Author
Kelly Colangelo
Kelly Colangelo fell in love with Jesus at age seventeen and has dedicated her life to bringing others into a radical relationship with Christ. She has been involved in ministry for more than a decade, spreading the Gospel message at retreats, rallies, and conferences. She speaks internationally to people of all ages on a variety of topics and has appeared on EWTN’s Life on the Rock. Kelly currently serves as the Director of Youth Ministry at a parish in northwest Florida. She graduated with honors from Niagara University with her BA in psychology, communications, and theology and from Syracuse University with her MS in counseling. Kelly resides in Tallahassee, Florida. You can find more information and additional resources on her website: kellycolangelo.com. You can also follow her on Twitter and Instagram @kellycolangelo
Contributors
Sister Josephine Garrett, CSFN
Sister Josephine is a native Texan, born and raised in Houston. She graduated from the University of Dallas with a BA in political philosophy. Sister entered the banking industry, serving for ten years as a vice president in the home loans division of Bank of America, first as operations manager of a staff of 200 and later as a project manager. She was raised Baptist and entered the Catholic Church in 2005. In November 2011, she began her formation to be a religious Sister. In November 2020, Sister Josephine professed her final vows as a Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth. She is a licensed counselor and serves as the school counselor for the Cathedral Grade School in Tyler, Texas, as well as in private practice. Sister has also served in vocations ministry and as a national speaker for youth and young adults.
Brian Greenfield
Brian Greenfield was born and raised in Washington, D.C. He attended Seton Hall University and Franciscan University of Steubenville. In 2002, Brian entered the Community of the Franciscans of the Renewal. After postulancy, Brian returned to Washington, D.C. to further discern, then to Seton Hall to finish his studies in theology, receiving his MA in theology and another master’s degree in education leadership. Brian currently lives in Tampa, Florida, with his wife, Genevieve, and three children, Mieko, Michael, and Grace. He works at Jesuit High School, where he is the assistant principal for discipline.
Katie Hartfiel
Katie Hartfiel received her theology degree from the Franciscan University of Steubenville and spent the following seven years serving as a youth minister in Houston, Texas. She now feels blessed to spend her days with her husband, Mark, and their four children, while still getting to travel to speak about Jesus. For more on Katie and her books, visit womaninlove.org.
Kyle Heimann
Kyle Heimann has traveled the country with the Catholic-acoustic-humor-folk-beard-rock duo, Popple, for years. He plays guitar, ukulele, kazoo, harmonica, and the nose flute. He can be heard on his daily radio show/podcast learning about the Catholic faith from guests and games on The Kyle Heimann Show. He enjoys sharing his faith through humorous stories, analogies, and multimedia. Kyle is married and has four children.
Fr. Dave Pivonka, T.O.R.
Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, became president of the Franciscan University of Steubenville in 2019. The well-known Catholic speaker and author received his bachelor’s from Franciscan University, then earned an MDiv, MA in theology, doctorate in education, and executive juris doctorate. A member of the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular, Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, he was ordained a priest in 1996. He served in leadership positions at Franciscan University including as vice president for mission and planning. He also served as director of the TOR’s Post-Novitiate Formation and most recently directed the TOR’s evangelistic outreach Franciscan Pathways.
Oscar Rivera Jr.
Oscar Rivera Jr. ("Two Ten") lives in Fall River, Massachusetts with his wife. He serves as the Director of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Fall River. He grew up in the inner city of Waterbury, Connecticut; his method of avoiding the hood’s promises became God and hip-hop. For over a decade, he has been an international speaker and performer. Oscar’s life is devoted to the new evangelization, and his upbeat urban approach has made his message entertaining and easy to understand. Our faith is not boring, and neither is Oscar.
Matt Regitz
After graduating from Texas A&M University and pursuing an oilfield sales career, Matt took a leap of faith and became the youth minister at his parish in Houston, Texas. His mission has grown to include parishes around the world as he serves as a global leadership coach with Divine Renovation Ministries. Matt and his bride, Stephanie, started Survive and Thrive Ministries to share their story of healing and hope with other families. The rest of the Regitz clan includes their four children at home and a daughter in heaven, Mary Clare. They love soccer games, barbecues, minivan road trips, and the communal life.