Kathleen Molaro, OFS
Kathleen Molaro, OFS, lives in the foothills of Northern California with her husband of 48 years, where they raised their six children and now enjoy five grandchildren. Kathleen professed in 1993. Her leadership in the Secular Franciscan Order has included several positions on the local fraternity level, six years as St. Junipero Serra’s Regional Secretary, and served six years as Regional Minister.
Kathleen has worked with youth of all ages in many capacities, as a parent, teacher, and catechist, including fifteen years volunteering as a youth director. She has never lost her deep interest in supporting young people on their faith journey, and now serves as the National Franciscan Youth and Young Adult (FY/YA) Commission Chair.
Fr. Chris Dudek, OFM Conv.
Friar Chris Dudek is a Conventual Franciscan Friar from the province of Our Lady of the Angels. He comes from western Massachusetts. Upon joining the friars in 2008, he studied philosophy at the Catholic University of America in Washington DC. He received his STB in Theology from the Franciscan University Seraphicum in Rome, Italy, and an MA in Pastoral Care from Fordham University in New York City. He serves as Campus Minister and theology teacher at Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore MD.
Robert Dorsch, OFS
Robert Dorsch, OFS, has been married for 41 years to his bride, Janice. He lives in Clemmons, NC, where they raised their three children. They now have eight grandchildren. He graduated from Marquette University with a BS in Business administration specializing in Human Resources and a minor in Spanish. He currently serves his fraternity, St. Clare, in Winston Salem, N.C. As the formation director. He also serves the region, Brothers and Sisters of St. Francis, as the FYYA animator. Bob has served on the parish council, served on his local K of C council, and is currently a catechist at a neighboring parish. Bob spent his working life teaching folks to nurture the Divine seeds of greatness planted within each of us and challenging folks to reach their full potential. He realizes the vast potential youth represent and enjoys experiencing the bright eyes, attentive ears, and voracious appetite for knowledge.
Dr. Janice Mary Novello, OFS
Dr. Janice Mary Novello, OFS, a previous member of the NASA Teacher in Space Program and a current NOAA Climate Steward, Janice channels her skills into being the co-developer of the STREAM (Science Technology Religion Engineering Arts Mathematics) program and the annual Care for God’s Creation Contest in her Diocese. As Regional Youth Animator for Five Franciscan Martyrs, she actively facilitates many one-day Youth events and has visited Young Adult groups to share the Franciscan Charism. A Spiritual Assistant and Liturgist, she is working on developing retreats that can be utilized both in parishes and independently. Her current focus is to build a Franciscan Regional Y/YA committee that includes all the areas of the Region and work one-on-one with fraternities to develop ideas and possibilities.