Meet Our Ministry Team
We're excited to announce this year's speakers, worship team and host! This year, we will be focusing on how to defend the faith. Through engaging talks, practical workshops and meaningful conversations, you will explore the “why” behind what the Church teaches and how to share those truths with clarity, charity and conviction.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
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JJ Niekro pitched in the Atlanta Braves organization for five years and retired in August of 2025. He is the son of Houston Astros legend Joe Niekro and nephew of MLB Hall of Famer Phil Niekro. Through a career in professional baseball, JJ experienced the need for Christ to be proclaimed in the culture of athletics. JJ is passionate about the integration of faith and sports, especially in a deeper religious and philosophical sense that he feels is unaddressed in athletics. JJ is on the board of Catholic Athletes for Christ and has spoken across the country since his retirement.
HOST
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Fr. James Cyfko was born and raised in Mississauga. From a young age, James fell in love with the sport of hockey. His life revolved around the ice rink, the gym and studies, as he invested countless hours, aiming to achieve an NCAA scholarship. Although he greatly enjoyed the life of a student athlete, he gradually realized he lacked a deeper peace. Whenever attending Mass, James could not shake the thought of giving his life as a priest. Although close to realizing his athletic and academic dreams, he decided that he should further discern what his heart was experiencing. After joining St. Augustine's Seminary, James studied at Toronto Metropolitan University, graduating with a Double Major in Arts & Contemporary Studies and Philosophy, with a Minor in History. He has treasured his seminary formation, and he is grateful for the calling to serve God and His people in the Archdiocese of Toronto.
Rev. James Cyfko is the Associate Pastor at Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Toronto.
WORSHIP TEAM
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Liveloud is an evangelization outreach of the global lay charismatic community of Couples for Christ and its family ministries, that shares God's message through music. It is more than just a music ministry, it is a platform for worship, testimony and aims to lead individuals into a deeper relationship with Christ. For more than 18 years, Liveloud has reached many countries across the world hosting worship nights and concerts and most notably, Liveloud was part of the Youth Festival at World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon. Liveloud continues to carry out its mission of encouraging the faithful to live out their Christian calling in all parts of their lives, embracing a life of true discipleship.
Get to know our Workshop Speakers
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Ramuel Villardo, known as "The Fighting Minister," serves as the Pastoral and Spiritual Care Advisor at Covenant House Toronto, where he walks alongside youth experiencing homelessness, trauma, and life's toughest challenges. He holds a Master of Religious Education from St. Michael's College at the University of Toronto and is currently completing a Master of Psychospiritual Studies at Knox College. A Muay Thai and Kickboxing coach, mentor, and multiple-time provincial and national champion, Ramuel draws from his own lived experience, martial arts journey, and spiritual life to encourage others to grow in courage, faith, discipline, devotion, and resilience as they seek to live out God's call.
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Born in Slovakia, he immigrated to Canada with his parents in 1990. He studied Religion and Philosophy at the University of Toronto Mississauga before earning a Master of Divinity and Bachelor of Sacred Theology from Saint Augustine's Seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2009 by Cardinal Thomas Collins.
He previously served as pastor of Saints Martha and Mary Parish, Saint Gertrude's, and Tay Catholic Parishes. Currently he serves as the Director of the Office of Catholic Youth for the Archdiocese of Toronto. He also holds a Master of Theological Arts from Regis College and is completing a Licentiate in Sacred Theology and Master of Theology at Regis St. Michael's College. His ministry promotes the integration of faith and fitness as part of a holistic Christian life.
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Fr. Kevin Belgrave was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Toronto in 2008. After completing his doctoral studies in moral theology, he joined the faculty of St. Augustine’s in 2014. He currently serves as the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs and Director of the Institute of Theology and teaches a number of courses in the area of moral theology, including foundations of moral theology and human sexuality. In addition to his responsibilities at St. Augustine’s, Fr. Belgrave is actively involved in ongoing consultation and pastoral work in the Archdiocese of Toronto in a number of areas related to moral theology, and is a regular speaker and workshop leader for events throughout the Archdiocese and beyond.
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Fr. Eric Rodrigues was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Toronto in 2009. After five years of pastoral ministry, he was sent to Rome for graduate studies and obtained a doctorate in dogmatic theology. He is currently the pastor of Holy Name Parish in Toronto and also teaches theology at St. Augustine's Seminary.
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Mercy Cacdac is a Youth Minister at St. John's Parish, where she is dedicated to accompanying young people on their journey with Christ. While in her first year of undergraduate studies, Mercy experienced a profound transformation in her faith through the Catholic Chaplaincy at York University. Since then, she has served in youth and young adult ministries for over a decade, with a passion for helping others encounter the love of Christ. Outside of ministry, Mercy enjoys spending time with her family and friends, dreaming of summer beach days on her floaties (because she can't swim!), and eating watermelon.
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Bart Demczuk is a Catholic educator and speaker dedicated to forming young people in faith, character, and purpose. From challenging thousands of students to pursue higher moral virtue as a RE:GEN missionary with the Office of Catholic Youth to serving as a core member in building up Spiritus Central, he has answered God’s call to lead, mentor, and inspire students and young adults to pursue a Christ-centred life. He completed his Master of Teaching at the University of Toronto, equipping him to boldly continue his mission of shaping the next generation through Catholic education.
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Sr. Marie Veritas, SV was born and raised in Alberta, Canada. Deeply moved by the beauty of the truth of God’s love for the human person, and experiencing a profound call to consecration, she entered the Sisters of Life in 2010 after completing her studies in Biology at the University of Alberta. She professed her final vows in 2018, and currently serves as the local superior in Toronto, Canada, caring for vulnerable pregnant women and their unborn children, and also inviting those wounded by past abortions into the healing mercy of Jesus. Sr. Veritas is the editor of the community’s publication, IMPRINT magazine, and is the founding co-host of the Sisters of Life Let Love podcast.
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Peter and Stacey Leitmann are passionate about faith, family, and helping others discover the love of Christ. Living in Toronto with their four children, they serve in parish ministry and are the co-founders of HopeStone Catholic Formation Inc., a registered Catholic charity dedicated to forming young people and strengthening the faith of families and communities. Through their years of ministry, Peter and Stacey have seen the beauty and challenges of marriage firsthand, and they look forward to sharing their own journey of faith, love, and God’s grace.
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Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Anna Boyagoda received her PhD in English from Boston University and moved to Toronto in 2006 with her husband, Randy. They live there now with their four daughters, aged 13-20. Anna’s writing has appeared in The Globe and Mail, National Post, and First Things magazine. In 2016, after acting as a volunteer catechist in various Toronto parishes, Anna was named Director of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Office for the Archdiocese of Toronto. She is a Level I and II CGS Formation Leader, as well as one of the Canadian Consiglio representatives. She regularly offers talks and presentations on the formation of children and their parents in the faith but finds her greatest joy when acting as a Level II and Level III catechist at her parish.
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