Our conference speakers will educate, inform, inspire, and challange us to become better leaders.

Keynote Speaker: Fr. Tom Forrest, CSSR

Fr. Tom Forrest, a Redemptorist Priest, was ordained in New York in 1954 by Cardinal Spellman. For the first 23 years of his priesthood, he worked among the poor of the Caribbean. In 1971, he became involved in the Charismatic Renewal and in 1978 was elected director of the International Office for Catholic Charismatic Renewal. He served in this capacity for six years,first with Cardinal Suenens in Brussels and then in Rome.

He has traveled to and spoken in more than 104 different countries, and his articles and books have been translated into a number of languages. He has spoken with Pope John Paul II many times and on eight different occaisions was invited to meals with the Holy Father. He has organized two Worldwide Retreat for Priests, one in 1984 in the theme "A Call to Holiness" and the other in 1990 on the theme "Called to Evangelize." A total of 11,000 priests attended the retreats, both taking place in the Papal Audience Hall.

For a year he worked at the Vatican Congregation for the Clergy, collaborating to promote annual events to foster priestly renewal. At present, Fr. Forrest is International Director of EVANGELIZATION 2000, a Catholic effort to promote Church renewal through prayer, proclamation of the Word, and the formation of a more evanglistically activated people of God. He now resides in Washington, DC.

Arlene Apone
Arlene Apone has been active in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal for over 30 years. She is the liaison for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal to the Archdiocese of Detroit, and the director of the Detroit Catholic Charismatic Renewal Center. Arlene attended Madonna University and Sacred Heart Seminary, pursuing degrees in religious education. She is certified in pastoral ministry with the Archdiocese of Detroit. Arlene also completed courses in spiritual direction from both institutions. Mrs. Apone is a teacher and has produced three books: she authored the Wind and Fire Life in the Spirit Seminars; she edited A Pilgrim’s Way, a six-month bible study; she developed and authored the one-year inner-healing development program, The Shepherd Groups. Arlene serves as a conference speaker, a retreat director, and currently is fulfilling a three year term on the National Service Committee Council. She has served as a past chairperson of the Association of Diocesan Liaisons to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Arlene is widowed, has six children and twelve grandchildren.
Therese Boucher
Therese Boucher has been a leader in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal for over 30 years. She is married with five children. Therese is a writer, speaker and has trained diocesan laity ministry teams, Life in the Spirit teams and faith sharing group leaders. She revised the original Life in the Spirit Seminars Team Manual into The New Life in the Spirit Seminars Team Manual: Catholic Edition 2000 which has sold over 9,000 copies and recently published A Prayer Journal for Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Her other books include Evangelizing Unchurched Children; A Pocketbook for Catechists. She and her husband have co-authored the book, Christian Marriage: Sacrament of Abiding Friendship and the booklet, An Introduction to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.
Josephine Cachia
Josephine Cachia has been in the renewal for 22 years. She is currently the Bishop's liason for the English speaking prayer groups in the Diocese of Brooklyn and Director for the Charismatic Renewal Office there. Josephine is also a member of the National Service Committee for Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the U.S. Josephine has been a speaker at Conferences, Womens Days of Healing, and Retreats. She was formerly employed in the Health Care Profession as a nurse. She has been married for 34 years to Peter, and they have two adult children
Tom Curran
Thomas Curran is Executive Director of Trinity Formation Resources, a non-profit ministry dedicated to helping Catholics understand, explore and live their faith more deeply. He is a popular teacher and conference speaker who has given more than 750 presentations to more than 150,000 Catholics in more than 30 states and six countries across the globe. Tom also serves many dioceses, priests, and ministry leaders nationally as a coach and consultant. Tom lives in Federal Way, Washington (just south of Seattle) with his wife, Kari, and their two daughters.
Fr. John Gordon
Fr. John Gordon was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Newark in 1988. He has been active in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal since 1975. He has served in various local, regional, national and international ways. Currently he is Vice-Chair of NARSC (North American Renewal Service Committee) an ecumenical umbrella group, and was a member of the NSC Council from 2001 until 2003. In January of 2003 he was elected a member of the National Service Committee. Fr. Gordon has been a speaker at a variety of Catholic charismatic conferences throughout the country as well as Steubenville High School Age Youth Conferences. He is a doctoral student at Fordham University, Graduate School of Education. Fr. Gordon was recently moved to Steubenville, Ohio to work as the Assistant Director of the Pre-Theologate Program at Franciscan University of Steubenville.
Michele Greischar
Dr. Michele Greischar has been a psychotherapist in private practice in the Chicago area since 1975. She received her Ph.D. in counseling from Loyola University where she had been teaching education and psychology for several years. Presently, she is a member of the Association of Christian Therapists and a member of the National Counseling Association. Since 1971, Michele has been a leader in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal . She spent twelve years as a member of the National Service Committee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the U.S., retiring last January. She is a member of the NSC Council. She gives workshops, retreats, days of renewal, and conference presentations both nationally and abroad. A partial presentation of her talk at ICCRS's International Symposium on Healing in 1995, "Guerison Affective et Psychologie," appears in Le Ministere de Guerison. Also published is her "Psychotherapy and Christian Spiritual Healing: Case Studies Revealing God's Transforming Love" which appeared in the Journal of Christian Healing. She has been a regular author in Pentecost Today. Michele lives in the Chicago area with Richard, her husband of 28 years, two of their three adult children and their collie.
Fr. Tim Hepburn
Fr. Tim Hepburn was raised in Atlanta and in 1982 he began study for an Architecture degree. Then in 1985 after some searching, he experienced a combination of God finding him and him finding God that set him on a course towards priesthood. He began studies for the priesthood in 1988 at St. Meinrad in Indiana and was ordained in 1993 for the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Fr. Tim has served as parochial vicar, pastor and as a high school chaplain. Currently, as Director of the University Catholic Center in Atlanta, Fr. Tim serves the students of Emory University, Agnes Scott College and Emory at Oxford with the Good News of Jesus Christ. He also serves as Assistant Vocations Director of the Archdiocese of Atlanta and is the Archbishop’s Liaison to the Atlanta Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Fr. Tim is a gifted speaker, preacher and musician/singer. He has done work in evangelization to the youth through Steubenville conferences and Firepower conferences in New Zealand and Sonfest in Florida. He has spoken at Marian conferences, charismatic conferences and retreats, Life in the Spirit Seminars, young adult retreats and many others.
Judith Hughes
Judith Hughes, Co-Director of Spiritual Renewal Services for the Diocese of Norwich, Connecticut, has been involved in charismatic renewal for the last 24 years. She co-founded the Heart of God House of Prayer in Old Saybrook and the Renewal and Prayer Center in Norwich. Judith is an active member of Isaiah Ministries, an international ministry, and a member of the Association of Christian Therapists. Judith is a member of the Association of Diocesan Liaisons and currently serves as Chairperson of their Steering Committee. Mrs. Hughes is a widow, a mother of three children, and a proud grandmother of five.
Sr. Nancy Kellar, S.C.
Sister Nancy Kellar S.C. has been a Sister of Charity of New York for 39 years. She has a Masters Degree in History and was a secondary school History teacher before becoming involved in full-time ministry in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in 1971. She was a founding member with Fr. Jim Ferry of the first Charismatic House of Prayer in the United States. Sr. Nancy has held a number of leadership positions in the Renewal including coordinator of the Charismatic Renewal in the Archdiocese of New York, member of the National Service Committee, member of ICCRS (International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services) Council, and Director of the ICCRS office. She has also served for many years in the ecumenical renewal and was the Vice-Chairperson of the North American Renewal Service Committee (NARSC) for a number of years.
Fr. Richard Loch
Fr. Richard Loch was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Scranton in 1979. He is Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Scranton. Fr. Loch became involved in the Charismatic Renewal in 1972 and has participated in numerous prayer groups, Days of Renewal, Retreat Weekends and Conferences. Since 1985 he has been Moderator of the Charismatic Renewal in the Diocese of Scranton and Liaison to the Bishop. Fr. Loch was on the Steering Committee of the Association of Diocesan Liaisons from 1995 through 2001, including being Chairman from 1998 through 2001. In January of 2003 Fr. Loch was elected to the National Service Committee.
Renee Marazon
Renee Alda Marazon is the author of several popular publications. Ms. Marazon received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Ursuline College in Pepper Pike, Ohio, and a Master of Education degree from Bowling Green State University. She held a faculty position at Lourdes College in Sylvania Ohio from 1983 to 1997 serving as Chairperson of the Early Childhood Education Department from 1989-1997. While Chairperson, she designed a birth-to-grade-three degree and certificate program. In 1985, she founded an employer-supported childcare center in a collaborative venture between Lourdes College and the St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio. In addition to her professional publications Ms. Marazon has written Deliverance Prayer: A Matter of Wisdom, Discernment, and Obedience. Ms. Marazon serves as Vice-Chairperson of the Spiritual Leadership Council for the Diocese of Toledo, Ministry to Catholic Charismatic Renewal. She is a popular presenter at conferences, retreats, missions, and days of renewal. In her varying roles, she expresses a passion for the child that draws others to continually see each child as a unique gift from God. Her message is constant-- “Look to the child. Check in with the child. See the child as competent and gifted.” As both a parent and stepparent, Renee understands the great challenges that are set before families today to raise their children to know, love, and serve God. Her ministry work with families and those who work with families carries her to all parts of the world. Ms. Marazon’s commitment compels her to teach parents and professionals how to shed the world’s notions of who our children are and instead put on the mind and heart of God for children.
Walter Matthews
Walter Matthews has been Executive Director of the National Service Committee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of the United States since January 1993. He began working for the National Service Committee as Associate Director in May 1984. He has been involved in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal since January 1972 and has served in various leadership positions in the Renewal for over 25 years. Prior to working for the National Service Committee, Matthews served in full time leadership in the Renewal in New York City for two years; in a parish in Rochester, Minnesota, as Director of Religious Education for two years and in the Regional Service Committee office in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for three and a half years. He has spoken at conferences, days of renewal, and leaders’ days throughout the United States. In April 1990 Pope John Paul II appointed Matthews to a five-year term as a member of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. The department is at the direct service of the Pope. His term, which had been extended one year, ended in April 1996. From January 1994-November 1996 he served a term as an Advisor to the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on the Laity. He is a native of New York City and is married to the former Claire Casey. The Matthews have three children and live in Locust Grove, Virginia.
Aggie Neck
Aggie Neck has been a leader in Catholic Charismatic Renewal since 1972. She currently is Co-Director at Servant House, a Catholic Charismatic House of Prayer in Marksville, Louisiana. She is also the Chair of the National Service Committee, a member of the steering committee for the Southern Regional Conference in New Orleans, and the Diocesan Service Committee for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the Diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana.
Mark Nehrbas
Mark Nehrbas is senior director of Ministry and Outreach at Franciscan University. In 2001 he was elected to the National Service Committee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the United States. He has hosted the Catholic Charismatic Conference on campus for over ten years and the Catholic Men's Conference for three years. He speaks at conferences around the country and has authored a booklet, 'Small Groups For Catholic Men.' He resides in Steubenville with his wife, Carol, and six of their nine children.
Ron Ryan
Involved in Catholic Charismatic Renewal in 1975, Ron Ryan is a popular speaker in the fields of Scripture, spirituality, and leadership development. A native of Southern California, Ron earned his Bachelors degree and teaching credentials at Whittier College. He taught for several years in the Los Angeles Archdiocesan school system at both the elementary and secondary levels. Ron completed his graduate studies at Seattle University, earning a Masters in Pastoral Ministry. From 1979 to 1987, he worked with Southern California Renewal Communities (SCRC) the renewal center of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Moving to Seattle, he worked with Western Washington Catholic Charismatic Renewal (WWCCR) until 1995. Ron currently serves as Pastoral Associate of St. Brendan Parish in the Archdiocese of Seattle. He is also a member of the Seattle Archdiocesan Catechist Certification Faculty. A former member of the National Service Committee, Ron has been the Editor of the NSC's publication, Pentecost Today, since 1991. Ron has published a variety of materials. His seminars, Born of the Spirit and Alive in the Spirit and the Prayer Group Leadership Development Program are being used throughout the United States, Great Britain, and Australia. His audio publications include: The Book of Revelation: a Catholic Understanding of the Apocalypse; The Gospel of Mark; Luke: The Gospel for Saints and Sinners; The Gospel of John: Signs of God Among Us; Discovering the Bible: An Introduction to Catholic Scripture Study; More Than We Could Ask or Imagine; and Fan Into Flame the Gifts You Have Received.
Linda Schubert
Linda Schubert is a lay Catholic evangelist and author of the international best seller Miracle Hour, a Method of Prayer that Will Change Your Life, as well as several other popular books. Her newest book, True Confessions, Prayers to Heal the Secrets in Your Soul, is also being well received. She has co-authored many books with Rev. Robert DeGrandis, SSJ. She has ministered as a keynote speaker at national conferences in New Zealand and Belize, as well as conducing retreats and seminars throughout the world. Her focus is on prayer, healing and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Some of the 26 countries she has ministered in include Nigeria, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Poland, Germany, Malta, Italy, Mexico, Belize, Hungary, India, throughout the U.K., the Caribbean and Canada. She is a member of the Council to the National Service Committee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, and a member of the Association of Christian Therapists. She lives in Northern California.
David Thorp
David Thorp is married and the father of three children. A graduate of Boston College and Princeton Theological Seminary, David has served the Church since 1979 as a leader, teacher, and evangelist. In the past David has served as the director of the Office for Evangelization and as director of Charismatic Renewal Services both for the Archdiocese of Boston. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the National Council for Catholic Evangelization, and was a member of the National Service Committee for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal from 1984-1991. David currently serves as Director of Evangelization for St. Patrick parish in Natick, Massachusetts and leads missionary work for Renewal Ministries in Hungary and Slovenia. In 2002 David was again elected to serve on the National Service Committee. He writes a daily reflection on the Scriptures for Share the Word magazine.
John Michael Talbot
From the age of 12 to 16, John Michael Talbot toured the country with his rock and roll band. Disillusioned with what he found in that world, he spent four years praying and searching for answers. Then in 1978, inspired by the life of St. Francis of Assisi, he sold everything he owned, joined the secular Franciscan order, built a hermitage in the woods of Indianapolis, and lived as a hermit. Over the years he drew such a following that his spiritual advisor suggested he start his own community and begin a music ministry. In 1982 John Michael moved to Eureka Springs, Arkansas and founded what is today the community of “The Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion Hermitage,” the only community in North America of its type with canonical status from the Catholic Church and one of only ten communities in the world to encompass celibates, single people, married couples and families. All profess evangelical councils of chastity, poverty and obedience appropriate to their state of life. In 1992 John Michael formed his own record label which releases both his own sacred music and the works of other artists. Today, he continues to publish books, record albums, conduct retreats, an to be the spiritual anchor for The Brothers and Sisters of Charity, both at his home at the Monastery and worldwide.