UPCOMING SPEAKERS FOR 2026-2027
Tribute to Father Hugh – Read Here
Welcome! Registrations are open on a limited first-come basis. No tickets sold at the door. See details below:
Stay Tuned For Upcoming Information
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Father Shawn Roser – October 24, 2026
“Father Shawn Roser is a priest of the Diocese of Venice in Florida and currently serves at Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic Church in Fort Myers. Originally from Ohio and Indiana, he has spent most of his life in Florida. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2018.
Father Shawn studied philosophy at St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami before completing his theological studies in Rome at the Pontifical Gregorian University while living and receiving priestly formation at the Pontifical North American College. He earned a degree in Sacred Theology from the Gregorian and later pursued further studies in spirituality at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (the Angelicum).
Since ordination, Father Shawn has served in parish ministry and as Vocation Director for the Diocese of Venice. Much of his priestly ministry has centered on helping people deepen their relationship with Christ through the sacraments, spiritual formation, young adult ministry, retreats, pilgrimages, and personal accompaniment. He has a particular interest in bringing together the intellectual, spiritual, and practical dimensions of the Catholic faith and helping people recognize God’s presence and providence within the concrete circumstances of their lives.
Father Shawn also has
a lifelong love of the outdoors, aviation, history, travel, and pilgrimage. Whether celebrating the sacraments, teaching the faith, walking a trail, or accompanying someone through a moment of discernment, he seeks to help others hear more clearly the invitation of Christ and respond generously to wherever the Lord may be leading them.”
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Kathy Corona – March 28
Kathy Corona is a woman of deep faith, a devoted wife to Ken, mother to five, and grandmother to eight. Originally from Ohio, her life changed in 1997 at a Life in the Spirit Seminar, where she was baptized in the Holy Spirit, sparking a passionate spiritual journey.
Kathy has been a leader in the Catholic community for decades. In Ohio, she served as a Parish School of Religion teacher, Eucharistic Minister, and member of Healing Prayer Teams. After moving to Florida in 2009, she became a dynamic force at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Coral Springs, founding the Healing Prayer Teams, serving as a Eucharistic Minister, and leading Women’s Emmaus ministry and Bible studies. Now at Mary Help of Christians Parish in Parkland, she continues as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister. Kathy is a board member for Catholic Charismatic Services for the Archdiocese of Miami and has been a key leader in the Magnificat of Broward Chapter for 11 years, currently serving as Regional Representative for Magnificat’s Region 5.
With 34 years in banking, Kathy is Vice President at Firstline Compliance, LLC. Join us for breakfast, fellowship, and worship to hear her inspiring testimony of Jesus Christ’s love and healing!
Please join us at 9:00 am on March 28th. No tickets at the door. Directions here.
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Past Speakers:
Father Daniel Scanlan
Fr. Daniel Scanlan was born and raised in Fort Myers until his family moved to the small Catholic town of Ave Maria at the age of fourteen. He is the seventh of eleven siblings, and since he was a young boy, the priesthood has been on his heart. This desire was first instilled in him when his own brother, Fr. Eric, began discerning a call to the priesthood. Fr. Daniel studied philosophy for three years at St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami and then completed four years of theology formation at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He was ordained to the priesthood on July 15, 2023, and currently serves as a parochial vicar at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Sarasota, FL.
In his own words: “When I look back through the years, I can see her hand, protecting me and guiding me through so many of the finer details of my life. I know I would not be the priest I am today if it were not for the Blessed Virgin Mary. As such, I have given my life and my priesthood to her, taking up Pope Saint John Paul’s motto ‘Totus Tuus.’” It is now a deep desire of my heart to help people encounter the same love of Jesus in the Eucharist that I have experienced, and to instill an ever-deeper devotion to our Blessed Mother Mary.
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Maria Boylan, Past 2025 Speaker.
A native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Maria grew up in Canada, where her family immigrated when she was a child. Now, she and her husband live in Vero Beach, Florida, where she teaches Senior Religion at John Carroll High School.
Raised in a loving home, Maria was taught the Catholic faith and embraced it. In her final year of college, she and her siblings relied on their faith and God’s strength and provision when their parents were victims of a violent attack and were killed. By God’s grace, they were able to forgive their parents’ attacker and thrive after the traumatic incident.
Maria has also experienced God’s grace after years of prayer, healing her infertility, and clarifying her indecision about her vocation and how to find God’s will for her life. She is joyful in sharing with others her experiences in daily life and in crisis, where God has been faithful in answering prayers and filling her with a love for souls and a deep desire to lead others to Jesus.
Join us for breakfast, fellowship, praise & worship, and Maria’s powerful and inspirational testimony.
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Esperanza Liszewski
Esperanza is the third of six children born in Ibague, Colombia. At age 10, her family moved to the capital city of Bogota. Education was taken very seriously so most of her memories were studying hard during the school year and vacationing at the family farm during the summer. They were the happiest and fondest times. She studied International Law and Diplomacy and completed her Master’s degree in Social Work from Barry University. Esperanza worked as a mental health counselor in private and public agencies, then in the Lee County School System until retirement.
Leonard and Esperanza were married in Bogota and then moved to Michigan. They welcomed their daughter, Jessica. She was their greatest blessing. After moving to Key West a few years later, their second greatest blessing, Audrie, was born. Eventually, they settled in Fort Myers, and it was here that they seriously grew in their Catholic Faith. They served in several ministries in the Catholic Church when family time allowed it. In 2016, Esperanza introduced and continues to facilitate the Divine Mercy Cenacle at St. Cecilia Catholic Community, where the message of God’s mercy is proclaimed.
Leonard and Esperanza dreamed of living many years together, but the Lord had different plans. She became a widow in 2013. Nevertheless, Esperanza has learned that she is never alone. The Lord is with her so she lives trusting in Him. She lives by “Fear not, I am with you. Be not dismayed; I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, and uphold you with My right hand of justice” – Isaiah 41:10.
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Fernande Benjamin
Fernande was born in Canada, where rural life proved very challenging, especially after the death of her mother when Fernande was only five. Her childhood was influenced by her devout Catholic father and stepmother. Her first three years of education were conducted in French. At age eight, Fernande immigrated to the United States, unable to speak a word of English. Although she was in third grade in Canada, when she enrolled in classes taught by the Daughters of the Holy Spirit Congregation, she was placed in first grade to learn English.
Fernande became a naturalized citizen in 1957. That same year, she left home to follow her call to enter religious life. She could not sustain the severe regime required, and the Mother Provincial forced her to leave. However, in the novitiate, Fernande developed a powerful devotion to the Holy Spirit. Fernande was forced to adjust to her new life. Marriage followed. After being childless for six years, the couple adopted two children. Fernande and her husband Ray made a Cursillo. Both began work in prison ministry.
They moved to Florida in 1981. Shortly after, Ray was diagnosed with cancer. At that time, they were introduced to the charismatic prayer group. Life in the Spirit seminar followed. Fernande learned how forgiveness is essential for Jesus to set us free and journey on in life in freedom. She served in many ministries throughout the years, including the service team for the Mother of Mercy Chapter, one of the founding members. At present, she serves as chairperson for Magnificat greeters.
“For many are called but few are chosen.” Matthew 22: 14
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~ Kim Rodriguez-Torres
“God is love.” 1 John 4:16
Kim Rodriguez-Torres is a wife, mother, grandmother, and woman of God. She has been involved in different areas of Ministry for the past 30 years. She is a Commissioned Lay Ecclesial Minister, Certified Advanced Catechist, Retreat Facilitator, Prayer Group Leader and Evangelist. She has worked as a Catholic School Teacher, a Representative of Family Life, and MOM’s Ministry. Kim assisted on the Board of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal for Orlando and the Archdiocese of Miami. Formerly, she served on the Central Service Team for Magnificat, the governing body for this World Wide International Ministry to Catholic Women. The Magnificat Ministry was born out of the Charismatic Renewal, open to the working of the Holy Spirit in sharing their love, service, and the Good News of salvation.
Kim is the founder of Bella’s Blanket of Blessings, a prayer blanket ministry that was started after her four-year-old niece and goddaughter, Bella, became paralyzed and was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. These prayer blankets are for the sick, suffering, and anyone who needs prayer. These blankets have spread internationally, including Canada, Haiti, India, and the Dominican Republic. They have been sent to hospitals, nursing homes, homeless shelters, and seminaries. Bella’s Blanket of Blessings helps promote vocations to the priesthood through prayer and spiritual adoption of seminarians and priests.
Kim shares the power of prayer, God’s love, and Christ’s mission any chance she gets. Realizing that what happened on the Cross was done out of love for you changes your life forever. God is love…and Kim strives to do all in love for the greater glory of God.