Missionaries

Two Kinds of Missionaries

 

Regional Missionaries

 

Urban Missionaries

 

What is a Regional Missionary?

Regional Missionaries are active Catholic evangelists and mission leaders who serve the St. Paul Evangelization Institute as dedicated volunteers in a number of important areas of ministry. Regional Missionaries often get their start as St. Paul Street Evangelization team members and team leaders. Everyone else gains experience as a street evangelist before and during their formation at our summer intensive.

A Regional Missionary is:

A Leader – Regional Missionaries use their natural talents and God given charisms to serve the apostolate. Regional Missionaries serve as a liaison between our apostolate and their local church. They assist local team leaders in planting, building, and launching their evangelization teams. Some missionaries might become a speaker and teach our workshops, or a teacher and direct a satellite campus of our School of Evangelization. Some of our regional missionaries help us with new programs, either writing or piloting them in their locations (such as our Seeker Small Groups). They are problem solvers, network builders, and have a servant’s heart.

A Coach – Regional Missionaries coach local teams, attending outings with them, sharing best practices in direct and relational evangelization, and provide opportunities for prayer, fellowship, and formation.

An Evangelist – Every regional missionary has a heart for evangelization and understands the urgency of reaching people for Jesus Christ. They know how to plant seeds, proclaim the fullness of the Gospel, and walk with people into a life of discipleship. Simply put, they are disciple making disciples.

What is an Urban Missionary?

Inspired by the mandate of Jesus and the call of the Church to proclaim the Good News, Urban Missionaries are faithful Catholics who labor in their hometowns to lead the work of the New Evangelization, galvanize the Catholic community, and teach and train ordinary people to do the extraordinary work of proclaiming the Gospel. The Urban Missionary is responsible for spearheading the New Evangelization in his or her own community. Not content to sit on the sidelines, the Urban Missionary enthusiastically engages in street evangelization and works to inspire, train, and assist local Catholics in the spreading of the Gospel. This is accomplished through practical and achievable means in conformity with the goals and practices of SPSE and the Catholic Church.

The St. Paul Street Evangelization Urban Missionary Program offers Catholics the opportunity to become a paid full time missionary with SPSE. Our missionary program is not limited to college-age students. Any Catholic 18 years and older can apply.

An Urban Missionary:

  • Is an intentional, Catholic disciple of Jesus Christ.
  • Is rooted in prayer including daily Mass, the Rosary, and personal prayer time.
  • Is actively engaged in local street evangelization with St. Paul Street Evangelization.
  • Supports current street evangelization teams.
  • Plants new St. Paul Street Evangelization teams.
  • Assists with local SPSE small groups.
  • Offers talks and workshops on evangelization.
  • Trains Catholics to do the work of evangelization.
  • Collaborates with local Catholic leaders and organizations.
  • Promotes and advertises SPSE in order to advance the mission of the Catholic Church.
  • Reads and studies Sacred Scripture, church documents, writings of the popes and saints, and the materials from the SPSE national office.
  • Works closely with the national office and assists with national tasks as needed.

How do you become an SPSE Missionary?

To become a Regional Missionary, complete the application process and attend the Regional Missionary Track at our summer Immersion event. Regional Missionaries check in monthly with the Director of Regional Missionaries who help them discern which projects and activities to take part in. Regional Missionaries often dedicate 5-6 hours a month to service, and sometimes up to 1-2 days a week a few times a year when there is a larger event taking place in their area. Regional missionaries are compensated for some of their work as independent contractors. Some regional missionaries go on to become full time staff members at SPEI. 

To become an Urban Missionary, evidence must be submitted that you have taken the time to discern your call to full time missionary work with your pastor or spiritual director. If you are interested in pursuing full time missionary work with SPSE the first step is to contact Adam Janke, Chief Operations Officer at St. Paul Evangelization Institute, by email (adam@stpaulse.com) or phone (657-777-2963).

When is Immersion?

Immersion is held every year in the summer, though the Regional Missionary Track is only offered every other year. The last Immersion with a Regional Missionary Track was in June 2019. A recap can be found on this page. The next Immersion with a Regional Missionary Track will likely be in the summer of 2021. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a regional missionary before then, please contact Adam Janke: adam@stpaulse.com.

Who are the SPSE Missionaries?

Map Key:
 = Regional Missionary | 
 = Urban Missionary

Senior Missionaries


Randy Grasso – Dallas, Texas

  • “I have been a litigation attorney for 40 years as well as teaching adult Bible studies and adult theology classes for nearly 30 years. For many years my hobby was high performance driving, and I was an instructor.  I converted to Catholicism in 2005 from being an evangelical Protestant in the Episcopal
    tradition. I am married with three adult children, three grandchildren, and one adult step-daughter. I am excited about evangelism and the salvation of souls.”
  • Team Leader – Dallas-Uptown Team
  • Email: rcgrasso@gmail.com
  • Phone: 214-417-7900

Maisa Haddad – San Diego, California

  • “I have been a Pharmacist for 15 years and I also have a M.A in Systematic Theology. I have been a catechist and part of the evangelization and vocations committee at OLGC. I have also lead bible studies at St. Thomas Chaldean Church and I am bilingual in Arabic.”
  • Email: maisahaddad@icloud.com
  • Phone: 734-233-7466

Anne Harman – Bloomfield Township, MI

  • “My husband and I recently celebrated 27 years of marriage; we are blessed with two employed children in their 20’s. Although my formal education is in health and biological science, I currently tutor all grades K – 12, in Latin. And I love it! But my first love is the Lord Jesus and sharing His message of salvation and hope.”
  • Metro Detroit Awaken Ministries Team Leader & Pontiac Matchen Soup Kitchen Team Leader
  • Email: anneharman106@gmail.com
  • Phone: 248-798-0521

Dr. Deb McManimon – Owatonna, MN

  • I am a lifelong Catholic who, after being challenged about my faith and not knowing the answers, began searching and fell in love with Jesus and the truth and beauty of the church He founded. I have been a Regional Missionary since 2015 and work in the Midwest region with dioceses, parishes, and groups.  I am married to my best friend and we have four adult children and four grandchildren. In my non-volunteer life, I teach college classes to Business majors.
  • Team Leader – Owatonna
  • Email: deb@stpaulse.com
  • Phone: 507-271-1737

David Tucker – Phoenix, AZ

  • “I am an active parishioner at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church in Mesa, AZ and am the team leader of the Phoenix – East Valley SPSE team. I recently completed the 2 yr Adult Formation certificate program at the Kino Catechetical Institute in Phoenix. I work as an independent contract engineer in the Missile Defense Industry and have been married for 25+ years and have 3 wonderful children. I love the Lord and love His One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.”
  • Team Leader – Phoenix, AZ
  • Phone: 602-881-7546
  • Email: djtinthedesert@gmail.com

Regional Missionaries


Karen Bernhardt – Rochester, New York

  • “I am a recent convert, having entered the Church in 2013 from about 50 years as a Protestant with a very eclectic denominational background. I have been an active participant in our local Rochester SPSE chapter since its inception in March of 2014. I am a Financial Analyst for a major health-care system in our region.”
  • Email: Pianist9591@aol.com
  • Phone: 585-748-1259

Leigh Boorn – Galva, Indiana

  • “I have been working full time in Church Ministry as a Coordinator of Youth Ministry and a Faith Formation Leader for the last 13 years.  I have come to recognize the need to Evangelize from my years of experience, and have been seeking God's Will for my life and His work in building up the Kingdom over the last few years. He has been leading me in my relationship with Saint Paul Street Evangelization, and I look forward to the ways He is calling me to share as a Regional Missionary.”
  • Email: leighboorn@gmail.com
  • Phone: 309-370-6036

Kimberly Colby – Kailua, Hawaii

  • “I am an active duty Marine Corps officer and a convert to the Catholic faith. I was confirmed in the Church at Easter Vigil Mass in 2014 at the United States Naval Academy Chapel. My boyfriend at the time, Mark, was my confirmation sponsor…and now he is my loving spouse! In my spare time, I am privileged to serve as a hospice volunteer and Saint Paul Street Evangelization Team Leader on the island of Oahu! I have no greater joy than sharing my love for Christ with others. I desire to pursue graduate studies in theology and business as well as become a mother!”
  • Email: kkcolby14@gmail.com
  • Phone: 909-835-5001

Dorothea Creaven – Dover, Delaware

  • “I completed a Masters as a Publication Specialist and served as a Visual Information Specialist for almost 20 years at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). I traveled within the U.S. and to 29 countries, both work-related and non-work-related. Since 2012, we live in Dover, DE where we are members at Holy Cross Church. I am serving as a catechist and an extraordinary Eucharistic minister including to homebound members. I am working on a second career and teaching certificate in Early Elementary Education. I am actively seeking members for the Dover, DE SPSE Team for evangelization, and as intercessory prayer supporters.”
  • Email: dora7165@gmail.com
  • Phone: 240-490-0307

Niña de Jesus – Seattle, WA

  • “I am a parishioner of St. Paul Parish in Seattle where I minister in music and help facilitate adult faith formation groups. I am also a Cabrini Ministry graduate trained to accompany others in their journey with Christ, to listen compassionately and to connect them with God through prayer. I am very grateful for every opportunity to proclaim the Gospel to all peoples, and I thank God for a husband who supports me in every way.”
  • Team Leader – Seattle, WA
  • Email: ninadejesus@icloud.com
  • Phone: 206-859-8902

Paul DeMartini – San Diego, CA

  • Email: pauldemartini@sbcglobal.net
  • Phone: 619-804-6542

Anthony DiMaria – Novi, Michigan

  • “Father of 3 children, married for 30 plus years to his wife Amber, Tony is a resident of Northville and works as the Director of Communications and Assistant Director of Evangelization at The Church of the Holy Family in Novi, Michigan. Tony was raised in River Rouge Michigan and attended Gabriel Richard High School in Riverview. He graduated from Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit in the Spring of 2017 with a Master of Arts degree in Pastoral Studies.”
  • Phone: 248-345-1714
  • Email: adimaria@hfnovi.com

Nicholas Hardesty – Erlanger, KY

  • “I’ve been Catholic all my life, but I had a conversion experience in college that really changed me. I discovered the exciting truth of the Catholic faith, and it lit a fire within me that has burned ever since. I have Master's degrees in Mental Health Counseling and Theology, and a Certification in Catechetics. I’ve been working professionally for the Church since 2008, first as a parish DRE, then as a writer for Dynamic Catholic, and currently as a developer of catechetical content and coordinator of formation for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. I live in Northern Kentucky with my wife and three children.”
  • Email Address: nhardesty@catholiccincinnati.org
  • Phone Number: 270-314-3711

Denise Hirl – Minnetonka, MN (Twin Cities)

  • “My name is Denise Hirl, and I am a high school math and science teacher from the western suburbs of the Twin Cities in Minnesota. My husband and I have 4 adult children. As of December, 2017, he will be ordained as a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. After returning to the Catholic Church about 10 years ago, I have been blessed to be involved in many aspects of the New Evangelization. It is my fervent desire to help others find the wisdom, beauty and joy of the Catholic faith that has changed my life.”
  • Team Leader – Minnetonka, MN
  • Email Address: denhirl@gmail.com
  • Phone Number: 612-810-9921

Brandon Jones – Olympia, WA

  • “My name is Brandon Matthew Jones I live in Olympia Wa. I have married to a beautiful woman named Karen Jones for 14 yrs and we have a 6 yrs old named Cyrus, a 15 month old named Levi, and we are due in April with our 3rd child. We moved to Washington from California in 2013. I work at St. Michael Parish as the Steward for Community Outreach and Assistant to the Steward for Evagelization and Missions. I love being Catholic and collecting Scooby Doo items.”
  • Email: bjones@saintmichaelparish.org
  • Phone: 360-972-8133

Ron Lisk- Spotsylvania, Virginia

  • “I tutor middle and high school students in math and SAT prep at a local tutoring center. I am a revert to the Catholic Church after decades with Protestant denominations who encouraged me to study the Bible. I study theology in my spare time, and have a certificate in apologetics from SPSE. I enjoy teaching, evangelizing, sharing the Faith, and motivating others to evangelize. I am active in my Parish in religious education.”
  • Team Leader – Fredericksburg, VA
  • Email: ron_spse@comcast.net
  • Phone: (540) 845-4129

Patty Morgan – Juneau, AK

  • “I am a full time grandmother raising a 9yo granddaughter. I am a REVERT. I had left the Catholic Church for 30 years. I am convinced that my Father’s continuous prayers for me through the Rosary is what brought me home to the Fullness of Truth. I love learning the History of the Catholic Church, and her teachings to help us live a Holy life. I love sharing with anyone who will listen, about the Joy of the Gospel, and God’s endless mercy in our lives. I run a Port Ministry in Juneau in the summer time. I pick up people from the Cruise ships and take them to Mass at our Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I also take people out to our beautiful National Shrine of St. Terese’. I am constantly in AWE of our Divine connections with each other because of the Eucharist, and the Church’s call to Holiness. We are Family! Please contact me if you come to Alaska. I want to help you experience God’s Love in this beautiful place! Takin’ it to the Streets.
  • Phone: 907-957-2000
  • Email: abpattyk@gmail.com

Margy Nagel – Detroit, MI

  • Margy Nagel is a lifelong Catholic who loves to share her faith. Margy is the Team Lead for the St. Paul Street Evangelization Team that evangelizes in Eastern Market in the downtown Detroit area. She is on the Board of Directors of the Marian Peace Center of Detroit and is co-founder of the Real Presence Apostolate of Michigan which brought the Vatican International Exhibition of Eucharistic Miracles to Michigan permanently. She had a radio show on Michigan Catholic Radio called Books of Faith and was able to interview many prominent Catholic authors. Margy attends Sacred Heart Major Seminary where she is completing a Masters in Theology degree. Margy is also active in prayer ministry. She is on the Core Team for the Light of the Spirit Prayer group at St. Joan of Arc and also on the service team for the Fellowship of St. Paul at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. Margy is married to John and they were blessed with three children.
  • Team Leader – Detroit Metro West, MI
  • Phone: 586-219-7223
  • Email: margynagel1@gmail.com
Dr. Sue Ellen Nolan – Fort Myers, Florida

  • “Twenty years ago I came into the Catholic church, on my birthday which was on the Easter Vigil. Three years earlier I had begun looking into what the Catholic Church really taught compared to what I had heard it taught growing up. In investigating the Church and in going to Mass I discovered a love of the Truth and beauty of this Catholic Faith and had to get a degree in it! SPSE gives us the opportunity to be on the front lines and bring the love of Jesus in an encounter with each individual we meet. I am thrilled and humbled to have the opportunity to teach evangelization to others.”
  • Email: shjfive@yahoo.com
  • Phone: (248) 330-7276

Reggie Puertollano – San Diego, CA

  • Phone: 858-231-6011
  • Email: amreggiejp@gmail.com

Stefan Siwko – Houston, Texas

  • “I am a scientist at Texas A&M Health Science Center and a parishioner of St. Vincent de Paul. I am also active in RCIA and the Catholic Chaplain Corps in addition to SPSE.”
  • Team Leader – Houston, Texas
  • Email: ssiwko@gmail.com
  • Phone: 978-333-6767 (no texts)

Juan Torres – Santa Clarita Valley, CA

  • “I am a part-time Realtor and full time husband and dad. I am also the coordinator for the SCV Santa Clarita Valley in California we are located apx 25 miles north of Down Town Los Angeles, we are in the LA Archdiocese our archbishop is Jose Gomez.”
  • Team Leader – Santa Clarita Valley, California
  • Email: jtorres616@gmail.com
  • Phone: (818) 574-5006

Socorro Truchan – Kalamazoo, Michigan

  • “I work for the Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo as Associate Director for Parish Life & Lay Leadership, Domestic Church. I’m also a catechist in the Archdiocese of Detroit. I’m bilingual and also speak Spanish and French.”
  • Email: sotru55@yahoo.com
  • Phone: 269-903-0199

John Trupiano – Grosse Pointe Woods, MI

  • “I am John Trupiano, a semi-retired accountant, a husband of 42 years, a father of 4 children and a grandfather to 8. My family and I have been greatly blessed and I am looking forward to sharing my love for Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary.”
  • Team Leader – Detroit Soup Kitchen Team, MI
  • Email: trup1955@gmail.com
  • Phone: 313-300-2298

Urban Missionaries

    Randy Husaynu – Royal Oak, Michigan

    • In my own life, I have surrendered my will to our loving Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to save souls and make disciples. ‘It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me’. Galatians 2:20. After having been a Stock Broker for 25 years, and an Evangelization Coordinator since 2012, I have finally found my purpose in life that God created me for, which I discovered in the bible:  ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations’. Matthew 28:19.
    • Team Leader – Royal Oak
    • Email: randy@stpaulse.com
    • Phone: 248-515-6805