Philip Rivers
Philip Rivers is one of the NFL’s most accurate and prolific passers for more than a decade. Philip is the quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers ( formerly the San Diego Chargers ) of the National Football League (NFL).
Born December 8, 1981, Philip played college football at North Carolina State University where he set numerous school records and led the team to four consecutive bowl games and winning 3 of them. Some of his football statistics are also among the leaders in Division I-A college history.
Philip was drafted by the NFL New York Giants with the 4th overall pick in 2004 and was traded to the San Diego Chargers at that time. Rivers’ career passer rating is among the best all-time among NFL quarterbacks with at least 1,500 passing attempts. Rivers is ranked 4th all-time in consecutive starts by a quarterback in NFL history. Rivers led the Chargers to a 14-2 record in his first season as a starter in 2006.which led to his selection to the 2007 NFL Pro Bowl.
Rivers continues to play for the NFL Chargers and has set a number of NFL records and team records which have resulted in numerous awards and honors during his career. In 2001, Philip married Tiffany, his junior high school sweetheart, and they reside in San Diego with their eight children.
Fr. Donald Calloway
Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, is a member of the Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception located in Stockbridge, MA.
He was a high school dropout who had been kicked out of a foreign country, institutionalized twice, and thrown in jail multiple times. After his radical conversion to the Church, he earned a B.A. in Philosophy and Theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio and received additional degrees from the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC, and from the International Marian Research Institute in Dayton, Ohio.
He was born June 29, 1972 and ordained to the priesthood on May 31, 2003. Fr. Donald Calloway exhibits an unmistakable zeal for the faith and is a well known speaker on Divine Mercy and the Blessed Virgin Mary. He speaks passionately about these topics in his moving conversion story.
Fr. Calloway has written many academic articles. He is also the author of numerous books including:
– No Turning Back: A Witness to Mercy
– Champions of the Rosary: The History and Heroes of a Spiritual Weapon.
Jeff Cavins
Jeff Cavins is recognized both nationally and internationally as one of the most effective and engaging speakers In the Church today. Few can communicate their love for Jesus Christ with as much zeal, clarity, and enthusiasm as Jeff Cavins. In addition to his outstanding presentations related to Catholic Bible study, Jeff speaks on a variety of other faith-formation topics.
After twelve years as a Protestant pastor, Jeff returned to the Catholic Church. His conversion story, one of the best known and inspiring stories of its kind, is chronicled in the best-selling book, My Life on the Rock. Over the past several decades, Jeff has dedicated his life to developing The Great Adventure: A Journey through the Bible, a practical, interactive program that helps people read the “big picture” of God’s plan in Sacred Scripture and understand its meaning for their lives. The Great Adventure presents the entire sweep of the Bible in a way that is easy to understand and genuinely fun. Its unique Bible Timeline learning system has revolutionized bible Study for hundreds of thousands since 1995. In its video and audio formats, The Great Adventure is being used currently in parishes all across North America
Jeff has been a leading figure in Catholic media for over two decades and has appeared as a guest or host on Catholic radio and television hundreds of times. For six years, Jeff produced and hosted “Life on the Rock,” a live talk show for young adults on EWTN. Jeff was also recently employed by Relevant Radio™ to host a nationally broadcast, live, drive-time show called “Morning Air.”™
Cavins received his MA in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville and has authored a number of books including My Life on the Rock, Walking with God: A Journey Through the Bible, I’m Not Being Fed, the Amazing Grace Series, Praise God and Thank Him: Biblical Keys to a Joyful Life, and When You Suffer. Jeff Cavins (born November 8, 1957) and his wife Emily reside in Minnesota with their three daughters.
Rebecca Roubion Czarka
“Rebecca Roubion writes with wit, passion and talent, and I admire her performing ability as well as her songs.” – Michael Feinstein, NPR Music
Raised in the Heart of Dixie, Rebecca Roubion’s songwriting and piano playing stem from her creole roots in Mobile, New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Carol King and Eva Cassidy are anything but strangers, and while she borrows from these soulful matriarchs of yore, there’s something fresh and enticing about her interpretation of folk-infused indie-pop.
Her move to Nashville in 2010 resulted in the release of her duet of debut concept EPs, “Fields” and “Forests.” After her 2014 single “Break” was featured on Fox’s TV show “Bones”, she signed with Dualtone Music Group for TV and film licensing and distribution. Many of her other songs have been featured on major network shows, and she recently released her first LP “Sleepless Nights,” an organic but modern pop project produced by Lincoln Parish of Cage The Elephant.
Through her music, Rebecca met her husband, Chris Czarka, as he was invited by a friend to her show in Nashville. Their mutual love for Jesus, their devotion to Mary and their zeal for the Catholic faith were the first of many things they shared in common. Chris studied for the priesthood with the Legionaries of Christ and was a seminarian for 11 years, serving the youth in NY, Canada, Mexico, California, Colorado and Rome. He met Rebecca a year or two after discerning out of seminary, and the couple became acquainted through extreme activities such as cliff jumping, white water rafting and sky diving.
Chris and Rebecca shared another adventure when in May of 2016, they were joined in holy matrimony. The Czarka’s currently reside in Nashville with their beautiful baby girl, Edith. Rebecca’s song “Mother’s Love,” a song she wrote about motherhood, is featured in the film. She continues her music pursuits in Nashville, and Chris works as a project manager for local kitchen cabinet business Cabinet Makeovers.
Deacon Henry O. Reyes
Originally from Puerto Rico, Deacon Henry O. Reyes, M.Ed., M.A., is a husband and father, Deacon, business man, and founder and director of an educational apostolate known as Apostles of Truth in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He offers presentations, education, formation, training and consultation services for retreats, classes, workshops, seminars, days of reflection and talks in English or Spanish, for youth and adults. He is also a columnist for the Catholic Herald Newspaper in Milwaukee where he writes the “Faith and Family” column.
Deacon Henry was ordained in September, 2016 in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and currently serves at St. Anthony of Padua and St. Hyacinth Parishes. He is a Doctor in Ministry candidate at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Illinois. He is also a home school educator at Immaculate Heart of Mary Home School in Franklin, Wisconsin, where he lives with his wife and five children. Deacon Henry has a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Saints, the Holy Scriptures and the Holy Mass.
Bishop Oliver Dashe Doeme
Born in 1960 and ordained a priest in 1997. He was appointed and then ordained the Bishop of Maiduguri, Nigeria.in 2009
While in prayer, in December of 2014, Jesus Christ appeared to Bishop Doeme in a vision with a message for peace. In the vision, Jesus didn’t say anything at first, but extended a sword toward him, and he in turn reached out for it. “As soon as I received the sword, it turned into a rosary,” according to the Bishop said, adding that Jesus then told him three times: “Boko Haram is gone.”
Bishop Doeme says he is being driven by this God-given mandate to lead others in praying the rosary until the Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram disappears.
Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers
Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers – known around the world as the “Dynamic Deacon” – is one of the most sought-after speakers in the Church today. He is a powerful and passionate evangelist and preacher whose no-nonsense approach to living and proclaiming the Catholic faith is sure to challenge and inspire those who hear him.
Deacon Harold travels across the United States and around the world speaking at conferences, workshops, retreats, parish missions, high schools, and young adult events – in short, to people of all ages and from all walks of life who desire to know Jesus intimately and enjoy a deeper personal relationship with Him.
His areas of expertise include marriage and family life, discerning the will of God, the sacraments, the Church’s vocational choices and how they are lived out, male spirituality, pro-life issues, evangelization, prayer, and many others.
Deacon Harold holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame, and a Master of Theological Studies Degree from the University of Dallas. He co-hosts a weekly broadcast, “Living Stones,” every Monday on Mater Dei Radio, and has appeared as a guest on numerous other national and international radio programs, including “Catholic Answers Live” and “Vocation Boom Radio.” In addition, he is the host or co-host of several popular series on EWTN television, including “Made in His Image: Family Life Today,” “Priests and Deacons: Ministers of Mercy,” and “Grace Filled Living.” Deacon Harold is also the author of the best-selling book, Behold the Man: A Catholic Vision of Male Spirituality published by Ignatius Press.
Retaining a deep love of Benedictine spirituality that he gained during his time discerning a call to that religious community, Deacon Harold is a Benedictine Oblate of Mount Angel Abbey. He is also a member of the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars and the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy. Most importantly, Deacon Harold is married to his lovely wife, Colleen, and they have four beautiful children. They live in Portland, Oregon, where Deacon Harold is assigned to Immaculate Heart Catholic Church.
Doug Barry
Doug Barry, devoted husband and father of five, is the founder and director of the Catholic ministry RADIX. Since 1992 he has traveled both nationally and internationally to help spread and defend the Catholic faith. Speaking to young and old alike through television, radio and live appearances, Doug is also well known for his powerful one-man performance of The Passion of Christ, which has been aired on EWTN and performed live both nationally internationally. Doug was co-host for EWTN’s television program ‘Life on the Rock’ for the past several years, and is currently host for EWTN’s brand new television program ‘BATTLE READY.’
BATTLE READY is a mission of RADIX to help strengthen and encourage the soldier of Christ to be Aware of, Prepared for and Engaged in the spiritual fight that we are in. Since the start of the BATTLE READY initiative, these BATTLE READY Rallies have been able to reach out to many hearts and souls and have offered a powerful opportunity to rally the troops for Christ and the faith!
Sr. Mary Samuel Handwerker OP
Sister is a native of Memphis, TN, and is one of the four founding Sisters of the Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of Eucharist in Ann Arbor, MI. Founded in 1997, the Community has grown to over 130 Sisters with Sisters teaching K through college throughout the United States as well as working in Rome. Sister has been in the educational field for over 40 years as both teacher and administrator. Among her other duties, she currently oversees the construction projects for the Dominican Sisters of Mary in their schools and increasing number of convents.
Kelly Wahlquist
Kelly is a dynamic and inspiring Catholic author and speaker whose gift of weaving personal stories and Scripture together with practical advice allows her audience to enter more fully into what Pope Francis has called us to do—to live the joy of the Gospel with missionary zeal.
She is the Assistant Director for the Archbishop Harry J. Flynn Catechetical Institute, a popular 2-year program that serves Catholic adults in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis in Minnesota.
Kelly is the founder of WINE: Women In the New Evangelization, a women’s ministry that invigorates Catholic parishes through inspiring, supporting, and nurturing women in the faith and by equipping and mobilizing women as intentional disciples of Christ.
She is a contributing writer for CatholicMom.com and The Integrated Catholic Life —an eMagazine about integrating faith, family, and work. Her new book, Created to Relate: God’s Design for Peace & Joy, encourages and inspires women to live fully their beautiful God-given gifts for building relationships and shows how doing so can draw others into a relationship with Christ and lead to a life of peace and joy. Kelly travels the country speaking on the New Evangelization in an effort to encourage all to spread the message of Jesus by living the joy of the Gospel. She enjoys speaking to all groups, but has a special affinity towards speaking at Catholic women’s conferences. She resides in Minnesota with her husband, Andy, and their three children.
Lydia LoCoco
Lydia LoCoco currently serves as Managing Director of Administration and Ministry for St. Jerome Parish. She previously served for seven years as the Director of the Nazareth Project for Marriage and Family Formation for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, as well as the Vice-President of Mission Integration for St. Anthony School, the nation’s largest Catholic K-12 school.
Lydia earned both her BA in Theology and Master in Theological Studies from the University of Dallas, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Every Friday morning at 9 am the “Lydia LoCoco Show” on Milwaukee’s Relevant Radio joins Archbishop Listecki’s “Living Our Faith” as part of the “Archdiocesan Hour.”
Archbishop Jerome Listecki
The Most Reverend Jerome Edward Listecki was named the 11th archbishop of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Pope Benedict XVI. He was installed as archbishop on January 4, 2010 by the Papal Nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Pietro Sambi.
A native of Chicago, Archbishop Listecki was ordained a priest on May 14, 1975. On November 7, 2000, he was appointed auxiliary bishop of Chicago by Pope John Paul II and was ordained a bishop on January 8, 2001. In addition, Archbishop Listecki is also a retired lieutenant colonel in the United States Army Reserves.
Archbishop Listecki previously served as bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse in Wisconsin and was installed as bishop on March 1, 2005. Born March 12, 1949, Archbishop Listecki is the son of Harry and Alfreda (Kasprzk) Listecki. They are both deceased. He has one sister, Mary (Penny), who resides in Tinley Park, Ill., a south Chicago suburb.
Nancy Salerno
Nancy is an inspirational speaker, author and mother of four young adults. She was born and raised in Milwaukee Wisconsin. In her moving talk, “Confessions of a Special Needs Mother”, Nancy unfolds her faith journey, revealing the incredible messages she has received from the Holy Spirit throughout her life and her internal struggle in raising her son, Nicholas, who was born with a rare form of Cerebral Palsy. Nancy has been a featured guest speaker throughout the Midwest, and recently the East Coast, for various missions, retreats, women’s groups, conventions and radio programs. She was recently filmed for an upcoming Lenten special for Shalom World TV. Nancy’s Marian consecration in 2013 was a turning point in her life and she treasures her deep devotion to the Blessed Mother. Her children’s story ‘Rusty the Elevator Dog” was recently published about her disabled son and his special Goldendoodle to help educate children about their special needs peers, as all are God’s children. She has served in many ministries as a parishioner at St. Anne Catholic Church in Pleasant Prairie Wisconsin for over 15 years. Nancy resides in Salem, Wisconsin with her husband Mark and her greatest accomplishments, her four beautiful children.
