Eric serves the Bishop as executive secretary of evangelization and catechesis, directing and overseeing the work of the diocesan office. Eric came most recently from his role as executive director of the Montana Catholic Conference. Prior to that, he spent several years as director of communications for the Diocese of Helena. Eric has a passion for youth ministry, and spent 22 years working in youth ministry in both paid and volunteer capacities at parishes in Montana and Georgia. With a degree in computer science, Eric owned a software development company before working for the Church. He and his wife Koena have eight living children and two grandchildren. They and their five youngest children are members of St. Raphael Cathedral Parish in Madison.
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Patrick serves as associate director of evangelization and catechesis. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Mt. St. Mary's College and Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD, as well as an additional M.A. with an emphasis in moral theology from the same institution. Following a brief period working in politics, he worked in the area of public human rights advocacy, writing and speaking on Catholic moral teaching, interfacing with the media and lobbying legislators at the state, national and international levels. Most recently, Patrick acted as an instructor at St. Ambrose Academy which provided valuable experience in designing and implementing a variety of history and religious education curriculums and bringing young people to a deeper understanding of, and relationship with, Jesus Christ and his Church. Patrick is a native Madisonian and graduate of Our Lady Queen of Peace grade school and Edgewood High School. (Contact concerning: General Catechesis, Seat of Wisdom Diocesan Institute, FOREM, YOUTH 2000, and Respect Life.)
Andy serves as the coordinator of the diocesan marriage preparation program. Andy has a masters of science degree in natural resource planning and has significant experience designing and implementing complex projects and programs. Andy and his wife Chris have spearheaded an effort to bring the Theology of the Body to the diocese, and Andy is president of the Madison Conquest Catholic Boys Club. The Galvins have served as a FOCCUS facilitator couple, been trainers and facilitators for Familia (a family-focused apostolate), coordinated the efforts of a lay movement in the area, taught as catechists in their parish, and been continually and actively involved in the work of the diocese. Andy and Chris have been blessed with five children and are members of St. Raphael Cathedral Parish in Madison. (Contact concerning: marriage preparation, Theology of the Body, sexuality issues)
Emily joins the OEC staff on a part-time basis as the Coordinator of Natural Family Planning. After working as a youth minister, RCIA and adult faith formation director, and DRE at the parish level, Emily moved to Rome, where she obtained her Master’s degree from the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family. Upon returning to the States, she again worked in adult faith formation at the parish level, before eventually moving to Madison and taking on her current position. Emily’s Master’s thesis proposed a comprehensive integration of Theology of the Body, Marriage Preparation and Natural Family Planning; she is excited to be part of a diocesan staff that is helping that integration happen in a very real way. Emily and her husband, Ben, have one daughter and are expecting their second baby this November. (Contact concerning: Natural Family Planning)
Marie serves as administrative assistant to the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis. With over ten years as a professional administrative assistant for a Middleton-area law firm, a master's degree in theology from Ave Maria's Institute for Pastoral Theology, continuing experience as DRE (K-5, RCIA and adult faith formation) for St. Ignatius Parish in Mt. Horeb, and certification as a Marian Catechist, Marie does far more than her title implies. Not only does she handle handle typical administrative tasks for the office, coordinate schedules and logistics for various events, and help develop and implement better procedures, but she is also involved in creating and implementing a number of OEC programs and events.
(Contact concerning: Anything and everything)