outdoor structures that encourage outdoor living.
Erika is the Operations Director at Alma Backyard Farms. Having grown up in South Los Angeles, Erika witnessed how a community is fraught with challenges in education and food insecurity. Undeterred by these challenges, Erika pursued a degree in Education at Loyola Marymount University. Erika applied herself and studied to empower previously incarcerated women and men at Homegirl Cafe. Her years of social enterprise management ensures the integrity of Alma Backyard Farms’ mission and its financial viability. Erika’s talent for landscape design was further advanced through her work as Project Manager for a top-rated outdoor living company. Erika’s passionate about teaching families and children how to grow and cook culturally relevant meals.
Dulce M. Jimenez Abreu
Spanish Capstone Speaker
Sponsored by Sadlier
Dulce es la directora de mercadeo bilingüe de Sadlier, profesora y traductora con más de 25 años de experiencia en el campo de la catequesis bilingüe. Dulce jugó un papel fundamental en el desarrollo de los programas bilingües y en español de Sadlier, también ha presentado numerosos talleres sobre la integración de la cultura latina en la catequesis y formas prácticas para enseñar a niños bilingües. Tiene una maestría en ciencia sociales de la Universidad Estatal de Michigan, una maestría en literatura española de Lehman College y una maestría en educación religiosa de la Universidad de Fordham.
Mike Patin
Keynote Speaker
Mike Patin, “the Engagin’ Cajun”, is from Louisiana. He has spent over 30 years serving the church as a high school teacher, coach, diocesan staff person, and youth minister.
Since 2003, he has been a full time “faith horticulturist” — speaking across North America to young people and adults on connecting Catholic faith to everyday living, and living life faithfully and joyfully.
When Mike is asked how he likes to be introduced, his response is “as a man of hope and a struggling disciple of the Risen Jesus.”
Katherine Angulo
Capstone Speaker, Spanish
As the Program Director of the Thriving in Ministry Initiative supported by Lilly Endowment Inc., Katherine works to prepare pastoral leaders for long-term ministry in the Church and also directs the Bishop John M. D’Arcy Program in Priestly Renewal.
Born in Mexico and raised in Colombia, Katherine received a B.A. in Modern Languages in 2000 from King College in Tennessee and an M.A. in Pastoral Ministries in 2005 from St. Thomas University. She has more than 19 years of experience in youth ministry. She began as a Youth Minister at St. Mary’s Church in Johnson City, Tennessee, where she later became the Director of Pastoral Ministries. After nine years, she became the Director of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Raleigh. Before coming to the McGrath Institute, Katherine served for four years as the Associate Director of Youth Ministry at the Office of Formation and Discipleship for the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Angulo was the creator and editor of The Mark, a Catholic teen magazine, and the Executive Producer of the volunteer training program, Called to Accompany/Llamados a Acompañar. Currently, she is part of the Board of Directors for the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM).
Katherine lives in Granger, Indiana. She takes every opportunity to travel to new places but always makes it a priority to visit her family in Knoxville and Bogota.
Joseph White
Capstone Speaker, English
Dr. Joseph White converted to the Catholic Faith while in graduate school at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he received a Ph.D. in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology. He later studied Catholic Theology at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX. Dr. White served as a parish Director of Faith Formation for two years, and then worked for seven years as Director of Family Counseling and Family Life for the Diocese of Austin, Texas. He now works as Director of Catechetical Resources for Our Sunday Visitor Publishing and Curriculum and teaches courses in Catechetical Ministry at Holy Apostles College and Seminary. A frequent guest on Catholic radio and television, Dr. White has written twelve books and numerous articles about catechesis, Catholic education, and ministry. He is co-author of the Allelu and Alive in Christ religion series.
Sr. M. Johanna Paruch
Capstone Speakers, English
Sr. M. Johanna Paruch, FSGM grew up in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada. She is a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George. Sr. Johanna earned an undergraduate degree in deaf communication. She holds a BA in theology and elementary education from St. Louis University and an MA from the Angelicum, awarded after completing studies at Notre Dame Catechetical Institute. She also earned the Pontifical Catechetical Diploma. She has completed her doctorate at Maryvale Institute, Birmingham, England. Sister M. Johanna serves on the Executive Board of the National Advisory Committee for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, as well as serving as a consultant for the Bishops’ Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis and has served the Pontifical Counsel for the Promotion of the New Evangelization. Her book Mentors for the New Evangelization is now on its fourth printing.
Mark Mogilka
Pastoral Planning Consultant
Mark Mogilka brings more than 40 years of experience in diocesan offices to his clients. He began his distinguished career in campus ministry, Catholic Charities, and family ministry. The second half of his career has been spent working in diocesan and parish pastoral planning and leadership development. He has served seven different bishops over the years and has done work or presentations in over 50 dioceses in the US, Canada and in Rome.
Mark is a recipient of the Yves Congar Award for extraordinary service, initiative, and creativity in support of pastoral planning and/or council development. He was also named the 2017 Luzbetek Award winner from Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate.
Mark brings his experience and expertise in pastoral planning, consultation, facilitation, and leadership training and coaching to his clients. He also has deep insight into strategies for multiple parish pastoring. One of the things he likes best about Meitler is their history of delivering quality faith-based service to schools and parishes.
In his free time, Mark enjoys playing golf and pickle ball, traveling, and riding his motorcycle.
Did you know? Mark has recently combined two of his passions into a workshop for the Norbertine Center for Spirituality in his hometown, Green Bay, Wisconsin. The program is titled “Spirituality of Golf.”
Carole Eipers
Keynote Speaker
Sponsored by Sadlier
After earning his Master of Arts degree in Marital and Family Therapy with specialized training in Clinical Art Therapy from Loyola Marymount University, Ernesto Vega, M.A. ’05, M.A. ’16, chose to return to LMU for a Master of Arts degree in Theological Studies.
“I already knew the quality of the teachers at LMU,” Vega said. “Being exposed to different professors and styles of teaching sparked my imagination and opened windows and doors to keep exploring.”
Vega is pursuing an M.A. in Theological Studies to enrich his work with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, where he is currently a Coordinator of Spanish Adult Faith Formation Programs. His theological coursework has helped him better understand cross-cultural expressions of faith and Christianity, ultimately leading him to a newfound interest in Native American spirituality. He is currently working on his thesis project, which is related to encouraging Latina/os to pursue higher education.
Fr. Agustino Torres
Keynote Speaker
Father Agustino Torres, CFR, is a priest with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal based in the Bronx, New York. He is the founder of Corazon Puro, an organization dedicated to forming youth. He hosts the EWTN television shows Icons and Clic con Corazon Puro in Spanish. Father Agustino was one of the friars who founded Catholic Underground, an apostolate of the Friars of the Renewal, and the Casa Guadalupe (women) and JPII (men) houses of discernment. He is internationally sought to address topics such as the Church’s teachings about human sexuality, vocational discernment, and missionary discipleship.
Katie Prejean McGrady
Emcee
Katie Prejean McGrady is an international speaker, traveling to 38 states and three countries, and author of “Room 24: Adventures of a New Evangelist” and “Follow: Your Lifelong Adventure with Jesus.” She is the host of The Electric Waffle, a podcast of conversational chaos about culture and Catholicism. McGrady was one of three delegates chosen by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to attend the Pre-Synod gathering on Youth, Faith, and Vocational Discernment at the Vatican.
Jim Barrette completed his undergraduate degree at St. Mary’s University of San Antonio. He also holds a master’s degree in Pastoral Studies and an M.A. in Organizational Development, both from Loyola University, Chicago. Before arriving at the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston he ministered for 10 years in Catholic high schools, parishes, and retreat centers in Texas and Missouri. Formerly the Director of the Office of Youth Ministry, for the past twenty years Jim has served the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston as the Director of the Secretariat for Pastoral and Educational Ministries. In that role, he oversees nine pastoral and catechetical departments that provide training and support for parishes. In addition, he oversees three retreat centers and works directly with the Evangelization Commission, Parish Pastoral Council Development, the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council and Archdiocesan Pastoral Planning.
Jim has been joyfully married to his wife, Beth for over eleven years. Although Jim and Beth enjoy their involvement at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Parish, they also belong to a small faith community in Houston which nourishes their spiritual growth while drawing inspiration from the Marianist tradition.
Fr. Richard McNellie serves as Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Before stepping into this role, he spent three years at St. Martha Catholic Church in Kingwood. He enjoys bike riding and being outdoors. His goal in life is to become a saint, and he would love to walk with young adults who desire the same.
Most Reverend Cardinal DiNardo
Millennial Wisdom from the Church Fathers
His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo is the Metropolitan Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and pastor to its 1.7 million-plus Catholics (and the 6.2 million people within the Archdiocese) and 435 priests in 146 parishes and 59 schools spread over 8,880 square miles. His seats are St. Mary Cathedral Basilica in Galveston and the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston.
He is currently the President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and a member of the Pontifical Council for the Economy. He is also a member of the Pontifical Council for Culture, the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People and is on the Board of Trustees of The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Five Keys to a Fully Alive Faith
St Irenaeus famously said that “The glory of God is man fully alive”. We live at a time when many are not practicing their faith and yet are searching for meaning and values. Our Catholic faith offers us a vision of being fully alive through the love of a God who loves each one of us. What habits of discipleship can help us to become more alive and in love with our faith? What are some important spiritual principles for us to grow as disciples? Come join Julianne Stanz for a journey of joy through story, Scripture, reflection and practical insights.
Julianne Stanz
Storyteller, author, retreat leader and sea glass hunter, Julianne Stanz is the Director of Discipleship and Leadership Development for the Diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin. Originally from Ireland, Julianne is passionate about living a joyful Catholic faith and sharing her love of Jesus with the world. Julianne is a consultant to the USCCB Committee on Catechesis and Evangelization and author of the book “Developing Disciples of Christ” published by Loyola Press. She is also co-author with Joe Paprocki of the book “The Catechist’s Backpack- Spiritual Essentials for the Journey” also by Loyola Press and blogs monthly for the website “The Catechist’s Journey”. She is happily married to Wayne and they have three children, two sons and a daughter.
Fr. Leo Patalinghug
Is a priest member of a community of consecrated life, Voluntas Dei (The Will of God). He currently resides in Baltimore as the host of a weekly international TV show Savoring our Faith on EWTN, a bestselling author, radio and podcast host, and an internationally acclaimed speaker. His unique background as a two-time black belt martial arts instructor, award-winning break dancer and choreographer and an award-winning cook has caught the attention of many media and entertainment outlets, from ABC, PBS, NBC, FOX, the Cooking Channel, and also the Food Network where Fr. Leo defeated the world famous chef in a competition called, “Throw Down with Bobby Flay!” With an attention for making deep discussions more bite sizable, Fr. Leo and his movement, “Plating Grace” and the non-profit group, “The Table Foundation” is helping to bring our world together one plate of grace at a time!
Am I Really Built for This?
God blesses us with unique talents and abilities that are meant for us to use gratefully to build His kingdom. But how do we discover and develop these talents and abilities, and how do we support our loved ones as they discover and develop their gifts? In this session, we will discover how to name, claim and aim your talents to strengthen your relationships and to serve in your parish in the best capacities for you.
Kerry Ann Tornesello
Kerry Ann Tornesello is a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach and the owner of Engage Coaching, LLC. At Engage Coaching, she coaches people to develop their natural talents to empower them to be impactful. She specializes in working with managers and teams at small businesses to ensure the right people are doing the right things to improve productivity and job retention. She also coaches young adults and high school students to unleash their potential and build their self-confidence so they make good choices. And she loves working with faith-based communities to build parishioner engagement in ministry and service opportunities. As the Associate Director of Development in the Diocese of Charlotte, NC Kerry traveled the 46 counties of the Diocese promoting parish stewardship and meeting parishes where they were on their stewardship journeys: whether beginning the journey, getting back on the path, coasting, or speeding along. She also facilitated “Living Your Strengths” workshops in parishes across the Diocese. Kerry has presented at diocesan, regional, and international stewardship conferences. Kerry has a BA in English and Business Communications from DeSales University in Center Valley, PA, and an MS in Education from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. She, her husband, and son have been very active members of St. Therese parish in Mooresville, NC for 21 years and counting.
Dios, tu familia y tus finanzas
Como administradores, es nuestra responsabilidad administrar todas las bendiciones que Dios nos ha otorgado. Eso incluye a nuestras familias, hogares, trabajos y negocios. Una vez que las personas se dan cuenta y absorben totalmente la comprensión de nuestro papel como administradores, cambia toda su vida.
Luis & Maria Cristina Martinez
Venezuelan, Businessman, Industrial and Metallurgical Engineer as a profession and, married to Maria Cristina 25 years ago and with two children Luis Jose Jr. and Valeria. He has been living with his family in Florida for 17 years. He is a Lay Minister Commissioned by The Archdiocese of Miami for the Financial Ministry Compass, Emaus Brother and one of the Founders of Radio Maria Miami for South Florida. He belongs to the Stewardship Committee of his parish, St. John XXIII in Miramar, Florida, where he collaborates closely with his pastor, Father Ernest Biriruka. Together with his wife Maria Cristina, they have served for more than 10 years in the Compass Financial Ministry, first as students, then as Co-Facilitators and later as Facilitators, later as Coordinators for St. John XXIII Parish, and for the last four years they have been the directors of the Ministry for South Florida.
Going, Going, Gone: Where are the Young Catholics?
In their study, Going, Going, Gone: The Dynamics of Disaffiliation in Young Catholics, Saint Mary’s Press provides extensive research on young Catholics who have left the Church, identifying the underlying dynamics that lead to disaffiliation. Now we need to identify the practical pastoral responses and strategies that can enhance affiliation and engagement with the faith community and examine implications for the parish and school life, vocational discernment, stewardship, and pastoral ministry. Come ready to enter into candid, honest, and realistic discussions, both as ministry leaders and as caring individuals, as together we explore what it means to accompany young people on their spiritual journeys.
Robert J. McCarty, D.Min.
Bob McCarty is a pastoral ministry consultant and trainer and has been in professional ministry since 1973, serving in parish, school, diocesan, and national settings. He offers consultations, retreats, workshops and training programs in ministry skills and issues internationally. Bob serves as the project coordinator for the Saint Mary’s Press research project, Going, Going, Gone: The Dynamics of Disaffiliation in Young Catholics. His recent books are Thriving in Youth Ministry; The Vision of Catholic Youth Ministry: Fundamentals, Theory, and Practice; Be A Champion for Youth: Standing With, By and For Young People, co-authored with his wife, Maggie; and Faith Talk: Having Conversations with Young People That Matter! through Saint Mary’s Press. Bob is a volunteer in his parish youth ministry and catechetical program at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fulton, MD. Bob has a BS in Sociology/ Theology from St. Joseph’s University, an MA in Religious Education from LaSalle University and a D.Min. from the Graduate Theological Foundation in Indiana. Bob is adjunct faculty at The Catholic University of America and The University of Dallas. His hobbies include rock climbing, cycling, and grandparenting!
Hospitality CAN Increase Authentic Stewardship in the Young Church
Hospitality is the most overlooked aspect of engaging the next generation. Young people long for connection, engagement, and using their talents and gifts, but they are often never asked to share! In this presentation, we’ll explore the climate of this next generation of Catholics, and explore how hospitality can increase authentic stewardship in the young church.
Kimmy Zeiler
Is the Program Director at San Pedro Spiritual Development Center for the Diocese of Orlando. In her role, she envisions retreats, workshops, and spiritual development opportunities to offer the greater community. She hosts programs for all ages—from summer camps to senior days! She is an alumna of the University of Central Florida and received her Master in Theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio. Kimmy is a parishioner at Annunciation Catholic Church and records a podcast, “Fools for Christ” with fellow parishioner Daniel Boyd. The podcast is directed towards young adults and covers everyday topics, relating them to the faith. Kimmy serves on the board of directors for the Orlando chapter of Young Catholic Professionals, which connects adults in their 20’s and 30’s to other Catholics in the greater Orlando area interested in working in witness for Christ.
Introducing UPRISE: a new NextGen, Catholic Service and Generosity
A global social media volunteer movement was founded by Colleen in 2017, intended to engage NextGen adults offering generous works of mercy and charity to those in need, around the globe.
Colleen Mitchell
Colleen Durbin Mitchell is founder and principal of VENTURE3Philanthropy LLC, created in 2010. As a leading, global philanthropic advisory practice, “we co-design distinctive giving strategies for social impact.” Our client-centered, partnership approach is attractive to many. Responding to a greater service calling, our client offerings can include a faith-based, Catholic giving focus. Our passion remains the same — helping clients venture the nexus of society’s three sectors in ways that deepen the meaning of their mission, and uniquely advance their generosity for the greatest good. As a respected career professional in global philanthropy, Colleen’s work has spanned nearly three decades throughout the public, private and non-profit/ social sectors. Prior to establishing VENTURE3Philanthropy, Colleen served as President of NorthShore University Health System Foundation in Evanston, IL. For nearly a decade Colleen served as President of Whirlpool Foundation. Colleen designed and implemented a global education program, Women: The New Providers, reflecting a North American and Western Europe, multicountry social research and public awareness initiative, published in eight countries and five languages. The global studies generated more than one billion media impressions in their first year, valued at $36M, covered in respected media outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times and CNN, to name a few. Colleen’s early professional career began on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. She has served in multiple management positions including Public Affairs for IMCERA Group Inc. in Northbrook, IL where the team was awarded The White House Presidential Citation for Private Sector Initiatives for Colleen’s Community Partnership Program while serving as Executive Director of IMCERA Foundation. Colleen’s experience as a marketing and sales executive stems from her multiple executive roles in several global P & L. Colleen has presented before numerous global institutions; in the Vatican to the Papal Almoner, the United Nations Conference on Women in Beijing, the Labour Committee of the European Union in Brussels, the U.S. Department of Labor Glass Ceiling Commission, the National Commission on Working Women, the Global Summit of Women, to name a few. Regarding Colleen’s professional affiliations, she is currently a Member and active participant in the Advisory Cabinet of the Council of Michigan Foundations, and Member of the National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers, and numerous other boards and foundations. Colleen and husband Howard are active donors, volunteers, and parishioners of Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in Parnell, MI and are the proud parents of four lovely adult daughters. Colleen Mitchell earned a B.A. from The Ohio State University, cum laude.
Living God’s Financial Plan for Your Family
As stewards, it is our responsibility to manage all the blessings that God has bestowed on us. That includes our families, homes, jobs, and businesses. Once people realize and totally absorb the understanding of our role as stewards, it changes their whole life.
Jon & Evelyn Bean
Jon and Evelyn Bean were introduced to a non-denominational Bible Study teaching biblical financial principles over 25 years ago. Jon had tried to start a business, which was a complete failure! After 5 years they lost over $250,000. All of their IRAs and short-term savings were spent to make up for lost income. When the money ran out they turned to credit cards – and ran up about $35,000 in credit card debt, in addition to having two car loans and a home mortgage. They did everything wrong and made all the financial mistakes that could be made! Learning and applying the biblical financial principles had a powerful impact on both their financial and spiritual lives, and we felt called to take this message to Catholic Parishes. They feel blessed to serve in a ministry, which has such far-reaching value to so many people. They are passionate about their faith and their responsibility for spreading the word of God.
Testigos del amor de Dios; El V Encuentro en la vida parroquial.
We will review the five sessions of the V Encuentro process. We will discuss topics from the National Meeting. All the while bringing it to a parochial level to be “Missionary Disciples, Witnesses of God’s Love.”
Fr. Mathew Gomez
Fr. Matthew Gomez was born in Hialeah to Cuban parents. He attended Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Hialeah, Monsignor Edward Pace High School in Miami Gardens, St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami and St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach. He is the oldest of three and credits his vocation to his parents teaching he and his brothers that one hour a week was not enough for God, they had to give more. This lead Fr. Matthew to be involved in Youth Groups and Movements throughout his formative years (Awakening youth group at Immaculate, LIFE youth group at Pace, and Encuentros Juveniles, the Archdiocesan Youth Movement). He answered the Lord’s call to be a priest and entered seminary for the Archdiocese of Miami in August 2010. He had many experiences in the Seminary serving as a catechist, hospital chaplain, police chaplain and most recently one of the delegates from the Seminary for the V Encuentro. He was ordained a deacon on April 1, 2017, and a priest on May 12, 2018. He currently serves as the parochial vicar at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Kendall.
Stewardship and the Family
How often have you said to yourself, “Slow down! Life is a marathon, not a sprint!” However, raising a family is a marathon that’s paced like a 100 Meter Dash. Who has time to evangelize? But if families are the basic unit of society and the Church, then they are called to evangelize as a family, not in spite of the busy-ness, but through it. Come learn how being a steward of ordinary family life can help the domestic church to evangelize neighborhoods, parishes, and the whole world.
Brian Niebrugge
Brian Niebrugge has worked for the Archdiocese of St. Louis since 2001. He has served as Executive Director of Stewardship and the Annual Catholic Appeal since 2010. Prior to his current position, Brian served as the Director of the Annual Catholic Appeal from 2004 to 2010 and as Business Manager for the Office of Youth Ministry from 2001 to 2004. Brian holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Business from Fontbonne University. He also serves on the Board of the International Stewardship Conference and the Archbishop Carlson Adoption Fund. Brian, his wife Kathleen, and his six children belong to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Parish in Oakville, Missouri, where he serves as a basketball coach and leads a men’s study group. In addition to his diocesan stewardship efforts, Brian speaks to groups of all kinds on matters of family, fatherhood, and holiness in ordinary life.
The Seed of Grace
It seems in our current busy lifestyle, prayer is left out. How do we bring prayer back into the lives of our children and grandchildren, so that we can support the spiritual life of our families and foster the development of stronger relationships with Christ?
Gus Lloyd
Gus was raised in the Catholic faith, attending Catholic grade school and then public high school. In his teen years, Gus fell away from the practice of his faith. After attending International Broadcasting School, Gus began a career in radio. He married his wife, Michelle, in 1980. Gus and Michelle are the parents of four children and have been blessed with two grandsons. After five years in radio, Gus and his family moved to Florida. In 1984, after a near-drowning incident with their daughter, Gus and Michelle realized that they needed God in their lives. They began attending a non-denominational Bible church and grew in their love for the Lord. Soon after, they began to look into the Catholic Church. After much searching and study, both Gus and Michelle came to realize that the Catholic Church is the one true Church founded by Christ Jesus.
Gus became active in the Catholic Charismatic movement, and attended the Catholic School of Lay Evangelization, feeling a call to ministry. He produced an album of original Christian music. In 1992, he was asked to join the staff of WBVM, the Catholic radio station in Tampa, FL. He hosted a popular morning show there for nearly 13 years. In 2006, the Archdiocese of New York contacted Gus to host the morning show for The Catholic Channel, a new venture on Sirius Satellite Radio. He has been the host of Seize the Day since then. You can listen to Gus every weekday morning on Sirius XM 129. For the past 20 years, Gus has been a popular speaker at conferences, retreats and parish missions. He speaks on apologetics, evangelization, men’s issues, marriage issues and being a Catholic in the world today. Along with his daily radio show, which can be heard weekday mornings on Sirius XM 129. Gus published his first book in 2010, A Minute in the Church, a collection of one-minute Catholic apologetics teachings. His second book, Magnetic Christianity: Using Your God-given Gifts to Build the Kingdom, was released in February 2012. In 2013, Gus released A Minute in the Church Volume II One Minute Answers to Questions About the Catholic Faith, in September of 2015, A Minute in the Church: The Mass and A Minute in the Church: Life in Christ in January 2017. Nearly a million copies of the books in the A Minute in the Church series have been distributed around the world. He also writes his 60-Second Reflection, a daily meditation on the Scriptures. His Catholic Apologetics teachings, are available on CD or for download at www.guslloyd.com, have been heard all around the world.
iGen: Stewards of Post Christian America
They are the most diverse, technologically savvy, and largest generation in the United States and iGen is just beginning to make an impact. Spanning to anyone born as early as 1995, young people in iGen have religious attitudes and practices unlike we’ve ever seen and connecting them to not simply attend our parishes but become active and engaged members is a challenge few are prepared to face. This workshop provides an overview to the most important things you need to know about the generation that is leaving our Church faster than any other and how to not only serve them but empower them to use their gifts and talents to become stewards and evangelistic prophets in your parish.
Joel Stepanek
I have been actively and passionately involved in ministry for over ten years. What began as a simple internship in a parish youth ministry office evolved into an incredible adventure that led me on numerous middle school lock-ins, high school retreats, and conferences across the United States and the world. I am the Director of Resource Development for Life Teen International where I create engaging youth ministry resources for middle, high school, and college students as well as parents. I’ve traveled across the world training youth ministers and speaking to teenagers. I’ve been blessed to be the author of two books, “The Greatest Job on Earth: Seven Virtues of an Incredible Youth Minister” and “True North: A Roadmap for Discernment.” I am a regular contributor to the Youth Specialties blog and a member of the Franciscan University Steubenville Conference Speaking Team. To summarize: I’ve been very blessed to do a lot of really exciting things. I received a Master of the Arts degree in religious education with an emphasis in youth and young adult ministry from Fordham University. I am an avid Packer fan (and owner) who loves cooking, weightlifting, and reading whatever book I can get my hands on. Most importantly, I love spending time with my wife, Colleen, and my two children, Elijah Daniel and Sophia Grace. They are my greatest adventure.
La Hospitalidad: un don de dios a la familia humana
Dios no creó al ser humano para vivir en la soledad. La apertura de los seres humanos a su prójimo los ayuda a madurar en la jornada de sus vidas y los enriquece profundamente. De ese enriquecimiento personal surge el miniserio de la hospitalidad que se coloca con gozo al servicio de la Iglesia.
Fr. Juan Sosa
Father Juan Sosa was ordained in 1972 for the Archdiocese of Miami and was on two occasions assigned to the staff of the Cathedral of St. Mary before he was named pastor of St. James Catholic Church, while serving the Archdiocese as Associate Director of Religious Education (1975-1979), Associate Rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity (1979-1981) and Co-Director of the Permanent Deaconate Program (1979-1984). For decades, Father Sosa was invited to serve as Adjunct Professor and Spiritual Director at St. John Vianney College Seminary and, most recently, at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary. He was the Executive Director of the Ministry of Worship and Spiritual Life for sixteen years and is currently president of the Instituto Nacional Hispano de Liturgia and a Consultant to the Bishops’ Committee on Divine Worship as well as a member of its Subcommittee on Liturgy for Hispanic Catholics. A faithful contributor to the musical publications of Oregon Catholic Press, Father Sosa is also the author of several books in English and Spanish and a CD of his own compositions. Having served as Pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Church for almost 19 years, Father Sosa is currently the Pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church and Chair of the Archdiocesan Committee on Popular Piety.
Good St. Gabriel,
As a messenger of God,
you were privileged to ask Mary
to consent to be the Mother
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This message,
and her willingness to do God’s will,
are likely the most important
communications ever.
St. Gabriel,
We beg your intercession
for the work we do.
Pray that we remember
our mission of evangelization,
in every person we meet
and every task set before us.
Pray that we use even
the most mundane tasks
as an opportunity to introduce Christ.
Pray, we ask, that our work
instills faith, hope and love.
We ask this in the name of
Jesus Christ, Our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with God the Father Almighty
and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever.
Amen.
Lord God,
set our hearts ablaze
with a desire to live our faith fully
and to share it freely with others.
In our efforts to proclaim the Gospel,
help us to be joyful, credible witnesses to Christ.
Only with him can we transform ourselves
and the world we live in.
Open our hearts
to recognize the spiritual
and material needs
of our brothers and sisters,
to hear the cries of the poor,
and to be deeply moved
by the plight of all who suffer.
Show us the path to wisdom
through a response inspired by love,
humble and generous service,
and compassion toward all.
May everyone experience
the joy that comes from encountering Jesus.
Blessed James Alberione, pray for us.
Amen.
(Prayer: Copyright Daughters of St. Paul, Live Christ! Give Christ! Pauline Books & Media, Boston, MA. Used with permission.)
Michelle Benzinger
Beauty Ever Ancient, Ever New
Michelle Benzinger is a national women’s speaker, creative entrepreneur, and advocate for marginalized women and children. Michelle is the Creative Director and Visionary leader of Transforming Beauty, a women’s ministry created to invest in women who in turn invest in the world. Michelle and her husband, Chris, have served in global and domestic missions for the past 15 years with their six kids (two adopted from Haiti) and now reside in Pensacola, Florida.
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Fr. Josh Johnson
The Struggle is Real: Continual Conversion
While Fr. Josh Johnson was raised Catholic, he didn’t like the Church growing up. One day, in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, he fell in love with Jesus and received the call to become a priest. Now, Fr. Josh is the pastor for Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in St. Amant, Louisiana, the chair of Diocesan Commission on Racial Harmony in Baton Rouge and he is a presenter in four of Ascension’s programs: Altaration; YOU: Life, Love, and the Theology of the Body; Rejoice; and No Greater Love. He is also the author of Broken and Blessed and a contributing author of Power & Grace: A Guide to the Catholic Sacraments. You can keep in touch with Fr. Josh through his weekly podcast, “Ask Fr. Josh.”
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As part of the Catholic Church, Catholic Mutual is the leading provider of property, liability, and employee benefit coverage and related services for the Catholic Church in North America, currently serving more than 125 Dioceses and Archdioceses and 200 Catholic religious orders and institutions in the United States and Canada.
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Patrick Rivera
Give Me Crazy Love: Your Body and God’s Plans
Patrick Rivera is the Director of the Office for Young Adult Ministry at the Diocese of San Diego. He was born in California, raised in Tennessee, and studied in New Jersey at Seton Hall University where he also was a seminarian for the Diocese of Nashville. Not knowing what to do with a Philosophy Degree, he became an automotive technician before God called him into full-time ministry. Still a mechanic at heart, Patrick enjoys tinkering on anything that breaks. Lately, he has developed an ever-growing collection of 1940s manual typewriters, which he restores and uses daily.
For nearly two decades, Patrick has served at the parish, collegiate, or diocesan level. As a speaker, he draws insights from his time as a youth minister, young adult minister, parish lay pastoral associate, collegiate missionary, and worship leader, but most importantly, his first church, which is his wife Margot, and their five children ages 8 and under.
In 2016, he was invited by the USCCB to be a member of the National Advisory Team on Young Adult Ministry, which seeks to provide input and pastoral support to the bishops, parishes, and young adult leaders throughout the country.
Armando Cervantes
Master of Ceremonies
Armando graduated from the UC Irvine with a B.A. in Social Sciences with an Emphasis in Public and Community Service and has a Master’s in Pastoral Theology from the Loyola Marymount University. He has more than 10 years of professional experience; currently he is the Director of the Youth & Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Orange and is actively involved at the regional and national level with NFCYM and La Red.
Anna Betancourt
Music Director
Anna Betancourt is a supremely talented vocalist, cantor and choir director. She has more than 20 years of experience directing choirs, from Spanish and traditional choirs to handbell, children’s and contemporary ensembles. A graduate of Loyola Marymount University, she later returned to her alma mater to work as assistant director of liturgy and music. At the archdiocesan level, she has served as a music committee member, deanery representative and a member of the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress Liturgy Committee. Blessed with an extraordinary voice, Anna has recorded with many Catholic artists and composers, including Bob Hurd, Jaime Cortez, and Eleazar Cortés. Her first solo collection, Te Doy Gracias, features 12 popular contemporary Spanish and bilingual songs. Her collection Tomaré Mi Cruz presents inspiring songs for liturgy, worship groups or retreats. Anna is a lifelong member of St. Linus Catholic Church in Norwalk, California, where she served as music director for many years. She currently serves as music director at St. Polycarp Catholic Church in Stanton, California, and Spanish choir director at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels in Los Angeles. She and her husband have two children.
Steve Botsford
Happy APPy Hour
7:00- 8:00 Am
Steve is a National Religion is a National Religion consultant for William H. Sadlier, Inc. As a blogger, Steve explores catechesis and technology at TransformingCatechesis.com and contributes to We Believe and Share, published by Sadlier. He wrote Cultivating Faith, published in 2016, and his board game, Feast Day: The Liturgical Year Board Game (www.FeastDayGame.com), teaches the church year in a fun and entertaining way. In addition, Steve was part of the Digital Disciples Network committee which developed the Digital Disciple Technology Competencies for Ministry.
Andrea Chavez-Kopp
Happy APPy Hour
7:00- 8:00 AM
Andrea serves at the Assistant Director of Professional Development for the National Catholic Educational Association. She has 17 years of teaching and ministry experience and joined the staff of NCEA in 2015. Andrea has held several leadership roles in the schools and parishes where she has served including: Social Studies Department Chair, iPad Coordinator, Google Apps Administrator, Curriculum Team Leader, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry and Confirmation Coordinator. In her work at NCEA she produces and hosts their webinar content, serves as the NCEA representative on several national committees and works closely with Catholic partner organizations as well as speaking and presenting at a variety of conferences and events. She lives in Arlington, VA with her husband and 2 boys.