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Sr. Elfie Del Rosario
Sr. Elfie Del Rosario, FMA is known by many as “The Happy Nun”. Sister Elfie was born in Nigeria and raised in the Philippines where she attended college. Sister Elfie eventually moved to New Jersey and applied her psychology degree toward teaching children with special needs. She entered the Salesian Sisters in 2009 and made her perpetual vows in 2020. She currently serves as the vocations director for the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco, also known as the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, in the eastern province of the U.S. The order is dedicated to evangelizing and educating young people and Sr. Elfie takes her ministry seriously, even if it includes involving a dunk tank! Visit the Salesian Sisters online at www.happynun.com.
Joe Melendrez
Joe Melendrez, has forged a unique path to becoming one of America’s most exciting Catholic performers. At age fifteen, Joe was featured on MTV and developed a love for performing. Later that year, on a Teen A.C.T.S. Retreat, Joe encountered the awesome love of God. It was then that he decided to dedicate his life to sharing the Good News. Joe shares the Gospel in many unique ways, from his development of a faith-based clothing line (God Swagg Apparel), his release of five studio albums including his latest PRAISESHIP, to sharing the winnings from a college Chipotle contest (a year of free burritos), as a means to evangelize to different people with each meal! Joe currently resides in Los Angeles, California with his wife, Noelle, daughters Antoinette, Georgette and son, Anthony. Find out more at www.JoeMelendrez.com
Bishop Joseph A. Espaillat II
Bishop Joseph A. Espaillat II, is an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York. Appointed by Pope Francis In January 2022, Bishop Joe is the youngest Catholic bishop and the first Dominican bishop in the United States. Bishop Espaillat was named in 2015 as pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in The Bronx, New York, a position he still holds. Growing up in Manhattan, he learned Foto speak three languages: English, Spanish, and Street! He loves ministering the sacraments: celebrating the holy sacrifice of the Mass, hearing confessions, and proclaiming the Word of God. Bishop Joseph Espaillat is the founder of the ministry Messengers of Christ. Check out Season 2 of his podcast Sainthood in the City!
SATURDAY WORKSHOPS
BEYOND THE MOUNTAINTOPS
Presenter: Joshua Danis, Head of Parishes Hallow
It can be tempting to just live our faith moving from one mountaintop experience to the next, but you were made for so much more. We believe God wants a deep, intimate, personal encounter with you. He wants you to develop strong habits to fill you with life every day. He is inviting you to be part of a community that loves you and desires to draw out the very best in you. Join members of the Hallow team to laugh, share stories, and unpack how we can move from the mountaintop moments of faith to an ongoing life of joy, fulfillment, and purpose. Sponsored by Hallow.
RELICS OF THE SAINTS, WHAT’S ALL THAT ABOUT?
Presenter: Fr. Justin Cinnante O.Carm.
Discuss relics in the Catholic Church and have the opportunity to venerate the relics of St. Thérèse, St. John Paul II, Blessed Carlo Aucutis, and the Ulma family.
SAINTS, SINNERS, & SHENANIGANS
Presenter: Fr. Erik Lenhart, OFM Cap. & members of CLASP (Catholic Literature and Arts Summer Program)
The workshop will be an opportunity to meet (and become) Biblical characters and Saints who find themselves in zany and hilarious circumstances.
COURAGE: THROUGH THE RAGING STORM…BE NOT AFRAID!
Presenter: Sr. Elfie Del Rosario, FMA
Raging through the storm? Be Not Afraid! Come check out this workshop on how God reveals himself in the storm.
PRAISESHIP: EMBARK ON A JOURNEY OF PRAYER, PRAISE, AND WORSHIP!
Presenter: Joe Melendrez
PRAISESHIP: Embark on an epic journey into the world of prayer, praise, and worship. Drift into a real relationship with God. Supercharge your prayer life with practical ways to pray every day! Soar beyond what you thought was possible! Enter an energetic force field of hope and joy! Please arrive early for boarding instructions before lift-off.