Speakers & Artists

YOUR HOSTS

Sr. Josephine Garrett, CSFN

Sister Josephine is a native Texan, raised baptist in Houston Texas. Jesus called her to religious life in 2011 and in 2020 Sister made her final vows as a Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth. She ministers as a licensed mental health counselor, and also serves on the community vocations team and as a national speaker.

Mari Pablo

Mari Pablo is a proud Hispanic and cradle Catholic whose life was wrecked in the best possible way when she finally decided to stop fighting and surrender it all to Him. Mari has joyfully worked in youth ministry for over fifteen years, both as a youth minister and theology teacher. She is a presenter for Ascension Press in many projects including YOU, Chosen and Connected- CST for this generation. Mari has a deep love for food but an even greater love for Christ and is dedicated to helping others encounter Him.

FEATURED ARTIST

For King & Country

For King & Country is one of the music industry’s most respected and decorated duos. Brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone have won four GRAMMY Awards, 10 GMA Dove Awards, a Billboard Music Award, 13 K-LOVE Fan Awards, and their nine No. 1 songs have produced an astonishing accumulation of over one billion on-demand streams.

The RIAA Platinum-selling act’s live show has been hailed as a must-see concert event that continues to wow sold-out crowds whether in the U.S.A, Australia, Germany, Netherlands, or New Zealand.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

ValLimar Jansen

ValLimar Jansen is an actor, playwrite, singer, songwriter and lover of theatre. ValLimar sings a wide range of music from spirituals to traditional organ-based choral music and has performed for NCYC and World Youth Day. ValLimar’s goal is to inspire a renewed, passionate love of our faith through song, story and movement.

Brian Butler

Brian is executive director of Echo Community, which cultivates chastity and authentic masculinity and femininity with teens, young adults and families via the lens of St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body.  Brian has authored several books, programs, a musical, and retreat. Brian enjoys music, sports, the outdoors, and spending time with his wife, Lisa, and their four children.

Sr. Jude Andrew Link, OP

Sr. Jude Andrew Link, OP grew up in the Pacific Northwest and is a member of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist and made final vows in 2011. She has taught middle school and high school, and has worked in her community’s apostolate Openlight Media developing catechetical resources for teachers.

Fr. John Kartje

Fr. John was ordained a priest in 2002.  He has served in parish and campus ministry in Chicago and Washington, DC. After serving as the Catholic Chaplain for Northwestern University, in 2009 he was transferred to Mundelein Seminary, where he has taught scripture.  Fr. John holds doctorate degrees in scripture (Catholic University of America) and in astrophysics (University of Chicago). 

House Collective

Thomas Muglia

Thomas is a singer/songwriter from Arizona, inspired by the story of humanity, God’s redemption, and the ability to create. Through campus ministry in college, Thomas discovered a passion for worship and community. Filled with fresh conviction and a heart for mission, he’s quickly gaining influence in Catholic music. 

Karla Carrillo

Karla is a performer and music minister from Los Angeles.  She has performed and recorded with composers of sacred music across the world, including Tony Alonso, Marty Haugen, and many more. She has sung for a range of national conferences, including the Los Angeles RE Congress, the National Association of Pastoral Musicians annual convention, and the NCYC.  

Benjmin Cortez

Ben is a multi-instrumental musician that captivates listeners with his eclectic “vintage-meets-modern” musical approach. 

Having been recruited to perform with high-profile acts such as Matt Maher, Ike Ndolo, and Sarah Kroger, Benjamin has established himself as a go-to swiss army knife for artists’ live and studio endeavors. 

Dana Catherine

Dana is a nationally known Catholic singer-songwriter, speaker, and emcee hailing from Nashville. Known for her soulful voice, captivating melodies, and authentic and joyful witness to the goodness of God, she travels through the US sharing her songs and stories in hopes of inspiring each soul she encounters to dive deeper into trust and surrender to the Lord. Her most popular singles, “Surrender Song” and “Maybe,” blend a catchy contemporary pop sound with meaningful and relatable lyrics.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

View the current list of breakout speakers and musicians!

This list is constantly being updated so make sure to check back for more speakers as well as session details.

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2023 Host

Mari Pablo

Mari Pablo is a proud Hispanic and cradle Catholic whose life was wrecked in the best possible way when she finally decided to stop fighting and surrender it all to Him. Mari has joyfully worked in youth ministry for over fifteen years, both as a youth minister and theology teacher, and as a presenter for Ascension Press. Mari has a deep love for food but an even greater love for Christ and is dedicated to helping others encounter Him.

2023 Host

Sr. Josephine Garrett, CSFN

Sister Josephine is a native Texan, raised baptist in Houston Texas. Jesus called her to religious life in 2011 and in 2020 Sister made her final vows as a Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth. She ministers as a licensed mental health counselor, and also serves on the community vocations team and as a national speaker. 

ABOUT NFCYM

The National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) is a membership organization dedicated to advancing the field of pastoral ministry to young people.

Members enjoy:

  • Professional training, resourcing, and support
  • Full access to our resources and webinars,
  • Special rates to NFCYM events, and more.

You will now be directed to NFCYM.ORG to complete registration.

ABOUT NFCYM

The National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) is a membership organization dedicated to advancing the field of pastoral ministry to young people.

Members enjoy:

  • Professional training, resourcing, and support
  • Full access to our resources and webinars,
  • Special rates to NFCYM events, and more.

You will now be directed to NFCYM.ORG to complete registration.

2023 Host

Mari Pablo

Mari Pablo is a proud Hispanic and cradle Catholic whose life was wrecked in the best possible way when she finally decided to stop fighting and surrender it all to Him. Mari has joyfully worked in youth ministry for over fifteen years, both as a youth minister and theology teacher, and as a presenter for Ascension Press. Mari has a deep love for food but an even greater love for Christ and is dedicated to helping others encounter Him.

2023 Host

Sr. Josephine Garrett, CSFN

Sister Josephine is a native Texan, raised baptist in Houston Texas. Jesus called her to religious life in 2011 and in 2020 Sister made her final vows as a Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth. She ministers as a licensed mental health counselor, and also serves on the community vocations team and as a national speaker.