Speakers and Presenters

Sr. Lisa Valentini, M.S.C

After literally years of praying and searching for a Community where I could actually become a "FULL TIME" missionary, I met the MSC Sisters -- and everything seemed to "click". I am so very grateful for my years as an IHM Sister -- but am also very grateful that God called me to be an MSC! During the transition time I learned about my new community and our spirituality, I also continued giving retreats, mission talks, sacramental preparation talks -- and moved into Vocation Promotion on behalf of the MSCs -- and, best of all, was allowed to continue with the Mission Immersion Experiences. As of 1997, we started going to Tlalmanalco, Mexico, where the MSC Fathers and Brothers (Rejean Oulette, MSC and Padre Gil welcomed us. My full incorporation into the MSC's was on 2 December 2000 -- and on 26 December, 2000, I was sent on Mission to the Dominican Republic. . .and the rest (as they say) is HISTORY.

Christopher Kerr

Chris joined the Ignatian Solidarity Network (ISN) as executive director in 2011. He has over fifteen years of experience in social justice advocacy and leadership in Catholic education and ministry. Prior to ISN he served in multiple roles at John Carroll University, including coordinating international immersion experience and social justice education programming as an inaugural co-director of John Carroll’s Arrupe Scholars Program for Social Action. Prior to his time at John Carroll he served as a teacher and administrator at the elementary and secondary levels in Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. Chris speaks regularly at campuses and parishes about social justice education and advocacy, Jesuit mission, and a broad range of social justice issues. He currently serves on the board of directors for Christians for Peace in El Salvador (CRISPAZ). Chris earned a B.A. and M.A. from John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio. He and his family reside in Shaker Heights, Ohio.

Fr. Stephen Dudek

Fr. Stephen Stanley Dudek has a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from St. Thomas Seminary in Denver and a Licentiate Degree in Theology from the Jesuit-run Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City. While in Ghana, he studied at the Tamale Institute of Cross Cultural Studies. In 2002 he was awarded a Doctor of Ministry from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.He has served as Diocesan Director of Missions since 2009 and for many years has coordinated pilgrimages of Reverse Mission among the indigenous communities of the Archdiocese of Oaxaca. His local parish ministry in Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Holland and Wyoming, among English, Spanish and Vietnamese speaking Catholics has heightened his awareness of the gifts and challenges of culturally diverse-shared parishes. Currently, he is the Pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Parish and Canonical Administrator of San Juan Diego Academy.