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.
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.
VERY REV. TIMOTHY J. GRASSI
Pastor, St. James the Greater Catholic Church
Fr. Timothy J. Grassi was ordained a priest in 2000 and served as a parochial vicar for 3 years at Immaculate Conception in Clarksburg, WV and 1 year at Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral in Charleston, WV. In June of 2004, Fr. Grassi was made pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish and Our Lady of Mercy Mission in Thomas, WV. He served there for 17 years. In 2021 Fr. Grassi was made pastor of St. James the Greater Parish in Charles Town, WV. Fr. Grassi is passionate about the Catholic Faith and being faithful to the Traditional Teachings of Holy Mother Church.
JOHN AND ANNIE DEJAK
Parishioners of St. John the Baptist, Front Royal
John and Annie DeJak have been happily married for twenty-five years and are the proud parents of eight children, ranging in age from 24-10. Having met and married in Chicago, their adventurous life has taken them throughout the country--with John having served on active duty in the U.S. Army and as a lawyer and founding headmaster of several private high schools. He is currently Headmaster of Chelsea Academy in Front Royal, Virginia. Annie, an accomplished educator herself, is a stay-at-home mom and part-time teacher and Director of Chelsea's Schola Cantorum. Throughout their marriage they have been involved in mentoring engaged couples and have spoken on marriage to parish and community groups.