Sadlier National Religion Consultants

Steve Botsford is Vice President, Catechetical Learning for William H. Sadlier, Inc. He holds a master of religious education degree from Loyola University, New Orleans; a master of business administration through the University of Phoenix; a certificate of church management from Villanova University, and is a master catechist in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. After converting to the Catholic faith in 1992, he became a catechist to help others learn about God’s love—the same love he experienced during his conversion. He served over ten years in parish ministries as a youth minister and DRE. As a blogger, Steve explores catechesis and technology at www.TransformingCatechesis.com, and contributes to We Believe and Share, published by Sadlier. In addition, Steve was part of the Digital Disciples Network committee which developed the Digital Disciple Technology Competencies for Ministry. LEARN MORE

Gerardo Salazar is the National Bilingual Catechetical Consultant for William H. Sadlier, Inc. He is Mexican American, originally from Los Angeles, California, and San Luis Potosi, Mexico. He has been married for many years to Nancy, and they share 10 children together. Gerardo is the son of immigrant parents. When he was born, his mother consecrated him to St. Gerard whose name means “Sword of God” and to the Virgin of Carmen. Gerardo holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communications, a master’s degree in Theology and Ministry, and a Doctorate in Ministry with a concentration in Hispanic Catechetical Leadership. For eight years, Gerardo served as Associate Director for the Formation of Catechists and Hispanic Catechetical Leaders for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. For several years, Gerardo has served as Professor of Theology for the University of St. Thomas, Galveston-Houston. LEARN MORE / APRENDER MÁS

Carol Cimino, SSJ, EdD, is a lifelong Catholic educator. She received her bachelor of arts degree in History from Nazareth College, her master of arts degree in History from Syracuse University, her master of science degree in Education from the University of Rochester, and her doctor of education degree from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. LEARN MORE

John worked with William H. Sadlier, Inc. in the northeast for many years before joining Sadlier as a full-time National Religion Consultant in 2015. He has a bachelor of science in elementary education from Worcester State University and a master of education from Lesley University. He received his administrative license through the Massachusetts Elementary Schools Principals’ Association and certification as a Coordinator of Religious Education in the Archdiocese of Boston. Over the span of his career, he has been an elementary school teacher, director of curriculum and instruction, early childhood center principal, and elementary school principal, retiring from that position in 2010. John has been involved with religious education in various capacities since 1972, including being a long-time catechist and DRE. LEARN MORE

María G. Covarrubias is currently a Sadlier Consultant and the director of the Office of Catechetical Ministry in the Diocese of San Bernardino, CA, with 24 years of professional catechetical experience in parishes and dioceses. María’s education includes a double associate of arts degree in child development and liberal arts, a bachelor of arts degree in hispanic history and the Spanish language, and a master’s degree in religious studies from the University of Mount St. Mary’s in Los Angeles, CA. María offers keynote presentations, workshops, and retreats on a variety of topics, including catechesis, inculturation, catechist formation, leadership, spirituality, marriage, and family. LEARN MORE / APRENDER MÁS

Kathy Hendricks is a National Religion Consultant for William H. Sadlier, Inc. and a contributing writer for their Christ In Us and We Believe catechetical program and other resources. She has extensive experience in catechesis, having served as a teacher in Catholic schools and as a Parish and Diocesan Catechetical Leader. She holds a bachelor of arts in elementary education from the University of Colorado and a master’s degree in adult Christian community development from Regis University in Denver. She received her certification as a spiritual director from Benet Hill Center. Kathy is author of several books, including Shaping the Future of Catechesis Together and Grace in the Wound: Finding Hope in Long-Term Grief. LEARN MORE

Father John Hurley is a Paulist and was ordained into the priesthood in 1977. His formal evangelization ministry began in 1979 when he founded the Paulist Center for Catholic Evangelization in Portland, Oregon. His evangelization efforts went national as the former Executive Director for the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Secretariat for Evangelization, the National Pastoral Life Center, and the Department of Evangelization in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. After leaving the USCCB, he served for six years as consultant to the Bishops’ Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis. In May 2014, Fr. Hurley launched a new Paulist ministry, New Evangelization Strategies, where he serves as a consultant to those parishes, dioceses, and Catholic organizations who want to be more mission driven.  LEARN MORE

Tom Kendzia is a liturgical musician, composer, speaker, author, and catechetical consultant who has been active in ministry for nearly 40 years. In 2005, he celebrated the 25th anniversary of the release of his first collection, “Light of the World.” Tom appears regularly at national conferences, diocesan workshops, and parish events throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. He has been performing in Ireland since 2002, and has been the guest conductor of the Irish Church Music Association Summer School, as well as an instructor at this annual event for the past 12 years. Tom has worked as a liturgy and music consultant for catechetical publishers since 2001 and is currently a national consultant for Sadlier Religion. LEARN MORE

Kathy Krane, a William H. Sadlier National Religion Consultant, has spent over 40 years in the area of faith formation. She enjoys presenting workshops for parishes and schools, and at both national and regional conferences. She received her bachelor of science degree in Elementary Education and a master of science degree in Religious Education from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. She has been a Catholic school teacher, director of religious education, and a catechist. Her recent years were spent in religious education publishing, training catechists and helping catechetical leaders to plan curriculum. LEARN MORE

Paul Sanfrancesco is a National Technology Consultant for William H. Sadlier, Inc. For over 20 years, he has worked in Catholic, private, and public education, including as Director of Technology for the 200+ schools of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and in collegiate teaching at Saint Joseph’s University and Neumann University. The National School Boards Association named him one of the “20 to Watch” Educators for his work in Instructional Technology. Mr. Sanfrancesco has been featured in Tech & Learning, Schools CIO, EdTech Mag, and Catechetical Leader and presents at local, regional, and national convocations. He holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Millersville University and a master’s degree in instructional technology from Temple University. LEARN MORE

Dr. Maureen Sullivan is a Dominican Sister of Hope from New York and Professor Emerita of Theology at St. Anselm College in New Hampshire. She currently serves as a National Religion Consultant for William H. Sadlier, Inc. She received her master of arts in Theology from Manhattan College in the Bronx and her PhD in Theology from Fordham University, also in the Bronx. While Sr. Maureen offers presentations on a number of theological topics, the Second Vatican Council, along with its impact on our Church, is at the center of her theological research. She has written two books on this topic: 101 Questions and Answers on Vatican II (2002) and The Road to Vatican II: Key Changes in Theology (2007), both published by Paulist Press. LEARN MORE