Melissa Ohden
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Founder of the Abortion Survivors Network
Life empowers women, not abortion, and Melissa Ohden is one of likely tens of thousands of abortion survivors who exemplify this. Melissa is the survivor of a failed saline infusion abortion, but like every survivor, she is so much more than this experience. Melissa is an influential author and advocate. Her experience of surviving a saline infusion abortion and being united with many members of her biological family initially led her to this life's work, but connecting with other abortion survivors, mothers, and families impacted by failed, stopped, and reversed abortions is what has truly ignited her passion. Melissa’s survival experience is nothing short of miraculous. Still, it’s what God has continued to do in her life and opened her eyes and heart to that continues to inspire, heal, and even convert pro-choice individuals to pro-life. From giving birth to her oldest daughter in the hospital she was accidentally delivered alive in, to forgiving her birthmother and establishing a relationship with her, Melissa shares with you with a message that you can relate to. |
Fr. Christopher DiTomo
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Pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church, Huntley IL
Father DiTomo attended high school in Roselle and college at Illinois Wesleyan University, the University of Illinois, Urbana, St. Louis University and Northern Illinois University, studying philosophy in St. Louis and DeKalb. He studied theology at Pontifical University in Rome (2002-2004) and Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein (2009-2011). He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Thomas G. Doran on May 21, 2011. Father DiTomo was parochial vicar at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Crystal Lake (2011-2013) and taught at Marian Central Catholic High School (2011-2012). He then served as parochial vicar at St. Bridget in Loves Park (2013-2016). He became administrator at St. Gall Parish in Elburn in June, 2016, becoming its pastor in May, 2017. Then, in July of 2020, he moved to Huntly, IL and became the Pastor of St, Mary's Catholic Church. Additionally, Father DiTomo has served as chaplain for KC Council 4330 (2013-2016), on the Priests’ Health Committee (2017-present), the Diocesan Finance Council (2017-present), and was Vicar Forane of the DeKalb Deanery since 2019. |
Jennifer Mueller
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Founder of Moms Not Forgotten
Jennifer Mueller is a mother to three miracle children and the wife of an entrepreneurial-loving husband. She is a survivor of adolescent ovarian cancer, which led to difficulty having children. Through the grace of God, she gave birth to her her first miracle baby, and then God blessed her again, through adoption, with two beautiful daughters. Being overwhelmed with admiration towards her daughters' birthmother, Jennifer founded Moms Not Forgotten. Moms Not Forgotten's mission is to dually bless birth-moms and encourage the awareness of adoption. In her free time, she enjoys barrel racing and spending time with her four fur babies. |
Alex Schadenberg
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Co-Founder & Executive Director of Euthanasia Prevention Coalition
Alex Schadenberg is the Executive Director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition since July 1999. He and Susan have 6 children and 6 grand children. His blog is the greatest source of information on euthanasia and assisted suicide (and related topics) with almost 6000 published articles. Alex has published three books, three video’s and has had speaking engagements in every Canadian province, 27 US states as well as England, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Hungary and more. |
Bobby Schindler
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President of Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network
Bobby Schindler advocates for the medically vulnerable in honor of Terri Schiavo, his sister. A full-time advocate, speaker, and writer, Bobby and the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network have been instrumental in providing resources and support to more than 4,000 patients and families at risk of euthanasia, assisted suicide, and denial-of-care situations from physicians, hospitals, insurance companies, and others. Bobby’s writings have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, TIME, The Linacre Quarterly, National Review, Human Life Review, and The Washington Times. He is also a regular contributor to LifeNews.com. Bobby’s life took a dramatic and unexpected turn when his older sister, Terri, suddenly collapsed and was left with a profound brain injury. When Terri’s estranged husband sought court permission to starve and dehydrate her to death, Bobby was propelled into a life he’d never imagined. He spoke in defense of his sister on numerous national television and radio programs including Hannity & Colmes, Larry King Live, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Glenn Beck Program, Good Morning America, The Early Show, The Today Show, Dateline NBC, The 700 Club, EWTN and others. Bobby co-authored the book A Life That Matters: The Legacy of Terri Schiavo as a resource for those seeking to understand an accurate account of Terri’s fight. |
Libby Oleferchik
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President and Executive Director of The Mission of Cor Jesu
Libby is came to The Mission in December 2020, before its opening. Under her leadership and direction, the Mission changed direction, solidified their new mission and purpose, and opened in May of 2021. Since that time she and her team have been building a ministry dedicated to bringing all people to the Heart of Jesus Christ. Libby is also the director of Rachel's Vineyard Rockford, a post abortive healing ministry in the Northern Illinois area. Rachel's Vineyard weekend retreats help post abortive women and men encounter the mercy of God and heal from past abortion experiences. Prior to coming to Cor Jesu, Libby was the Administrative Officer at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at O’Hare International Airport, responsible for oversight of the Human Resources, Payroll, and Finance Departments. She also previously served on the Board of Directors for the Madonna Renewal Center in Freeport, IL. She is an active parishioner at St. Mary Huntley, where she is a member of the Pastoral Council, committed adorer, and a Eucharistic minister for the homebound. |