MOST REV. JOSEPH E. STRICKLAND
Bishop of Tyler
Bishop Joseph Edward Strickland was born the sixth child of Raymond and Monica Strickland on October 31, 1958 in Fredericksburg, Texas and relocated to Atlanta, TX in June of 1963. The Stricklands were founding members of St. Catherine of Sienna Church in Atlanta, Texas.
He entered Holy Trinity Seminary and the University of Dallas; studying for the Diocese of Dallas in August of 1977, and earned a Bachelor of Philosophy in May of 1981. He continued his education at Holy Trinity and the University of Dallas and his Master of Divinity Degree in May of 1985 and was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Dallas on June 1, 1985.
He was assigned as a newly ordained priest to Immaculate Conception Church in Tyler, Texas in June of 1985 and upon the erection of the Diocese of Tyler on February 24, 1987, he joined the presbyterate of the new diocese and was named the first vocation director for the diocese in March of 1987 by Bishop Charles Herzig.
He completed his canonical studies with a Licentiate in Canon Law in May of 1994 and was assigned by Bishop Edmond Carmody as rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Tyler, Texas in June of that same year.
He continued to serve as rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Judicial Vicar of the diocese until February 1, 2010 when Bishop Corrada named him Vicar General. He served in that capacity until September of 2011 when Bishop Corrada was installed as the second Bishop of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico and appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Tyler sede vacante.
On September 29, 2012 it was announced that His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI had chosen him as the Fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Tyler. He was ordained to the episcopacy on November 28, 2012.
DCN. HAROLD BURKE-SIVERS
The Dynamic Deacon
Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers – known around the world as the “Dynamic Deacon” – is one of the most sought-after speakers in the Church today. He is a powerful and passionate evangelist and preacher, whose no-nonsense approach to living and proclaiming the Catholic faith is sure to challenge and inspire those who hear him. He travels across the United States and around the world speaking at conferences,
workshops, retreats, parish missions, high schools, and young adult events – in short, to everyone who desires to know Jesus intimately and enjoy a deeper personal relationship with Him. His areas of expertise include marriage and family life, discerning the will of God, the sacraments, male spirituality, pro-life issues, evangelization, prayer, and many others. Deacon Harold holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame, and a Master of Theological Studies Degree from the University of Dallas. He co-hosts the Eternal Word Television
Network’s popular radio program, “Morning Glory”, and the weekly broadcast “Living Stones” on Mater Dei Radio. Deacon has also appeared as a guest on numerous other national and international radio programs, including “Catholic Answers Live” and “Vocation Boom Radio.” In addition, he is the host or co-host of several popular series on EWTN television and is featured on the award winning Chosen faith formation program by Ascension Press. Deacon Harold is the author of the best-selling book, Behold the Man: A Catholic Vision of Male Spirituality, co-author of Ignite: Read the Bible Like Never Before, and has written the acclaimed new book, Father Augustus Tolton: The Slave Who Became the First African-American Priest. Deacon Harold is featured on The Greatest Commandments: A 40-Week Spiritual
Journey for Married Couples, a vibrant marriage-enrichment program rooted in biblical values and designed to help husbands and wives know God better, trust Him fully and love Him completely throughout the course of their married lives. Retaining a deep love of Benedictine spirituality which he gained during his time discerning a call to that religious community, Deacon Harold is a Benedictine Oblate of Mt. Angel Abbey. He is also a member of the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars and the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy. As the president and CEO of The Saint Joseph Center, Deacon Harold oversees that nonprofit organization’s endeavors, which include hosting an international institute for
Catholic male spirituality, coordinating dynamic speaking tours and life-changing retreats, and developing products and services that support family life. Most importantly, he is married to his lovely wife, Colleen, and they have four beautiful children. They live in Portland, Oregon, where Deacon Harold is assigned to Immaculate Heart Catholic Church.
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.
SISTER JOSEPHINE GARRETT, CSFN
Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth
Sister Josephine is a native Texan, born and raised in Houston. She moved to Dallas in 1999 to begin studies at the University of Dallas where she completed a BA in Political Philosophy with a Business Concentration. Sister subsequently entered the banking industry, serving for 10 years as a Vice President in the Home Loans division of Bank of America in the roles of Operations Manager of a staff of 200 and later as a Project Manager.
Sister has a Masters degree in clinical mental health counseling, and is board certified and licensed as a counselor. She serves as the school counselor for the cathedral grade school in Tyler, TX, and also in private practice. Sister has also served in vocations ministry, as a national speaker for youth and young adults, speaking to groups of up to 25,000, and has also written for several Catholic publications including Our Sunday Visitor and Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire Ministries.
Sister was raised Baptist and entered the Catholic Church in 2005. Later, in November of 2011, she began her formation to be a religious Sister. In November of 2020 Sister Josephine professed her final vows as a Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth.
