Illuminate
June 21-23, 2024

Kris Frank attended Franciscan University and graduated in 2008 with a degree in catechetics and theology with a youth ministry concentration. He has been a part of youth programs in Pennsylvania, Florida, and Texas. He now serves as vice president of Vagabond Missions in Steubenville, Ohio, where he lives. Kris also has been privileged to travel around the country, sharing the Gospel with teens and young adults at various retreats, camps, and conferences. Kris spends his free time with his wife, Grace, and their five children.

Father John Burns is a priest of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. He studied business at Notre Dame but then realized a deeper call to give his whole life to God. Ordained a priest in 2010, he recently completed a doctorate in moral theology on the topic of healing through forgiveness. Father John works extensively with Mother Teresa’s sisters and the Sisters of Life and has preached retreats and conferences for them in Africa, Europe, and the U.S. He is also the author of the book Lift Up Your Heart: A 10-Day Personal Retreat with St. Francis de Sales.

Sarah Swafford is the founder of Emotional Virtue Ministries. She speaks internationally on faith, relationships, and interior confidence to audiences of all ages at school assemblies, retreats, rallies, parishes, and conferences. She is the author of Emotional Virtue: A Guide to Drama-Free Relationships and cohost of EWTN's At the Heart of Relationships. Sarah is a contributor to Chosen and What We Believe: The Beauty of the Catholic Faith, both published by Ascension. She resides in Atchison, Kansas, with her husband, Dr. Andrew Swafford, and their five children. Learn more about Sarah and Emotional Virtue Ministries at theswaffords.com.

David Calavitta is a passionate Catholic in love with Christ and his Church. He’s also very much in love with his wife, Brittany, and their two sons. In addition to his speaking ministry, he currently serves as the director of Creative and Marketing for Life Teen International.

Josh Blakesley has acknowledged a simple calling: to make music that moves people into prayer and action. Josh and his bandmates have dedicated themselves to making music for liturgy in today’s era by answering the question, How do I create a song that will honor traditions, yet speak to people in the modern Church and lead them to worship? He has led music for 20-plus years at various events, churches, festivals, and conferences including Steubenville Conferences. In addition to touring, songwriting, and producing, Josh serves as the music director at St. Anthony of Padua in The Woodlands, Texas.

Mari Pablo is a proud Hispanic from Miami. She has degrees in theology and psychology from Franciscan University of Steubenville and the Augustine Institute. She has worked in youth ministry for over 15 years, including serving as a youth minister and as a high school theology teacher. Mari is currently serving with The Evangelical Catholic. She is a presenter for Ascension Press, including YOU: Theology of the Body and Connected: CST for this generation. Mari loves to dance, has a deep love for food but an even greater love for Christ, and is dedicated to helping others encounter him.