Christopher West
Christopher West is widely recognized for his work popularizing John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. Christopher teaches the theology at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver and at the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in Melbourne, Australia. He also serves as the Theology of the Body Staff Advisor for the GIFT Foundation. His books, extensive lecturing, numerous tapes, and his radio and TV appearances have sparked an international groundswell of interest in John Paul II’s theology of the body. He is married to Wendy and has three children.

   Dr. Janet Smith
Dr. Janet E. Smith is the Fr. Michael J. McGivney Chair of Life Issues at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. She is the author of Humanae Vitae: A Generation Later and editor of Why Humanae Vitae Was Right: A Reader and many articles on ethical and bioethics issues. Over 700,000 copies of her tape “Contraception: Why Not?” have been distributed. She taught for nine years at the University of Notre Dame and twelve years at the University of Dallas. Dr. Smith speaks nationally and internationally on several issues, especially the Catholic Church’s teaching on sexuality, and is serving a second term as a consultor to the Pontifical Council on the Family.

   Dr. Ed Hogan
Dr. Ed Hogan holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and philosophy and his doctorate in systematic theology from Boston College. He was born in Trenton, NJ, attended grade school in Green Bay, WI, was enrolled in high school in Scranton, PA. Before moving to Saginaw, he called Omaha, NE, home. “Heaven is home,” he said. “I’m on pilgrimage everywhere else.” Ed and his wife, Jen, have been married since 1992 and have five children and are expecting their sixth. He is the Director of Deacon Formation, Diocesan Theologian and Director of Faith Formation for the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw.

   Jake & Ramie Samour
Born in El Salvador, Jake moved to Denver, CO, at a young age with his family during the revolution in his home country. As an engineer,he worked as a rocket scientist before following a personal call into ministry. Ramie, born and raised on a farm in central Kansas, taught in both the public and Catholic school systems for several years before deciding to continue her education. Their paths crossed in Washington, D.C., while studying at the John Paul II Institute for Studies in Marriage and Family. They married a month after graduating with Masters of Theological Studies. The Samours spent the first 18 months of marriage in Puebla, Mexico, before moving to San Antonio, TX, where Jake is currently the director of the Office of Marriage and Family Life for the Archdiocese.

Jake speaks often about the Theology of the Body and many other issues relating to human sexuality and marriage. Ramie’s full time (and favorite) job is that of wife and mother. But she also teaches with her husband and consults in the areas of marriage preparation, fertility awareness and NFP, and the Theology of the Body. Additionally, she is a facilitator and trainer for ENDOW. Both Jake and Ramie travel intermittently with an international Catholic theater company (known as Theophany) which performs “The Jeweler’s Shop,” a play written by John Paul II.

   Dr. Mary Healy
In addition to her role as Senior Fellow of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, Dr. Mary Healy is Adjunct Professor of Scripture at the Notre Dame Graduate School of Christendom College in Alexandria, VA, and at Ave Maria University in Naples, FL. She serves as Council Chair of Mother of God Community, a lay Catholic community in Gaithersburg, MD. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, she holds a masters degree in theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville and a Doctorate in Biblical Theology from the Gregorian University in Rome. Dr. Healy is the co-editor of Behind the Text: History and Biblical Interpretation, Out of Egypt: Biblical Theology and Biblical Interpretation.  Her latest work is Men & Women are From Eden: A Study Guide to Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. She has published numerous articles on popular topics in biblical theology and is a frequent speaker at conferences on biblical interpretation, the Theology of the Body, and renewal in the Spirit.

   Mary Beth Bonacci
Mary Beth is an internationally known speaker. She is the author of the books We’re on a Mission From God and Real Love, and  writes a syndicated column for various publications. She has developed numerous videos, including a video series entitled “Real Love.” Her video “Sex and Love: What’s a Teenager to Do?” was awarded the 1996 Crown Award for Best Youth Curriculum. Mary Beth holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational communication from the University of San Francisco, and a master’s degree in theology of marriage and family from the John Paul II Institute at Lateran University. She also was awarded an honorary doctorate in communications from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, and is listed in Outstanding Young Women of America for 1997.

   Curtis & Michaelann Martin
Curtis Martin is the president and founder of FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students), one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing movements in the Catholic Church. Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver once stated that “No one does a more dynamic job of reaching college students for Christ than FOCUS.”  The organization was founded in 1998 as a national outreach to college campuses, both secular and Catholic. Through small-group Bible studies, large-group leadership training and one-on-one discipleship, FOCUS brings the fullness of life and truth in the Catholic Church to college students, and equips them with the tools to help them share this Good News with their friends. FOCUS is playing a vital role in the “New Evangelization” called for by Pope John Paul II. In 2008-2009 alone, FOCUS missionaries served on 39 campuses in 21 states, with plans to reach 100 campuses in the next 10 years.

Whether he is on college campuses or television, at conferences or working with corporate America, Curtis is an award-winning and proven dynamic speaker who has the ability to help his audience discover a vision for life.  Through humor, stories and his own captivating life experiences, he allows people to see how faith in God is lived out in everyday life. He equips people with the tools to discover the fullness of life and happiness beyond imagination. Curtis holds a masters degree in theology, and is the author of the best-selling book Made for More and co-host of the groundbreaking EWTN show “Crossing the Goal.”  Michaelann Martin has a masters degree in education from the University of Pepperdine. In addition to being a featured columnist for New Covenant and Catholic Parent magazines, she is the author of Women of Grace: A Bible Study for Married Women, the co-author of Catholic Parent Book of Feasts: Celebrating the Church Year in Your Family and co-author (with Curtis) of Family Matters: A Scripture Study on Marriage and Family. The Martins live in Greeley, CO, with their eight children.

   Jacki Corrigan
Jacki Corrigan is the Consultant for Marriage and Family Life in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and has served in that position for over 13 years.  During six of those years she also served as regional representative on the Board of the National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers (three years were spent on the Executive Board). She and her husband, Dick, have been married for 47 years, and have worked in marriage and family ministry for over 30 years. She  presently is immersed in family life at home, in the parish, and in the archdiocese. The blessings of their marriage include four adult children, nine precious grandchildren, and a new great-grandchild. The heart of their marriage and family is rooted in the God of mercy, whose faithfulness, forgiveness, love and humor continues to be their working model for Christian marriage.

   Don & Lorrie Gramer
Don and Lorrie Gramer have been directors of the Rockford Diocese Office of Family Life for 25 years. Married for 35 years, they have seven children and six grandchildren. Both work to bring about the Sanctity of Marriage and the Stability of the Home. Lorrie is chairing an ad-hoc committee for the U.S. Bishops’ Conference, and helping to implement their Pastoral Letter on Marriage.

   Jason & Elise Angelette
Jason is the director of Faith and Marriage and Elise is the assistant director.  Jason received a masters in theological studies from the Pope John Paul II Institute on Studies of Marriage and Family at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. He has gained much experience in the field of theology and family through teaching religion at Archbishop Rummel and Archbishop Hannan High School, as well as working on and speaking at various retreats and events nationwide. He is the co-host for a weekly television program on WLAE entitled “Issues and Faith.”  Elise graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville in Steubenville, OH, with a B.S. degree in early childhood education. She then taught drama and Kindergarten in Covington, LA, followed by a first grade teacher position in Alexandria, VA. Elise has been involved in music ministry as well as in retreat leadership and speaking ministry for both teens and young adults.