In Word and Witness is excited to commission our new Board of Directors. These individuals have diverse ministerial and professional backgrounds with extensive experience in catechesis, education, non-profit leadership, and organizational management.
Watch The CommissioningThe In Word and Witness Board of Directors is a governing board that assures the enhancement of core values through comprehensive long-term visioning. Nominations for positions to the Board of Directors is provided through the larger membership community to uplift diversity and assure comprehensive charisms through the extensive reach of our broader community. Focused on a synodal approach of listening and planning for the future, the Board of Directors prioritizes the impact our organization makes for the Church-at-large and the comprehensive mission to transform the world by reflecting Christ.
Chair
Dr. Jodi G. Hunt, PhD currently teaches at the University of Dallas (UD) in the Theology department as an affiliate assistant professor of ministry. Prior to teaching at UD, Dr. Hunt completed a doctorate in religious education at Fordham University (NYC), a MA in theology at Oblate School of Theology (San Antonio), and a BA in anthropology at Texas A&M University (College Station). She also taught theology and religious studies at Antonian College Preparatory (San Antonio, TX) and Fordham Preparatory (Bronx, NY), and was the director of admissions at the Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education at Fordham University. Dr. Hunt has also worked with various dioceses and parishes across the US, training lay ecclesial ministers and Catholic educators. Her research interests include digital theology, practical theology, religious education, and youth ministry, with a specific focus on American Catholicism.
A video message from Dr. Jodi Hunt.
Vice Chair
Jackie Hopper serves as the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors and is currently employed by the Diocese of Boise. She has worked in a professional ministry setting for the past 40 years, serving at the local, diocesan, regional, and national levels. Her passion in ministry is to serve as a mentor and companion to others so as to build up the body of Christ. In her spare time she loves camping, hiking, spending time with her husband, Rob, her children, dogs, cat, and yes, even the camp cats!
Treasurer
John Gaffney is the Treasurer of the Board of the Directors and works for the Diocese of Des Moines as the Director of Evangelization & Catechesis. He has been in ministry for 23 years working in parishes, Catholic schools, and the diocese. He has been the department director since 2010. A hallmark of John’s leadership style is always striving to see what he and his ministry outreach can do more effectively for those he serves. He always ends any work he had done with the question, “What can I do to be a better resource for you and your ministry?” John is married to his wife Jane. They have three daughters, four grandchildren, and a five-month-old Labrador named Pepper.
Leadership Development Mentor
Jenn Fiduccia has been an active member of the Church since her teen years as a youth cantor and peer minister. In her over twenty years in lay ecclesial ministry, she has worked in music ministry, youth and young adult ministry, adult formation, and with the RCIA. Since 2011, she has served as Director of Formation at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Community in Raleigh, NC, leading a large team of professionals and volunteers in womb-to-tomb catechetical formation and sacramental preparation. Having earned her undergraduate degree in vocal performance from New York University, Jenn added two graduate degrees in Theological Studies and Catechetical Ministry from the University of Dallas, as well as a Certificate in Church Management from Villanova University. Aside from her responsibilities at St. Francis, Jenn also sits on the Admissions and Scrutinies Committee for the Office of the Diaconate in the Diocese of Raleigh and has published liturgical and catechetical music with WLP music, a division of GIA. She also recently authored a chapter in a book on women in Church leadership. Residing in Raleigh with her husband Pat and four children, in her free time Jenn enjoys camping with the family and their pups, reading, writing music, and baking.
A video message from Jenn.
Secretary
Joe Perdreauville has been active in Catholic ministry for twenty four years, serving as parish youth minister, parish director of religious education, and twelve years at the diocesan level as associate director of Pastoral Services which included a lot of diverse ministry and administration. He received his Masters of Arts in Pastoral Administration from St. Mary’s University Minnesota. Joe has served as a board member for other national Catholic organizations, local Catholic entities, and as a consultant locally and nationally. Joe has been married for twenty two years and has two amazing teenage children. One in college and one finishing high school. He and his wife are active with Sponsor Couple Ministry at their parish in Tucson, Arizona.
A video message from Joe.
Spiritual Advisor
Core Value Assessor
Douglas Leal is currently Chief Mission Integration Officer with Providence, a multi-state Catholic health system. Previously, he was Director of the Division of Adult Faith Formation with the Office of Religious Education of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. He also has experience as a management consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers and as a professional actor and director. Douglas is a frequent speaker on spirituality, faith formation, liturgy, and other topics, and he delivers retreats and seminars nationwide, He’s the author of the skill-building book for lectors, Stop Reading and Start Proclaiming!, and its forthcoming second edition, Beyond Reading: Advanced Training for Proclaimers of the Word (Liturgy Training Publications). He co-authored the 2017 and 2018 editions of LTP’s Workbook for Lectors. Douglas holds an MA from the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry.
A video message from Douglas.
Policy Monitor
Mary Jane Silvia currently serves as the Director for Adult Faith Formation for the Diocese of Manchester, NH. She has been in full-time catechetical ministry for 45 years including serving as a theology teacher in junior high and high school, a high school campus minister, coordinator of youth and young adult ministry for parishes, and a director of campus ministry at the university level. Her ministry has also included developing and implementing retreat experiences for youth and adults. She has an MA in Pastoral Ministry from LaSalle University, Philadelphia, PA. For fun, Mary Jane enjoys playing the guitar, reading Stephen King novels, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.
A video message from Mary Jane.
Parliamentarian
Jonathan Sitko serves as a board member for In Word and Witness and is the Director of Programs for the Catholic Apostolate Center in Washington, DC. He works with organizations, dioceses, and parishes in evangelization, missionary discipleship, and faith formation in this capacity. In recent years, he has taken an interest in the work of church management with a particular interest in how organizations can respond and adapt to the needs of the 21st century.
A video message from Jonathan.
Innovators in Catechesis and Evangelization
Dr. Jem Sullivan serves as professor of Catechetics in the School of Theology and Religious Studies at The Catholic University of America. With over twenty years of experience as an educator of graduate, undergraduate and seminary students, Dr. Sullivan has contributed to catechetical ministry at the international, national, diocesan and parish levels. Dr. Sullivan is the author of four books on catechetical themes and academic and pastoral articles and is a frequent guest speaker at catechetical conferences. Jem looks forward to serving the membership of In Word and Witness in collaboration with its Board.
A video message from Dr. Jem Sullivan.
Innovators in Catechesis and Evangelization
David Palmieri is chair of the Theology Department at Xaverian Brothers High School in Westwood, MA where he has worked as a teacher and coach for over 20 years. His passion is accompanying adolescents on their journey to grow in learning, faith, and service. He holds degrees in Religious Studies and Theology from Colby College, Harvard Divinity School, and Boston College, and is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program at The Catholic University of America. David has been married since 2001 and has two teenage children.
A video message from David.
USCCB Liaison
Marilyn serves as the Associate Director of the USCCB Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis. Prior to joining the USCCB, Marilyn served the Church in various leadership positions at the National Office of the Pontifical Mission Societies, the U.S. Archdiocese of Atlanta, Diocese of Brooklyn, and the Diocese of Metuchen in the areas of evangelization, catechesis, cultural diversity, youth and young adult ministries. She served as the President of La RED – the National Catholic Network de Pastoral Juvenil and with VIDES-Salesian Sisters Missionary in Ecuador.
FCH
Gustavo Rodriguez is director of the office of Evangelization and Catechesis for the Diocese of Austin. He holds a master’s degree in Pastoral Studies from The University of Incarnate Word and a bachelor’s in Theology and Political Science from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Gustavo was also a canon law student at the University of Valencia in Spain and studied education at St. Edwards University in Austin. In addition, Gustavo has experience in Education and Curriculum Development in Theology. He was a High School teacher for ten years but has served the Diocese of Austin in different roles for more than 19 years. He is incredibly passionate about accompanying individuals in their process of faith formation. Gustavo is happily married to the love of his life Natalie Rose for more than 15 years. Together, they are blessed to have two Children, Gustavo Ignacio and Sandra Josefina.
“I am always open to serving in whatever capacity is presented to me; I find it a blessing to accompany our community in a more profound encounter with Christ. I find that God continues to become present when we open our hearts to be of service to others for His Greater Glory. We are amid great opportunities for formation as we contribute to developing all leaders within our church, as clearly noted in the V National Encuentro Process findings.” – Gustavo
These bylaws, approved by the membership community, govern the work of our organization and give us the framework to vision for the future.
See the Full BylawsThe purposes of In Word and Witness are to promote the ministries of evangelization and catechesis within the Church’s teaching mission; to assess the landscape of these fields of ministry through synodal processes; and to enhance the ministerial effectiveness of its members in their service to the Catholic Church through the interchange of ideas and mutual support.
Membership is inclusive of supporters to the organization’s mission and core values.
Members are granted opportunities to provide nominations for leadership and to participate in the Organization’s Synod, as a means of contributing to the shared mission of the community. Members at the appropriate tier of membership, determined by the Board of the Directors, shall be entitled to one vote on each matter voted on by the members.
Through Networks, Federations, and a Synod. Networks are constituency-based groups whose participants share a common role or interest within the evangelization and catechesis community. Networks provide mutual support, sharing, learning, and common effort within the Organization. Federate groups are focus-specific groups of the Organization’s members, national in scope, existing to enhance and strengthen the Organization’s mission. The Synod process provides the Organization with a means of strategic listening, consultation, analysis, discernment, and advisement.
In addition to various responsibilities identified in the bylaws, the Board of Directors:
There shall be an Annual Meeting to conduct Organization business, held at such a place and time as determined by the Board of Directors. At any meeting directed to the voting members, a simple majority of the members registered and present for the meeting shall constitute a quorum. The Board of Directors shall approve beforehand all proposals to be offered to the voting members and to determine the procedures and acceptable forms of balloting for such purposes. A simple majority of the voting members shall constitute a valid vote and, except for the election of board members and amendment of bylaws, shall govern.