OUR PURPOSE
We form, equip, and coach parish evangelists for ministry in their parishes.
HOW WE SERVE
Our Parish Evangelization Support Team seeks to provide opportunities for Parish Evangelists that will enable them to encounter Jesus Christ, to grow as a community, and to open space for the Holy Spirit to renew parish evangelization structures. We do this through three key areas of responsibility.
Upcoming Events
The Journey From Pre-Trust to Initial Conversion The goal of Phase 3 of Beacons of Light is for Families of Parishes to begin to build an ecclesial culture that will […]
A retreat by evangelists, for evangelists! Join us for a one-night, two-day retreat to relax and recharge. Reignite includes time for rest (literally, there’s a nap time), reflection, prayer, socializing, […]
1:30-2:30pm ONLINEOct 29, Dec 4, Jan 15, Feb 27Join us for a series of online gatherings on different aspects of Christian initiation for parish ministry leaders. Each will feature formation, […]
Retreats
Re-Ignite Retreat
Monday, October 10th – Tuesday, October 11th at Maria Stein Spiritual Retreat Center
Open to all Parish Evangelists, come away for a 2-day, 1-night retreat. Allow yourself the opportunity to rest, encounter the Lord anew, renew old friendships and form new ones, and allow our team to care for you. The retreat will include time for personal prayer and reflection, silence, engaging talks, praise & worship, small group conversation, spiritual direction, daily Mass, Reconciliation, evening social with bonfire, and more! The theme for this year’s retreat is Share in the Master’s Joy! We will be unpacking how we can find and safeguard our joy in vocation, the Cross, and in ministry.
Check-in begins at 9:30 a.m. Light hospitality provided. Retreat ends by 4:00 p.m. Individual rooms with bedding and towels provided.
Cost: $28 (non-refundable to reserve spot). Space is limited.
Advent Retreat
Tuesday, December 7, 2021 • 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
Maria Stein Spiritual Retreat Center
Parish Evangelists are invited to take a break from the business of the Advent Season and Contemplate the Face of Christ Through Mary. The day will include an opportunity for Confession, Adoration, personal reflection time, and Mass. Our guest speaker will be Sr. Karolyn Nunes, Vocations Director for the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George Community. Cost is $20 and includes lunch.
Lenten Retreat For Parish Leaders
A God Who Hears His People
Parish leaders – priests, deacons, staff, parishioner leaders – are encouraged to join us for a day of personal reflection and healing around the changes in parish structures by creating a space of listening, hospitality, and encounter with the Holy Spirit. The day will be hosted by Josh Danis (Alpha in a Catholic Context) and the Center for the New Evangelization, in conjunction with the Office for Parish Vitality.
The cost for the day is $10 and includes lunch.
Empower Training
EMPOWER is a day of prayer, practical training, and community for those who serve young people, grades 6-12. Hosted by Life Teen, the workshops will be provided for both new and veteran ministers. Please see the tabs below for a flyer and to register.
When: Sat, Aug 20, 2022
Where: Dayton, OH
St. Paul Catholic Church
1000 Wenger Rd, Englewood, OH 45322
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
Cost: $55 by July 31st (Lunch Included)
$70 after July 31st
$85 On-Site
Questions? Email Shane Legg at slegg@catholicaoc.org
REGIONAL CATECHETICAL TRAININGS
These days will offer workshops for catechists/core members working with K-12. We encourage DRE/YM’s to bring their volunteers for a time of prayer, fellowship, and training for another year of ministry and serving. Save these dates!
St. Michaels (Ft. Loramie) – Wed, Aug 10th from 6-9 p.m.
DRE/YM can register their volunteers by adding them to the google sheet. No cost for this event.
Dayton (location TBD) – Sat, Sept 17th from 9 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Regional Network Groups
EMPOWER is a day of prayer, practical training, and community for those who serve young people, grades 6-12. Hosted by Life Teen, the workshops will be provided for both new and veteran ministers. Please see the tabs below for a flyer and to register.
When: Sat, Aug 20, 2022
Where: Dayton, OH
St. Paul Catholic Church
1000 Wenger Rd, Englewood, OH 45322
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
Cost: $55 by July 31st (Lunch Included)
$70 after July 31st
$85 On-Site
Questions? Email Shane Legg at slegg@catholicaoc.org
CNE Appreciation Banquet | February 4, 2023
Please join us as we recognize the incredible work of parish evangelists in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. This is a free, semi-formal event for our evangelist. Guests are $45. Invitees will have received an invitations by mail. Cocktail hour begins at 5:00 p.m. and dinner and awards will begin at 6:00 p.m.
CONTACT US
Christine Baumgardner
Contact Me For:
- Launching Adult Small Groups
- Family Evangelization Questions
- Help with Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Bio: I will be assisting parish evangelists with creating and implementing evangelization methods that target the whole family.
A Little About Me: My husband Steve and I have been married for 28 years and have three grown boys. I taught 2nd grade before deciding to spend some time at home with my children when they were young. My most recent position was at Our Lady of Sorrows as the Director of Religious Education. While there, I completed my graduate degree at Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary and School of Theology.
Favorite Saint: St. Elizabeth of Hungary
Favorite Bible verses:
“We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
Nicholas Hardesty
Contact me for:
- Guidance for evangelization efforts
- Formation of parish staff and volunteer leaders
- Renewal of your Adult Ed initiatives
Bio: As a member of the Parish Support Team, my job is to accompany parish leaders and offer them formation and support so that they can grow in their identity as missionary disciples and be catalysts for renewal in their parishes. I also develop content for our blog and for the Catholic Telegraph, and give talks at retreats, conferences, workshops, and in-service days throughout the Archdiocese. What I love about my work is that I am encouraged to use the gifts God gave me, I get to have a real impact in people’s lives, and I get to work alongside people who value and support me.
A Little About Me: I’m from Owensboro, Kentucky (Go Cats!). I have a twin brother who is a parish priest in the Archdiocese of Louisville, KY. I met my wife, who’s from Maine, on a website for fans of Catholic Hip Hop. I like my food as spicy as you can possibly make it.
Favorite Saint: St. Michael the Archangel
Favorite Bible Verse: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were no people but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy.” (1 Pet 2:9-10)
Shane Legg
Contact me for:
- Onsite training and formation for your youth evangelization team
- If you have questions about Athletics
- Youth evangelization questions regarding the Dayton area specifically
Bio: As the Assoicate Director for Youth Evanglization, my role is to assist with training and development for youth evangelists, mainly in the Dayton area. I also oversee the parish athletic programs for the Archdiocese.
A Little About Me: I have been married to my wife, Jenna, for just over 5 years, and have 13 and 10-year-old (foster) sons. I previously worked in youth ministry at the Catholic Communities of Northwest Dayton for over 7 years, while also serving on the Greater Dayton CYO Executive Board.
Favorite Saint: St. Kateri Tekakwitha
Favorite Bible Verse: “For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.” – Romans 5:10
Audrey Melton
Contact Me For:
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Questions regarding the following youth programs:
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One-on-one coaching and training
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Information about programs, materials, and events for you and your youth
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Any needs, questions, or concerns you might have. I’m here to support you!
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Bio: I most recently was a member of the Youth Ministry team at the Jesuit Spiritual Center in Milford. In 2022, I graduated summa cum laude from the University of Dayton with a BA in Religious Studies & Theology and a minor in Theatre, Dance, & Performance Technology. During my college years I worked as a liturgy intern and as a music minister in Campus Ministry, and as a summer missionary at Damascus Catholic Mission Campus.
A Little About Me: I'm originally from Rock Falls, IL. My parents still live there, and I have an older brother in Minneapolis. I love music and the arts. I'm a singer and a bassist, always finding opportunities to lead and participate in worship. I find a lot of life in the outdoors, particularly around water, and I have a deep love for liturgy, especially the Eucharist.
Favorite Saint: St. Joan of Arc and St. Padre Pio
Favorite Bible verse: “After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb.” All the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They prostrated themselves before the throne, worshiped God, and exclaimed: “Amen. Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honor, power, and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen.” Then one of the elders spoke up and said to me, “Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?” I said to him, “My lord, you are the one who knows.” He said to me, “These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. “For this reason they stand before God’s throne and worship him day and night in his temple. The one who sits on the throne will shelter them. They will not hunger or thirst anymore, nor will the sun or any heat strike them. For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”” Revelation 7:9-17