Meet the Re/Generation 2024-2025 Cohort

  • Em is an on-again off-again Catholic with deep appreciation for and resonances with the tradition and people of the Church. She has worked across non-profit and other social impact sectors for much of her career and hopes to contribute to a more just and affirming Church community.

  • Nicholas is from Brookfield, Missouri. He studied philosophy at the University of Central Missouri, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in 2020. He is working towards a Master of Professional Studies with an emphasis in homeland security at Missouri State University. Most recently with the Missouri Air National Guard, he has over eight years of military service. Currently, Nicholas Levell spends his free time exercising, playing the board game Risk, and spending time with his loved ones. For the Re/Generation Program, he is particularly interested in improving Catholic-Protestant relations in rural Missouri.

  • Theo is a writer and theologian who lives in Brooklyn, NY. They are a passionate mental health and social justice advocate and a lover of literature, learning, and music.

  • Maria is the Deputy Director for We the People Michigan. She immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico when she was nine years old, and grew up Detroit, Michigan. Maria has been fighting for immigrant justice for over a decade, including organizing with undocumented immigrant youth, deportation defense, and building mutual aid systems that center the leadership of women of color. Maria graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy with a degree in English, and has a Masters of Social Work from the University of Michigan. In her free time Maria likes drinking expensive tea, playing with her puppy, Coriolis, and trying to publish her poetry.

  • Relocating back to her home, Chicago, IL in June. Angelica is a musician who advocates for accessibility in and through repertoire. Recently finishing a 4 year tenure, Angelica served as the Director of Music at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Memphis, TN. During her tenure, she has helped to organize a unique array of musical concerts and experiences that catered to the musical needs of the community and diocese, including performances of Handel’s Messiah and bluegrass services. Ms. Rendek does a bulk of the work arranging musically and administratively for these events. She is currently completing her dissertation (DMA) at the University of Memphis where she studies under Dr. Jonathon Tsay. In 2023, Angelica gave birth to a little girl named Gloria. When she isn't teaching, performing, or practicing, she enjoys hanging out with Gloria and her husband, Tom.

  • Matthew is a 4th grade teacher who was born in Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was baptized and raised Catholic. He has continuously participated in the Parish he was raised in having been part of the music ministry on and off for 16 years. Matthew received his Bachelor’s Degree in History and Economics at Worcester State University. He served two years in impoverished communities through the AmeriCorps VISTA program where he worked on projects related to economic empowerment. This includes one year at the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. Matthew is passionate about many issues involving the church including: justice for survivors of sexual and spiritual abuse at the hands of the Church, justice for indigenous peoples harmed by Christian supremacy, equality for LGBTQIA+ individuals in participation in faith community and reception of sacraments, and ordination justice for people of all genders and sexualities.

  • Anna has her M.S.Ed in Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs and has always loved her Catholic faith. After going through some deconstruction and church hurt, she feels called to make the Catholic Church more trauma informed. What gives her hope are the amazing religious sisters she discerned with and lay friends in her life who embody the goodness and hope that the Church can give. She has been all over the Catholic spectrum from traditional to non-practicing, and she believes that every group on the Catholic spectrum has potential to be healthy. She’s determined to make Catholic spaces healthier so people can thrive in their spiritual development. What keeps her Catholic besides cool nuns is her belief in Purgatory, which she sees as a trauma-clearing process. She wants to call people to heal their traumas on earth so they can live a joyful life.

  • Emily is a queer abortion doula, wellness writer, and the Digital Media and Marketing Manager at Catholics for Choice. Previously she served as a communication and fundraising strategist for progressive campaigns and non-profits. Emily has joyfully been a member of CTA's Personnel Committee since 2021 and joined the Vision Council in 2023. Based in South Minneapolis, Emily loves walking around the lakes, trying new coffee shops, and buying more books.

  • Julia is a graduate student and writer living in Southern California. She earned her B.A. in philosophy and theology from Wheaton College, and is beginning her M.Div. at the University of San Diego's Franciscan School of Theology. She loves bright lipstick and public libraries, and is consistently too ambitious about the amount of writing she plans to get done at cafes. Julia is also involved with organizations such as the Women's Ordination Conference, the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, and Catholic Concern for Animals.