Youth Rally Speakers, Friday, March 24

	Fr. Timothy Anastos is one of 50 National Eucharistic Preachers, a diverse group of priests who have been commissioned to enkindle the flame of eucharistic faith and devotion in the United States through kerygmatic eucharistic preaching. Father Anastos is Associate Chaplain at the St. John Paul II Newman Center at the University of Illinois, Chicago; he graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Linguistics and completed his Theology studies at the North American College in Rome. Fr. Tim is also the host of the popular video series “Reel Homilies,” presented by Spirit Juice. In these minute-long reflections, Father Tim unpacks the Sunday Gospel readings through the lenses of Church tradition, pop culture, and self-improvement. In his words, being a priest is “awesomesauce.” A fun fact about Fr. Tim is that he has received the Eucharist in 27 countries, so make sure to ask him which ones when you meet him!
	Joel de Loera has been happily married to his beautiful wife Nora for 14 years. So far, they have been blessed with six amazingly curious and extremely energetic children. Joel has a bachelor’s degree in Theological Studies and a master’s degree in Pastoral Theology. He has traveled throughout the nation and abroad sharing his powerful testimony of conversion and leading retreats. He is the founder of several ministries dedicated to evangelism and family life, including Amor y Cafe, an online ministry dedicated to enriching marriage and family life. Joel has over 15 years of experience working with youth and has served in different parishes and dioceses around the country. He is currently the Director of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Arlington. The de Loera Family enjoy the beach, soccer, music and reading books. Joel de Loera lleva 14 años felizmente casado con su hermosa esposa Nora. Hasta ahora, han sido bendecidos con 6 hijos, que son increíblemente curiosos y extremadamente energéticos. Joel tiene una Licenciatura en Estudios Teológicos y una Maestría en Teología Pastoral. Ha viajado por toda la nación y el extranjero compartiendo su poderoso testimonio de conversión y dirigiendo retiros. Es el fundador de varios ministerios dedicados a la evangelización y a la vida familiar, incluyendo Amor y Café, un ministerio en línea dedicado a enriquecer el matrimonio y la vida familiar. Joel tiene más de 15 años de experiencia trabajando con jóvenes y ha servido en diferentes parroquias y diócesis. Actualmente es el Director del Apostolado Hispano de la Diócesis de Arlington. A la familia de Loera les gusta la playa, el fútbol, la música y la lectura de libros.
	Jimmy Mitchell believes deeply in the power of beauty to evangelize culture, and his gifts of storytelling and piano-laying have brought him to every corner of the world. On top of being the founder of Love Good, he is the director of campus ministry at Jesuit High School in Tampa, Florida, which has repeatedly made national news for its growing culture of conversion. Between his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt and his masters in moral theology, Jimmy has always enjoyed the cross section between faith, artistry, and entrepreneurship. Whether he’s mentoring young people in virtue or interviewing award-winning artists in his studio, he loves nothing more than helping others fall in love with God.
	Andrea Thomas is a musician, entrepreneur, and speaker. Her performance background turned to a deep love for and call to worship. She believes deeply in the power of collaboration and is honored to work with The Vigil Project team and serve as Co-Director of the organization. Andrea (and her very large Italian family) are from Cincinnati, Ohio.
	Mary Ann Wiesinger-Puig is passionate about raising leaders and teaching the Catholic faith. She has worked at the diocesan level for 12 years in a wide range of capacities, from running catechist certification programs to programs on parish and personal evangelization. While in the Archdiocese of Miami, she helped develop the Parish Missionary Discipleship Program. Raised in El Paso, Texas, Mary Ann is bilingual and bi-cultural. Throughout her professional career, she has worked hard to provide the same level of excellence in both English and Spanish. She enjoys teaching in both languages and finds mentoring catechetical/pastoral ministers to be especially fulfilling. Mary Ann has been blessed with the opportunity to speak at diocesan catechetical in-services and offer talks for parishes and various apostolates. Mary Ann currently works remotely for the Catechetical Institute at Franciscan University of Steubenville developing Spanish language content and lives in Texas with her husband and children. She enjoys Cuban coffee and good books. Mary Ann Wiesinger-Puig es catequista y misionera. Trabajó a nivel diocesano por 12 años en la Area de la Bahia de San Francisco y Miami, sirviendo a los Directores de Educación Religiosa y lideres de RICA. Dirigió y enseñó en los programas de Certificación para Catequistas e institutos de evangelización. Su primer interés es formar a discípulos misioneros. Criada en El Paso, Texas, Mary Ann es bilingüe y bicultural. A lo largo de su carrera fprofesional, ella ha trabajado para ofrecer el mismo nivel de excelencia en los programas de formación en inglés y español. Actualmente, Mary Ann dirige los las iniciativas en español del Instituto Catequetico de la Universidad Franciscana de Steubenville y le gustan en el cafe cubano y los buenos libros. Vive en Houston, TX con su esposo y tres hijos.
	The Vigil Project creates music for Catholics. Following the Liturgical Calendar, they write, record and release music that invites Catholics into a deeper experience of prayer with the Church. Each year, The Vigil Project teams travel during the liturgical seasons of Advent, Lent, and Easter to provide powerful, evangelistic events for parish communities around the US and the world. Their goal is to lead the Church deeper into prayer through song during these beautiful seasons with one voice.