Dedicated to faith formation, catholic social teaching (CST) education and voluntary service, Laura joined Faith In Action (FIA) Ministry staff in 2014, and is now Co-Manager of FIA.  Her 15 years as Director of the Marianist Voluntary Service Communities (MVSC) involved placing full-time faith based intergenerational volunteers in service to community organizations in five states. For 18 years she developed and facilitated CST parish trainings for the Cincinnati (Ohio) Archdiocesan Catholic Social Action Office; and she collaborated with the University of Dayton Campus Ministry to create and implement Urban and Rural Immersion Retreats and post‑graduate service opportunities. She also served as Project Coordinator with the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative facilitating formation for the “Adele Young Adult Project” and “Call to Advance Justice.” At the Casa, she is grateful to work with FIA’s many outreach volunteers and on justice education.

 

Credentials:

• A graduate of the University of Dayton (Ohio) and National Alumni Association Service Award winner. BA in Psychology. Master’s level coursework in Pastoral Ministry and in Communication.

• Diocesan and National Board/Committee work: 12+ years on the Archdiocesan Catholic Social Action Commission (southwest Ohio), subcommittee work for CRS (Catholic Relief Services) and for Catholic Campaign for Human Development Local Grants; national Board (two terms) of the Catholic Volunteer Network and offered training for the AmeriCorps Education Awards Program; JustFaith Phoenix Diocesan Leadership team (four years) planning the Journey to Justice Day and Diocesan Graduation celebration(s).

• Published/ Acknowledged Contributor

• Provided expert content to Becoming a Community of Salt and Light - Formation for Parish Social Ministry updated book (Ave Maria Press).

• Authored the chapter Organizing Effective Retreats for Volunteers and Missioners in Formation in the Lay Mission Handbook.  (Catholic Volunteer Network).

• Open Hearts, Helping Hands: Prayers by Lay Volunteers in Mission / compiled by Koch and Culligan (St. Mary’s Press)

• Cover Art: A New Fulcrum, (Marianist Horizons, NACMS).

• Collaboration with members of the Casa community and FIA staff: organized, created and continues to update, edit and implement the program “Act, Love, Walk” Justice Formation in the Franciscan Way (2019). Based on Micah 6:8, and enhanced by the Franciscan charism and storytelling, this is a foundational 25-week course which is a springboard for a variety of FRC/FIA short education/formation courses.