Bishop Joseph A. Espaillat, II is the first Dominican-born auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York.

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Growing up in Manhattan, he learned to speak three languages: English, Spanish, and Street. He loves ministering the sacraments: celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, hearing confessions, and proclaiming the Word of God. He also loves working with youth and helping them encounter Christ. The founder of the ministry Messengers of Christ, Bishop Espaillat enjoys numerous sports, time with family and friends, watching movies, writing poetry, and rapping.

Listen to his podcast “Sainthood in the City.”

Father Vincent Druding hails from Carmel, Indiana, and after a vibrant and adventurous youth and young adulthood, he found himself working on the pile of Ground Zero, where Jesus encountered him and changed his life. In the wake of the tragic events of 9/11, he felt a profound call to serve the Lord, which led him to embrace the priesthood. He was ordained in 2009 for the Archdiocese of New York, and his passion for evangelization and ministry deepened.

As a parochial vicar at Assumption Church in Peekskill, NY, and now at Holy Cross Catholic Church in the Bronx, Fr. Vincent has spent his priesthood serving diverse and vibrant communities. His heart for revival and the power of prayer led to the creation of Jesus in Zion, a 24-hour praise and worship event that ran for 43 days during Lent of 2023, and has grown beyond Holy Cross, touching countless lives by bringing souls together in the presence of Jesus Christ.

Fr. Vincent is also the founder of Franciscan Sisters of the Pure Heart, a mission that aspires to become a religious order to protect the innocence and purity of young hearts, as well as the lay community of Jesus in Zion. Through his unwavering faith, he continues to inspire and guide with a humble heart and a passionate and steadfast dedication to bringing the love of God to all.

Watch Fr. Vincent on Conversation With Cardinal Dolan.

Fr. Malachy Napier, CFR, is a priest of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFR). Based at St. Crispin Friary in the Bronx, he is one of more than fifty National Eucharistic preachers appointed by the U.S. Bishops for the National Eucharistic Revival. Fr. Napier made his final vows in 2014 and was ordained in May 2020. His first three years of priesthood were in the CFRs’ mission in Matagalpa, Nicaragua, where his principal work was with young people and prisoners. He earned bachelor’s degrees in English literature and Spanish from Augusta University before studying for the priesthood at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie.

Mari Pablo grew up in a devout, always supportive, boisterous Hispanic family in southern Florida. She graduated from Franciscan University with a double major in theology and psychology and holds a master of theology from the Augustine Institute. Mari is a presenter for Ascension Press in numerous projects including YOU: Life, Love, and Theology of the Body, Connected: Catholic Social Teaching for This Generation, and Ascension Presents. She has worked in youth ministry for more than 15 years and currently serves parishes and universities across the country with The Evangelical Catholic.

Learn more about her ministry: maripablo.com

BRIANNE (Brianne Nealon) is a singer-songwriter and worship leader based in the New Jersey/New York area. Her music journey began in 2015 when GRAMMY-winning artist Kelly Clarkson invited her to perform on the Piece by Piece Tour at PNC Arts Center. This pivotal moment ignited BRIANNE’s passion for music and her desire to share her faith through her artistry. 

BRIANNE’s latest EP album, Wonder, released on November 22, 2024, is rooted in uplifting & introspective themes, encouraging listeners to dream big with God and ask life’s deeper questions. Over the years, Brianne has performed at renowned venues across the country, including Red Bull Arena, Ocean Way Nashville Studios, and Hotel Cafe. In 2024, BRIANNE made her national tv debut on FOX’s I Can See Your Voice (Season 5, Ep 5), performing as “The Lacrosse Player” with a moving rendition of Kelly Clarkson’s Piece by Piece.

BRIANNE is also a passionate worship leader devoted to fostering meaningful encounters with Christ through music and prayer. With a heart for ministry, Brianne leads worship nights across the Tri-state area & serves alongside multiple music ministries including Encounter Ministries (NJ/NY), LifeTeen (NJ), ZION Revival (NY), and the lead singer for Christian worship band, AOH Music. 

As a musician, worship leader, and storyteller, BRIANNE’s mission is to inspire hope and bring others closer to Christ through every song she sings & every moment she serves.

Follow along on Instagram and learn more about Brianne:

briannemusic.com

Fernando Torres is a passionate worship leader and co-founder of Agnus Dei, a dynamic Catholic ministry dedicated to leading young hearts into transformative encounters with God. Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, as a first-generation American to Dominican parents, Fernando draws deeply from both his cultural roots and his Catholic upbringing.

At just 13 years old, Fernando had a life-changing encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist and received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit during a retreat at the "Centro Carismático" in January 2005. This powerful experience ignited his love for God and set him on a lifelong journey of faith, despite the challenges of navigating adolescence in a world filled with distractions.

Later that same year, Fernando answered God’s call to serve through music. Though he had no prior training, he embraced the challenge with unwavering faith, allowing God to shape him into a skilled and Spirit-led worshipper. From a teen learning to hold a guitar to a leader inspiring countless others, Fernando’s journey is a testament to God’s transformative power.

Today, Fernando and his brothers in Christ, Rony and Josh, lead Agnus Dei, a ministry that has been sharing God’s word and leading worship for nearly a decade. Agnus Dei creates music for both Spanish and English-speaking communities, reflecting their commitment to reaching people across cultures. Their first single, Déjame Entrar, returned to their roots with a unique bachata worship song, blending their Dominican heritage with heartfelt praise. Their music, available on all digital platforms, serves as a vessel of hope, healing, and worship for listeners around the world.

Through events like NYCYD (New York Catholic Youth Day), BCYD (Brooklyn Catholic Youth Day), the Diocese of Tyler's Youth Day, CDJ in Los Angeles, and Noche Blanca in New Jersey/New York, Agnus Dei has brought their message of worship and faith to countless young people. With each event, their goal remains the same: to inspire others to experience the transformative love of God and to live a life fully devoted to Him.

Listen to “No One Like You” on Spotify.

Marisel Rodriguez is a full-time Creative Musician and Photographer, and a first-generation American of Dominican descent. Born and raised in New York City and now a proud New Jersey native, Marisel delights in sharing her art with the world.

She works closely with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, the Diocese of Newark, NJ, and many other ministries. After the release of her first single, “I Choose You” in 2017, she grounded herself in the Christian Music Industry, which led to the release of her first Spanish single, “Llegas Tú” in 2019, in collaboration with Producciones Lavid.

Marisel has performed across the United States and internationally in countries such as Spain, Peru, Panama, Puerto Rico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. A highlight of her career includes performing alongside Kairy Marquez during the 2019 World Youth Day in Panama.

Her commitment to music and community service is deeply interwoven. In addition to her performances, she participates in missions supporting impoverished communities in developing countries. Her dream is to create music that heals broken hearts and transcends layers of hopelessness in both Spanish and English. She envisions a future filled with hope, empowerment, and reconnection to God.

Recent & Upcoming Events:

• January 2025: Mission trip to Saint Ann’s, Montego Bay, Jamaica, with Frassatti Missions.

• January 31, 2025: Performing at “Jesus in Zion” at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, NYC, praying for revival and leading worship.

• November 2024: Led praise and worship for the Diocese of Newark’s Convocation, engaging over 800 people in song.

• October 2024: Released “Letting Go (Acoustic)”, now available on all streaming platforms.

With her heart firmly rooted in faith, music, and service, Marisel continues to build a bridge of hope through her artistry and ministry.

Watch the official music video for “Letting Go” and listen to Marisel on Spotify.

Catholic Musician, Arranger, Composer, and Singer.

Jovanny Ovalle is the director and founder of the Ministries Fuente de Alabanza, and the Emaús NY Band. He is also a founding member of the Hermandad de Emaús in most of the Dioceses in the Dominican Republic, as well as in all the Dioceses across the states of New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and served in the State of Florida with the Dioceses of St Augustine, and Miami. Additionally, he has worked with parishes in Colombia, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico.

Jovanny is the composer and arranger of the song “Eucharistic Mary”, and won the second place in the Marian Song World’s Festival out of more than 20 countries in 2008. He’s the arranger of the anthem of the Hermandad Emaus “Caminante”, and the songs “El Barco de Emaús”, and “Ya eres libre”.

Blessed by God with a musical talent since childhood, Jovanny began his musical journey at an early age in his homeland, the Dominican Republic. He participated in the choirs and Catholic ministries of his school and local community. In his teenage years, however, he distanced himself from the Church and joined a secular music group, eventually forming his own band and pursuing a career in music.

Years later, God called him back, leaving behind the secular world and returning to His embrace. Through divine intervention, God worked miracles in his life, planting the seed of faith. This seed flourished, bringing spiritual order to his path, and leading to the birth of his ministry. For over 25 years, Jovanny, along with his wife and children, has dedicated his life, evangelizing and reaching out to souls in need of God’s love and grace.

Raul Santos has been praising the Lord since he was a young man. For many years he helped raise hearts and minds to the Lord at El Centro in the Bronx during retreats, events, and conferences. He has collaborated with many musicians and bands in New York, including Rio Poderoso. In the Fall of 2022, along with Gresyl Soler and Sharine Rodriguez, he founded a new ministry at Holy Cross Church in the Bronx, Zion Young Adults, which holds monthly nights of encounter and praise and worship, one of which sparked the inspiration for Jesus in Zion. In addition, he has collaborated with Fr. Vincent Druding with Jesus in Zion, ChristLife, and many youth and young adult retreats and events at Holy Cross Church and beyond. He brings the lively spirit of his Dominican Republican roots, and unites Caribbean rhythms to the power of the Holy Spirit, as his anointed voice praises the Lord. Whenever he plugs in his guitar and steps up to the mic, souls are led to a deeper encounter with the presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Gresyl Soler is a Catholic Latina of Puerto Rican descent, a Bronx native, and is the eldest of six siblings. Her parents were unable to conceive for ten years until God granted them a miracle. Gres is a registered nurse for 16 years. She is dedicated to community nursing, serving underserved areas of New York City, and currently overseeing nurses in homeless shelters and detox rehabilitation units. Her nursing profession is dedicated and inspired greatly by the work of Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

She served over ten years in the Catholic Charismatic Center in Ministerio Juvenile (MJ) under Bishop Jesu Iriondo and Bishop Joseph Espalliat.

Her faith has led her on missions with Locos por Jesús with Deacon Pedro O’Brien and the Holy Cross Dominican Republic Mission team with Father Vincent Druding. These missions have forever deepened her faith.

In 2022, alongside Raul Santos and Sharine Rodriguez, she founded Zion Worship Nights, a space for young adults to gather at Holy Cross Church to worship regardless of their background, denomination, or walk of life. Under the spiritual guidance of Father Vincent Druding, Zion Worship Nights became a home to many. This assembly emerged from her calling to create a welcoming environment where people can encounter Christ as they are.

She is part of the core team of Jesus in Zion, a ministry she holds very dear to her heart.

Sharine Rodriguez, a Dominican-American Catholic, has dedicated nearly 15 years to serving the Lord. She works for an organization that cares for minors who are separated from their families at the borders and oversees a team that helps reunite children with their parents.

Her faith deepened in 2011 when she joined the youth group Amigos de Jesús, spiritually led by Father Antonio Almonte. She quickly took on leadership roles, marking the beginning of her journey in service. She has taught catechism for a decade and participated in international missionary work. In 2016, she felt called to join Ministerio Juvenil at the Charismatic Center where she served for six years after receiving an invitation from Bishop Espaillat.

Sharine also played a key role in founding Zion Worship Nights alongside Raul Santos, Gresyl Soler, and Father Vincent Druding. They desired to create a space for young adults to encounter God’s love and mercy. It was during one of these nights that the inspiration for Jesus in Zion emerged—a movement that has profoundly impacted many lives, including her own. She remains an integral part of its core team, continuing her mission of faith and service.