CHRISTOPHER J. STRAVITSCH, DMin
Chairman of the Board, St. John Paul II Foundation
Dr. Chris Stravitsch is Co-founder of the St. John Paul II Foundation and Chairman of the Board. He has a passion for creating new ministries that meet today's most pressing needs, especially the pastoral needs of couples and families. Dr. Stravitsch earned a Doctor of Ministry from The Catholic University of America, Washington DC, where he focused his research on the spiritual formation of spouses and families. He earned a dual degree in Pastoral Counseling from St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas, which consisted of an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy and M.A. in Pastoral Ministry, and he earned a B.A. in Psychology from Texas A&M University. Dr. Stravitsch is the President and Founder of Rejoice Counseling Apostolate, an apostolate which serves parishes by providing onsite Catholic counseling services. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Dr. Stravitsch and his wife, Sarah, reside in Katy, Texas, with their five children.
REV. FERNANDO CAMOU
Rector, Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral
Father Fernando Camou was ordained a priest of the diocese of Phoenix in June 2015. Since then, his passion has been helping others become aware of God’s personal love and powerful mercy in their lives. His love and appreciation for marriage grew under his parents’ loving marriage in Glendale, Arizona, where he and his brothers and sisters saw God’s love through his parents’ love. His 1 niece and 11 nephews are evidence of this, too, and are a great joy in his life. In 2020, Father completed a Licentiate in Liturgical Theology (STL) at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. Since of April of 2021, Father has been delighted to serve as Rector of Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral in Phoenix.
DR. FERNANDO AND JOSEFINA CAMOU
Marriage Preparation and NFP Teachers, Diocese of Phoenix
Dr. Fernando and Josefina Camou have been married for 39 years. They have five children (three married, one is a priest and the youngest just graduated from the university). They have 12 grandchildren and two more on the way. They have taught Theology of the Body at the Kino institute in the Diocese of Phoenix. They are certified NFP teachers and have taught NFP for more than 25 years. They are presenters for Marriage Preparation retreats for the Diocese. Fernando is now in the Diaconate program. They have been serving at the Diocese of Phoenix for more than 30 years.
MOST REV. JAMES S. WALL
Bishop of Gallup, NM
Bishop James S. Wall was born in Ganado, Arizona in 1964 to parents James A. Wall and Joan Wall. Along with his parents and five siblings, he continued to live in Arizona for his young adult life, attending public school in Chandler, AZ, and continuing to college at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ, where he studied history.
Throughout college, he felt the call from God to become a priest, and after college entered St. John Seminary in Camarillo, California, and was ordained a priest on June 6, 1998 for service in the Diocese of Phoenix.
During his time in Phoenix, Bishop Wall was a member of the Presbyteral Council and College of Consultors. He served on the Natural Family Planning Board; as the Chaplain for the Phoenix Legatus Chapter; and as a spiritual adviser for Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats. He was a member of the National Advisory Council of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and an advisory Board member of the Institute for Priests and Presbyterate in St. Meinrad, Indiana.
On February 5, 2009, Bishop Wall was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as the fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Gallup, and was consecrated and installed officially on April 23, 2009.
Bishop Wall’s episcopal motto is “Be Doers of the Word”, from the Epistle of St. James: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves (James 1:22).” This passage is to remind us that we must not only listen to the words of Christ, but put them into daily action, following the teachings of Our Lord.