La Conferencia Católica Cornerstone 2021

Fr. Spitzer has been devoted to developing a comprehensive philosophy of the pro-life movement for twenty-five years. He has focused primarily on investigating the intellectual foundations for the pro-life position – from philosophy, political theory, and legal theory. He completed significant studies of abortion and active euthanasia from the vantage point of personhood, rights theory, philosophical principles, and the major categories of cultural discourse (happiness, purpose in life, ethics, suffering, love, freedom, justice, and the common good). In furtherance of this objective he has published two books has, dozens of scholarly articles, and three video series for EWTN television. He has also started two international institutes devoted to intellectual underpinnings of the culture of life. His two books are:

Healing the Culture: A Commonsense Philosophy of Happiness, Freedom, and the Life Issues (San Francisco, Ignatius Press, 2000).

Ten Universal Principles: A Brief Philosophy of the Life Issues (San Francisco, Ignatius Press, 2011).

His two institutes are:

1. University Faculty for Life (with Fr. Thomas King, S.J., and Fr. Joseph Koterski, S.J.), www.uffl.org in 1988. It is dedicated to collegiality, scholarship, and scientific research among pro-life faculty. It has held over twenty international academic conferences and published proceedings from each (life and learning).

2. Healing the Culture (with Camille Pauley), www.healingtheculture.com. This organization is devoted to preparing and facilitating high school and adult education curricula to promote a comprehensive pro-life philosophy.

His three EWTN series are:

• Healing the Culture (15 part series) -- 2002.

• Profiles in Faith – with Barbara McGuigan – 2012.

• Ten Universal Principles (which will appear on EWTN in 2013).

Fr. Spitzer has debated the active euthanasia movement on the Today Show, has appeared dozens of times on Catholic radio, and has been involved in several campaigns to stop active euthanasia initiatives. He is frequently consulted on these matters by media and political campaigns.

Gloria Purvis is a graduate of Cornell University and she worked for nearly two decades in the mortgage industry before becoming a risk management director at a major financial services company.

She served on the National Black Catholic Congress' Leadership Commission on Social Justice, and as an Advisory Board Member on the Maryland Catholic Conference's Respect for Life Department as well as the Archdiocese of Washington's Pastoral Council.

She also taught Natural Family Planning and helped prepare engaged couples for marriage as a member of a Pre-Cana team in the Archdiocese of Washington.

She has appeared in various media outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, PBS Newshour, Catholic Answers Live, and EWTN News Nightly, and hosted Morning Glory, an international radio show. She is Our Sunday Visitor’s Catholic of the Year for 2020.

She is a full time stay-at-home mother and consultant for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’s Committee on Religious Liberty. She is the creator and host of the EWTN TV series, Authentically Free at Last, that deals with the modern challenges to the expression and understanding of authentic human freedom.

She is currently the creator, host, and executive producer of The Gloria Purvis Podcast in collaboration with America Media. The podcast discusses current news and complex issues at the intersection of church and society and creates space for those voices and perspectives not often given a platform.

She is dedicated to promoting the sanctity of human life, marriage, and the dignity of the human person.

You can follow her on Twitter @Gloria_Purvis and Instagram @iamgloriapurvis and subscribe to her podcast on Apple, Amazon, Google, Spotify, or wherever you stream your podcasts.

You can find more about the podcast here: www.americamagazine.org/gloriapurvispodcast

Fr. Agustino Miguel Torres is a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal (CFR), a community established in the Bronx, NY and dedicated to work with the poor and evangelization. He is the President and Founder of Corazon Puro and Latinos por la Vida, apostolates dedicated to awakening and accompanying leaders in areas of great need. Fr. Agustino is a presenter on programs with EWTN “Clic con Corazon Puro” in Spanish and “ICONS” in English. He is also one of the founders of “Catholic Underground;” Casa Guadalupe and the John Paul II House—houses of discernment for women and men respectively. He is internationally sought to speak about sexuality in the context of the Doctrine of the Church, vocational discernment, missionary discipleship, amongst others. Every year, Fr. Agustino speaks to more than 25,000 youth and millions of persons through the media.

Brenda Noriega is a young minister committed to accompaniment and evangelization. She earned a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Ministries from the University of Santa Clara. Brenda collaborates in multiple national and international committees, including the International Youth Consultative Body for the Dicastery of Laity and Family Life in Rome. In her current professional role as Mission Educator-Promoter with Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, Brenda forms and accompanies young people and their families, developing their leadership skills to become missionary disciples practicing their Christian values in their daily life.

Archbishop Paul D. Etienne was born to a large Catholic family in Tell City, Indiana. He is one of six children and has two brothers who are Catholic priests, as well as a sister who is a Benedictine nun.

Archbishop Etienne studied at Bellarmine College in Louisville, Kentucky; the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota; and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he earned a Licentiate of Spiritual Theology in 1995.

On June 27, 1992, he was ordained a priest in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, where he served as pastor of several parishes, vocation director and vice-rector of the Bishop Simon Brute College Seminary.

On October 19, 2009, Archbishop Etienne was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Cheyenne by Pope Benedict XVI. He served there until October 4, 2016, when he was appointed Archbishop of Anchorage by Pope Francis. He was appointed Archbishop of Seattle on September 3, 2019 after serving as Coadjutor Archbishop of Seattle from June 7, 2019.

You can read more from Archbishop Etienne on his blog: www.archbishopetienne.com.

Bishop Joseph Tyson was born on October 16 in Moses Lake, Washington and at an early age moved to Seattle with his family. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1989. His degrees include a Bachelor of Arts in Russian and Eastern European Studies as well as Editorial Journalism from the University of Washington, a Masters in International Relations from the University of Washington, a Masters of Divinity from the Catholic University of America, and an honorary Doctorate of Letters from St. Martin’s University in Lacey. In 2005, he was consecrated Auxiliary Bishop of Seattle and named Vicar General. From 2008-2011, he served as Superintendent of Catholic Schools. He was installed as Bishop of Yakima in 2011 and currently serves as a member of the USCCB’s Committee for Cultural Diversity and Communications Committee, and Chair of the USCCB’s Catholic Communications Campaign and Pastoral Care for Migrants, Refugees and Travelers.

Bishop Thomas Daly was born on April 30, 1960, in San Francisco. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of San Francisco in 1982; a master of divinity from St. Patrick Seminary in Menlo Park, California, in 1987; and a master of education degree from Boston College in 1996. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of San Francisco in 1987.

Pope Benedict XVI named him auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of San Jose on March 16, 2011. He was ordained a bishop May 25, 2011.

Pope Francis named him the seventh Bishop of Spokane on March 12, 2015. Bishop Daly was installed on May 20, 2015 in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes in Spokane.

Bishop Daly is currently on the USCCB Committee on Catholic Education, and is chair- elect for the November 2021 session. He is also on the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis; the Subcommittee on Catholic Home Missions of the Committee for National Collections; and the Subcommittee on Native American Affairs of the Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church. Bishop Daly is a consultant to the Committee on Religious Liberty. Bishop Daly had previously been on the Committee for Clergy, Consecrated Life & Vocations 2013-2019.

Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, MSpS is a native of Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico. He received a bachelor's degree in theology and a canon law degree from the Gregorian University in Rome. In 1984, he was ordained a priest of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit -- a Religious Congregation of men consecrated to God for the service of the Church -- providing spiritual direction for priests and consecrated religious. As a parish priest, he provided ministry to the Catholic community in Western Washington at the request of Archbishop Brunett. He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Seattle by Pope Benedict XVI on May 12, 2005 and was ordained by Archbishop Brunett on June 6, 2005. Bishop Elizondo served as Chairman for the USCCB Committee on Migration and Refugee Services from 2013-2016, and concluded his term as Chairman for the Subcommittee for the Church in Latin America in November of 2018. Bishop Elizondo is the first Hispanic bishop in Seattle and is honored to serve the people of the Northwest.

Camille Pauley is co-founder and President of Healing the Culture, a nonprofit organization that evangelizes and converts people to be deeply, authentically, and permanently pro-life. She is the creator of multiple internationally acclaimed educational pro-life programs, including RespectLife.University and Life Advocacy Student Training (L.A.S.T.) for college students, Principles and Choices© for high school students, and Philo and Sophie: Philosophy for Children!© for elementary school students.

In 2003 Camille co-founded Healing the Culture with Fr. Robert Spitzer using his unique curriculum to change hearts and minds, and build a culture of life. Under Camille’s leadership, Healing the Culture has quickly grown into an internationally recognized organization with a powerful pro-life message, a wealth of successful products and resources, and tremendous influence in the cultural battle over abortion and euthanasia.

In over 25 years as a professional pro-life advocate, Camille has inspired politicians, judges, lawyers, medical professionals, and church leaders to defend the sanctity of human life. She has trained tens of thousands of students, teachers, religious educators, business leaders, and pro-life professionals in Healing the Culture’s “Philosophical Foundations” curriculum. She has co-produced over 100 pro-life videos, and authored dozens of articles. She has spoken to hundreds of thousands of people across North America and around the world. She has reached millions more through television, radio, and print media.

She likes to note that when she was in high school, she met the legendary actor Gregory Peck and asked how she could become a famous movie star. He answered, “It’s not what you think, kid. Do something more important with your life.” And that’s exactly what she did."

Katherine Angulo is the Program Director of the Thriving in Ministry Initiative, supported by Lilly Endowment Inc., in the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame. In this role, she works to prepare lay pastoral leaders for long-term ministry in the Church and directs the Bishop John M. D'Arcy Program in Priestly Renewal. Angulo received a B.A. in Modern Languages from King College and an M.A. in Pastoral Ministry from St. Thomas University. She has more than twenty one years of experience in youth ministry. Angulo was the Creator and Editor of The Mark, a Catholic teen magazine, and the Executive Producer of the volunteer training program, Called to Accompany/Llamados a Acompañar. She also is the Executive Producer of the Bishop D’Arcy Program for Priestly Renewal Video Series.

Bishop Joseph Tyson was born on October 16 in Moses Lake, Washington and at an early age moved to Seattle with his family. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1989. His degrees include a Bachelor of Arts in Russian and Eastern European Studies as well as Editorial Journalism from the University of Washington, a Masters in International Relations from the University of Washington, a Masters of Divinity from the Catholic University of America, and an honorary Doctorate of Letters from St. Martin’s University in Lacey. In 2005, he was consecrated Auxiliary Bishop of Seattle and named Vicar General. From 2008-2011, he served as Superintendent of Catholic Schools. He was installed as Bishop of Yakima in 2011 and currently serves as a member of the USCCB’s Committee for Cultural Diversity and Communications Committee, and Chair of the USCCB’s Catholic Communications Campaign and Pastoral Care for Migrants, Refugees and Travelers.

Aleah Patulot is the Director of PREPARES (Pregnancy and Parenting Support) for Catholic Community Services of Western Washington. Aleah’s professional background in parish outreach and advocacy, the Washington State child welfare system, and her time as the Western Washington coordinator for post-abortion healing through Project Rachel guide her current role of leading PREPARES’ parish-based efforts around the Seattle Archdiocese to serve pregnant and parenting moms, dads, children, and the whole family.

Lisa Green has worked with Catholic Charities Eastern Washington since 2001 with the Childbirth and Parenting Assistance Program (CAPA). Her first role was a Program coordinator working with volunteer mentors, providing case management and mentoring to moms who are seeking pregnancy and parenting support. In 2014 she began the position of Statewide coordinator for the PREPARES program, and at this time is the Program Director for CAPA / PREPARES program for Eastern Washington.

Syndee Sauceda Cavazos has worked with Catholic Charities of Central Washington, since 2006, as the Manager for the PREPARES Pregnancy and Parenting program. In 2015, she was appointed to lead the efforts in Central Washington, as the PREPARES program Manager for the State-wide PREPARES Initiative.

Her most recent appointment has been to implement a new initiative; PREPARES en español.

For over two decades Syndee has been dedicated to the program development on behalf of vulnerable populations. Syndee’s bi-cultural background and poverty competency is focused on life and social justice priorities specific to marginalized communities with her team at Catholic Charities.

Martín Valverde is a Catholic singer, musician and songwriter. Born in Costa Rica, he is a naturalized Mexican citizen. Martín is dedicated to bringing a message of faith and values with a contemporary style of music, through concerts, charity events, musical productions and workshops, to young people and musicians.

Nowadays, Martín continues his work of communicating the Message of God through his music and his work, with humor and reflection.

"Comunicar la fe y el mensaje de Dios a través de la música, humor y reflexión." - Martín Valverde

Pedro Rubalcava is a nationally known bilingual/bicultural clinician, composer and performer with expertise in various musical styles. Pedro is dedicated to searching for and creating prayerful experiences of the Divine through music, liturgy, the arts and beyond. He has been directing liturgical music groups for more than 40 years. He has been working in professional pastoral ministry in various areas, including liturgy and music, evangelization, youth and young adult ministry, catechetical ministry and RCIA for the past 33 years.

Pedro received national recognition in 1990 when Amanecer, his bilingual music collection, was nominated for a Grammy award in the Best Mexican/American Performance category.

Currently, Pedro is the Director of Music Development and Outreach OCP, where he has worked the past fifteen years. He also serves on the executive boards of the Instituto Nacional Hispano de Liturgia (INHL), the National Council for Hispanic Ministry (NCCHM) and the Northwest Regional Office for Hispanic Affairs (NWROHA).

He resides in Damascus, Oregon, with his wife, Kristin.