Information to come.

Leonard J. DeLorenzo (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)

Leonard J. DeLorenzo, Ph.D., Professor of the Practice, is the director of undergraduate studies at the McGrath Institute for Church Life where he also serves as academic director for Notre Dame Vision, director of the Sullivan Family Saints Initiative, director of the Inklings Project, and creator and host of Church Life Today. He holds a concurrent teaching appointment in the Department of Theology.

Leonard earned his doctorate in systematic theology from the University of Notre Dame, where he also earned his M.A. in systematic theology and B.A. in theology and philosophy. A member of the McGrath Institute for Church Life since 2003, he has served on the leadership teams for Notre Dame Vision, Notre Dame Catechist Academy, Notre Dame Character Project, Echo, and the Church Life Internship, which he founded in 2016. In addition to writing books, articles, and essays, he speaks regularly in academic and pastoral settings on the saints, biblical catechesis, vocation and discernment, and the theological imagination, among other topics. His newsletter––“Life, Sweetness, Hope”––is shared weekly with hundreds of subscribers.

Originally from Nutley, New Jersey but raised in Southern California, Leonard now lives with his wife, Lisa (BA ’04, MDiv ’08 from Notre Dame), and their six children in South Bend, Indiana, where they are active in their parish and school communities.

Carolyn Pirtle, Institute for Church Life (Photo by Steve Toepp/University of Notre Dame)

Program Director of the Center for Liturgy, Carolyn Pirtle oversees the planning and facilitation of the Center’s signature events, including the Mathis Liturgical Leadership Program, as well as other McGrath Institute events like the annual International Crèche Exhibit. Additionally, Carolyn assists with liturgical planning for the entire McGrath Institute and collaborates in the formation of MICL program participants.

Born and raised in Wichita, Kansas, Carolyn holds degrees in piano performance (B.M., Kansas State University, 2003), music theory-composition (M.M., Kansas State University, 2005), vocal/choral sacred music (M.S.M., Notre Dame, 2008), and theology (M.A., Notre Dame, 2016). Carolyn speaks regularly on the theology and practice of liturgical music, the importance of the arts in Catholic life, and formation in liturgical and devotional prayer, particularly for the domestic church.

An award-winning composer, Carolyn has set the antiphons and psalms for the entire Liturgy of the Hours. Her collection of daily responsorial psalms for the Advent and Christmas seasons is forthcoming from GIA (2022), and several of her liturgical compositions are available through World Library Publications (now part of GIA) and earthsongs. She also created the nine one-act musicals performed in yearly cycles at Notre Dame Vision.

When she’s not playing piano, singing, or composing, Carolyn enjoys attending live performances of musicals, watching old movies, teaching piano lessons to young people, reading novels, and baking.

Shawn T . Storer has enjoyed teaching courses on theology, peacemaking, spirituality, cinema, music,  J.R.R. Tolkien, regenerative agriculture, the common good and integral ecology at Holy Cross College since the spring of 2017. Shawn holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in theology from the University of Notre Dame and is a doctoral candidate at Duke University. From 2001-2007, Shawn taught and worked in Campus Ministry at Red Cloud Jesuit High School, and over the years has been involved in the work of the Catholic Peace Fellowship, Common Goods Co-operative Grocery, the ND Master of Divinity Program, the Satellite Theology Education Program at ND and the Catholic Worker. Since 2012, Shawn has also worked for the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend as a Catechist promoting Catholic Social Doctrine, an officer for ecumenical and interreligious relations, and a coordinator of Catholic Social Ministries. Shawn lives with his wife and six children at their urban homestead Blessed Jägerstätter Farm not far from St. Matthew Cathedral. Shawn delights in listening to and performing music as well as coaching and watching baseball.

Benito Medrano (Photo by Mary Kate McGuirk/University of Notre Dame)

Benito is director of the Holy Family Initiative for Family Catechesis at the McGrath Institute for Church Life. This initiative embraces the needs, challenges, and potential of multigenerational migrant families fostering a deeper knowledge and experience of our Catholic faith as parents and grandparents are equipped to communicate it to second and third generations. This program is currently being piloted in the Archdiocese of San Antonio and the Diocese of Raleigh.
Benito has previously worked in diocesan positions in California where he served as Hispanic Ministry coordinator and Young Adult Ministry coordinator.  In these positions in different dioceses, he accompanied parish leaders of Spanish-speaking ministries, migrant communities, and young adults. He has also been engaged in regional and national committees and boards serving Hispanic youth and young adult ministry and migrant ministry.
Born and raised in Mexico, Benito relocated to the Central Valley in California with his parents and 4 siblings. In his free time, he enjoys sci-fi shows and movies, non-fiction books, and pastries.