OFFICIAL: I am very happy to announce that St. John has entered into a strategic partnership with Dr. Ximena DeBroeck. Dr. DeBroeck will be a consultant to our faith formation team and those who minister in sacramental preparation. Her vast knowledge along with her heart for evangelization, mission and formation will help guide us to discern well and implement a process where our parish flourishes in intentional discipleship and allows us to sail into deeper waters for an abundant catch. Along with our partnership with Christopher Wesley and Marathon Youth Ministry, Dr. DeBroeck will bring her expertise to help us more faithfully learn, grow and encounter the risen Christ through the sacramental life of the Church.
Biography:
Dr. Ximena DeBroeck is assistant professor of Sacred Scripture at St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore and senior fellow at the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. Prior to her appointment at St. Mary’s Seminary, she served as Director of the Office of Worship and Sacramental Formation in the Archdiocese Baltimore. Before relocating to Maryland, she taught at St. Vincent Seminary and Seton Hill University. She earned a MA in the theology with a concentration in Scripture from Saint Vincent Seminary. Dr. DeBroeck completed her doctoral studies at Duquesne University. She has created on line courses for the University of Notre Dame Institute for Church Life and for the University of Dayton Institute for Pastoral Initiatives. She is also the author of the Study Guide for Weddell’s book Forming Intentional Disciples well as articles on sacramental formation. Dr. DeBroeck’s academic interests –biblical theology of sacrifice, sacraments, and discipleship– are directed to the service of the evangelizing mission of the Church. She is passionate about evangelization, but is mindful that prior to being faithful ministers of the Gospel, first we must become faithful disciples.