Meet our speakers, Emcee and Band!
Mari Pablo
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Mari Pablo grew up in a devout, always supportive, boisterous Hispanic family in South Florida. She graduated from Franciscan University with a double major in theology and psychology; she also holds a Master of Theology from the Augustine Institute. She has worked in youth ministry for over 15 years, including being a youth minister in New Orleans, and a high school theology teacher in Miami. She is currently serving parishes and universities across the country with The Evangelical Catholic.
Mari is a presenter for Ascension Press in numerous projects including the YOU-Theology of the Body program for teens, The 99- An evangelization mission series, Connected- Catholic Social Teaching for this generation, Bible Timeline, Chosen- Confirmation and Ascension presents. Mari is well known for her dynamic presentations at the annual Steubenville Youth Conferences, NCYC, NET, Life Teen events, FOCUS conference, diocesan events and more. Mari has a deep love for food but an even greater love for Christ and is dedicated to helping others encounter Him. Fired Up Northstate |
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Rhyan Ramirez
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Rhyan Ramirez is a passionate and inspiring speaker, who has a unique ability to inspire and empower young people to live a more purposeful life.
Working through and rising out of the challenges of poverty, discrimination and the tough streets of Vallejo, California. Rhyan brings insightful perspectives on issues of healthy relationships, living a purposeful and passionate life, and the power of caring. Drawing upon a compelling life journey, his talks are filled with intriguing stories, laugh-out-loud humor and a solutions-oriented approach for the challenges that life presents. What is most important to Rhyan is his family. The healthy relationships he has with them that is the driving force to help people live a life of purpose. All Dates |
Fr. Agustino Torres, CFR
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Fr. Agustino Torres, C.F.R. is a priest with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal based in the Bronx, NY, a community dedicated to working with the poor and to evangelization. He is founder of Corazon Puro and Latinos por la Vida, which are organizations dedicated to awakening and accompanying young leaders in areas of great need. He hosts the EWTN Español television show “Clic con Corazon Puro,” as well as in English, following in the footsteps of Fr. Benedict Groeshel on “Sunday Night Prime,” and now hosts a new show “ICONS.” He was one of the friars who founded Catholic Underground, an apostolate of the Friars of the Renewal; Casa Guadalupe, and JPII houses of discernment for women and men respectively. He is internationally sought to address topics like the Church’s teachings about human sexuality, vocational discernment, and missionary discipleship, among other topics.
He speaks to over 25,000 youth and young adults in person each year and millions through the media. Fired Up Vallejo and Fired Up Sacramento |
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Priscilla Garza
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Priscilla Garza is a eight-year missionary and serves FOCUS 153 and the FOCUS Missions Team. She grew up in Monterrey, Mexico, and returned to the U.S. in 2012 to pursue her bachelor’s degree in Psychology (pre-med) at Baylor University. Her first two years on staff were spent serving in her home state at the University of North Texas and Texas Woman’s University; she then moved to Denver to begin her work with Missions and FOCUS 153 in 2018. Priscilla enjoys salsa dancing and traveling in her free time.
Through her work with FOCUS 153, Priscilla oversees 153 Mission Partner Development as well as the weekly live series “FOCUS en Español.” She provides support and encouragement to FOCUS 153 missionaries through mentorship, training, and additional resources. FOCUS en Español provides a platform to reach the Hispanic community through social media, where Priscilla speaks about the Catholic faith and evangelization. Fired Up Vallejo and Fired Up Sacramento |
