top of page
Mission
MISSION
Fidelis forms girls — heart, mind, body, and soul — into a sisterhood of mature, virtuous disciples of Christ through the witness of Catholic women.
Church Cross
Who We Are

Fidelis is a parish sponsored multigenerational program inviting girls in grades 6-12 into sisterhood with women,  young and old, leading each other to Christ. With our 'yes' to God we use intentional, virtuous and feminine means to form girls into women who can proclaim with confidence to God, "Paratum cor meum Deus, my heart is ready , O God, my heart is ready." 

the-climate-reality-project-349094-unspl
What We Do

With the intent on capturing the heart of a young woman, Fidelis uses movie clips, activities, and games to teach virtue, all in the context of mentorship and sisterhood. Fidelis draws girls into the heart of the Church by connecting discussions on virtue to the Sunday Mass readings. These lessons come to life during weekly meetings, seasonal outings, and an annual Inspire trip where chapters from around the country gather.

melissa-askew-642466-unsplash.jpg
Why We Do It

Fidelis invites women into a virtuous life through personal prayer, participation in the Sacraments, and meaningful involvement with their parish. As women grow in holiness, the Holy Spirit compels them to pass this on to the next generation. Fidelis forms young women not only by teaching about virtue but also by presenting living models of discipleship.

Leading a Chapter
LEADING A CHAPTER
Understanding that many women are eager to help but are restricted
by time and inexperience, Fidelis provides all the resources to equip
a team of women to build a Sisterhood of Disciples.

Fidelis walks with you through the initial discernment, recruitment, training, and launch phase to ensure your success.

​

Fidelis provides all program content, training, continual support, online workshops, and access to a host of online resources.

​

Fidelis connects volunteers across the country to learn from the experience and wisdom of other women.

The goal is to provide a top-quality program for the girls while catering to the schedule of busy moms and working women. These resources don't just ask women to coordinate events but also challenges them to live out a fuller sisterhood amongst themselves into which they can invite the girls.

Current Chapters
In the News
IN THE NEWS
aleteia-bot-logo1.png
ncregister100k.png
khssm.png
Our St. Elizabeth Seton parish in Fort Wayne, IN
was recently featured in their diocesan newsletter.
We love to see our chapters thriving!
IMG_4536.jpeg
Staff

STAFF

STAFF

Priscilla Headshot2021.JPG
PRISCILLA
MCKINNEY
Executive Director

Priscilla was raised in a typical Catholic household, going to Mass each Sunday and attending Catholic schools including an all girls Catholic high school.  Her mother and grandmother were always great examples of strong women, dedicating their lives to serving both the Church and their families. Priscilla joined the Navy out of high school and spent six years in the Nuclear Field. On board the USS Abraham Lincoln, Priscilla learned what it meant to make her faith her own. She left on deployment a nominal Catholic and returned in love with her Lord, Jesus Christ and his Mother.

​

After her enlistment Priscilla felt called to pursue a life of ministry. She received a Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies from the Center of Ministry Development and a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from the University of Dallas, School of Ministry. Prior to joining Fidelis National she started a Fidelis Chapter at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in Bremerton, WA.

​

Priscilla and her husband, John, have 4 boys and 2 girls. They reside in Knoxville, TN and attend Holy Ghost Catholic Church, where they help to lead their local Fraternus and Fidelis Chapters. 

​

For general questions or to start a new chapter contact Priscilla@fidelisonline.or

Raised in an Assemblies of God faith background, Destiny attended Sunday school and youth group each week and came to know the Lord at a young age. Now a passionate Catholic convert, Destiny enjoys reading about the saints and meditating on the Holy Rosary. 

 

Destiny attended Colorado State University-Pueblo where she studied a B.A. and M.A. in English, professional writing, and education. After graduation, Destiny served as the communications coordinator for the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce and went on to teach English in grades 6-11 before answering the call to ministry. 

 

Destiny and her husband, Jose, have two beautiful little boys and are parishioners of the Shrine of Saint Therese Catholic Church in Pueblo, Colorado, their hometown. 

​

For program or content questions contact program@fidelisonline.org

​

JLP_5285.jpg
DESTINY CAMPA
MEZA 

Program Director

Nikki is currently living in Grand Rapids, Michigan near family where she was born and raised.  Before she returned to Michigan, Nikki spent 15 years in the Nashville, Tennessee area and 12 years before that in Tampa, Florida where she attended the University of South Florida.  She was raised in a Catholic household where she found her love of devoting her time to the Church from her grandmother. 

 

She has been involved with religious education, youth groups, the Women's Group, and anything else she felt called to help with including making mac and cheese for the Lenten Fish Fry's. Nikki is a mother of two girls, Sydney and Martha, who are her pride and joy!   

 

She enjoys doing anything and everything outside from ice skating, laying on the beach, to hiking with her two dogs, Sadie and Toby.

​

For accounting or registration questions contact accounting@fidelisonline.org

NIKKI JAENT
Director of Finance & Operations
Nikki Jaent.jpg

Betsy, daughter of the King, wife to Craig, and mom to Curtis and Henry, joins us from Huntersville, NC. Betsy has been a part of the Fidelis Sisterhood since 2016. Betsy has been a Lead Lady, a Lady Mentor, a Ceremonies P.A.L. and Communications P.A.L. in her local chapter, before joining the National Team in October 2020. 

 

When she's not training mentors or helping chapters with Bosco events, Betsy coaches women in living the integrated life through ordered wellness practices and currently leads Instructor Training for Pietra Fitness, where she trains instructors from all over the world. You can find her coaching website here: https://www.integratedcatholicwoman.com/

​

For mentorship help or to plan a Bosco event contact mentorship@fidelisonline.org / bosco@fraternus.net 

BETSY HOYT​
Mentor Development
Betsy Hoyt 2021-0026.jpg
SHEA NOWICKI​
Media Associate
IMG_4294.heic

Shea Nowicki is a senior at Benedictine College, where she studies Theology, Education and Psychology. Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Shea's heart was sparked to a love of women's ministry during her four years at an all-girls Catholic high school. She loves the idea of a Church of fully alive women, deeply convicted of their belovedness! 

When she's not posting on Fidelis' Instagram account, Shea enjoys reading poetry, drinking iced lattes at the on-campus coffee shop, and going on long "heart to heart" chat walks with friends.

​

Contact Shea at media@fidelisonline.org.

  MARY PAUL
FORSYTH
​
Inspire & Fiat Camp Coordinator
Marisol.JPG

Mary Paul Forsyth, a retired mother and grandmother, lives in Charlotte, NC. She joined the St. Mark Fidelis chapter in 2019. Mary Paul graduated from the University of Tennessee and spent most of her professional life in the banking industry in various roles. After the birth of her youngest child, she began a new career as the event manager for MiraVia, a residential maternity and outreach organization. She has been actively volunteering in her diocese for more than 20 years.

​

For Inspire questions, contact inspire@fidelisonline.org.

Mary Paul.jpg
  JESS EVITT​
Development Assistant
Jess Evitt.jpg

 

Jessica is a wife and mother of two young boys in Upstate South Carolina. She works from home for our brother organization Fraternus, as well as Fidelis. She enjoys the simple pleasures in life: family, food, and God’s beautiful creation, and her awesome church family. She counts it a true blessing to work for organizations like, Fraternus and Fidelis, that are seeking to glorify and honor God.

​

For donation questions contact development@fidelisonline.org 

GUEST WRITERS

Julianne.jpeg
JULIANNE
KOS

Guest Content Writer
IMG_0265-preview 3.HEIC
JESSAMYN ANDERSON FRAIN
Guest Content Writer
20220209_094807.jpg
CAROLINA
DUPONT

Guest Content Writer

"Sometimes you don’t think you will ever be friends with someone until you spend time with them disconnected from phones."

Lauren Tropeano, Fidelis Sister

​

IMG_7958.jpeg
LUCY 
FERNANDES

Guest Content Writer
mail_edited.jpg
KATE
KIRSTEIN

Guest Content Writer
Mary Margaret.jpeg
MARY MARGARET
LEWIS 

Guest Content Writer
20230524_105022.jpg
MIRIAM BARRY

Guest Content Writer
IMG_2061_edited.jpg
MICHAELA ZIEGLER

Guest Content Writer
IMG-4488_edited.png
MICHAELA REYES
Guest Content Writer
IMG_2288.jpeg
LAURIE BARCLAY

Guest Content Writer
PATTI DEFFENDAL
Board Chair

Patti graduated from Vanderbilt University. She completed a Master's in Linguistics from LSU and a Master's in Moral Theology from Holy Apostles College and Seminary in 2020. She initiated both the Fraternus Chapter and the Fidelis Chapter at her parish, Our Lady of the Lake in Hendersonville, TN. She is a mother of 2 and has been married to Mark since 1983. She is an original member of the Fidelis National Board.

Patti.JPG

Dianne and her husband Tom are members of St. Mark in Huntersville, NC. They have been involved in youth ministry since the inception of the parish. Dianne helped establish the St. Mark Fidelis chapter in 2015 and served as the first Lead Lady. Fidelis is at the very heart of her current service to her parish and community. She stepped out in faith and has never looked back.

Dianne.JPG
DIANE RIDER
Board Secretary

Kaitlyn is a senior accounting analyst for Carrier Corporation in Charlotte, NC. She grew up in the Lake Norman area attending and participating in the LifeTeen program at St. Mark Catholic Church, where she is now a Fidelis Lady. Kaitlyn got her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she met her now-husband, Justin.

 

In her free time, Kaitlyn enjoys hiking with her husband and her dogs, Joker and Quinn, powerlifting, and reading.

KAITLYN COBB
Board Treasurer
image0.jpeg
LINDA LANDRIGAN
Member at Large
Linda pic.jpg

Linda is a wife, mother of 7, and grandmother of 28. She and her husband Dan reside in Fort Wayne, IN where she is currently a Fidelis Lead Lady at their parish,St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. She previously taught CCD for over 20 years and served as DRE for 5 years at a previous parish.

LINDA LANDRIGAN
Board Member at Large
Board Members

Nicole is passionate about the formation of young women and worked in classical high schools for nearly decade as an assistant headmaster and guidance counselor. She is currently a licensed associate marriage and family therapist, and also works as nonprofit business consultant in talent development and fundraising. She lives in downtown Phoenix.

NICOLE RIZKALLAH
Board Member at Large
Nicole pic.jpeg

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

FIDELIS CHAPLAIN

Fidelis Chaplain
FATHER
JOSHUA JOHNSON
Fidelis Chaplain
Temp Headshot.jpg

Father Joshua Johnson is priest of the Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. He serves as the Parish Priest at St. Edmund Campion Catholic Church in Flat Rock, North Carolina. Previous to becoming Catholic, he was a United Methodist Minister. Married with six children, he received special permission from the Vatican to be ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood as a married man. Before entering priestly formation, Fr. Johnson worked for Fraternus, assisted in the founding of Fidelis and worked in Catholic parishes.

bottom of page