Director of Catholic Identity                
Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh
Specialization: Catechetics/Educational Leadership

A native of the Pittsburgh area, Judene has served children, teens and adults through catechesis for over twenty years as a diocesan director of catechetics, master catechist for adults, high school theology teacher, youth minister, and parish director of faith formation.  Judene received a Bachelor’s in Education from Franciscan University of Steubenville and a Masters in Religious Education from Gannon University.  She is a doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership at Duquesne University with her research focus in Catechetics.  Judene’s dissertation topic is Fostering Resilient Discipleship in Children through Salvation History, highlighting Sophia Cavalletti’s curricular centerpiece of the plan of God for children’s formation.  As Director of Catholic Identity for the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Judene supports the religious formation of 35,000 children in parishes and schools; is responsible for the catechetical training of 5,000 catechists, catechetical administrators and principals; and supports adult formation in evangelization. Judene brings to our organization not only expertise in catechesis and an understanding of the landscape of the catechetical network across our Diocese of Pittsburgh and state, but also specialized training and experience in systems improvement as applied to educational programing. Judene has been a contributing member of the Saint John Bosco National Religious Education Conference as well as a presenter for its workshops. Judene is passionate about fostering catechetical curricula that empower parents in their role as primary educators and fosters intentional discipleship in children and youth.