Enkindle: Contributors

Married on the feast of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Catherine and Patrick Sullivan have always had a love for education. Catherine is a teacher and writer. After earning a master's degree in theology from the University of Notre Dame, she has spent nearly a decade teaching religion and English to middle and high school students. Patrick is a high school administrator and avid runner. Also holding a master’s degree in theology from the University of Notre Dame, his theological background continues to inform the work he does today. As parents, both Catherine and Patrick are grateful for the opportunity to receive the sacraments as well as a generously sized cup of coffee.

Guest

Hi, my name is Chris Padgett. My wife and I have been doing ministry for over 25 years.  We may be flawed and a bit crazy, but we are living the greatest adventure. From high school sweethearts to parents of 9 children, following our dreams have led us to a nine sided house in CNY. In our little paradise, we have connected with the simpler life of family, faith, and very naughty farm animals. In addition, I love making people laugh, telling stories and encouraging people in the faith. In truth, I think we need something to laugh about and believe in now more than ever.

Guest: Redeemer

Christopher Russell is an energy policy and program professional, a vagabond musician, and a Catholic by choice. He grew up in Montgomery and St. Mary's Counties in Maryland. He is a graduate of McGill University (B.A.) and the University of Maryland (M.A., MBA). Christopher lives in the Baltimore area with his wife and daughter in a 1915-vintage house that provides joy in excess of the do-it-yourself attention that it demands.

Contributor: Enkindle

Theology teacher and Campus Minister at Mount Saint Joseph High School.  Originally from Cleveland, father of five, loves hiking, camping, and travel.

Guest - Redeemer

Corrie is a native of Baltimore where she currently resides with her husband, son, dog bandit and baby #2 due in December. She grew up in a large catholic family, spent many years on the soccer field and pursuing her health career in fitness, only to be redirected lovingly by the Lord to her deepest love which is music. After beginning a career training in a performance gym, Corrie left the gym to begin leading music around the diocese wherever and whenever people would have her. She has never looked back!

Her debut album, [The] Hearth released in August 2018, followed by her single “Humble Host” in April of 2019.

Today, she can be found at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Ellicott City, Saint Patrick’s in Havre de Grace, online virtual events, and hopefully soon, traveling to various parishes around the country. She is working on new music and excited to spend this next season with a special focus on music that draws the Church into the True Presence of the Eucharist.

Enkindle Contributor

Dan DeMatte is a Catholic speaker, retreat leader, and youth minister who founded and serves as executive director of the Damascus Catholic Mission Campus, the home of Catholic Youth Summer Camp where he previously served as director of evangelization.

He earned a bachelor's degree in theology and philosophy from Ohio Dominican University and received a master’s degree in theology from Pontifical College Josephinum in 2015. From 2005 to 2011, DeMatte founded and was the program director of Jesus Jams, a monthly event for high school students. He also served as a DRE and youth minister for 10 years at the parish level.

DeMatte was one of the stars of the 2006 A&E reality show God or the Girl, which followed his discernment to the priesthood or married life. He has appeared on EWTN, The Today Show, Larry King Live, and The View. He is the cohost of EWTN radio’s Encounter. DeMatte’s book Holiness Revolution is part of Matthew Kelly's Dynamic Catholic program.

Dan lives with his wife Amber and their children in Columbus, Ohio.

Guest - Redeemer

David grew up in a YWAM missionary family based in Thailand. As an adult he became a professional actor, predominantly in musical theater, always seeking to use his talents to spread the Gospel. He had been known for his dynamic speaking and became an ordained Evangelical minister. In 2017, David entered the Catholic Church and for the last couple of years, he served as a parish youth and young adult minister.

Deacon Steve Sarnecki is a Deacon for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. He is a degreed Chemical Engineer, with an MBA and a Masters in Management, as well as, a Masters in Theology, and he founded SALT (Mt 5:13) Ministries - a grassroots outreach to the hungry, homeless and lonely. Deacon Steve also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Franciscan Center of Baltimore.

Contributor: Enkindle

Dr. Ansel Augustine is the New Orleans Area Director for Vagabond Missions, an outreach program to minister to the most at-risk youth in the community.  He is also the Director of the Office of Black Catholic Ministries for the Archdiocese of New Orleans.  He is the former Executive Director of Cultural Diversity and Outreach for the Archdiocese of Washington. Previously he served as the Associate Director/Coordinator of Black Youth & Young Adult Ministry for the CYO Youth & Young Adult Ministry Office. He is also on the Faculty of the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana, Graduate Theological Foundation, and Loyola University New Orleans’ Institute for Ministry. Dr. Augustine has also served as a Campus Minister at Xavier University of Louisiana, Loyola University New Orleans, and St. John’s University in Queens, NY.  Ansel has served on the board of directors for the National Catholic Young Adult Ministry Association (NCYAMA) and the National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM).  He began his career in ministry over 20 years ago when he became the youth minister at his home parish of St. Peter Claver in the Treme area of New Orleans, which he helped to rebuild following hurricane Katrina. He has presented workshops and keynotes around the country and has written various pieces related to ministry including The African American Catholic Youth Bible and Leveling the Praying Field:  Can the Church we Love, Love us Back?. Ansel has worked in prison ministry for over 25 years in various capacities. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the Knights of Columbus, the Knights of Peter Claver, and the Wild Tchoupitoulas (Black Masking) Mardi Gras Indians.  He is also an Associate Member of the Sisters of the Holy Family in New Orleans, LA.

Fr. Boniface Hicks, OSB is a Benedictine monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey and a Catholic priest. He is the General Manager, Programming Manager and an On Air Host of We Are One Body® Catholic radio (WAOB®). He is the Director of Spiritual Formation at Saint Vincent Seminary. He has co-authored two books with Fr. Thomas Acklin, OSB called Spiritual Direction: A Guide for Sharing the Father’s Love and Personal Prayer: A Guide for Receiving the Father's Love.