Events and Information for Ministry Leaders
From around the archdiocese and beyond
Around the Archdiocese
Ever to Excel: Applications open for Summer 2024
The Ever to Excell program at Boston College offers high school students the opportunity to grow in faith, experience life at BC, and meet mentors.
Program Dates for Summer 2024:
Session I: Sunday, July 21 – Friday, July 26
Session II: Sunday, July 28 – Friday, August 2
Go here for more information and to apply.
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.
Around the Region
Alpha New England presents:
Alpha . . . Beta (Everything After Alpha for Guests)
Wednesday, May 8th. 7pm-8pm, Online
Steven Antonio will host a Q&A night about what can happen after Alpha. We will discuss building the team for the next Alpha and tap into the many Alpha-like programs available for free.
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 248 894 731 869
Passcode: zJDojc
Bringing People to Jesus
Alpha & Divine Renovation as Mission Partners
May 16 – 6:30 – 8:30 PM EST, on Zoom
What do you dream for your parish and for those you care about who don’t yet know Jesus? How can a parish mobilize its people to be missional? Join Diahne Goodwin & Greta Ernst as they explore what it takes to create fertile soil for evangelization efforts and what that may look like on a practical level. Register here.
The Glasses of God Youth Rally, 5/18/24
The Diocese of Springfield youth leadership team invites all middle to high schoolers to join them for a very special upcoming event: The Glasses of God Youth Rally. The Glasses of God youth rally, which is put on by the youth for the youth, takes place on May 18th from 6-9pm in the Leslie Phillips Theater at Holyoke Community College and will feature internationally acclaimed worship leader, author, vlogger, and Catholic speaker Jackie Francois Angel. She returns to the diocese after headlining the Steubenville East Conference in downtown Springfield last summer 2023. The Glasses of God Youth Rally will feature fun and engaging games, witnesses by Western Mass high school youth ambassadors, Adoration, Confession, and live music by the Psalm 33 collaborative diocesan youth band. The event is $25 with group rates available. Go here for more information and to register!
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level One Part One for Adults, 6/3-8
The Diocese of Worchester is offering a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) Level One Part One training for Adults June 3-8 at Blessed Sacrament in Worchester. See here for more information and to register.
Worcester Diocese Youth Retreat
June 28-30, 2024 at Anna Maria College
All high school youth (current 8th graders to graduating seniors), if accompanied by an adult chaperone, are invited to join this Worcester 3rd annual Diocesan Youth Retreat! Click here for more information!
Global Leadership Summit, 8/8-9
Join the event on August 8-9 in South Barrington, IL, online, or at hundreds of local sites around the country! See here for more information and to register.
Soulfest: 8/15-17
New England’s Christian Music Festival
Greenfield, MA
Click here for more information and to get tickets.
Encounter the Eucharist, 9/7/24
As the Fall River celebrates 120 years of existence this year, it is hosting a Diocesan Eucharistic Encounter. Speakers include Bishop Edgar da Cunha, Chris Stefanik, and our very own Bishop Cristiano Barbosa. Click here for more information and to register.
Around the Country and beyond
Discover the More: Learn About Walking with Purpose
A Virtual Event
May 15th, 7:30pm
Come and hear about more about Walking with Purpose Bible studies that are bringing women in parishes together around topics that matter. Click here to sign up.
Other Helpful Resources
10:10 Challenge
It’s a book by EC content creators André Lesperance and Andrea Jackson that guides you through ten weeks of strengthening ten core practices that make up the ever-ancient, ever-new way of discipleship.
52 Sundays
Take a look at this dynamic guide to help you and your family reclaim the Lord’s Day with prayer, activities, food, and more!
Andrew Ministries – Youth Ministry
Take a look at this article on Why Young People Are Leaving the Church (thepriest.com). The article, originally published in Priest Magazine, a publication of OSV, was written by Everett Fritz, founder and executive director of Andrew Ministries.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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
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
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!
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).
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!
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.
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.
Domestic Church, Liturgical Living, Family Faith
Mental Health Resources for Ministry Leaders to Share
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
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
Contact Chris
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
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