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Faith Formation Leaders Ministerial and Pastoral Resources

Evangelization and catechesis for the mission of forming disciples of Jesus Christ.

Faith Formation Leader Resources

Patrick Krisak’s Bio

Patrick has worked for the archdiocese since 2014.  He works in the areas of faith formation, ethnic communities, pastoral planning, evangelization, discipleship, and leadership.  Patrick has worked previously in parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston and elsewhere as a Director for Evangelization, Director of Religious Education, and Coordinator of Youth Ministry.  He and his wife have two sons.

Patrick Krisak

Director of Faith Formation and Missionary Discipleship
617-746-5753
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Liz Cotrupi’s Bio

Liz is first and foremost, a daughter of God. She is  married to her best friend, Tony, and enjoys his help with preparing couples for marriage. She has three adult children and loves being “Nana” to her grandkids. Liz started serving in ministry when her children were small as many moms do. Eventually, her pastor asked her to run the high school faith formation program. Equipped with a bachelor’s degree in business from Worcester State College, she knew she needed more theology. After certificates in catechesis and youth ministry, she moved on to get her Master of Theological Studies from Saint John’s Seminary. Before coming to the Archdiocese of Boston in 2016, Liz was the director of youth and young adult ministry for the Worcester Diocese. She has been blessed to serve on team for Cursillo, lead pilgrimages to Marian sites, and mission trips locally and abroad.

Liz Cotrupi

Director of Family Life & Ecclesial Movements
617-746-5801
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Chris Donoghue’s Bio

Chris is originally from Caldwell, New Jersey and has lived in Massachusetts since 1991. He is a graduate of Boston College with degrees in both Theology and History. After college Chris began a 31-year career in the life insurance industry where he worked in sales, distribution, and account management for the estate planning and charitable giving market.  Throughout his professional career Chris was also actively engaged in serving his parish in a variety of roles including working part-time as a parish youth minister, volunteering in faith formation for both children and adults, serving on the parish RCIA team as catechist and sponsor, and coordinating parish-wide evangelization efforts by running the ChristLife series.

In 2017 Chris left the corporate world and transitioned his passion for the gospel into a full-time position with the Archdiocese of Boston, where he seeks to support parishes in the mission of forming and equipping disciples for the work of evangelization.

Chris and his wife Krissy currently live in Attleboro, MA with their sons Brendan and Kolbe.

Chris Donoghue

Evangelization Consultant
617-746-5770
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Rosemary Maffei’s Bio

Rosemary is originally from Hingham and, after living in Minnesota and Florida, returned to the area to attend Boston College. After graduating with a degree in Marketing and Human Resources, Rosemary made Boston her home and enjoyed work in human resources roles within financial services for over a decade.

In response to the Lord’s call to use her leadership and organizational development experience coupled with her love for Christ to serve the Church directly in her daily work, Rosemary pursued a Master of Arts in Ministry from the Theological Institute for the New Evangelization, complemented with study through Loyola University in Rome and the Theology of the Body Institute in PA, and joined the Archdiocese of Boston.

In addition to an interest in igniting a love for Christ in others through the new evangelization, she has a particular interest in the Theology of the Body, the dignity of human life, the intersection of faith and business, and the intersection of faith and culture. She loves visiting with the Lord in Eucharistic Adoration and meeting Him in each individual encounter until we see Him face to face!

Rosemary Maffei

Evangelization Consultant
617-746-5760
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Wendy Meija’s Bio

Born in El Salvador, Wendy came to the United States when she was three years old, and ever since then, she has called Massachusetts her home.

Raised in a beautiful Catholic family, Wendy volunteered her teenage years to youth ministry and volunteered for mission trips locally and abroad.

Wendy earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Northeastern University and later pursued a career in public relations. Today, Wendy has more than ten years of experience in the field of public relations.

In addition to her new role at the Archdiocese, Wendy continues to serve as an active member of St. Mary of the Annunciation in Cambridge, Massachusetts, along with her husband Deacon Franklin Mejia, and their two children, Gabriel and Isabella.

Wendy Rodriguez Mejia

Director of Multicultural Ministries
617-746-5791
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Sr. Elsa Narvaez, HMSP’s Bio

Sr. Elsa Narváez Rodríguez, was born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. In 2004, Sr. Elsa joined the Missionary Servants of the Word, a community that allows young people to serve as a lay missionaries for a period of time. After two and a half years as a lay missionary she decided to pursue religious life in the religious branch of the same community.   Her firs assignment as a religious sister was in Portsmouth NH and after that she was sent to serve the Hispanic community of St. Joseph Parish in Lynn MA. Since 2016 Sr. Elsa has served Hispanic Communities within the Archdiocese of Boston.

Sr. Elsa Narvaez, HMSP

Evangelization Consultant, Hispanic Communities
617-746-5792
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Lorna DesRoses’s Bio

Lorna DesRoses currently serves Black Catholics within the Archdiocese of Boston by supporting, assisting, and providing resources to assist in the work of evangelization within the Black Catholic community and assisting parishes and institutions to provide pastoral care in a culturally appropriate and culturally sensitive manner so that members of ethnic and cultural communities will feel welcomed, included, and valued as part of the life of the Archdiocese of Boston. Before serving in this capacity, she worked as a teacher of English as a Second Language in various educational settings. Lorna strives to joyfully give witness to the Good news of the love of Christ with everyone she meets. She lives in Boston with her husband Robert.

“We unite ourselves with Christ’s redemptive work when we reconcile, when we make peace, when we share the good news that God is in our lives, when we reflect to our brothers and sisters God’s healing, God’s unconditional love.” Sr. Thea Bowman

Lorna DesRoses

Evangelization Consultant, Ethnic Communities
617-746-5810
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Dashe Videira’s Bio

Dashe joined the Archdiocese of Boston on All Saint’s Day in 2023. She believes she was led by God to deeply serve through the Multicultural Ministries team and support the growth of parishes across the Archdiocese.

Dashe grew up in a loving and service filled family in Foxboro, MA. Her father was a Knight of Columbus and her mother taught CCD at St. Mary’s Parish. Her father is a first generation American from Costa Rica and Puerto Rico. When Dashe was born, her parents decided to leave Staten Island, NY, and pursue a suburban “American Dream” lifestyle to raise their kids. Her parents worked incredibly hard running their 30+ year small business in order to send their four children to Catholic school. Dashe is the first of her family to graduate college and continue her studies. She received a BA in Psychology from Bridgewater State University and a graduate degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of the Rockies.

Dashe currently lives in Franklin, MA, with her husband and four children. In her spare time, she teaches a 5:30 am workout class a few days a week, supports local farming, and serves the community around Franklin and her kid’s schools.

Dashe Videira

Operations Assistant, Black Catholic Ministry
617-746-5886
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Recommended Curricula and Resources

*Resources are listed alphabetically by title in each category.

Adult Faith Formation

Family Faith Formation

Middle School Faith Formation

Youth Ministry

First Communion and First Penance

Confirmation

Order of Christian Initiation of Adults

Ministry with Persons with Disabilities

Learning Management Systems

*Please note that this list only includes resources specifically recommended by the Archdiocese of Boston and is not a comprehensive list of all available resources. There is no restriction in the Archdiocese of Boston on what resources parishes are permitted to use – this list constitutes recommendations only. We are aware that additional resources are rapidly becoming available on-line and we are working to review them as quickly as possible. For more information or to make a request or recommendation that a resource be added to this list please contact Patrick Krisak at pkrisak@rcab.org or 617-746-5753. 

For Your Bookshelf

What follows is a collection of suggested materials for faith formation leaders to know and possibly have on hand as resources regardless of their curriculum, program, and parish preferences and approaches.

General

Parish Evangelization and Discipleship

Personal Evangelization and Discipleship

Adult Faith Formation

Family Faith Formation

Children’s Faith Formation

Youth Ministry

Young Adult Ministry

First Communion and First Penance

Confirmation

RCIA

Ministry with Persons with Disabilities

Leadership and Organizational Health

*Please note that this list only includes resources specifically recommended by the Archdiocese of Boston and is not a comprehensive list of all available resources. There is no restriction in the Archdiocese of Boston on what resources parishes are permitted to use – this list constitutes recommendations only. We are aware that additional resources are rapidly becoming available on-line and we are working to review them as quickly as possible. For more information or to make a request or recommendation that a resource be added to this list please contact Patrick Krisak at pkrisak@rcab.org or 617-746-5753. 

Suggested Speakers

The following is a list of people and organizations you may wish to consider for retreats and other events in your parish, community, apostolate, or ministry.  This list is neither exhaustive nor a formal archdiocesan endorsement of these people and organizations.  If you would like to be considered for addition to this list or have any other questions about this resource please contact Patrick Krisak at pkrisak@rcab.org or 617-746-5753.

ERIC ALAIMO
  • Central Catholic High School
  • ealaimo@centralcatholic.net
  • Experienced high school religion teacher available to speak to youth and young adults
CHRIS CARMODY
  • St. Mary of the Sacred Heart Lynn
  • ccarmody@lynncatholic.org
  • Experienced parish faith formation and youth ministry leader and high school theology teacher and campus minister available to speak with teens, young adults, and adults
Head Shot of Chris Carmody
EMILIA COWELL
  • Ascension Parish Sudbury/Maynard
  • ecowell@theascensionparish.com
  • Experienced parish faith formation and youth ministry leader available to speak to parents, children, and teens.  Topics include Theology of the Body/chastity/dating, being pro-life (going from pro-choice to pro-life), helping teens think about vocations, witness to marriage, being Catholic in college, defending your faith, and other topics by request.
JASON DERAMO
  • Bishop Feehan High School
  • Experienced Director of Campus Ministry, Catholic high school teacher, parish coordinator of youth ministry, and Confirmation coordinator and retreat leader available to speak to teens or youth ministry leaders
MARIANNE DERAMO
  • Bishop Stang High School
  • marederamo@gmail.com
  • Experienced Catholic High School Teacher and Parish Coordinator of faith formation available to speak to teens or youth ministry leaders on a variety of topics such as sharing my Conversion Story, Evangelization, Chastity, Pro-Life, and a variety of other topics for Teens and Young Adults. She is also available to lead Confirmation Retreats.
DEACON PHIL DIBELLO
  • MASSEvangelize.org, St. Julia Parish Weston
  • massevangelize@gmail.com
  • Catholic Deacon experienced with all aspects of Evangelization and Discipleship, especially Disciples In Mission. Available to speak with Pastors, Pastoral Councils, and Parishes about Evangelization and Discipleship at any depth, at any point in your Parish journey. Also available to speak on most aspects of Scripture, including a Catholic introduction to the Bible, and other topics, by request.
Head Shot of Deacon Phil DiBello
DEACON NATHAN GUNN
  • YoungLife
  • Gunner721@gmail.com
  • Catholic deacon experienced in middle and high school youth ministry working for an ecumenical Christian youth apostolate available to speak to young people, adults, and parents about evangelization, apologetics, Confirmation, and service
Head Shot of Deacon Nathan Gunn
KARL JACKSON
  • St. Lucy and St. Monica Methuen
  • Faithformation.stlm@gmail.com
  • Experienced faith formation leader, coordinator of youth ministry, and father available to speak to parents, parish catechetical leaders, parish catechists and volunteers, and young people
LORI LAVIGNE
  • Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Seekonk
  • L.lavigne.olmc@gmail.com
  • Experienced parish faith formation and youth ministry leader available to speak to parish catechetical leaders, catechists, parents, children, and teens
FERNANDO LIMBO
  • Pure in Heart America; St. Leonard-Port Maurice Catholic Church
  • fjlimbo3@gmail.com
  • Experienced confirmation teacher and retreat leader. Available to speak to middle school, teens, college students, young adults, parents and general parish community. Topics include: Theology of the Body; Called to Love; Faith and Media; Pro-Life;  Gay, Catholic and striving for Sainthood.
Head Shot of Fernando Limbo
Dominic Margaglione
  • Professional Lay Ecclesial Minister and Speaker
  • Presentations for Catholic Workshops, Conventions, Missions, and Retreats
  • dominic_margaglione@saintmichael.com
  • 617-959-0924
  • Dominic Margaglione has coordinated parish liturgies, trained liturgical ministers, and prepared people of all ages for the sacraments. He has created original programming for parish missions, seasonal services, as well as in-person and digital content for faith sharing groups and life-long faith formation programs. Dominic was a trained opera singer and appeared with opera companies and orchestras in both the Midwest and the East Coast. He has been both a guest speaker at parishes and faith based organizations in the New England area. He has degrees in vocal performance and a M.A.M. in Pastoral Ministry from St. John Seminary in Boston, MA. Dominic currently serves as the Pastoral Associate at Saint Michael Parish in North Andover, MA.
MIKE MCDUFFEE
  • St. Mary High School Lynn
  • Michael.mcduffee@stmaryslynn.com
  • Experienced Director of Campus Ministry, Catholic high school teacher, and musician with experience with youth and young adult audiences
Head Shot of Mike McDuffee
ZACH MORRIS
  • St. Benedict Classical Academy
  • zacharyjmorris21@gmail.com
  • Give me a call: 603-686-0360
  • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/zachary-j-morris
  • Able to speak to young Catholic communities (Middle School and/or High School Youth Ministry, Confirmation Retreats, Youth Events, School Retreats), as well as to young adult and parish communities
Head Shot of Zach Morris
SUE MULDOON
  • suzannemuldoonlmhc@gmail.com
  • Sue Muldoon is an experienced mental health therapist and religious educator. She is available to speak on a variety of topics including discernment and family life, forgiveness and healing damage relationships, faith and mental health and family religious education.
Head Shot of Sue Muldoon
DR. CHRISTINE NADJARIAN
  • Principal of St. Mary of the Assumption School, Brookline
  • cnadjarian@stmarybrookline.com
  • School principal available to speak on youth ministry, religious education, as well as Catholic education from Pre-K- university
Head Shot of Dr. Christine Nadjarian
LIZ COTRUPI PFUNDER
  • lizcotrupi@gmail.com
  • RI-based national speaker and musician with experience with youth and young adult audiences
Head Shot of Liz Cotrupi Pfunder
OSCAR RIVERA
Head Shot of Oscar Rivera
Monet Souza
  • Websites
  • Contact: amh.lifestyles@gmail.com
  • Bio
    • Monét Souza has always had a strong passion for seeking out the Truth and drawing others to it. Since high school, Monét has had a strong desire to be in the public square evangelizing and getting as many people to encounter Our Lord Jesus Christ. Monét has been speaking around the country to the youth at retreats, emceeing different Catholic events, and running her own TV Show, Anchored!
  • Speaking availability:
    • Emceeing events, Keynote speaker at youth rallies, Confirmation Retreats, Women’s Groups, Theology Classes, and more!
LINDA THAYER
  • Science teacher for 34 years in Boston Public Schools
  • Pro-life and pro-family presentations presented to over 250,000 teenagers in the Boston area in the last four decades
  • Consultant for the Archdiocesan Pro-Life Office
  • lthayerm@aol.com
  • Her programs include:
    • Respect for New Life, grades 8 through adult
    • The Vocation of Love, grades 8 through 12
    • Massachusetts Sex Ed: What Parents Need to Know

Events and Information for Ministry Leaders

From around the archdiocese and beyond

Chaplaincy

The Chaplaincy Office of the Secretariat for Ministerial Personnel provides pastoral care to those in prisons, hospitals, college campuses, and parish pastoral care related to illness, addiction, and grief.

Mental Health Resources for Ministry Leaders to Share

Assorted Catechetical Resources

Bishop Barron’s Film Series The Mass

To aid in reestablishing faith in the Real Presence, Word on Fire made Bishop Barron’s film series The Mass FREE to watch online!

Catholic Mysticism & The Beautiful Life of Grace

In a series of beautifully bite-sized presentations, renowned teacher Matthew Leonard dives into the rich, mystical tradition of Catholic spirituality in a way you’ve never heard before.

Every single Catholic is called to the mystical life. But most don’t know what it is or how to make it happen. In easy-to-understand language, this series answers those questions, and much more. It’s touched the lives of thousands of Catholics from around the world.

Sign up and watch!

McGrath Institute for Church Life

Check out these podcasts, webinars, and other resources that can help us discern how the Church can strengthen its care for persons and families with mental illness.

Mysterion: The Revelatory Power of the Sacramental Worldview

Mysterion explores the vision at the heart of Christianity that helps us see the whole created world as a sacrament that points us to Jesus Christ.

This video series, based on the book by Fr. Harrison Ayre, is available for free for personal and group use along with a printable discussion guide. Use access code MEDIATION to watch and download Mysterion on Vimeo. (If you do not have an existing Vimeo account, you can create one for free).

You can also use this discount code to receive 25% off the book Mysterion: The Revelatory Power of the Sacramental Worldview.  USE CODE: MEDIATION

Nextstep: Grow Deeper in Your Discipleship One Step at a Time

Many people want to grow closer to God, but they don’t know how or what to do next. They feel alone, adrift in a world that doesn’t even talk about God, with no one to guide them. But God calls everyone into deep, intimate friendship with Him. It is possible. Nextstep guides Catholics step-by-step into the profound, authentic relationship with God they are made for. Every step prompts a simple action or discipleship habit that can be completed in 2 weeks. These actions steps are found on a Nextstep card and can be supplemented with Nextstep video and discussion guides (if you want to do it with a friend or small group).

Learn more about Nextstep!

Novena Cards

So many times we pray for a close friend or family member but aren’t sure how best to continue to encourage them in their situation. Novena Cards were developed as a way to share our intentions with them, letting them know that we have asked the saints to pray for them. Each time they return to this card, it serves as a tangible reminder that an “all star in heaven” is praying for them and that they are loved. Be sure to check out their Novena Finder!

Sophia Free eLessons

Created by teachers for teachers, these free and ready to use eLessons provided by Sophia Teachers covers various topics, such as the Liturgical Year, teaching Catholic principles with Current Events, the Call of Beauty and the Wonders of Nature. Learn more and access lessons.

Created for Love

The Secretariat for Evangelization and Discipleship provides assistance and support to parishes in implementing the Created for Love grade 6-8 faith formation curriculum material.  More information is available below or by contacting our team.

The Catholic Schools Office provides oversight and teacher training for the Created for Love middle school curriculum for Catholic Schools.

The Created for Love curriculum is available as a resource for faith formation in every parish and school throughout the Archdiocese of Boston.  It is designed to be taught over a three-year period by school teachers, catechists, and parents.  It consists of a text and videos to be used together as the student matures over time.

Created for Love Materials

PDF of Booklet
Video Clips
Curriculum Outline/Suggested Breakdown by grade 

Google Classroom

A number of parish faith formation leaders have asked about Google Classroom.

Please note that Google Classroom is free for any individual user at any time and there are many suggestions for using it well at this link.

While we continue to explore best practices and recommendations for the potential use of this resource at the parish level, please note that the Archdiocese of Boston will not be pursuing a group license for Google for Education or Google for Nonprofits for parishes to use because Google prefers that this be managed on the parish/school level.

Here are some additional resources for those who may wish to explore a Google for Nonprofits license for your parish, collaborative, or program:

  1. How to Apply For Google for Nonprofits
  2. Google for Nonprofits Home
  3. Google for Nonprofits Instructions from Google
  4. Google Eligibility Guidelines
  5. A Guide to Google for Nonprofits

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