Dr. Maureen K. Day

"Spirituality of Parenthood: Seeing God in the Blessed Mess"

Dr. Maureen K. Day is a Research Affiliate at the University of Southern California’s Center for Religion and Civic Culture as well as their Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies. She is an award-winning author and her books and articles can be found in both Catholic and academic publications, including Catholicism at a Crossroads (NYU Press 2025), Cultural Catholics (Liturgical Press 2024), Catholic Activism Today (NYU Press 2020) and Young Adult American Catholics (Paulist Press 2018). As a sociologist with training in theology, her teaching and research have included areas such as religion in American civic life, young adults, family, stewardship, pre-Cana programming, and priestly well-being and support. She has provided her expertise to the Church at the diocesan, national and international level. She teaches as well as regularly gives public talks on issues related to pastoral ministry and Church life. She attends St. Thomas More Church in Oceanside, California with her husband and two teens.

Fr. Jarosław Szymczak, PhD

"Creating a Marriage Spirituality based on Marriage Identity"

Known outside Poland as “Fr. Jay” or “Padre J.” Born in 1962 in Bydgoszcz, Poland. Ordained a priest in 1985. In 1986 he became a member of the Institute of the Holy Family – a Secular Institute of Consecrated Life. Doctor of theology on marriage and the family. Since 1987 for 27 years he worked as a professor at the Faculty for Studies on the Family at Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Łomianki/Warsaw.

All his life as a priest has been devoted to families, confession and spiritual direction of spouses. His commitment to marriage counseling won him the nickname of “the Rescuer of Married Couples,” as he often becomes the last resort to which the couples in crisis turn for help.    Co-originator of the “Love and Life Programs” – Programs for the Development of Marital Relations and Marriage Preparation Course, offering a dynamic workshop form in which he shares the decades of experience in the area of marriage counselling.  Programs have been held for the last 16 years in Poland and a few other EU countries, and the last 12 years in the US, Mexico and Columbia.   

Father Jay through the years has been able to speak on marriage and the family and other related topics internationally through several appointments, collaborations and partnerships.   Recently appointed as consultant to Pastoral Care for Families by the Polish Bishops Conference.  

Father continues to work and develop compelling content and cutting edge technology in the areas of spiritual direction and personal growth of individuals and spouses.

Bishop Jaime Soto

"Radiate Love: Discovering the Evangelizing Mission of the Marriage Covenant"

Bishop Jaime Soto’s episcopal motto is “Joy and Hope,” which encapsulates both his journey and mission in pastoral ministry. The eldest of seven children born to Oscar and Gloria Soto, Bishop Soto studied at St. John Seminary in Camarillo and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Orange in 1982. Shortly thereafter he was sent by Bishop William Johnson to study social work at Columbia University, where he graduated with an MSW in 1986. Upon his return to the diocese, he worked with Catholic Charities providing immigration services.  Bishop Norman McFarland appointed him Episcopal Vicar for the Hispanic Community, and the following year Pope John Paul II named him a prelate of honor. Through his zealous and effective participation in important social causes, he became known as a “voice of the voiceless.” In 1999, Bishop Tod Brown appointed Monsignor Soto as his Vicar for Charities, then on March 23, 2000 Pope John Paul II appointed him as Auxiliary Bishop of Orange, the first native son of the Diocese of Orange to be ordained a bishop. He would later be named Coadjutor Bishop of Sacramento in 2007 and became the ninth Bishop of Sacramento on November 29, 2008.