NET MINISTRIES

Fall 2015 NETWORKSChallenging young Catholics to love Christ and embrace the life of the Church

WHAT’S INSIDE: NET'S FOUNDER / NET TEAMS + STATS / ALUMNUS SPOTLIGHT / LEGACY SOCIETY / ALUMNI UPDATE

MEET THE 2015-2016 NET TEAMS

TEAM 1: HOME TEAM

FRONT ROW: Jaime Sanchez, Morgan Mattfeld, Ryan Garrison, Sam Rabassa MIDDLE ROW: Sarah Labbe, Gabby Tijerina, Mariah Schultz, Caris Holzapfel, Teresa Wolfgram BACK ROW: Mickey Carroll, Manny Huerta Benitez, Joshua Sulak, Joseph Barringhaus

FALL SEMESTER ROUTE: Sept 26 – Dec 15: St. Paul and Minneapolis, MN

TEAM 2: TRAVELING TEAM

FRONT ROW: Vlod Collins, Jade Broadley, Timothy Stammeyer, Emily Spenst MIDDLE ROW: Madalyn Sharp, Katja Kolarsky, Katrina Fabian, Maddy LaFond BACK ROW: Cameron Walton, John Gross, Joe Terbrack, Brad Gardner

FALL SEMESTER ROUTE: Sept 29 - Oct 8: Venice, FL Oct 8 - 13: St. Petersburg, FL Oct 14 - 20: Charlotte, NC Oct 20 - Nov 3: Savannah, GA Nov 4 - 19: Richmond, VA Nov 20 - Dec 2: Atlanta, GA Dec 3 - 14: Springfield-Cape Girardeau, MO

Continued on page 3 NET MINISTRIES NETWORKS Fall 2015 a word from net’s Challenging young Catholics to love Christ and embrace founder and president the life of the Church

Dear Friends,

BOARD OF The American was abuzz with excitement this past September when the Holy Father paid us a visit. While here, he presided over the canonization of Blessed Fr. Junipero Serra. St. Junipero DIRECTORS is the first person to be canonized on American soil. In his homily, Francis repeated a simple two word phrase 11 times. That phrase? “Go out." CHAIRMAN: Bishop Andrew Cozzens, S.T.D., D.D. was adamant that the Catholic Church become more missionary-focused. We must go out VICE CHAIR: to people where ever they are. We must go out into their lives and be with them. We must go out and Mr. Gerald Brennan, CIMA share with them the good news of God’s love and mercy. And that is what the NET teams do well.

FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT: Fourteen NET teams have just gone out and begun their year of service. During this next year they will Mr. Mark Berchem, M.S.W., M.T.S. have the opportunity to personally share the with over 80,000 Catholic young people. To quote Pope Francis, they will “not be preaching complicated doctrines, but joyfully proclaiming Christ who TREASURER: died and rose for our sake.” Mission, according to the Holy Father, “is always the fruit of the life which Mr. Edward Kocourek knows what it is to be found and healed. Mission is born of a constant experience of God’s merciful anointing.” Mr. Jack Cozzens Mr. Gordon DeMarais, M.A.T. Mrs. Mary Fafinski The most convincing message that our missionaries carry with them is their own personal experience of Mr. Thomas Flynn encountering God’s love and responding in faith. Our team members are not trying to win an intellectual Mr. Thomas Grundhoefer, J.D. argument or theological debate. Rather, they are trying to introduce young people to the exciting Mr. Daniel Hagen, CFA adventure of encountering God’s love and following Christ. Mrs. Helen Healy Mrs. Patricia Huber To do that effectively, each NET team member must stay close to Jesus. They must pray every day, Dr. James Kolar, D.MIN. meditate on the Scriptures, frequent the sacraments as often as possible, and serve those they meet Rev. John Montejano, J.C.L. with great generosity. A tall order! But isn’t Christ worth it? And don’t our young people deserve to hear Mr. Patrick Regan the good news spoken in a language they can understand?

EPISCOPAL ADVISORY BOARD: So what can we do to support these heroic young missionaries? José H. Gomez, D.D. 1. Send them a note of encouragement, even if you don't know them! We will be happy to forward your Archbishop Robert J. Carlson, D.D. note to one of our missionaries in the field. Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr, D.D. 2. If you see a NET van in your area, give them a honk and a Bishop Frederick F. Campbell, D.D. thumbs up. They will appreciate being cheered on. Bishop Sam G. Jacobs, D.D. 3. Pray for them! We all know they need God’s grace to be effective. All of us can pray. NET is under the ecclesiastical 4. Consider making another financial gift. Every gift, regardless vigilance of the Archbishop of of its size, will help our NET teams to fulfill their important mission Paul and Minneapolis. It is governed – to go out! by a national board of directors, is a member of the Association of Sincerely in Christ, Fundraising Professionals and has been audited by Lewis, Kisch and Associates, Ltd. Mark Berchem Founder and President

Page 2 NETWORKS FALL 2015 TEAM 3: CINCINNATI REGIONAL TEAM

FRONT ROW: Stefanie Palmer, Ben Hughes, Morgan Anding, Joe Lundin MIDDLE ROW: Michaela Ratcliff, Claire Thoemke, Michaela Donovan, Mary Schwartz, Sarah Chmelik BACK ROW: Tom Wasinski, Chris Ripkowski, Kenny Falls, Austin Feenstra

FALL SEMESTER ROUTE: Sept 26 – Dec 15: Cincinnati, OH

TEAM 4: TRAVELING TEAM

FRONT ROW: Erin Upp, Diego Peralta, Elizabeth Lagoe, Austin Huck MIDDLE ROW: Katie Dell, Rosie Bielejeski, Lu Guajardo, Kylie Holzknecht BACK ROW: Luke Schaefer, Nathan Schuster, Nick Clune, Owen Maher

FALL SEMESTER ROUTE: Sept 26 - Oct 6: La Crosse, WI Oct 6 - 15: Marquette, MI Oct 15 - 27: New Ulm, MN Oct 27 - Nov 9: Rapid City, SD Nov 10 - 19: Fargo, ND Nov 19 - Dec 3: Sioux Falls, SD Dec 4 - 8: Milwaukee, WI Dec 8 - 10: Davenport, IA Dec 10 - 14: Kalamazoo, MI

TEAM 5: TRAVELING TEAM FRONT ROW: Jake Bartley, Tess Magin, Joshua Hernandez, Lindsey Baufield MIDDLE ROW: Jacky Eubanks, Regan Staub, Claire Jones, Cailee Hamblen BACK ROW: Ieric Lopez, Drew Labbe, Dalton Guinn, Isaac Birchem

FALL SEMESTER ROUTE: Sept 26 - 29: St. Cloud, MN Sept 30 - Oct 6: Lexington, KY Oct 7 - 14: Wheeling-Charleston, WV Oct 16 - 27: Springfield, MA Oct 27 - Nov 19: Manchester, NH Nov 28 – Dec 14: Grand Rapids, MI

Page 3 NETWORKS FALL 2015 TEAM 6: TRAVELING TEAM

FRONT ROW: Chandler Donaldson, Samantha Chestney, Tyler Block, Grace Galligan MIDDLE ROW: Celia Kennedy, Mari Cruz, Karina Avila, Theresa Nguyen BACK ROW: Sam Wong, Tim Cody, Jacob Currier, Josh Niese

FALL SEMESTER ROUTE: Sept 27 - Oct 1: Omaha, NE Oct 3 - 6: Pueblo, CO Oct 7 - 15: Phoenix, AZ Oct 15 - Nov 3: Los Angeles, CA Nov 3 - 12: Fresno, CA Nov 13 - 25: Baker, OR Nov 27 - 30: Seattle, WA Nov 30 - Dec 9: Sacramento, CA Dec 11 - 14: Pueblo, CO

TEAM 7: TRAVELING TEAM

FRONT ROW: Gabe Unger, Maria Zeece, Brenten McCulloch, Emily Andreozzi MIDDLE ROW: Anna Dick, Alexandra Raczka, Marisa Hooper, Amy Robbins BACK ROW: Tommy Mettler, Anthony Weidner, Isaac De La Rosa, Zach Gignac

FALL SEMESTER ROUTE: Sept 27 - Oct 4: Pittsburgh, PA Oct 4 - 13: Arlington, VA Oct 13 - Nov 5: Washington, D.C. Nov 6 - 25: Indianapolis & Lafayette, IN Nov 26 - Dec 3: Peoria, IL Dec 4 - 14: Greensburg, PA

TEAM 8: TRAVELING TEAM

FRONT ROW: John-Joe Jackson, Jocelyn Johnson, Christian Esqueda, Renee Nesheim MIDDLE ROW: Claire Theoret, Cynthia Sanchez, Claire Ellendson, Madeline McDougall BACK ROW: Trevor Asche, Caleb Reed, Luke Alexander, Stephen Kopp

FALL SEMESTER ROUTE: Sept 27 – Oct 6: Davenport, IA Oct 7 - 20: Baton Rouge, LA Oct 20 - Nov 3: Austin, TX Nov 5 - 25: Winona, MN Dec 1 - 15: Crookston, MN

Page 4 NETWORKS FALL 2015 TEAM 9: TRAVELING TEAM

FRONT ROW: Chris Armstrong, Ashley Criswell, Adrian Sanchez, Sophie McCallister MIDDLE ROW: Clare Wollschlager, Maria Ramirez, Kristen Harrison, Katie Kostohris BACK ROW: Brendan Slovacek, Joe Rynda, Joe Traver

FALL SEMESTER ROUTE: Sept 27 - Oct 29: Toledo, OH Oct 29 - Nov 12: Detroit, MI Nov 12 - 25: Rockford, IL Nov 28 - Dec 15: Gary, IN

TEAM 10: SCHOOL TEAM

FRONT ROW: Alexia Bustios, Liam Riley, Michele Volk, Dominic Schaefer BACK ROW: Wyatt Overton, Jackie Minton, Noah Gilchrist, Katie McKeen

FALL SEMESTER ROUTE: Sept 19 – Dec 15: Providence Academy, Plymouth, MN

TEAM 11: TEAM

FRONT ROW: Monica Loesel, Lucas Wollschlager, Bri St. Amour, Thomas Bosse BACK ROW: Anna Spankie, Kyle Lavin, Sammi Shepard, AJ Barrows, Cassidy Phillips

FALL SEMESTER ROUTE: Sept 19 – Dec 15: St. Hubert's, Chanhassen, MN

Page 5 NETWORKS FALL 2015 TEAM 12: SCHOOL TEAM

FRONT ROW: Mary Kate McAndrew, Steven Thomas, Jenifer Cwiek, Cody Klamm BACK ROW: Mary Markert, Trey Wiebusch, Mark McKellar, Katherine Severt

FALL SEMESTER ROUTE: Sept 19 - Dec 15: Cathedral High School, New Ulm, MN

TEAM 13: PARISH TEAM

FRONT ROW: Luke Billing, Annelise Curran, Anthony Allwein, Sarah Wilder BACK ROW: Ryan Melero, Grace Frantz, Trent Wiebusch, Elaina Perrotte

FALL SEMESTER ROUTE: Sept 19 – Dec 15: St. Mark the Evangelist, Plano, TX

TEAM 14: PARISH TEAM

FRONT ROW: Joey Horn, Christina Malliet, David Martinez, Hannah Harmon BACK ROW: JP Sullivan, Anna Marquard, Maria DeRoo, Nick O'Brien

FALL SEMESTER ROUTE: Sept 19 – Dec 15: St. Francis of Assisi, Grapevine, TX

Page 6 NETWORKS FALL 2015 2015-2016 NET TEAM MEMBER STATISTICS

Team Members Originate From 33 U.S. states as well as Scotland and England

Program Fees (35.7%) Program (71.2%) Contributions (60.4%) Administration (13.1%) Other Income (3.9%) Development (15.7%)

Total Revenue: Total Expenses: $2,711,211 $2,684,878 Breakdown of Team Member Ages 150 Team Members Average age at end of training: 20.2 50 77 women 73 men 40

30

20

10 24 20 22 23 25 26 27 18 19 21 0

34 team members are 18 years old 44 team members are 19 years old 21 team members are 20 years old 9 team members are 21 years old 17 team members are 22 years old 10 team members are 23 years old Returning Team Members 5 team members are 24 years old 30 team members have 5 team members are 25 years old already served at least 4 team members are 26 years old 1 team member is 27 years old one year with NET

Keep up with the teams at www.netusa.org/blog.

Page 7 NETWORKS FALL 2015 SPOTLIGHT ON ALUMNUS: DAVID CALAVITTA CATHOLIC FAITH: PASS IT ON Striving for excellence in ministry through marketing and design

We sat down with NET alumnus David Calavitta (2000-2001) than the Gospel. There before he spoke at NET's Lifeline event in October to ask him are no greater words a few questions about faith, his marketing role at , that we could ever say. and how he strives for excellence in ministry. We, the ministers, are being entrusted with Where did your radical desire to serve the Church come that message. Every- from? I was raised in a Catholic family. They brought me thing we do to get that to my home parish's youth group program often where I message into people’s was able to hear the truth of the Gospel, which eventually hearts has to be done brought me to a personal relationship with Christ. Our youth with passion and rev- ministry program also brought in NET Ministries to do re- erence. We need to be treats, which changed my life. I can’t think of anything else able to package it – not I’d rather do than bring others to Christ as well. change it – but pack- age it into a way that Tell us about your life after high school graduation. people can receive and I served with NET Ministries at age 19. That was a transfor- understand it. mative year in so many ways! It solidified the desire that ministry is something that has to be a part of my life. After What did serving with NET, I worked as a parish youth minister for 13 years. I got to NET Ministries mean know a lot of amazing people in ministry, and was able to do to you? freelance design on the side for Life Teen. Two years ago I left In one word: challenge! and started working full time with Life Teen, – in the greatest way overseeing their design and marketing. possible. My year serving with NET was one of the best and hardest years of my life. It was a sacrifice and a struggle, but I know you often use the phrase "excellent ministry." out of that comes new life, reformation. What does excellent ministry look like in your marketing role at Life Teen? Would you say a quick prayer for all of our readers? In any aspect of ministry, whether for adults, teens, or Jesus, we recognize that in the midst of us you are here, and through marketing and design, people will flock to things you simply desire us. We pray for all of those ministries that that have a sense of importance. There’s no greater message are trying to reveal your desire to this world. We seek you first above all; before we are ministers we are simply your sons and daughters. Let us go forth and find new ways to reach the culture, how they communicate, how they func- tion. Help us bring the truth of your Gospel to them. As you call us to be sent like sheep amongst wolves, Lord, we pray that your message would truly resound. Amen.

DAVID SPEAKING AT NET'S LIFELINE PROGRAM IN OCTOBER 2015

Page 8 NETWORKS FALL 2015 CATHOLIC FAITH: PASS IT ON

FAITH CRISIS AMONG CATHOLIC YOUTH • Only 10% of Catholic 18-25 year olds attend weekly, with only 2 of 10 still practicing their faith by age 25* • Even those regularly attending church do not mention Jesus, grace, judgment, salvation, or the cross when describing their faith ** • They’re not coming back. Young adult marriages dropped by 30% between 1972-2010, and of those who did marry, only 60% did so in the Church* • A recent UNC study finds that the key faith decision times for youth are just after 7th and 11th grade

*2012 Forming Intentional Disciples, S. Weddell **2001-2006 National Study of Youth and Religion

RESPONDING TO THE CHALLENGE: THE NET TEAMS • Since 1981, NET Ministries has sent out 2,458 young adults who have proclaimed the Gospel to over 1.7 million youth • There are over 6 million Catholic teens in the United States • The need for more U.S. NET teams is critical • NET has been replicated in Australia, Canada, Uganda, and Ireland, and is working with several other countries who desire to establish their own NET ministry

NET LEGACY SOCIETY MEMBERS ARE HELPING MAKE THAT HAPPEN • By joining the NET Legacy Society and including NET Ministries in their estate plan • Every $1.5 million added to NET’s Legacy Fund perpetually underwrites another NET team • A strong legacy fund enables NET to continue serving during severe economic downturns and respond to new expansion opportunities • Part of your legacy can be helping many thousands of youth embrace their Catholic faith and ultimately make it to Heaven

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Jim Hastings at 651.450.6833 x130 or [email protected]

Page 9 NETWORKS FALL 2015 alumni update WEDDINGS

EMILY (FERGUSON) (12-13) and NIC MAEGAN (FRAZIER) ODICINO (08-09, MARY (HOISINGTON) (09-10, 10-11) GUTIERREZ (09-10, 10-11) welcomed staff 10-11) and her husband Alex are was married to Jackson Hanson on June Jade Catherine on April 7, 2015. proud to announce the birth of Mildred 27, 2015 at Divine Mercy Catholic Church "Millie" Pearl, born May 28, 2015. in Faribault, MN. ERIN (DEVLIN) PATRIZIO (04-05) and her husband Jeff, along with big sister Sophia, welcomed Joseph Francis on June 5, 2015.

LETICIA (MARTINEZ) GONZALEZ (11- 12) and her husband Joel welcomed Josiah Nathaniel on April 14, 2015. CATHERINE (HARTNEY) (11-12, staff 12-14) and TIM PRZYBYSZ (11-12, staff 12-14) were married on July 11, 2015 at the Church of the Most Holy in JOSEPH PRENOSIL (95-96, 96-97) and Augusta, GA. his wife Kimberly welcomed baby Joseph Francis on June 5, 2015. STACY (LONA) (09-10) was married to Jace Bravo on August 1, 2015.

ANGELA (WRIGHT) (04-05) was married to Michael Clanahan on August 15, 2015. ANDREA (MILLER) DUPRE (05-06) and her husband Sean welcomed their second child, Monica Marie, on May 7, 2015.

BIRTHS CATIE (LARGE) (00-01) and RODRIGO JACQUI (QUINONEZ) SKEMP (05-06) FLORES (99-00, staff 00-01) had a baby and her husband Ian welcomed a son girl named Belén Maria on May 28, 2015. CHRISTIE (HAMERS) TURNER (09-10) named Archie in April 2015. and her husband Matthew are proud to announce the birth of their son, Paul Anthony, on June 9, 2015.

Page 10 NETWORKS FALL 2015

MARY (GABRIEL) (06-07, staff 07-08) and JONATHAN FOSTER (05-06, staff 08-10) RELIGIOUS LIFE welcomed Elijah Damiano on July 24, 2015. FR. JONATHAN FASNACHT (06-07) was ordained a priest on June 20, 2015 in the Diocese of Winona, .

SR. VERONICA MARIE (KATIE BUCKMASTER) (02-03, 03-04) professed her final vows with the Nashville Dominicans in July 2015. NOLAN GUTIERREZ (07-08, 08-09) and his wife Sheila are proud to announce the ASHLEY BEUTLER (05-06, 06-07, staff birth of Ave Mary on July 22, 2015. 11-13) entered the Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus in New Ulm, MN on August AMANDA (OBRANOVICH) SHIELDS NATALIE (VIDA) (10-11) and JOHN 30, 2015. (10-11) and her husband Ryan welcomed APPEL (09-10) welcomed son William William David on August 25, 2015. Joseph on September 17, 2015.

SISTER FIDELIS MARIE (GINA LANOWICH) (02-03) made her final LAUREN (MYERS) FLUDER (11-12) and monastic vows with the Missionary CHRISTOPHER SANTER (94-95, staff her husband Michael welcomed Malia Benedictine Sisters on October 24, 2015. 95-98) and his wife Leah are proud to Thérèse on September 22, 2015. Pictured with her are the women from her announce the birth of Audrey Rose on NET team: Cheryl (Bzdok) Jamison, Anne August 29, 2015. (Rybak) Whitfield, Kendra Wheeler, Cheryl Booms, and Katrina (Wolf) Sweeney.

NEW JOBS JASMINE PUJOL (10-11) became the Youth Minister at St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Clearwater, FL.

BETH (BLODGETT) (03-04) and JON BRANDON HORN (06-07) is the new JAMISON (03-04, 04-05) welcomed Camp Director for Life Teen's Hidden their first daughter, Magdalena Ruth, on Lake in Dahlonega, GA. JOAN (HARRINGTON) BADAMI (00- October 2, 2015. She joins brothers Elijah, 01, staff 02-04) and her husband Anand Xavier, and Finn. welcomed their daughter, Jacinta Marie, SHARE YOUR NEWS WITH US! on September 1, 2015. We'd love to share in your excitement! Submit your news to [email protected] to keep us updated.

Page 11 NETWORKS FALL 2015 Non-Profit NET MINISTRIES US Postage 110 Crusader Avenue West PAID West St. Paul, MN 55118-4427 Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 469 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Address changed? Receiving multiple copies? Want to unsubscribe or switch to an e-newsletter? If so, contact us: Phone: 651.450.6833 | Fax: 651.450.9984 www.netusa.org | E-mail: [email protected]

"I felt a deep connection with God during prayer time on our NET retreat like I never have before. I feel an obligation now to lead my peers to a path to the Lord." -John, age 15, New Hampshire

"During prayer at the retreat, I really felt that God was there with me and that He was listening." -Dylana, age 12, California

www.netusa.org fb.com/netministriesusa @netministries @netministries youtube.com/netministriesusa

COMMISSIONING MASS 2015 On Tuesday, September 15th, NET alumnus Bishop Andrew Cozzens, Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, blessed and commissioned our 14 teams for evangelistic ministry throughout the country. We had a full house for this event with local alumni and host families joining us for the occasion.

Team 3, the Cincinnati regional team, was also later commissioned by Archbishop Dennis Schnurr of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Ohio on September 30th.

Page 12 NETWORKS FALL 2015