Michael Brown

Michael Harold Brown was born in Niagara Falls, N.Y. on March 5, 1952 with twin sister Maureen. Brown attended Fordham University in New York City, where he obtained a degree in communications, specializing in print journalism.

In 1977 he rejoined The Niagara Gazette as a full-time reporter, focusing on toxic-waste dumps in the towns of Lewiston and Porter. During this time, his focus turned to a toxic dump, which soon became famous as "Love Canal."

Michael's reporting was nominated for three categories of the Pulitzer Prize and drew a special award from the Environmental Protection Agency. Michael wrote Laying Waste: The Poisoning of America by Toxic Chemicals, which was adapted for articles in The New York Times Magazine, the Atlantic Monthly, New York Magazine, Rolling Stone, Family Weekly (now USA Today Magazine), and other magazines and major newspapers. Michael has appeared on hundreds of radio and TV shows, including national ones such as Today, Nightline, Larry King (radio), and McNeil-Lehrer.

In the early 1980s, while writing a book about the Mafia, Brown experienced a dramatic return to his Catholic faith (detailed in his book Prayer of the Warrior). His other books include Witness, The Final Hour, The Trumpet of Gabriel, The Day Will Come, The Last Secret, Secrets of the Eucharist, After Life, Seven Days With Mary, The Bridge to Heaven, Sent To Earth, The God of Miracles, Tower of Light, The Other Side, and a novel, The Seven. His newest book is The Spirits Around Us.

Brown and wife Lisa, have three children, Elizabeth Grace, Joseph Michael, and Mary Rose, and are founders of the Catholic news website, www.spiritdaily.com. They live near St. Augustine, Florida. Michael has traveled throughout Europe and other places researching apparitions of the Blessed Mother and spiritual phenomena.

Tom Peterson

Following 25 years as an award-winning corporate advertising executive, Tom Peterson’s life would radically change forever, after receiving a transforming spiritual conversion while on a Catholic men’s retreat.  Soon afterward, he founded VirtueMedia (pro-life) and CatholicsComeHome.org.

In the first six years, Catholics Come Home® has aired Catholic evangelization commercials in 38 dioceses and nationally, helping lead a half million souls home to the Catholic Church. In 2011 Catholics Come Home evangomercialsTM were the first to air nationally on top TV networks like CBS and NBC, reaching 125 million viewers in every city across the United States.

Tom also hosts a television series, premiering worldwide in prime time on EWTN. The show is called Catholics Come Home, and inspires Catholics to share their faith.

In the past decade, Tom has spoken and presented his commercials at Conferences worldwide appearing multiple times on Fox News, EWTN and other media venues. Upon the election of Pope Francis, Tom offered live commentary on Fox News worldwide.

Peterson’s second apostolate, VirtueMedia.org, creates and airs sanctity of life commercials, helping as many as 22,000 abortion vulnerable women in a given month, and were the first to air their ads nationally on MTV and BET.

He encourages others to seek God’s plan for their lives, to help change our world for the better. His new book entitled Catholics, Come Home was recently published by Random House.

Julie Carrick

Having done events throughout 5 countries over the past 20+ years, there is a refined beauty and very powerful presentation that goes beyond a common concert experience. Julie is not your typical recording artist.

Though not always ‘easy,’ her life has been blessed with grace when she has needed it most. Julie is passionate about Eucharist, Reconciliation, Marriage, Life, and Living in God’s Grace. Her concerts, missions and other events, encourage people to step out of their comfort zone and truly live the teachings of The Church.

She was born and raised in Northern Michigan. She worked within the Diocese of Phoenix for 10 years as Director of Music prior to accepting the call to a national and international concert and speaking ministry.

The events she has developed have been beneficial to thousands of Christians in their spiritual development. Her witness shares the real heart of a woman who has experienced some of the toughest things in life and because of her faith, has stayed the course with Christ. From dealing with serious struggles in marriage, losing 2 children through miscarriage, helping an adult daughter through a rape that resulted in pregnancy and most recently a Lung Cancer survivor, she knows what it means to ‘live’ her Catholic Faith.

Julie has written and recorded 9 music CDs and a Rosary CD.  She also is working on 3 DVD projects; a concert “Living The Mass,” her concert “Living Our Catholic Creed” and “In The Waiting,” a powerful Music CD and Meditation DVD.

Julie is married to Kurt Carrick for 30+ years. They have 3 adult children. They began their life together in Germany, and now call Arizona their home.

Fr. Jozo “Joe” Grbes, O.F.M.

Fr. Jozo “Joe” Grbes was born in Rama, Bosnia-Herzegovina on March 17, 1966. As a child, his family moved to Pozega, Slavonia, where he completed his first 12 years of schooling. He joined the Franciscan Order in 1986 in Humac. Fr. Grbes studied philosophy and theology at colleges in Sarajevo, Canterbury and London, England where he graduated in 1992.

He arrived in the United States on October 2, 1992 and was ordained a priest on February 7, 1993 at SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish in New York. After his ordination, he continued his pastoral duties in the same parish while taking post-graduate courses at St. John's University where he received a Master's Degree in theology.

In 1996, Fr. Jozo was transferred to St. Jerome's in Chicago as assistant pastor. He became St. Jerome's pastor from 2001 to 2013. He continued his post-graduate work in pastoral theology at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

In 2012, he was elected Franciscan Custos/Superior for the Croatian Franciscan Fathers in USA and Canada. He resides at the Franciscan Fathers main friary in Chicago.

Fr. Timothy Deeter

Father Timothy Deeter was born and ordained in Chicago, and has ministered for the past twenty-one years in Perth and Sydney, Australia. He has served at the archdiocesan level in both cities in the areas of liturgy, church music, vocations discernment, young adult ministry, and the preparation committee for World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney. He is presently the parish priest of St Paul’s Parish and the chaplain of Edith Cowan University in Mount Lawley.

Kevin Matthews

What do Ryan Seacrest, Rush Limbaugh, Howard Stern and Kevin Matthews have in common?

They’re four of the Top 25 Radio Personalities of the Last 25 years; all were honored at Talentmaster’s 2015 Radio Gala in Chicago. Kevin Matthews is no stranger to Chicago; he helped revolutionize talk radio in the late 80’s and for decades to come. Kevin Matthews had the highest rated radio programs on AM 1000, ABC radio and CBS radio, Chicago.

Besides a legendary radio career, Kevin Matthews has performed with some of the all-time comedy greats, Jerry Seinfeld, Tim Allen, and other big names in the business. Matthews also performed for thousands musically with his band. Kevin is one of the best in the business and will soon be nominated for the radio hall of fame. Kevin has traveled throughout the world and loves culinary adventures.

Kevin Matthews is also an author, his latest book entitled, “Broken Mary, A Journey of Hope” has sold thousands of copies throughout the world and is an inspiration to many. Matthews was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2008. “Broken Mary, A Journey of Hope” is the story of Kevin’s life, career, M.S. and how his life totally changed after finding a statue of the Virgin Mary lying next to a dumpster.

Kevin has been married to his wife Debra for 36 years. They live in Michigan and have two children and three grandchildren.