JOSHUA P. BITTING, PhD
Program Director, St. John Paul II Foundation
Joshua P. Bitting, Ph.D., serves as Program Director at the St. John Paul II Foundation where he oversees the Together in Holiness Formation series, a year-round marriage enrichment for small communities of spouses. Born and raised in Wichita, Kansas, Joshua came into full communion with the Catholic Church on June 22nd, 2003, the Feast of Corpus Christi while completing his B.A. in philosophy at Southwestern College (Winfield, Kansas). Joshua attended Franciscan University of Steubenville where he earned his M.A. in theology. Afterwards, he had the opportunity to study at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (Santa Croce) in Rome, Italy. Since then, he has served the Church in various capacities at both the parish and diocesan levels. He recently completed his Ph.D. in theology and catechetics from the University of Notre Dame, Australia. Joshua and his beautiful wife, Amanda, have seven children, and enjoy sharing the Gospel of the family in their primary vocation as spouses and parents.
DOMINICK ALBANO
Catholic Author and Speaker
Dominick Albano is a nationally sought-after Catholic speaker and writer. After his powerful conversion at the age of sixteen and newfound passion for sharing the Catholic faith with others, Dominick began giving talks and leading retreats and small groups.
Dominick has spent the last 20 years speaking at conferences, retreats, parish missions, and schools. Newlyweds might recognize Dominick from Dynamic Catholic's marriage prep program: Better Together, which he co-wrote and presented.
Dominick is the author of three books including The Fundamental Theory of Happiness, The Essential Guide to Prayerful Decisionmaking, and The Story of My Life Prayer Journal. Dominick lives in Northern Illinois with his high school sweetheart and their four young sons. When he isn’t working in ministry, Dominick can be found coaching his son’s baseball team.
Visit dominickalbano.com to learn more or to connect directly with Dominick.
MOST REV. JAIME SOTO
Bishop of Sacramento
Jaime Soto was ordained for Priestly service in the Diocese of Orange, California in June, 1982 after graduating from Saint John's Seminary College with a BA in Philosophy and a MDiv. He later attended Columbia University School of Social Work in New York City and graduated with a Master in Social Work. Before his Episcopal Ordination, Rev. Soto served as Associate Director of Catholic Charities of Orange, Director of the Immigration and Citizenship Services at Catholic Charities where he was involved with the implementation of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, and Episcopal Vicar for the Hispanic Community in Orange. In 1990, he was named prelate of honor by his Holiness, Pope John Paul II and was given the title of Monsignor. While working as the Episcopal Vicar for the Hispanic Community, Msgr. Soto was appointed by the Most Rev. Tod D. Brown, Bishop of Orange, as Vicar for Charities in 1999. In 2000, his Holiness, Pope John Paul II named Msgr. Soto the Titular Bishop of Segia and the Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Orange. His Episcopal Ordination took place on May 31, 2000, the Feast of the Visitation. On October 11, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI named Bishop Jamie Soto as coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Sacramento. Bishop Soto was welcomed into the diocese on November 19, 2007. While serving as Coadjutor Bishop, he served as Moderator of the Curia, Vicar for Hispanics and Other Ethnic Ministries, and represented many pastoral and civic groups. On November 29, 2008, Bishop Jamie Soto became the head of the diocese upon the retirement of the Most Rev. William K. Weigand.
ROB AND JEANIE UCHISON
Parishioners at St. Dominic, Colfax
Rob and Jeanie Uchison met in College at Franciscan University of Steubenville. Their appreciation for their faith and the importance of the Sacrament of Marriage and family life grew immensely during their four years of study. Upon Jeanie’s graduation they were married and are now proud parents of five children ranging in age from 9 to 26.
Rob and Jeanie and their family serve in various Parish Ministries including Eucharistic minister, lector, parish council, youth groups, bible studies, altar serving, ladies guild, and parish secretarial duties. They have also been involved in different leadership roles in the Local and Regional World Wide Marriage Encounter Community. They love the richness of their Catholic faith and one of their greatest joys comes from sharing it with their children and those in their Church and community. Rob and Jeanie and their family have been parishioners at St. Dominic parish in Colfax, CA for the last 18 years.