Advent Retreat Speakers

Mallory Smyth

The Retreat begins December 4th!

The Retreat is self-paced.

This means that you can participate wherever you are and whenever you have the time.

It’s like a do-it-yourself retreat, but you’re not doing alone — we’re doing it with you! We hope you’ll join us.

Preview the 2023 Advent Retreat

Waiting on God’s Promises with Confidence

by Mallory Smyth

Learning from the Life & Faith of St. Joseph

by John Kinuthia

Living Through Seasons of Waiting

by Fr. Gale Hammerschmidt

Developing a Habit of Prayer

by Deanna Bartalini

Finding Joy in the Season of Advent

by John Kinuthia

Let Every Part of the Holiday Season Raise Your Mind to Heaven

by Mallory Smyth

Beholding the Mystery: Who He is and Who We Are

by Mallory Smyth

— Why join the Pray More Advent Retreat? — 

Renew your hope as you wait expectantly & joyfully for God to work in your life and to answer your prayers.

Deepen your faith and pray more this Advent season from the comfort of your own home!

Why Join the Pray More Advent Retreat?

Learn how to have a holy, prayerful and transforming Advent.

Renew your hope as you wait expectantly & joyfully for God to work in your life and to answer your prayers.

Slow down during this busy season and reflect on your relationship with Jesus, and grow closer to Him through prayer.

Deepen your faith and pray more from the comfort of your own home or while you’re on the go!

Fr. Gale Hammerschmidt was born and raised in Hays, Kansas and graduated from Thomas More Prep/Marian High School. He then attended Kansas State University where he received a degree in secondary education. Fr. Gale spent nine years in Manhattan, KS at Msgr. Luckey Jr. High School as a history teacher and football, basketball, and track coach.

From 2005-2012, Fr. Gale studied at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver, CO. In 2012, Fr. Gale was ordained a priest and is currently the pastor of St. Isidore’s Catholic Student Center at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS. Prior to this assignment, he served as a priest in Junction City, KS, and at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Salina, KS.  Fr. Gale has served as a high school chaplain and vocation director for the Diocese of Salina. He is also the founder of the Prayer and Action summer mission program that has now spread to numerous dioceses throughout the country.

You can find Fr. Gale: on his Facebook page, Instagram, and through his Church’s website.

Deanna G. Bartalini, M.Ed.; M.P.A., is a certified spiritual director, speaker, and writer. She has served in parish ministry as a religious education director, youth minister, liturgical coordinator, and stewardship director.

Deanna has been married to Deacon John for 40 years and they are blessed with four grandchildren. She is the founder of LiveNotLukewarm.com. Her Not Lukewarm Podcast gives you tips and tools to live out your faith in your daily life.

She writes for CatholicMom.com, Diocesan.com, Women in the New Evangelization (WINE) and AmazingCatechists.com. Deanna wrote a bible study, The Stay Connected Journals for Catholic Women, Invite the Holy Spirit into your Life, contributed to the Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion, and Digital Ministry and Leadership in Today’s Church.

You can find Deanna: through her website, on her Facebook page, and Instagram.

Mallory Smyth is a national speaker, writer, and content creator for Walking with Purpose. She is the author of the book Rekindled, and has also written the WWP Bible Studies, Reclaiming Friendship, and Rooted and Radiant.

Mallory has been in full time ministry for the past 11 years. She joined Walking with Purpose out of a deep desire to help women come to know Christ personally through the transforming power of His word. Having worked with college students as a FOCUS missionary, and now in women’s ministry, it is her dream to see Catholics fall deeply in love with God and grab hold of the joy offered in the Gospel.

Mallory lives in Denver with her husband, Jared, and their four daughters.

You can learn more about Mallory at www.mallory-smyth.com

Advent Retreat Speakers

The Retreat begins November 28th!

The Retreat is self-paced.

This means that you can participate wherever you are and whenever you have the time.

It’s like a do-it-yourself retreat, but you’re not doing alone — we’re doing it with you! We hope you’ll join us.

A Time to Trust God Without Reservation

by Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers

Three Things To Learn From St. Joseph

by Pete Burak

Jesus: Love and Mercy Itself

by Katie Sciba

Jesus’ Acts of Mercy in the Old & New Testament

by Katie Sciba

Mary’s Deep Trust in the Lord

by Scott Powell

Jesus’ Mercy in the Details of Our Lives

by Katie Sciba

Preparing for Christ

by Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers

— Why join the Pray More Advent Retreat? — 

Renew your hope as you wait expectantly & joyfully for God to work in your life and to answer your prayers.

Deepen your faith and pray more this Advent season from the comfort of your own home!

Preview the 2022 Advent Retreat

Why Join the Pray More Advent Retreat?

Learn how to have a holy, prayerful and transforming Advent.

Renew your hope as you wait expectantly & joyfully for God to work in your life and to answer your prayers.

Slow down during this busy season and reflect on your relationship with Jesus, and grow closer to Him through prayer.

Deepen your faith and pray more from the comfort of your own home or while you’re on the go!

Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers – known around the world as the “Dynamic Deacon” – is one of the most sought-after speakers in the Church today. He is a powerful and passionate evangelist and preacher, whose no-nonsense approach to living and proclaiming the Catholic faith will challenge and inspire those who hear him.

He travels across the United States and around the world speaking at conferences, workshops, retreats, parish missions, high schools, and young adult events – in short, to everyone who desires to know Jesus intimately and enjoy a deeper personal relationship with Him. His areas of expertise include marriage and family life, discerning the will of God, the sacraments, male spirituality, evangelization, prayer, and many others.

Deacon Harold holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame, and a Master of Theological Studies Degree from the University of Dallas. He co-hosts the national weekly broadcast “Living Stones” on Mater Dei Radio. Deacon Harold has appeared in the major feature film Power in My Hands and is the creator of Walk by Faith Wednesday Webinars, a weekly hour of Catholic catechesis and teaching.

In addition, he is the host or co-host of several popular series on EWTN television and is featured on the renown Chosen faith formation program by Ascension Press. Deacon Harold is an award-winning author who has written five books, including Behold the Man: A Catholic Vision of Male Spirituality, Father Augustus Tolton: The Slave Who Became the First African-American Priest, and the acclaimed new book Our Life of Service: The Handbook for Catholic Deacons.

Retaining a deep love of Benedictine spirituality which he gained during his time discerning a call to that religious community, Deacon Harold is a Benedictine Oblate of Mount Angel Abbey. He is also a member of the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars and the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy.

Pete Burak is the Vice-President of Renewal Ministries and the director of their young adult outreach called id. He is a 2010 graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville, and has a Master’s Degree in Theology from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Michigan. Pete is a frequent speaker on discipleship and evangelization, and he is the co-director of Pine Hills Boys Camp. He is the co-founder of the Millennial Church Conference, a monthly columnist for Faith Magazine, the host of the Spirit-filled Leadership Podcast, the host of the television show G2G: Glory to God, and a member of the USCCB Young Adult Advisory Committee. Pete and his wife Cait have 5 children.

Kate Capato, Visual Grace, is a Catholic sacred art painter and speaker rooted in the tradition of the faith. She creates oil paintings inspired by prayer and the truths of our faith and is greatly influenced by the Renaissance masters due to her gifted time studying in Florence Italy.

As a missionary of Divine beauty, Kate travels around with her art speaking about beauty and the ways the Lord shares his love with us through it. Her husband, Pawel, joins in with his talent of music to create a fuller experience of a transcendent encounter with Christ.

Kate is available to create new works for your churches, communities, and homes as well as to travel world wide to you and share the faith through beauty. 

Dr. Scott Powell is a teacher, theologian and author. Currently, he teaches at the St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver and is an affiliate of the Benson Center for the Study of Western Civilization, Thought and Policy at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Scott and his wife, Annie, founded and direct Camp Wojtyla, a Catholic outdoor adventure program for youth based in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. He holds a doctorate in Catholic Studies from Liverpool Hope University in England, and has authored a number of books, articles and book chapters on topics of theology, the Bible, religion, as well asCatholic culture and its relationship to the modern world. Scott has also appeared in numerous Catholic productions, including “Symbolon,” “Beloved,”“Reborn,” “YDisciple” and the “Opening the Word” series. He has been featured on EWTN, “Catholic Answers Live” and several other outlets. Scott and his wife live near Boulder, Colorado with their three children: Lily Avila, Samuel Isaac and Evelyn Luca.

Mary Lenaburg is a full-time Catholic speaker and author of Be Brave in the Scared, which earned a 2020 Excellence in Publishing Award from the Association of Catholic Publishers. Her second book Be Bold in the Broken, was published March 12, 2021.

She has given keynotes at conferences internationally, including The Edel Gathering, the Genius Women’s Conference, the Fiat Conference in Pasadena, CA,  Military Council for Catholic Women European Retreat, and at the Women of the Word Conference in Toronto, Canada. A writer with Take Up & Read, her work has appeared in five meditation books. She also has contributed to two other books.

She has appeared on Catholic radio, TV, and podcasts, including The Jennifer Fulwiler Show, EWTN’s Pro-Life Weekly, The Hallie Lord Show, The Gist, Busted Halo, and Fountains of Carrots. 

Her mission is to accompany women to be brave in the scared and bold in the broken as they embrace their God-given purpose.

Advent Retreat Speakers

The Retreat begins November 29th!

The Retreat is self-paced.

This means that you can participate wherever you are and whenever you have the time.

It’s like a do-it-yourself retreat, but you’re not doing alone — we’re doing it with you! We hope you’ll join us.

Why God Became Man

by Dr. Ken Howell

The Details of the Birth of Jesus

by Dr. Ken Howell

Seeking & Receiving Peace

by Kitty Cleveland

Persistence in Prayer

by Ryan O’Hara

“Your Will Be Done:” Yielding in Prayer

by Ryan O’Hara

Trusting God’s Plan is Good

by Ashley Stevens

Looking to Mary As Your Own Mother

by Kitty Cleveland

Praying Through Repentance

by Ryan O’Hara

— Why join the Pray More Advent Retreat? — 

Renew your hope as you wait expectantly & joyfully for God to work in your life and to answer your prayers.

Deepen your faith and pray more this Advent season from the comfort of your own home!

Preview the 2021 Advent Retreat

Why Join the Pray More Advent Retreat?

Learn how to have a holy, prayerful and transforming Advent.

Renew your hope as you wait expectantly & joyfully for God to work in your life and to answer your prayers.

Slow down during this busy season and reflect on your relationship with Jesus, and grow closer to Him through prayer.

Deepen your faith and pray more from the comfort of your own home or while you’re on the go!

Dr. Edward Sri is a theologian, speaker and author of several best-selling books, including Who Am I to Judge? and Walking with Mary. He is the presenter of several faith formation programs used by thousands of parishes around the world, and is the host of the weekly podcast All Things Catholic. With Curtis Martin, he is a co-founder of FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) and currently serves as the organization’s Vice President of Formation. His newest book and video study program is called No Greater Love: A Biblical Walk through Christ’s Passion (available through Ascension Press). You can learn more about Dr. Sri’s work at edwardsri.com

Ashley Stevens is a speaker, writer, wife, and mother of three. She was born near Philadelphia, PA, raised just outside Knoxville, TN and played soccer and converted to the Catholic faith at the University of Nebraska. While serving as a FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) missionary shortly after getting engaged, she was T-boned by a Mack truck and nearly lost her life. They got married on the one-year anniversary of the accident to redeem the day and she’s since shared her story with The 700 Club, Busted Halo Sirius XM Show, The Omaha World-Herald, and blogs and podcasts to encourage those whose life isn’t going according to plan. Find out more about her at www.mountainsunmoved.com

Ryan O’Hara serves as the Content Director for Saint Paul’s Outreach, a national Catholic organization that ministers to college students on campus. He is passionate about seeing Catholics come alive in Christ, grow to spiritual maturity and become apostles to the people in their life. Ryan has a B.A. in History from William Jewell College and an M.A. in Theology from the University of Notre Dame. He and his wife Jill live in West St Paul, MN and are parents to four sons.

Learn more here.

Advent Retreat Speakers

The Retreat has ended but you can still join below!

The Retreat is self-paced.

This means that you can participate wherever you are and whenever you have the time.

It’s like a do-it-yourself retreat, but you’re not doing alone — we’re doing it with you! We hope you’ll join us.

Patiently Waiting for God

by Fr. Leo Patalinghug

How to Pray: Lectio Divina

by Tim Glemkowski

Seeking & Experiencing Joy Through Our Faith

by Fr. Leo Patalinghug

Impossible Things Can Happen: The Story of Zechariah, Elizabeth and John

by Andi Oney

Choosing Joy

by Mary Lenaburg

The Geneology of Jesus & Why It’s Important

by Deacon Larry Oney

Purifying Our Faith

by Fr. Leo Patalinghug

— Why join the Pray More Advent Retreat? — 

Renew your hope as you wait expectantly & joyfully for God to work in your life and to answer your prayers.

Deepen your faith and pray more this Advent season from the comfort of your own home!

Here’s a preview!

Why Join the Pray More Advent Retreat?

Learn how to have a holy, prayerful and transforming Advent.

Renew your hope as you wait expectantly & joyfully for God to work in your life and to answer your prayers.

Slow down during this busy season and reflect on your relationship with Jesus, and grow closer to Him through prayer.

Deepen your faith and pray more from the comfort of your own home or while you’re on the go!

Father Leo is a priest member of a community of consecrated life, Voluntas Dei (The Will of God). He is the creator and founder of an international food and faith movement called Plating Grace, whose mission is to build relationships, strengthen families, as well as communities, utilizing the power of food. The movement began with one proven concept; the act of sharing meals can help families thrive and bring people together who may have different views or backgrounds. Plating Grace has now reached thousands of people through Father Leo’s pilgrimage around the world to feed people body, mind and soul.

Father Leo is also the founder and chair of the nonprofit group, The Table Foundation, a nonprofit organization with a mission to support to culinary community along with assisting those returning to the community from the prison system. The objective being to assimilate them through a formation process and give them culinary training to obtain skills needed to earn gainful employment.. His unique background as a chef and his previous experience as a two-time black belt martial arts instructor and former award-winning break dancer and choreographer has earned the attention of major media outlets, including the Food Network where he won, “Throwdown with Bobby Flay!”  The mission to see food as a gift from God to nourish your family and to strengthen relationships is making this world a better place one meal at a time.

Danielle Bean is brand manager at CatholicMom.com, an apostolate of Holy Cross Family Ministries. She is creator and host of the Girlfriends podcast and co-host of The Gist on CatholicTV. Danielle is also author of several books including Momnipotent, You Are Enough, and Giving Thanks and Letting Go. She is a retreat leader and a popular speaker on a variety of subjects related to Catholic family life, education, marriage, and motherhood. Danielle has been married to her husband Dan for 25 years and together they have 8 children. Learn more about Danielle and her work at DanielleBean.com.

Deacon Larry Oney is the chairman of HGI Global, founder of Hope and Purpose Ministries, international motivational speaker, host of the “Life and Spirit” podcast, author of Amazed by God’s Grace (published by The Word Among Us Press), Divine Mission:  Discovering Your Hope and Purpose, Reflections on the Kingdom of God, and UP FAITH! God loves a faith that is always looking up!, and co-author of two books. Larry Oney infuses positivity and inspiration into his work and ministries. His dynamic presentation style and message of hope has led to hundreds of speaking engagements across the globe. Over thirty years of experience making critical business decisions while helping to awaken the faith of others has uniquely equipped Larry Oney to present lively, invigorating, knowledgeable, and life-changing presentations. 

The mission of Hope and Purpose Ministries is to participate in the New Evangelization through preaching, teaching, leading retreats, conducting parish missions, and fostering the Baptism of the Holy Spirit using excellent media initiatives thereby offering hope and purpose to all individuals through encouragement and knowledge sharing.Through Hope and Purpose Ministries, the team is working to further the ministry of Jesus to proclaim the Kingdom of God (Matthew 10:7), encourage others that God has a plan and purpose for their lives (Jeremiah 29:11), and to help heal the broken-hearted (John 10:10b).