Events and Information for Ministry Leaders
From around the archdiocese and beyond
Around the Archdiocese
Social Media Lunch and Learn
January 15th, 10:30am-1pm; Pastoral Center, Braintree
Go here to learn more: Social Media Lunch & Learn – Boston Catholic Appeal
The Theological Institute of St. John’s Seminary
The TI Spring 2025 Registration is now open – Here
The Spring courses being offered are:
• New Testament, Fr. Achu, every other Saturday, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
• Ecclesiology, Fr. O’Connor, every other Saturday, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
• Liturgy & Sacraments, Fr. Mahoney, Tuesdays, 7:15-9:15 pm
• Trinity/Christology, Dr. Franks, Thursdays, 5:00-7:00 pm
• Church History, Dr. Coughlin, Thursdays, 7:15-9:15 pm
Missionary Childhood Association
The Missionary Childhood Association (MCA) eagerly continues to inspire a missionary spirit amongst our youth to fulfill their baptismal call to mission through our motto: “children helping children.” Our resources are designed to foster thought, prayer, and action, in which students interact with daily “to-do” calendars, snapshots of ongoing work of MCA each month in the missions, discover new saints, and much more. By utilizing these materials, students will prioritize prayer and sacrifice for their brothers and sisters in Christ across the globe.
Be sure to checkout the website for the monthly toolbox to help you form a missionary spirit in your catechesis, schedule a mission visit, and learn more.
Check out the Advent Resources Booklet – MCA_Advent_Wreath_Prayers_2024.pdf
St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine looking for disciples to commit to Eucharistic Adoration
Looking for rest and a deeper prayer life? Come spend quiet time in adoration at St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine, located at 1105 Boylston Street. They host daytime Eucharistic Adoration weekdays from 7:30am to 8pm and weekends 12pm-8pm open to all. For after-hours Adoration and more information, please email qcunningham@omvusa.org. They hope you come and see! To sign up click here.
In Need of Free Faith Formation Books/Resources?
St. Timothy’s in Norwood has extra faith formation resources they are happy to donate to a parish in need. If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to Joanne Curry at jcurry@sttim.net.
If you have any materials/resources you’d like to donate to others, please let us know (at rmaffei@rcab.org) so we can share here.
140th Anniversary Organ Concert Series: Jennifer Pascual
February 2, 2025, 3pm, St. John’s Seminary
An amazing series showcasing the majestic 1,994-pipe Saint John’s Seminary Chapel organ, renowned as one of the finest in the Archdiocese of Boston. Join in celebrating the seminary’s 140th Anniversary with four distinguished guest artists, as they perform thrilling and innovative programs, highlighting both classic and contemporary repertoire, and showcasing the breathtaking versatility of this historic instrument.
Go here for more information and to register.
Around the Region
Holy Cross Family Ministries
“Marriage Illuminated” Date Night Series:
The Joy of Marriage
Married and engaged couples of all ages are invited to this monthly series (6-9pm) for great fellowship, engaging talks, and a deepening of faith. Presentations offered by Craig & Amy Dyke, founders of Catholic Marriage Fellowship.
- December 14 – The Joy of Jesus
- January 18, 2025 – The Joy of Compassion
- February 15* – The Joy of Love (*additional details forthcoming)
- March 29 – The Joy of Mercy
- April 26 – The Joy of Home
Go here to register to attend any or all sessions.
Advent Mission Nights on Dec. 9 & 12, from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Holy Cross Family Ministries at The Father Peyton Center, North Easton
Father Fred Jenga, C.S.C., will reflect on Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception on Monday, Dec. 9, and Father Boby John, C.S.C., will reflect on Our Lady of Guadalupe on Thursday, Dec. 12. Come for one or both evenings. Light receptions to follow. The cost is free. Space is limited; please register early!
Around the Country and beyond
Other Helpful Resources
Avoiding Volunteer Burnout
Prevent volunteer burnout and create a healthy ministry environment. Discover Orange’s three practical tips for recognizing and avoiding burnout in your team.
Build a Bed Project
Are you seeking a meaningful team-building experience that brings your team closer and supports a great cause? A Bed for Every Child has the perfect solution for you!
Through sponsored team-building activities, they offer you the opportunity to bond with your team while making a difference in the lives of these children.
Book Fairs: A New Partnership of Ave Maria University and Ignatius Press
Discover books that foster creativity, imagination, and wonder — providing easy access to the best in literature for schools, parishes, parents, aligned with Catholic virtues. Books that can edify, shape character, and deepen faith. Learn more!
CatholicPsych Institute: Mindfully Praying Series
4 Free Mindfully Praying Audio Exercises to help you reconnect with your body in the present moment
Covenant Eyes: STRIVE
STRIVE is a free and powerful 21-day video series, created by Matt Fradd, that helps men understand why they go to porn and gives them the knowledge, tools, and accountability needed to quit. If you’re interested in learning more, contact Amanda Zurface, JCL.
Eucharistic Pilgrimage Resources for Kids
Check out these kid and family-friendly tools to help you plan a pilgrimage, especially one in connection to the Eucharist. The bucket list and pilgrimage passport would make perfect summer activities.
Read the full article about Eucharistic Processions and Pilgrimages for the Heart of the Revival Newsletter from the National Eucharistic Revival.
Eucharist: Deepen Your Love for Our Lord in the Eucharist
Fio the Home for Catholic Podcasts
First Witnesses: A Ministry of the Institute for Catholic Formation
First Witnesses is a comprehensive approach that supports parents and parishes in working collaboratively to stem the tide of disaffiliation. Research tells us parents have incredible influence when it comes to their children choosing to remain engaged in religious practices. Birth to age three is the most precious time in a child’s life when the appropriation of ritual and language is strongest. First Witnesses seeks to combine the latest research with practical resources and opportunities for parents and congregations to build a culture of faithfulness.
Listen, Teach, Send
USCCB approved National Pastoral Framework for Ministries with Youth and Young Adults
This framework gives guidance for the Catholic Church in accompanying and evangelizing young people: youth (in junior high and high school) and young adults (in their late teens, 20s, and 30s). To access it, click below.
Recordings of three-part webinar series on Christ the King Sunday and Listen, Teach, Send:
1- Planning for Christ the King Sunday Global Celebration of Young People
2- Anticipating the Listen, Teach, Send Framework
3- Implementing Listen, Teach, Send in local Catholic communities
Made in His Image
Pint Sized Theology of the Body for Families from Pearl & Thistle
Free Video Series for Families with Children age 6-9
Microdosing catechism
The article includes the following book recommendations:
Saints Around the World by Meg Hunter Kilmer
The How-To Book of the Mass by Michael Dubruiel
Your Questions, God’s Answers by Peter Kreeft
My Steps To
My Steps to is a Christian Mission with a goal of helping families, including children with special needs, pray! Check out their new Hello Jesus Picture Guide to Catholic Mass.
Newman Ministry
Parish leaders, connect your students to the Catholic Campus Ministry on their college campuses! Sign up for the program. Also, here are some parish materials to share the resources within your parish!
Protect Young Eyes
The team at Protect Young Eyes takes complex digital topics and makes them understandable. They’ve been walking with families, schools, and churches since 2015. Check out the website and app. Also, parents might find this video about talking to children about pornography helpful.
Quintessentials: a Resource from the Catholic Leadership Institute
Click here to check out the series of free resources highlighting the top five insights for parish ministry from their team in the field.
Real and True: How the Laws of Nature and Morality are Connected
Real and True (a project of OSV) offers one way to introduce the Ten Commandments *before* you teach them! See their video and check out their Unit 29 Discussion Guide!
Have you heard of Real + True before? What do you think of the videos and discussion guide? Let us know your thoughts by sending an email to pkrisak@rcab.org.
Real Life Catholic: Free course for married couples
RENEWED: 7 Steps to an Amazing Marriage includes 21 free videos that are both spiritual and practical. Developed by Chris and Natalie Stefanik.
Rejoice Counseling
Are you ready to have the true joy God wants for you? Check out the resources from Rejoice Counseling | Bringing the healing of Christ to the world
Thirteen: A First Look at Gen Alpha
What do we really know about the youngest generation of teens? Springtide Research Institute produced a new report, Being 13: A First Look at Gen Alpha; in it young teens share their thoughts on religion, politics, and technology; their experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic; their mental health and well-being; and more.
The Three Big Questions
With this free resource from the Table Group, you can drastically reduce unwanted chaos and move forward as a family with greater clarity and purpose.
Wild Goose TV: Free Library of Films
At Wild Goose TV, our mission is simple and profound: to tell stories that help bring about encounters with Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. We do this through films and series that reach millions worldwide. Sign In Now
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
Contact Patrick
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
Contact Liz
Melissa Kalpakgian’s Bio
Originally from Texas, Melissa brings to the Boston area her southern hospitality and her “y’all.” Melissa has worked in evangelization efforts for the Church in some way, shape, or form in different areas of the country. Her fascination with St. John Paul II’s philosophical works led her to pursue a B.A. in Philosophy from the University of St. Thomas in Houston and her M.A. in Thomistic Philosophy from the Center of Thomistic Studies. She is also certified in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in Levels 1, 2, and 3. In her free time, she and her husband strive to discover the meaning of “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:9) in the various facets of life.
Melissa Kalpakgian
Evangelization Consultant
Contact Melissa
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
Contact Rosemary
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
Contact Lorna
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
Contact Sr. Elsa
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
Contact Wendy
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
Contact Dashe