MOST REV. FRANK J. DEWANE
Bishop of Venice in Florida
Most Reverend Bishop Frank J. Dewane serves as the spiritual leader of approximately 250,000 Catholics in the 10-county Diocese of Venice in Florida. He was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006 as the second Bishop of the Diocese.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane was named Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Venice in Florida by Pope Benedict XVI on April 25, 2006, and on January 19, 2007, he was installed in his current role as Bishop of the Diocese.
In addition to holding a degree from the University of Wisconsin, Bishop Dewane also completed studies at The American University in Washington, D.C., as well as from Pontifical Gregorian University and Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, both in Rome.
Prior to entering the seminary, Bishop Dewane worked for the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) in Moscow, Russia, and then for a subsidiary of PepsiCo in New York City.
Ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Green Bay in 1988, Bishop Dewane was appointed in 1991 to serve as a member of the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York City, during which time he represented the Holy See at several international conferences. In 1995, he was transferred to the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum” and was later appointed Under Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
Bishop Dewane serves on the Ad Hoc Committee against Racism, and Subcommittee for the Pastoral Care of Migrants, Refugees and Travelers for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Bishop Dewane previously served on several committees at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops including the Committee for Domestic Justice and Integral Human Development (past Chair), Committee for International Justice and Peace.
Bishop Dewane is a member of the Board of Directors of the Franciscan Foundation for the Holy Land, and is the Episcopal Liaison for Catholic Charities, USA.
RENZO AND MONICA ORTEGA
Co-founders of Two Become Family
Renzo and Monica Ortega are Catholic ministry leaders, podcast hosts, authors, and speakers. They host the popular marriage podcast, Two Become Family (also available on YouTube), and are co-authors of the children's devotional, Go to Joseph for Children. Renzo is also the author of the men's devotional, Go to Joseph. Their online marriage ministry, Two Become Family, has been featured in the National Catholic Register and EWTN's "Life on the Rock" show, and their conversion story has been featured in the documentary St Joseph: Our Spiritual Father. Many of their talks can be found on Catholic Lighthouse Media. Renzo holds a MA in Theology from Holy Apostles College and Seminary. The Ortegas live in Connecticut with their 5 children where they facilitate youth ministry and marriage prep ministry.
MALLORY SMYTH
National Speaker, Author, and Podcaster
Mallory Smyth is a national speaker, author, and podcaster having authored the book Rekindled and Walking with Purpose Bible Studies. Mallory has been in full time ministry for the past 13 years. She has worked formerly as a FOCUS missionary and a content creator for Walking with Purpose. It is her dream to see Catholics fall deeply in love with God and grab hold of the joy offered in the Gospel. She lives in Denver with her husband and five children.
ELISA MAZZAROLO
Program Coordinator, St. John Paul II Foundation
Elisa Mazzarolo is a Program Coordinator for the St. John Paul II Foundation where she serves to expand the Together in Holiness Formation series to parishes and schools across the country. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Carleton University. Prior to joining the St. John Paul II Foundation, Elisa spent five years actively involved with a Catholic ministry in Canada where her passion for sharing the gospel and journeying with others through life’s highs and lows was ignited. She also spent four years working in the healthcare sector in both Procurement and HR. Elisa is thrilled to be with a Catholic apostolate, supporting couples and families.
FR. ALEX PINCE
Parochial Vicar at Epiphany Cathedral and Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Venice
Fr. Alex is originally from New Hampshire and is from a family of seven children. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2021 and has been serving as Parochial Vicar of Epiphany Cathedral for the last two years. In addition to his responsibilities at Epiphany Cathedral, Fr. Alex was appointed as Director of Vocations and Seminarian Formation for the Diocese of Venice in the Spring of 2024. Fr. Alex has a license in Moral Theology from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome and spends his free time following Boston sports or playing tennis or golf.