Leo’s many titles. The founder of the international food and faith movement Plating Grace hosts the weekly program Savoring Our Faith on ESPN every Sunday, and is the author of several books about food, faith, and family.

Fr. Leo is a renowned speaker who does speaking engagements across North America. Originally from the Philippines, he immigrated to the U.S. at two years old, and has spent most of his life in Baltimore. We couldn’t be happier to have Fr. Leo as our headlining chef at Love in the Kitchen, where he’ll be teaching our attendees a thing or two about cooking with love.

Plating Grace  |  Instagram  |  Facebook

Journalist, herbal scholar and cooking teacher Rita Heikenfeld is a captivating speaker and founder of Abouteating.com.

You can catch her on Sacred Heart Radio, a Catholic radio station based out of Cincinnati, Ohio. She knows her way around a herb, and lives in what she lovingly calls “the sticks” near Cincinnati with her family. She loves growing her own herbs, raising chickens for eggs, and most importantly, being a wife, mother and grandmother.

Website

Does Father Sammie like green eggs and ham? Unclear

But he sure knows how to whip them up in the kitchen! Not only the pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church in St. John, Indiana, Fr. Sammie Maletta is a chef and gardener who shares his cooking on Facebook while ministering to the spiritually hungry in Church. This Lent, he even prepared a soup dinner for parishioners!

SJEPlus.org |  Facebook

 

Maura Preszler is the founder of Made in His Image, a non-profit organisation offering treatment for women who have suffered abuse or from eating disorders. It seeks to educate women about their inherent dignity as children of God, and its staff raise awareness on issues such as domestic violence and other kinds of abuse. Maura is the author of Choosing to See Beauty, a memoir about her life, her traumas, and her healing. Fun fact: Maura is a former pastry chef! She lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband and three children. 

See her books I Learn More  I @mihimage

Dr. Ansel Augustine is the director of the Office of Black Catholic Ministries for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. His more-than-20-year career in ministry has taken him around the U.S., where he speaks on topics like cultural competency and faith. He has previously served as an area manager for urban outreach ministry, Vagabond Missions, and as the Black Ministry director for the Archdiocese of Washington. Dr. Augustine has also worked in prison ministry and is a member of the Knights of Columbus. He’s the author of Leveling the Praying Field, where he discusses race and inequality in the Catholic Church.

 

Anne DeSantis is a speaker, mother, and host of the Sewing Hope podcast. On top of all that, she hosts the weekly Journeys in Faith show on Fiat Ministry Network. Anne has earned an MA in theology, and is the author of Love and Care for the Marginalized. A passionate Catholic, Anne is from the Greater Philadelphia Area.  

Annedesantis.com | @AnneDeSantis2 | Her books 

 

Self-proclaimed “potato-guy” Carl Duivenvoorden is on a mission to make the world a greener place. He’s a well-known Catholic speaker on the environment, regularly giving presentations on ecology and efficiency. He’s a Distinguished Toastmaster, the highest educational designation. He spent many years travelling and marketing the Canadian seed potato, and is as passionate about the environment as he is about his Catholic faith.  

Changeyourcorner.com | @CDuivenv

Dr. Christian Elia has more than a few accomplishments under his belt: university professor at Niagara University, executive director of the Catholic Civil Rights League, husband to Linda and father of three. His current research is on Catholic education and, on top of his phD in second language education, holds a Master of Arts in Italian Studies. In Dr. Elia’s role with the Catholic Civil Rights League, he combats anti-Catholic defamation in the media.  

Twitter

If there was a competition for the biggest St. Augustine of Hippo fan, Dr. Michael P. Foley would surely be in the running! Alas, there is no real competition, but he’s the winner in our hearts. He’s an author and professor and has written more than 400 books and articles on topics ranging from St. Augustine to contemporary film. He can even tell you something about pious drinking! Dr. Foley the author of Drinking With the Saints: The Sinner's Guide to a Holy Happy Hour, and a professor of great texts at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.  

Books

A true jack-of-all-trades, Dr. Josephine Lombardi is an author, filmmaker and professor. Currently Associate Professor of Pastoral and Systematic Theology at St. Augustine’s Seminary, she’s even advised the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. She’s a talented speaker whose engagements take her to communities throughout Canada, and her varied and fascinating books have been featured on Salt + Light Media, Canada’s Catholic TV channel.

josephinelombardi.com  | @JosieLombardi7 | See her books 

Long-time friend of Chalice Deacon Ryan Sales is no stranger to speaking in front of a crowd! He’s well-known for his arrangement of Fr. Joseph’s Langford I Thirst For You chaplet, and now works in full-time ministry. Prior, he spent 25 years in public safety, working as an officer and chaplain. Throughout his career, he’s been a paramedic, a flight instructor with the Canadian Armed Forces, and even a homicide detective. He loves Our Lady and the dioconate, and is a convert to the Catholic faith. He’s spoken on behalf of Chalice many times, and lives in Alberta, Canada.

Dcnryan.com | @dcnryan | Podcast 

The writer and producer of the renowned documentary The Dating Project, Catherine Fowler Sample knows a thing or two about filmaking, relationships, and communication. She also happens to be the author of Gather Together: Recipes and Reflections to Inspire Faith and Friendship around the Table, which encourages people of all ages (but especially young adults) to connect in faith and fellowship over a meal. Interspersed with delicious recipes to suit many occasions, Catherine will help you raise your gathering game. She practices Love in the Kitchen by hosting many gatherings of her own among extended family and friends, and she treasures nightly family dinners with her husband and two young daughters. She is based in Arizona.

Catherine Fowler Sample| @catherinefowlersample | See her books

Kelly Wahlquist inspires and captivates audiences at every speaking engagement. From Minnesota, Kelly's the founder of WINE: Women in the New Evangelization. She loves travelling around the country to share her experiences and advice, based on Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI's call for us to play an active role in the New Evangelization. She's currently Assistant Director of the Archbishop Harry J. Flynn Catechetical Institute in the archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, and lives with her husband and three children.

kellywahlquist.com |  @KellyWahlquist  | See her books

Please welcome: Sr. Nancy Usselmann, #MediaNun! National Director of the Pauline Centre for Media Studies,  She’s an expert in media literacy education working on a Doctorate of Ministry at the Catholic University of America.

On top of her theological studies, she’s a national speaker, blogger, AND film reviewer. If you have questions about anything media, from social to print to radio, she’s the person to ask. She regularly gives workshops, presentations and retreats around the United States, and is part of the Catholic Speakers Organization. She’s based in California.

Nancy Usselmann | See her books @srnancy

God Squad, unite! Founder and president of God Squad Canada, Sean Lynn is on a mission to provide spiritual food and clarity to men throughout Canada.

God Squad challenges men to be leaders, and to serve their families the way Jesus serves his bride, the Church. Sean worked as a police officer in Calgary, Alberta for many years. He recently held God Squad Canada’s 25th anniversary conference in Calgary, the organization’s first in-person conference since 2019.

Godsquad.ca @Godsquad1

 

With an artistic soul and a passion for colour, Julie Lewis knows the value of art and creativity in a child’s life.

She’s an award-winning artist and the founder of Sassy Tuna, which provides art classes for kids out of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. She runs art parties for kids and adults, and lives with her husband and two sons. 

sassytuna.com  |  @sassytunastudio

 

A friendly neighborhood carmelite, Fr. Chris Kulig serves out of his parish in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Mount Carmel Monastery, where his order is based in Ontario, runs a wine boutique and tasting room dedicated to small lot wines. They’re also a well-known producer of ice wine, a type of wine made from frozen grapes picked amid cold winter temperatures. Currently, the Monastery makes three varieties of wine. Fr. Chris even does tours from time-to-time!

Facebook

 

Caitlan Rangel relishes in seeing God in everyday life, fresh air, morning coffee with a little cream, sourdough creations, and stolen moments of quiet.

Her greatest joy is being anywhere with her husband and three children, especially when mountains are involved. Caitlan writes most often for Pathways Formation Suite, CatholicMom.com, and her blog, Pure in Heart.

 

He’s a husband, he’s a father, he’s a Catholic priest of Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter!

Among his many responsibilities, Father Adrian Martens works as an Ordained Chaplain with the Calgary Catholic School District, is the Vicar for Lay Associations in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Calgary and serves on weekends at Ascension Catholic Parish in Calgary. Fr. Adrian’s goal with the school board is to know the staff, students and teachers throughout the school board personally and proclaim the Gospel far-and-wide to everyone in the District.

 

Arlene is the founder of Fraiche Vinotherapy and Enocosmetics, and Canada’s first Filipino sommelier. Fraiche makes skincare products using wine grapes, urging customers to “age beautifully like fine wines.”

She loves wine and travelling, as well as providing wine education, consulting and cellar management through her business, World of Wines. She is based in Toronto, but grew up in Tondo, Philippines, where one of Chalice’s sites is located. Her parents taught their children the value of God and family. In 2019, Arlene was even recognized as the most influential Filipina woman in the world by the Filipina Women’s Network.

Twitter I Instagram

 

James is an 11 year old, spiritually-driven child who loves climbing, cooking and outer space

After creating his local Basilica in 3D computer graphics this year, he looks at all churches and admires the details and love in the Church, both physical and intangible.

sassytuna.com  |  @sassytunastudio

 

Susan Muto’s family roots are in Italy, but her feet are firmly planted in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She’s the author of Table of Plenty: Good Food for Body and Spirit, where she asks readers to consider mealtimes as sacred.

She’s is the executive director of the Epiphany Association, an academy of formative spirituality. She holds a doctorate in English Literature and has written more than 30 books. A renowned speaker and writer, Susan received a lifetime achievement award from the Catholic Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania in 2009.

Epiphany Association

 

Put the coffee on and pull out your mug, because something’s brewing with Fr. Allan MacDonald!

A self-proclaimed coffee snob and ordained priest, he serves as the General Superior of the Companions of the Cross, an order he officially joined in the early 2000s. He’s the founder of Sipping on the Sabbath, in which he delivers a weekly Homily on Youtube and Spotify, featuring a hint of caffeine.

companionscross.org | youtube | spotify

 

Karen Barbieri is the founder of Pietra Fitness, a stretching and strengthening exercise program where people can experience goodness, truth, and beauty for body, mind, and soul. Exercise, health, and her Catholic faith were always an essential part of her life

When her children were young, Karen was under the mistaken notion that to take time to exercise and care for herself was selfish and self-centered. While her faith grew during this time, her physical health deteriorated, and it became harder and harder to function and take care of her family. God blessed her with an amazing spiritual director who taught her the value of a daily Christian meditation and living a balanced life. In finding healing and wholeness through living an integrated life, she now devotes her time to helping others restore themselves, mind, body, and soul.

@pietrafitness | facebook

 

Betsy Hoyt is a Foundations 3 Pietra Fitness pro instructor, certified personal trainer, Precision Nutrition coach and macro specialist, creator of the “Integrated Catholic Woman” wellness retreats, and the team leader for the Pietra Fitness Instructor Training (P-FIT) sessions.

She teaches Pietra Fitness classes in parishes in the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband, Craig. Betsy owns an integrative personal training and nutrition coaching practice specifically geared toward helping women reach their health goals. Betsy finds her work with Pietra Fitness to be a wonderful fit for her clients and an important part of her own body-mind-soul wellness.

@pietrafitness | facebook

 

Rachel is a Foundations 3 Pietra Fitness Instructor.

She lives in Kansas City, MO and enjoys being a daughter, granddaughter, sister, sister-in-law, and aunt! She loves the beauty of the Catholic faith, enjoys the sunshine, finds joy with a morning at daily Mass, and trying new paleo recipes (especially desserts!). Rachel has been in the health and exercise field for over 10 years. She is also certified through American Council on Exercise as a group exercise instructor, personal trainer and health coach. Bringing together fitness and faith has been on her heart for a long time. Rachel is grateful to be a part of the Pietra Fitness family and to bring glory to God through fitness. Becoming certified in Pietra Fitness, helped Rachel in the journey to create Fiat Fit, her local fitness apostolate that offers Christ-centered fitness and community.

@pietrafitness | facebook | @fiatfit

 

Chris Mautino, MBA, is a Foundations 3 Pro Certified Instructor, Chair Instructor, AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor, and is the first certified instructor for Pietra Fitness.

As part of the Pietra Fitness leadership team, Chris combines her business and fitness backgrounds with her Catholic faith to work for Our Lord. As St. Paul reminds us, “He saved us and called us to a holy life….according to His own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus…” (2 Timothy 1:9) Chris is busy “evangelizing” to a large family, as well as teaching several classes throughout the week. She is able to connect with students of all ages, and meet each person where he/she may be on their fitness journey. Her students will frequently agree that they “come to class for the exercise, but keep coming back for the prayer.”

@pietrafitness | facebook

 

The former editor of Catholic Parent magazine, Woodeene Koenig-Bricker is a writer, editor and mother.

Her editorial skills date all the way back to grade two, when she helped a classmate with an essay. She’s the author of the book A Dinner Party with the Saints: The People Behind the Halos, inviting you in food and fellowship to get to know 14 saints. She lives in Eugene, Oregon.

Woodeene.com | See her books

 

Based in Portland, Oregan, Miriam is a singer-songwriter with a penchant for Doctor Who, pad Thai, and Tolkien.

She’s made multiple albums, and performed across the country, and is the author of What I Learned in Oxford and The Memory of Good. She serves as the director of faith formation in the Archdiocese of Portland, and is a consecrated Virgin of the same Archdiocese. Whether writing a song or working with young adults, her bright smile always stands out.

Miriammarston.com | YouTube

 

Internet-famous Mary Janet MacDonald is the brains behind the Tunes and Wooden Spoons Facebook page, where she goes live every Sunday from her kitchen to share recipes, stories, and a taste of real Cape Breton tunes.

She first went viral in March of 2020, after, at her daughter’s behest, she livestreamed a tutorial on making her beloved cinnamon rolls. An instant hit, Mary Janet is the author of the cookbook: Tunes and Wooden Spoons: Recipes from a Cape Breton Kitchen. She lives in Port Hood, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

Tunesandwoodenspoons.com | @TunesWoodSpoons | Her Recipe Books

 

Associate professor of English at Virginia Commowealth University, Sonja Livingston lives in both Virgina and New York State.

Her latest book, The Virgin of Prince Street, takes the reader on her faith-related expeditions around the world, as she strives to understand the role of devotion in her life. She’s won awards and accolades for her many writings, and puts as much passion into her public speaking as she does her writing.

Sonjalivingston.com | @sonjalivingston | Her books

 

Though she used to race towards the finish line as a speed skater, Sr. Catherine Holum is now on the race towards heaven as a Franciscan Sister of the Renewal.

The daughter of a fellow Olympic speed skater, Sr. Catherine placed sixth and seventh in events at the 1998 Winter Olympics. She retired from sports soon after and went to university, but a desire for a new vocation stirred in her heart: that of a religious Sister. Becoming involved with the pro-life movement and attending World Youth Day made profound impacts on her life, and in 2003, she officially joined the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal. 

 

Cathy Bouchard dedicates her time to her role as National Second Vice-President and Chairperson of Spiritual Development with the Catholic Women’s League of Canada.

Formerly a teacher, Cathy is retired and has served in numerous church ministries, including as a lector and Extraordinary Minister of the Holy Eucharist. She’s even a professed member of the Secular Franciscans! She lives in Red Deer, Alberta.

cwl.ca

A practicing Registered Dietitian for 15 years, Amie Bourdua helps numerous clients achieve their health goals while reaching new levels of energy for life and discovering different avenues of personal growth and satisfaction through food and nutrition. 

In addition to her expertise in chronic diseases, she takes medical nutrition therapy to a new level with disease prevention and optimization to match the individual’s medical nutritional needs. Amie has a particular passion for helping others understand their food sensitivities through conducting group seminars discussing the elimination diet and digestive health. Amie completed her Master’s in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine at the University of Western States and uses an evidenced-based, whole body perspective to optimize health outcomes and reach a client’s long-term goals. Amie loves what she does, and her passion is palpable to all who meet her.

Fr. Paul is a great lover of Scripture, St John Henry Newman, and photography.

He also loves to cook, especially when he can sprinkle in his rectory-grown herbs and vegetables. He has been serving the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth for 22 years and is currently the Pastor of St Ignatius parish, Bedford, NS.

Kate is proud to be Chalice’s “Creative Specialist” because her title makes her sound more like the Holy Spirit than a visual media producer.

She is an aspirant discerning religious life with the Franciscans of Halifax, on the exciting and terrifying cusp of postulancy. She loves it when her Chalice colleagues ask her to share reflections during their daily morning prayer, because she make people listen to wisdom of the Church Fathers before 9:00 am.