Teresa spent 18 years serving at the parish level in catechetical ministry, including nine years dedicated to youth ministry. During this time, she built strong partnerships with public schools and developed a mentoring program that emphasized a child development perspective and positive role models for students of all ages. Her parish work reflects a consistent focus on accompaniment, prevention, and the formation of young people and families.
For the past six years, Teresa has served as the Director of Marriage and Family Ministry for the Diocese of Cleveland, supporting parishes, diocesan offices, clergy, leaders, and individuals across eight counties. In this role, she draws on her background in mental health, her understanding of the human condition, and her commitment to faith formation to strengthen marriage preparation, ongoing family support, and response efforts throughout the diocese.
In addition to her ministry and clinical work, Teresa has contributed nationally as a content creator for the USCCB 2025 Bishops’ Gathering. She was one of 50 national diocesan directors invited to participate in the first-ever USCCB Marriage Summit. In 2025, she coordinated the first Marriage Task Force in Cleveland, resulting in updated best practices for marriage preparation, ongoing support, and crisis response, and she led the update of diocesan domestic violence advocacy resources. Teresa is also a trained facilitator for Catholics for Family Peace concerning domestic violence prevention and awareness.