Greg & Julie Alexander

Greg & Julie Alexander are co-founders and co-directors of The Alexander House Apostolate, a Catholic, lay apostolate dedicated to proclaiming the beauty, goodness and truth of God’s plan for marriage. Greg and Julie have presented numerous workshops, seminars and talks to thousands of participants across the nation. Their breakthrough work in marriage and their story have been profiled in Patrick Madrid’s Surprised by Truth 3, One More Soul’s – Sterilization Reversal Book ~ A Generous Act of Love, Envoy Magazine, Catholic Herald, Denver Catholic Register, Zenit, Archdiocese of Chicago, Global Nation, Family Research Council and Our Sunday Visitor. Their 1st book Marriage 911: How God Saved Our Marriage and He Can Save Yours Too was released this summer by Servant Books and they taped their third series of Marriage Works in Christ earlier this month.

The Alexanders also served on the Parish Implementation Committee for the Bishop’s document Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan and their latest effort involves assisting parishes around the world in implementing a parish-based marriage ministry called Covenant of Love. The Covenant of Love currently exists in over 70 parishes in the US and several across the world.

Greg received his Bachelor’s in Photo-Communications from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas and Julie studied Business and Marketing at St. Edward’s University as well. Their greatest learning has come through their relationship with one another and their children. Greg and Julie have been trained in coaching and numerous marriage & parenting education courses and together they bring a passion for helping individuals and couples be the best they can be. As speakers they bring a culmination of church teaching coupled with their own marriage and family experience and present it in a practical and energizing way. They have been married for 24 years and have seven beautiful children.

Mr. Thomas Awiapo

Thomas Awiapo is the Global Solidarity Coordinator with CRS Ghana. He supports the development of relationships between communities here in the U.S. and communities in Ghana. He carries out these responsibilities by participating in the speaker tours and hosting official CRS delegations in Ghana. His story is a remarkable one. Orphaned before the age of ten, he was left on his own to struggle for survival. He was the second of four brothers; his youngest two brothers died of malnutrition and lack of care. Neither of his parents had gone to school and they had no intention of sending any of their children to school. Today, Mr. Awiapo is a graduate of the University of Ghana and holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from California State University at Hayward. At home in Ghana, he enjoys spending time with his wife and four children.

Mr. Awiapo grew up attending a CRS-supported school in Ghana that used to offer a snack and a lunch to children who went to school in his village. His hunger for education eventually led him to the U.S. to pursue his education. During his studies at California State University, he spent his free time telling his story to parishes and schools throughout Northern California. His story and presentations were so compelling that many asked him to return.

Mr. Awiapo’s village received help from Catholic Relief Service (CRS) through Operation Rice Bowl, the CRS program that connects prayer, fasting, and almsgiving with education about poverty and hunger around the world. Mr. Awiapo’s visits to the United States are sponsored by Catholic Relief Services as a way to thank Catholic communities for their support and to raise awareness about hunger, relief, development and Operation Rice Bowl.

Stephen Brown, Ph.D.

Stephen Brown, Ph.D. is an accomplished speaker and published writer, presenting at seminars and conferences throughout the nation. He has a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Education and Leadership. Stephen launched his career as a successful Fine Arts Chairperson and Development Director for Archbishop McCarthy Catholic High School and currently serves as the principal of Mary Help of Christians Catholic School in Broward County Florida. Dr. Brown has recently gained public attention as the Co-Founder of C.L.I.C.K. (Current Lessons Initiating Communication with Kids), a nationally recognized outreach program developed to educate kids about the modern challenges of technology.

Eileen Burke-Sullivan, STD (KEYNOTE Saturday October 29, 2011)

Eileen Burke-Sullivan, S.T.D. holds the Barbara Reardon Heaney endowed Chair in Pastoral Liturgical Theology, serves as Associate Professor of Theology, Director of the Master of Arts in Ministry program and Associate Director of the Master of Christian Spirituality at Creighton University, Omaha, NE.  She teaches undergraduate and graduate theology courses in Ignatian spirituality, liturgy and systematic theology.

Eileen completed her Pontifical Doctorate in Sacred Theology and Licentiate in Sacred Theology in the field of Ecclesiology (Theology of the Church) at The School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College, Boston, MA.  She has a Master of Music degree in Vocal and Choral performance from the University Of Colorado College Of Music and a Masters in Theology in Liturgy and Spirituality from Creighton.

For many years Eileen served as a full time pastoral minister in parishes and dioceses throughout the United States and Canada.  She served extensively as a liturgical director and consultant for parishes and dioceses in Nebraska, Texas and New England.  Before moving to Omaha, she was deeply involved in Jewish/Christian dialogue projects in Dallas and Boston.  

With her brother, Kevin Burke, S.J., Eileen co-authored The Ignatian Tradition published by Liturgical Press. Along with published scholarly articles, she has also written extensively in pastoral journals such as Today’s Parish, Pastoral Music, Liturgy Today and Human Development.  Eileen is married to Michael Sullivan a retired secondary teacher of history and social studies.

Dr. Michael Carotta

An author and nationally renowned speaker, Dr. Michael Carotta has worked with adolescents and their spiritual growth in educational, pastoral, and clinical settings for more than twenty-five years.

A long time catechist, Michael has also served as Diocesan Director of Adolescent Catechesis, Executive Director of the NCEA Department of Religious Education, and member of the Bishops’ Committee for the Revision of the General Catechetical Directory. With a focus on adolescent spirituality, Michael spent four years with at-risk youth as the Director of Religious Education at Girls and Boys Town in Omaha, Nebraska. Mike and his wife, Dr. Catherine Cronin Carotta, also do substantial renewal work, offering seminars inspired by their newest book Sustaining the Spirit: Responding to the Callings, Commitments, and Vocational Challenges of Your Life.

Author of more than forty articles, Michael’s work has appeared in a variety of publications including Momentum, The Catholic World, PACE, and National Catholic Reporter. His books include the newly revised Nurturing the Spiritual Growth of Today’s Adolescent, Sometimes We Dance, Sometimes We Wrestle: Embracing the Spiritual Growth of Adolescents, and The Work of Your Life: Sustaining the Spirit to Teach, Lead, and Serve—all published by Harcourt Religion Publishers. He also served as a Program Advisor for Call to Faith, a Grades 7 and 8 religion series published by Harcourt Religion Publishers.

Michael received his BS in Psychology at Southeastern Louisiana University, an MA in Religious Education at Loyola University in New Orleans, and an EdD in Leadership Education from Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky. He regularly teaches graduate courses on adolescent spirituality and catechesis at Boston College, Loyola University of New Orleans, St. John’s School of Theology in Minnesota, and Fordham University in New York.

Dr. Carotta is currently the National Advisor for Adolescent Catechesis for Our Sunday Visitor Curriculum Division, formerly Harcourt Religion Publishers.

Ken Doran

Ken Doran has over thirty years experience in catechetical ministry and holds a Master of Arts in Religious Education from Providence College. Ken has served as director of religious education at both the parish and diocesan level. His experience as a Catholic school teacher and catechist are valuable to his current service as a national catechetical consultant for the religious division of William H. Sadlier Publishing, Inc. Ken enjoys presenting keynote addresses and workshops at catechetical events for dioceses and other national Catholic organizations across the country.

Monsignor Raymond East (KEYNOTE Friday October 28, 2011)

Monsignor Ray East is the son of the late Thomas and Gwendolyn East. The grandson of Baptist missionaries to South Africa, he was born in Newark, New Jersey. Raised in San Diego, he graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in Business Administration. His position with the National Association of Minority Contractors brought him to Washington, DC where he later experienced a call to the priesthood and was ordained in 1981 by Cardinal Hickey. Father East has served in six Washington parishes before being named director of the Office of Black Catholics and Vicar for Evangelization. He is a member of the boards of Jobs Partnership Greater Washington and Food and Friends. He also serves on the board of St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, PA. He has worked in the areas of Liturgy, Youth Ministry, Initiation and Evangelization.

Fr. John Mary Foster MDM

Fr John Mary Foster MDM is a priest of the new contemplative and monastic community of the Mission of Divine Mercy, located near New Braunfels, Texas. He was ordained 23 years ago. He is not an expert in anything…

Reverend David H. Garcia

Rev. David H. Garcia is Senior Advisor for Clergy Outreach on the national staff of Catholic Relief Services. He serves as Archdiocesan Director of the Old Spanish Missions in San Antonio, Texas. The four 18th Century Missions are active parish churches and part of the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park. He also is serving as administrator of Mission Concepcion in San Antonio.

Born August 4, 1949, in San Antonio, Fr. Garcia was ordained a priest March 21, 1975. He attended San Antonio’s St Paul’s Elementary School and St John’s Seminary High School, where he was Valedictorian of the graduating class of 1967.

Father Garcia served as rector of San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio from 1995 – 2008. In his past ministries he has served the Archdiocese of San Antonio as Secretary to the Archbishop, Director of Administrative Services, Vocation Director, Rector of Assumption Seminary, Seminary Formation Faculty and pastor of two inner city parishes.

Father Garcia holds Masters Degrees in Theology and Institutional Administration from Notre Dame University, where he held a fellowship from 1972-1974. He is the recipient of the Notre Dame 2011 Cavanaugh Award recognizing an outstanding alumnus for public service. He was a Charles Merrill Fellow at Harvard Divinity School in 1994. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History (Magna cum Laude) from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, which named him Outstanding Alumnus in 2001.

Fr. Garcia has published articles, contributed to several books on religious topics, and has been a speaker at numerous national conferences. He was a past member of the USCCB Committee on Priestly Life and Ministry.

At San Fernando Cathedral, Father Garcia produced an award-winning weekly televised bilingual Mass, La Santa Misa, shown by satellite throughout North and South America. He produced and co-produced national and local television specials and videos. He was featured in the national PBS show Religion and Ethics News Weekly (April 2009) and the Today Show (July 2009), as well as San Antonio Magazine (February2010) and National Parks Magazine (Winter2010). He is the recipient of the 2011 Excellence in Media Award from Catholic Television of San Antonio.

Fr Garcia lead the successful $21 million restoration of San Fernando and expansion of its facilities and services and lead the successful $15.5 million campaign for the restoration and preservation of the Old Spanish Mission churches in San Antonio.

Fr Garcia is an ecumenical and interfaith leader in San Antonio, serves on several non profit boards, including the Mexican American Catholic College, and has been involved in community organizing as well as numerous civic projects, including the renovation of Main Plaza in downtown San Antonio, recently cited among the top ten public spaces in the country.

Lena & William Gokelman

Lena and William Gokelman have served as liturgists and music ministers for many local and national conferences, including the 1997 Southwest Liturgical Conference (for which they were co-chairs of the Liturgy and Music Committee), the Hofinger Catechetical Conference, the North American Academy of Liturgy, the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM), and the San Antonio Catechetical Conference. They present ‘Wedding Fare’ workshops to assist engaged couples in planning for their wedding liturgies, and give numerous workshops for liturgical musicians, cantors, and lectors throughout San Antonio and surrounding areas. Lena is the Director of Music Ministries at The University of the Incarnate Word, a board member of the Directors of Music Ministries Division of NPM, and the placement coordinator for the Alamo Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. William is Professor of Music and Chairman of the Music Department at the University of the Incarnate Word, and a composer/recording artist with Good For the Soul Music, LC.

Lena and William enjoy their most important roles as parents to their wonderful son Christopher.

Msgr. James Harris

Monsignor James Harris was born in Kingsville, Texas. He attended Corpus Christi Minor Seminary and the University of Dallas, receiving a B.A. in literature in 1981 and a Master of Divinity in 1985. He was ordained in 1985 for the Diocese of Corpus Christi, Texas. He has served in various parishes across south Texas. His present assignment is St. John Neumann parish in the Diocese of Laredo, Texas.

El Monsenor Harris nacio en Kingsville , Texas . Empezo sus estudios sacerdotales en el Seminario Menor de Corpus Christi y los termino en la Universidad de Dallas, recibiendo un Bachillerto en Literatura en 1981 y su Licenciatura en Teologia en 1985. Fue ordenado in 1985 para la diocesis de Corpus Christi , Texas . Ha servido en varias parrqoquias en el sur de Texas. Sirve actualmente en la parroquia de St. John Neumann en Laredo , Texas.

Father Martin J. Leopold

Father Martin J. Leopold serves as Moderator of the Curia for the Archdiocese of San Antonio and Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish. A priest for ten years, he has also served at Our Lady of Grace and Holy Spirit Parishes in San Antonio and St. James, Sacred Heart, and St. Patrick in Gonzales and Waelder.

Father Martin has deep Texas roots. He earned a Masters of Divinity from Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio and a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy from the Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome. He is currently enrolled in the School of Canon Law at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, where he is pursuing the Licentiate in Canon Law.

Mr. Daniel Lizárraga

Daniel Lizárraga is Catholic Relief Services’ Regional Director for the Southwestern United States. Based in San Antonio, he collaborates with dioceses and Catholic organizations to promote awareness of Catholic social teaching and global issues in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. Mr. Lizárraga received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame; a Masters of Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin and a Masters in Theological Studies from the Washington Theological Union in Washington, D.C. Before coming to San Antonio to open the CRS Southwest Office in 2005, he served for 10 years at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops with the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and later as Executive Director of the Secretariat for the Church in Latin America. He is married and has four children.

Father Heliodoro Lucatero

Fr. Lucatero was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Spokane, Washington in 1986. He is a native of Colima, Mexico. His theological studies were done at the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium. After thirteen years of parochial ministry in astern Washington, he pursued graduate studies at the University of Notre Dame, obtaining a PhD in liturgical studies. Fr. Lucatero has served as chair of the Northwest Regional Office for Hispanic Affairs and the National Hispanic Institute of Liturgy. He presently serves on the Hispanic Sub-Committee of the Bishop's Committee of Divine Worship and is a member of the advisory board of the National Hispanic Institute of Liturgy. Fr. Lucatero is currently the Director of the Office of Worship for the Archdiocese of San Antonio and Pastor of St. Michael Parish, San Antonio.

El Padre Heliodoro Lucatero fue ordenado sacerdote para la Diócesis de Spokane, Washington en el año 1986. Nació en Colima, México. Realizó sus estudios de teología en al Universidad Católica de Lovaina en Bélgica. Después de trece años de ministerio parroquial en el este del estado de Washington, hizo sus estudios de postgrado en la Universidad de Notre Dame obteniendo así su doctorado en estudios litúrgicos. El Padre Lucatero ha servido como presidente de la Oficina Regional del Noroeste para Asuntos Hispanos y el Instituto Hispano Nacional de Liturgia. En el presente sirve en el subcomité para los Hispanos y la Liturgia del Comité Episcopal para el Culto Sagrado de la Conferencia Episcopal de los Estados Unidos (USCCB), también es miembro de la mesa ejecutiva del Instituto Hispano Nacional de Liturgia. En el presente es director de la Oficina de Culto Divino de la Arquidiócesis de San Antonio y párroco de la comunidad católica de San Miguel Arcángel también en San Antonio.

Diana Ochoa-Johnson

Diana Ochoa-Johnson has been the Director of Counseling Services for St. Peter-St. Joseph Children’s Home for 7 years. Diana has a 25 year career in mental health therapy and senior management in non-profit behavioral health/social service agencies. She is married, and has a 21-year-old daughter. Diana is a parishioner of Holy Spirit Church in San Antonio.

Carlos Rosas

Carlos Rosas, a pioneer and expert in hispanic liturgical music, was born in Linares, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. He studied music and liturgy as part of his fonnation to the priesthood at the Archdiocesan Seminary of Monterrey, Mexico.

Carlos has worked as Music Director and Liturgy Coordinator for the Mexican American Cultural Center in San Antonio; Coordinator of Comunidades de Base for the Diocese of Phoenix; Director of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Baker in Bend, Oregon; Choir Director for Nuestra Senora de San Juan de los Lagos in San Antonio; Choir Director for the Coro Popular of San Fernando Cafhedral in San Antonio.

As a composer, Carlos has written a good number of songs many of which have been Published by Oregon Catholic Press. Some of his favorits include Donde Nace la Flor, Danza de Ofertorio and Padre Nuestro. Among his latest Publications are "Grita de Alegria", a collection of psalms for the liturgical year; and "Luz Perpetua" which include five of his most recent compositions, among them "Yo Soy el Pan de Vida" and "En La Casa de Mi Padre".

Carlos is now Choir Director at Our Lady of fhe Angels in San Antonio and also at San Fernando Cathedral for the Misa Sabatina at 8:00 a.m. on Saturdays.

CARLOS ROSAS, pionero y experto en música litúrgica hispana, nació en Linares, Nuevo León, México. Estudió música y liturgia como parte de su formación sacerdotal en el Seminario Arquidiocesano de Monterrey, N.L., México.

Carlos ha desempeñado el puesto de Director de Música y Coordinador de Liturgia del Centro Cultural México-Americano de San Antonio; Coordinador de Comunidades de Base en la Diócesis de Phoenix; Director del Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Baker en Bend, Oregon; Director del Coro de Nuestra Señora de San Juan de los Lagos en San Antonio; Director del “Coro Popular” de la Catedral de San Fernando de San Antonio.

Como compositor, Carlos ha compuesto un buen número de canciones, muchas de las cuales han sido publicadas por la Prensa Católica de Oregon. Entre sus favoritas están Donde Nace la Flor, Danza de Ofertorio y Padre Nuestro. Entre sus más recientes publicaciones se encuentran “Grita de Alegría”, una colección de Salmos para el año litúrgico; y “Luz Perpetua” que incluye cinco de sus más recientes composiciones, entre ellas “Yo Soy el Pan de Vida” y “En la Casa de Mi Padre”.

Carlos es ahora Director del Coro de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles en San Antonio y también en la Catedral de San Fernando para la Misa Sabatina de las 8:00 a.m., los sábados.

Marco Roman, Ph.D.

Marco Roman Ph.D. received his Doctorate in Religious Education at Fordham University in New York. Dr. Roman has a Bachelors degree in Sociology from San Francisco State University and a Masters of Arts degree in Theology from the University of San Francisco. Dr. Roman is currently the Director for the Office of Christian Initiation for the Archdiocese of San Antonio. He was co-host of the television show for CTSA entitled: FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions that can change your Life. He has been married for 15 years to his wife Lidia. Dr. Roman has served in various parish and diocesan ministries for nearly twenty years including Catholic schools, youth and young adult ministries, campus ministry, RCIA, adult faith formation and marriage and family life ministries.

Steve Saldaña

Steve Saldaña For the past 13 years, Steve Saldaña has been the president/CEO of Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc., a member of one of the largest social service systems in the United States. He has held an executive director position for local non-profits for over 20 years. His accomplishments at Catholic Charities include: converting the agency from a six-program agency with a $900,000 budget to a 24-program agency with a budget of over $14 million; successfully merging several agencies into Catholic Charities; and significantly increasing the visibility of the agency to the public.

Saldaña is responsible for day-to-day operations of Catholic Charities and all aspects of managing a multi-site nonprofit general social service agency, including fiscal management, oversight of internal management systems, leadership of organization, project and program development, fund development, community relations, staff management and development, board development, and facility management.

Under Saldaña’s leadership, Catholic Charities operates the largest free-case refugee resettlement program in the nation, resettling more than 800 refugees a year. Catholic Charities also operates the largest immigration certification program in the state.

Saldaña is also the Director of Social Services for the Archdiocese and is a member of the boards of directors of Seton Home, St. Peters and St. Joseph's Home, and Bexar County Detention Ministries. In 2005, he was also named the central coordinator of archdiocesan hurricane relief efforts in response to Hurricane Katrina. He also serves as a member or officer on several committees. Saldaña has overseen numerous federal programs and government contracts at the federal, state, and local level.

Saldana’s most recent appointments include being the chairperson of the Bexar County Extension Service Advisory Board, the vice chair of the City/County Joint Committee on Senior Transportation, and secretary of the City of San Antonio’s Westside Development Corporation.

Prior to becoming the president/CEO of Catholic Charities, Saldaña retired from Sears and became the administrative director of Oblate Renewal Center and then the executive director of Christian Senior Services. He attended and graduated from St. Mary’s University with a Bachelor of Arts in history and a minor in industrial psychology.

Ramie Samour, M.T.S. and Jake Samour, M.T.S.

Ramie was raised on a farm in Kansas and is the oldest of nine children. Her background is education and, as a teacher, she has taught both young and old alike. Jake Samour is originally from El Salvador and came to the United States almost 32 years ago with his parents and 11 brothers and sisters. His background in engineering precedes a personal call to ministry. Jake and Ramie both studied at the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family Life in Washington DC, where they met and graduated with a Masters Degree in Theology in May of 2005. They were married in June of that same year. They moved to San Antonio in February of 2007 and have 2 kids, Carlos Raymond and Elizabeth Therese. Jake is the director for the Office of Marriage, Family Life and NFP for the Archdiocese.

Ramie nació en Kansas y creció en una granja; ella es la mayor de nueve hijos. Su licenciatura es en educación y como docente ha enseñado a niños, jóvenes y adultos. Jake Samour es originalmente de El Salvador y vino a los Estados Unidos hace 32 años con sus padres y 11 hermanos y hermanas. Él tiene una maestría en Ingeniería y trabajó en ese campo por 10 años antes de su llamada personal al ministerio. Jake y Ramie se conocieron en Washington, D.C. donde ambos estudiaron y obtuvieron su maestría en teología del Instituto Juan Pablo II para Estudios sobre Matrimonio y Familia en Mayo del 2005. Se casaron en junio del mismo año. Ellos llegaron a San Antonio en febrero del 2007 y tienen dos hijos, Carlos Raymond y Elizabeth Therese. Jake es actualmente el Director de la Oficina de la Pastoral para Matrimonios, Vida Familiar y PNF de la Arquidiócesis.

Michon Tucker

Michon Tucker has been a Licensed Professional Counselor for 12 years and supervisor for 5 years. She currently works as a therapist at St PJ's Children's Home and runs support groups for children who have a sibling with special needs at Any Baby Can. She is specialized in trauma focused therapy. Michon is a cradle Catholic and has been involved in music ministry for about 25 years. She is married and has a very energetic 3 year old.