Meet the Staff behind Blessed is She

Abbey Dupuy holds a masters in liturgical music from Saint John’s University and works in parish liturgical ministry. She and her husband and four children are transplants to Minnesota. In her spare time, she loves cross-country skiing, gardening, coffee, and reading cookbooks, not usually at the same time. She is a contributing author to our children’s devotional prayer book, Rise Up and author of our Blessed Conversations: The Virtues.

Annie Deddens is a writer and producer. She and her husband run a prayer ministry called Pray More Novenas. She has a heart for the sick and suffering. She writes about living with greater faith (hope and love, too) in this imperfect world as a Catholic wife on her blog, Catholic Wife, Catholic Life. Find out more about her here.

Bella Rol is a college student from Monterey, CA. She is studying Early Childhood Education as she pursues her dream of working with children and one day having her own to care for. In the meantime, she is the big sister to three younger brothers. In her free time she is usually found with her sketchbook and art supplies as she doodles away.

Blythe Fike is the wife of Kirby and mother of eleven kids in small town SoCal.She firmly believes sanctity is found in the everyday and is trying hard to live that truth, despite her countless fumbles. She enjoys sunshine in heavy doses, good music, and babysitters. She is a contributing author to our children’s devotional prayer book, Rise Up. Find out more about her here.

Bobbi Rol is a wife, mama and blogger living on the Monterey Bay in California with her husband, teen daughter, and three rambunctious boys. When she is not dodging light sabers, she can be found outside with her family, catching a late night movie or decorating her planner. She was a contributing author to And Hay Became Holy and our children’s devotional prayer book, Rise Up. Find out more about her here.

Bonnie Engstrom is a writer, baker, speaker, and homemaker. She lives with her husband and eight children in Illinois. Bonnie is the author of 61 Minutes to a Miracle which tells the story of her son’s miracle that was approved by Pope Francis for the beatification of Venerable Fulton Sheen. She is the author of Blessed Conversations Mystery: Believe and Loving God, Loving Others: 52 Devotions to Create Connections That Last. Find out more about her here.

Brittany Calavitta is an enthusiastic advocate for a good book, strong coffee, and a hopeful heart. After battling years of infertility, she and her husband welcomed their first child on September 11, 2016. Brittany dances professionally all over Southern California where her family currently resides. She was a contributing author to Here Too: Where We Find God and Made New: 52 Devotions for Catholic Women. Find out more about her here.

Cathy Webb is a consecrated virgin for the Diocese of Wilmington and the creator of the Sacred Heart to Heart journal. A full-time Library Assistant, she loves long books, long skirts, and, above all, long talks with her divine Spouse. She delights in prayerful encounter with the Universal Church, but holds a special place in her heart for Dublin, Ireland, where she gave Christ her “yes.” Find out more about her here.

Chika Anyanwu is a Catholic evangelist, speaker, and author of My Encounter: How I Met Jesus In Prayer. Her missionary zeal is inspired by a love of Christ and the Church, the lives of the saints, and a desire to see people live their worth. She was a contributing author to Maranatha: The Story of Our Savior. Find out more about her here.

Christy Isinger is a wife and mom to five lovely, loud children and lives in northern Canada. When not homeschooling, she is a devoted reader of English literature from Jane Austen to Agatha Christie and blogs about beauty and life. She is the co-host of the Fountains of Carrots Podcast. She is the author of Blessed Conversations: The Ten Commandments. Find out more about her here.

Debra Herbeck is a Jewish convert to the Church who serves extensively in youth and women’s ministry. She directs Pine Hills Girls Camp (for 35 years), and is the Founder and Director of the Be Love Revolution. Find her books here. She and her husband have four children and nine grandchildren. She is the author of Blessed Conversations: Dwell and Misericordia. Find out more about her here.

Elise Howe is a wife, mother, vocal artist, teacher, writer, and dark chocolate lover. A lover of authentic beauty, Elise is most joyful when creating with the inspiration of the Divine Artist. A born-and-raised Midwestern gal, she happily resides in Michigan after several years “living the dream” in New York City. She was a contributing author to Set a Fire and Blessed Conversations: Misericordia. Find out more about her here.

Elizabeth Blanke is a nature-loving mama raising three redheaded extroverts in the beautiful city of Chicago. She is passionate about creating authentic Catholic community, and you will most often find her in the kitchen. After the sudden loss of her high-school sweetheart husband, she is leaning into Christ’s mercy and learning to embrace the Cross. Find out more about her here.

Emily Stimpson Chapman is the author of more than a dozen books and studies for women, including The Catholic Table: Finding Joy Where Food and Faith Meet and These Beautiful Bones: An Everyday Theology of the Body, and as the general editor for the Formed In Christ High School Textbook series. She was a contributing author to Loving God, Loving Others: 52 Devotions to Create Connections That Last. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband and son. Find out more about her here.

Emily Wilson Hussem planned her whole life to become a sports reporter but turned out to be a Catholic musician and speaker at the hand of God. The heart of her ministry is offering encouragement to women living a counter-cultural life of joy. She is the author of two children’s books, God’s Glorious Girl and God’s Brave Boy, and Awaken My Heart, a devotional for women of all ages. Find out more about her here.

Gina Fensterer finds daily life to be perfect for practicing virtue (so many opportunities for patience and humility) with her six children. She loves the Jesus prayer, long runs, and coffee at any time of day. She loves to create products to encourage women seeking everyday holiness. She was a contributing author to And Hay Became Holy and our children’s devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Find out more about her here.

Jana Zuniga Pingel is an artist and designer based in Colorado Springs, where she resides with her husband. She earned her B.A. in Studio Art from Saint Mary’s College in South Bend, Indiana. She is the founder and owner of January Jane Shop, an online boutique for Catholic art and goods. When she isn’t busy doing entrepreneurial things, she’s cooking a new recipe, hiking a mountain, or party planning.

Karen Schultz hails from the Land of 10,000 Lakes, where she is often found in or near one of them. She loves Saturday mornings, DIY projects, road trips, solo time in Adoration chapels, and pretty much any flea market she has ever come across. She is the author of Blessed Conversations Misericordia. 

Katie Prejean McGrady is a speaker and award winning author of four books. She hosts The Katie McGrady Show on Sirius XM’s The Catholic Channel and the Ave Explores podcast with Ave Maria Press, the Like a Mother podcast with OSV, and Family Mass Prep on the Hallow App. She tries to create a happy and cozy home in Lake Charles, Louisiana with her husband, Tommy, and daughters, Rose and Clare. 

Kendra Tierney is a SoCal wife and mother of ten children from toddler to college student. Her passion is liturgical living in the home. Through her blog, social media, youtube, and books including Catholic All Year Compendium: Liturgical Living for Real Life and the new Catholic All Year Prayer Companion, she shares how obscure Catholic traditions have shaped a strong family culture and Catholic identity. 

Leana Bowler is a wife and mother of five little ones. She is a Holy Rosary enthusiast with deep devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Her love for the message of Divine Mercy led her to become a Marian Missionary of Divine Mercy. She enjoys the miracles of family life, strong coffee, and encountering others on this journey to sainthood. She was a contributing author to And Hay Became Holy and Made New: 52 Devotions for Catholic Women.

Liz Kelly is a jazz singer who met Jesus in late-night Adoration. An award-winning author of nine books, including Jesus Approaches and Love Like a Saint, she holds advanced degrees in creative writing and Catholic studies. She is trained as a spiritual director and leads retreats with a particular focus on helping women to flourish in their faith. She is a contributing author to Made New: 52 Devotions for Catholic Women. Find out more about her here.

Mariana Pimiento is a Colombia-born storyteller and artist. She enjoys big dinners with her Colombian family, talking about Theology of the Body, and any chance for a bonfire. The preaching Dominican friars brought her back to the Catholic faith while a student in New York City. Mariana served several years as a FOCUS missionary and now continues college ministry work in Nashville. Find out more about her here.

Mary Catherine Craige feels most alive when dancing, playing Irish harp, surfing or walking the beach with her labradoodle puppy. As a professional life coach, she supports women to transform challenges into opportunities and create a beautiful life of freedom and joy as the person God has created you to be. She was a contributing author to Set a Fire and our children’s devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Find out more about her here.

Dr. MaryRuth Hackett loves historical fiction, watching her children play soccer, a good espresso, and the quiet of the early morning. She holds a PhD in Educational Psychology and is the author of Daughter by Design: Discovering Your Identity as God’s Beloved Daughter.  She is a contributing author to All She Had and our children’s devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Find out more about her new book, popular parenting podcast, and other online writing here.

Megan Hjelmstad is a wife and hockey mom 24/7 and an Army Reservist in her “spare” time. She adores books, sleep, sunshine, and Colorado’s great outdoors. Megan loves helping women discover their God-given dignity through The Well Mentorship Program. She was a contributing author to Maranatha: The Story of Our Savior, our children’s devotional prayer book, Rise Up and Loving God, Loving Others: 52 Devotions to Create Connections That Last. Find out more about her here. 

Michelle Karen D’Silva is a wife, mama and friend, constantly pursuing to live “fully alive.” A former atheist, she now carries the Gospel truth globally as Catholic speaker and mentor to future Gen-Z saints. Her passion for women to flourish reflects through her podcast Unravel. Michelle’s favorite hangouts include cozy cafes, shopping sales, and her parish in Qatar, the place of her conversion and one she calls home. Find out more about her here.

Mytae Carrasco Wallace is Las Vegas born and raised and holds a Masters in Public Administration. She and her husband have the privilege of leading Pre-Cana retreats for their home parish. On the daily you can find her raising her three kiddos, choreographing dance moves to entertain her children, and doing her own version of carpool karaoke. She was a contributing author to All She Had. Find out more about her here.

Mytae es creada y nacida en Las Vegas, NV. Tiene su Maestría en Administración Pública. Ella y su esposo tienen el privilegio de dirigir los retiros de Pre-Cana para su parroquia. Diariamente puedes encontrarla criando a sus tres hijos, coreografiando movimientos de baile para entretener a sus hijos y cantando su propia versión de karaoke en el carro. Fue autora contribuyente de All She Had. Conozca la mejor aquí.

Rachel Balducci has a Masters degree from the Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia and teaches at Augusta University. She and her husband Paul have five sons and one daughter and are part of an intentional Christian community in Augusta, Georgia. Rachel is the author of several books and is the co-host of The Gist of CatholicTV. Find out more about her here.

Rocio Hermes is a Dominican-born, US-raised, part-time nanny who is excited about building community, writing poetry, and sharing the message of the Theology of the Body. She holds a Master’s degree in Theology and lives in Berlin with her husband, where they are secretly the best cake-baking team in town. She is a contributing author to Blessed Conversations: Dwell. You can read more from her here and think about life with her here. 

Rocío Hermes es una niñera a tiempo parcial, nacida en la República Dominicana y criada en los Estados Unidos, a quien le entusiasma construir comunidad, escribir poesía y compartir el mensaje de la Teología del Cuerpo. Tiene un máster en Teología y vive en Berlín con su marido, donde juntos forman el mejor equipo de pasteleros de la ciudad. Es autora colaboradora de Blessed Conversations: Dwell.

Rose Coleman is an elementary school teacher with a heart for pilgrimage. She traveled the globe on a ship during college and spent some years in the convent as a religious sister. She was a contributing author to All She Had, Blessed Conversations: Rooted, and our children’s devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Find out more about her here. 

Dr. Samantha Aguinaldo-Wetterholm is a wife and mom to four little ones and practices dentistry at a public health community center for low income families in the Bay Area, California. She (unashamedly) thinks ice cream is its own food group and does not leave the house without wearing sparkly earrings. She was a contributing author to All She Had and our children’s devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Find out more about her here.

Sarah Elizabeth is a graduate student studying International Security. She earned her Bachelor’s in Politics from The Catholic University of America, and now resides in the Washington, DC area with her cat, Regina. Originally from Arizona, Sarah treasures iced oat milk lattes, mountain views, and Saint John Henry Newman. She is a contributing author to Blessed Conversations: Dwell,Here Too: Where We Find God, and Loving God, Loving Others: 52 Devotions to Create Connections That Last. Find out more about her here.

Sarah Ortiz is a Catholic convert, wife, and mother to five boys while living in a 200-year-old farmhouse in Western New York. When not folding laundry, she can be found reading, experimenting in the kitchen, keeping the family library, or snagging amazing antique furniture deals. She was a contributing author to Set a Fire. Find out more about her here.

Sarah Rose, M.Div., is a wife and mother living in Cleveland, Ohio. She loves Ignatian Spirituality and is passionate about faith, social justice, and the intersection of the two. Find out more about her here.

Senite Sahlezghi is a consecrated virgin for the Archdiocese of Denver. She is a first generation Eritrean American, is a licensed professional counselor with a master’s in Counseling Psychology, and serves as the Clinical Director for Marisol Health. Grateful to be in a place surrounded by mountains and live music, the greatest privilege of her life remains being called to be Christ’s bride.

Sister Maria Fatima entered the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in 2005 and teaches middle school religion in Ohio. She holds a MA in Theology from the Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity. She delights in helping her students to draw closer to Jesus through the Eucharist and to discover their truest identity as beloved children of the Father. She was a contributing author to All She Had. Find out more about her here.

Sister Maria Kim Bui is a Daughter of Saint Paul, women religious dedicated to evangelization in and through the media. She is originally from Tempe, Arizona and now serves as the director of marketing and sales at the Sisters’ publishing house in Boston. She is a contributing author to Maranatha: The Story of Our Savior and our children’s devotional prayer book called Rise Up and the author of Blessed Conversations Mystery: Belong. Find out more about her here.

Tricia Tembreull is a speaker and campus minister with a boundless passion for life in California. She serves as Campus Minister at USC Caruso Catholic Center. She loves adventure and enjoys testing new recipes out on friends and family, gathering them around the table to encounter Christ in one another and be drawn to the satisfying unity we crave in the Eucharist. She was a contributing author to Set a Fire. Find out more about her here. 

SPIRITUAL ADVISOR FOR BLESSED IS SHE

Fr. John Parks was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Phoenix on June 5, 2010 and has served as parochial vicar of St. Daniel the Prophet and St. Timothy Parishes. He has also served as the chaplain of Notre Dame Preparatory. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Theater from Arizona State University, a Master of Arts in Catholic Thought and Life and a Master of Divinity from Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology. He also completed a Master of Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University while serving at Notre Dame Preparatory. On December of 2016, Fr. Parks was appointed by Bishop Olmsted as the new Vicar for Evangelization for the Diocese of Phoenix. The Vicar for Evangelization is a new position in the Diocese of Phoenix that provides counsel, advice and assistance to the bishop in the Church’s mission of evangelization. The Division of Evangelization includes the Catholic Schools Office, Parish Catechetical Departments (English and Spanish), Marriage and Respect Life, Kino Catechetical Institute and the Safe Environment Training Office. Fr. Parks is also a frequent speaker at Steubenville Youth Conferences and is the spiritual advisor to Blessed is She—a Catholic women’s ministry that seeks to help women grow in personal prayer and community.

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, HOMESMART INTERNATIONAL

Lorraine Murrietta is an Arizona Certified Public Accountant with more than twenty years of progressive management experience in the business and financial field, including significant C-level experience. She currently serves as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Human Resources Director for Off Madison Ave, an integrated advertising agency serving a diverse set of clients, overseeing all financial operations and human capital growth. She currently serves her parish as a Financial Peace University coach. She is a Life Member for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale and served on its Board for seven years from 2006 to 2013. Lorraine is currently the Treasurer of the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation Board. Lorraine holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a specialization in Accounting from Seton Hall University in New Jersey.  She is also fluent in Spanish and lives in Arizona with her husband, near her two children and their spouses, and seven grandchildren.

PROFESSOR OF LAW, AVE MARIA SCHOOL OF LAW

Professor Murphy began her legal career as a judicial clerk for the Honorable Edward A. Tamm of the United States Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit. Thereafter, she worked for several years in the D.C. office of Jones, Day, where she specialized in the areas of antitrust and litigation. She began her teaching career at Case Western Reserve University School of Law, and later spent several years as a faculty member with the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Professor Murphy was one of the first members of Ave Maria’s faculty. She and her husband have six children.

DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS, SAINT AGNES SCHOOL

Joseph Olson is a lifelong Catholic dedicated to following Jesus Christ in his every day life. He lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota with his beautiful wife and four darling children. His day job is admissions director at Saint Agnes school, a liberal arts classical education preschool through 12th grade institution in the heart of the city. Joseph is a hearty northerner who much prefers winter over summer but despite whatever the weather, is outside more than not enjoying Gods beautiful creation. Joseph received his BS at Saint Cloud State University in business marketing.

REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR THE DAUGHTERS OF ST. PAUL

Sister Maria Kim Bui is a Daughter of Saint Paul, women religious dedicated to evangelization in and through the media. She is originally from Tempe, Arizona and now serves as the director of marketing and sales at the Sisters’ publishing house in Boston. She is a contributing author to our children’s devotional prayer book called Rise Up and the author of Blessed Conversations Mystery: Belong. Find out more about her here.