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Resources Faith Formation Leaders

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

Faith Formation Leader Resources

Here are a variety of tools for reference for faith formation leaders in the Archdiocese of Boston.

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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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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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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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
  • Good Shepherd Parish Wayland
  • youthministrywayland@gmail.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
  • Cardinal Spellman High School
  • jderamo@spellman.com
  • 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. Matthew the Evangelist Parish Billerica
  • 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
LEAH GUNNING RN
  • Pregnancy Help Brockton and the Pro-Life Office of the Archdiocese of Boston
  • lgunning@rcab.org
  • Registered Nurse with extensive background in youth ministry available to speak to teens, youth ministry leaders, young adults, and general parish communities on a compassionate conversation with practical suggestions on how the Catholic Church supports women in unplanned pregnancies.
Head Shot of Leah Gunning
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
  • fernando@pureinheartamerica.org
  • 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
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
  • Catholic Weymouth Collaborative and Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart
  • 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
  • Good Shepherd Parish, Wayland, MA
  • 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
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

Recommended Curriculum and Resources

*Resources are listed alphabetically by title in each category.

Adult Faith Formation

Family Faith Formation

Youth Ministry

Children’s Faith Formation

First Communion and First Penance

Confirmation

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. 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. 

Ministerial and Pastoral

Secretariat for Evangelization and Discipleship

The Secretariat for Evangelization and Discipleship works closely with all the offices of Central Ministries.

1. THE OFFICE OF PASTORAL PLANNING

The mission of the Archdiocese is to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Pastoral Planning is the process we use to make preparations to carry out that work. Pastoral Planning is a critical tool in helping us understand our task today and work together to manage the resources available to meet the needs of the people of God.

2. THE OFFICE OF PARISH SERVICES

Parish Financial Services serves the needs of Parishes within the Archdiocese of Boston by providing pastors and staff with the support and information they need to manage their parish operations. They offer guidance on financial planning, budgeting, accounting and financial reporting as well as providing information to help familiarize parishes with Archdiocesan policies, procedures, and best practices.

3. THE OFFICE OF LIFELONG FAITH FORMATION AND PARISH SUPPORT

Faith Formation and Missionary Discipleship
Evangelization and Faith Formation in the parishes are supported by the team for Faith Formation and Missionary Discipleship. This team also presents Forming Disciples for Mission and Forming Leaders for Mission.

Faith Formation and Missionary Discipleship for Ethnic Communities
Mirroring the work of the Faith Formation and Missionary Discipleship team, this team supports various ethnic communities in the Archdiocese.

Family Life and Ecclesial Movements
This team serves parishes in ministering to those preparing for marriage, those in a married state, divorced, and ecclesial movements.

Chaplaincy

The Chaplaincy Office provides pastoral care to those in prisons, hospitals, college campuses, and parish pastoral care related to illness, addiction, and grief.

Liturgical and Sacramental

The Office of Divine Worship

Under the pastoral leadership and guidance of the Archbishop of Boston, and in the Secretariat for Evangelization and Discipleship, the Office for Divine Worship serves as a resource for the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy through the Archdiocese of Boston.

Office of Canonical Affairs

All inquiries concerning canon law (excluding annulments) are handled by this office.  This office assists all departments with canon law questions – including canonical questions related to sacramental preparation.  Additionally, this office coordinates all archdiocesan Confirmations.

Sacramental Preparation

The Office of Lifelong Faith Formation & Parish Support, the Office of Divine Worship, and the Office of Canonical Affairs work closely together to assist parishes and parish leaders in understanding and implementing appropriate sacramental preparation catechesis, guidelines, and liturgies.

Faith Formation Models:

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 meant to be integrated into the existing religious instruction or 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 
Cardinal’s Mandate Letter 
Parent Letter 

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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