Conference Presenters
Bishop Frank Schuster
Bishop Frank Schuster was born in Mount Vernon, Washington, to John and Virginia Schuster. At age 6 he, along with his parents and two siblings, Carolyn and John, moved to Maple Valley, where they lived along the Cedar River. He enjoyed his family-focused, Catholic upbringing and attended Kennedy Catholic High School, where his father was the principal for more than 20 years.
At the University of Washington, Bishop Schuster earned his B.A. in psychology, but spent most of his time at the Newman Center in peer ministry. After college, he attended Mundelein Seminary where he received his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL).
In addition to serving as auxiliary bishop, he is serving as a pastor at St. Vincent de Paul parish in Federal Way.
Bishop Frank Schuster was born in Mount Vernon, Washington, to John and Virginia Schuster. At age 6 he, along with his parents and two siblings, Carolyn and John, moved to Maple Valley, where they lived along the Cedar River. He enjoyed his family-focused, Catholic upbringing and attended Kennedy Catholic High School, where his father was the principal for more than 20 years.
At the University of Washington, Bishop Schuster earned his B.A. in psychology, but spent most of his time at the Newman Center in peer ministry. After college, he attended Mundelein Seminary where he received his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL).
In addition to serving as auxiliary bishop, he is serving as a pastor at St. Vincent de Paul parish in Federal Way.
Dr. Tom Curran
As a speaker, Dr. Curran has given over 2000 presentations to more than 350,000 people in 35 states and 6 countries. He specializes in many topics, including the Sacraments, marriage and family, evangelization, and the Holy Spirit.
For over 15 years Dr. Curran has also been the host of a Catholic weekday radio show and podcast that airs on more than 10 stations and reaches tens of thousands of Catholics online.
Dr. Curran is the author of five books including The Mass: Four Encounters with Jesus That Will Change Your Life, which was listed on Top 10 Catholic Bestseller List
Dr. Curran received his PhD in systematic theology from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., a graduate degree in theology from the Gregorian University in Rome, and has an undergraduate degree in philosophy. Tom lives in Eastern Washington with his wife, Kari, and their nine children.
Deacon James Thurman
Deacon James Thurman has a BA in Philosophy and Masters in Theology from Mount Angel Seminary and is the founder and organizer for the annual Holy League Northwest Catholic men’s conference.
Newly ordained in October 2019 by Archbishop Alexander Sample for the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, Deacon James is currently serving at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Silverton, Oregon.
He is a Benedictine Oblate of Mount Angel Abbey. He became a Knight of Columbus in 1997, while in active duty. He has served as Pastoral Associate of Catechesis and Family Life at St. Joseph’s in Salem and at St. Paul’s in Silverton.
James is U.S. Army veteran as a M1-A2 Abrams tanker and Field Artillery specialist. He spent 3 years active duty, deploying to Bosnia-Herzegovina and 2 years in the Washington State National Guard. He currently is a hospice chaplain for Evergreen Hospice House in Albany.
Deacon James is a member of the Board of Directors at G. K. Chesterton Academy of the Willamette Valley. He and his wife Kathleen have been married 12 years and have three beautiful children. Deacon James loves spending time with his family pursuing outdoor adventures like camping and hiking. Deacon James’ passion is studying the faith, reading spiritual books and playing golf. When time permits, he enjoys raising a glass in the company of good friends.
Deacon James Thurman has a BA in Philosophy and Masters in Theology from Mount Angel Seminary and is the founder and organizer for the annual Holy League Northwest Catholic men’s conference.
Newly ordained in October 2019 by Archbishop Alexander Sample for the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, Deacon James is currently serving at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Silverton, Oregon.
He is a Benedictine Oblate of Mount Angel Abbey. He became a Knight of Columbus in 1997, while in active duty. He has served as Pastoral Associate of Catechesis and Family Life at St. Joseph’s in Salem and at St. Paul’s in Silverton.
James is U.S. Army veteran as a M1-A2 Abrams tanker and Field Artillery specialist. He spent 3 years active duty, deploying to Bosnia-Herzegovina and 2 years in the Washington State National Guard. He currently is a hospice chaplain for Evergreen Hospice House in Albany.
Deacon James is a member of the Board of Directors at G. K. Chesterton Academy of the Willamette Valley. He and his wife Kathleen have been married 12 years and have three beautiful children. Deacon James loves spending time with his family pursuing outdoor adventures like camping and hiking. Deacon James’ passion is studying the faith, reading spiritual books and playing golf. When time permits, he enjoys raising a glass in the company of good friends.
JON LEONETTI is a nationally known Catholic speaker, best-selling author and radio host who conveys a message of lasting fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Through Jon's keynote presentations and parish missions, thousands of Catholics each year discover the freedom Christ offers by way of his life and love.
Jon believes that our deepest longing for happiness and wholeness is fulfilled in the encounter with Jesus Christ. Through prayer, the Sacraments, family life, and the help of Mary and the saints, Jon wants to cultivate an intimate relationship with Jesus, and help others do the same.
Jon believes that our deepest longing for happiness and wholeness is fulfilled in the encounter with Jesus Christ. Through prayer, the Sacraments, family life, and the help of Mary and the saints, Jon wants to cultivate an intimate relationship with Jesus, and help others do the same.
