Catholic Center Staff

Theresa Bielejeski

Theresa Bielejeski

Chapter Leader

theresa.bielejeski@spo.org

Hello beautiful people! I’m Theresa and I’m SO pumped to meet you if I haven’t already! I hail from the lush garden state, New Jersey — I’m in love with its beaches, mountains, forests, hustle, and charm. If you don’t believe that NJ is amazing, it’s okay. It doesn’t need outsider approval. I come from a large family, so I like to think that I can get along with many different types of people. Telling and showing others how absolutely amazing they are is probably my biggest passion. If I get super-duper excited to see you, please don’t get overwhelmed. Sometimes I just can’t help it. I love discussing music, movies, and books (especially the good stuff). And I’m known to have a stash of sour patch watermelon candy at all times. Jesus is my biggest Love. He thinks I’m pretty cool too.

“Deep in my heart, His name remained, and nothing could entirely captivate me, however learned, however neatly expressed, however true it might be, unless His name were in it.”

–  Confessions, Book III, St. Augustine

Aubrie Harris

Aubrie Harris

aubrie.harris@spo.org

Hey y’all! I’m Aubrie Harris, coming to you from the heart of the United States, Missouri. I just
graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City with a degree in Health Sciences. I am
determined to teach everyone I meet the geography of the Midwest, including the fact that most
of Kansas City is actually in the great state of Missouri. I am passionate about health disparities,
non-profits, personal prayer, Confession, really all of the Sacraments, and helping others
understand the everlasting mercy and love our Father in Heaven has for us. My life has been a
whirlwind of chaos and I am happy to share my many conversion stories with anyone who wants
evidence of the Lord’s work in our lives on earth. I look forward to getting to know the
community in Boston. Praying for you all!

Fr. Paul Helfrich

Fr. Paul Helfrich

Chaplain

frpaul@brohope.net

Hello Everyone: Fr. Paul Helfrich here. I am originally from New Jersey although I have lived in Boston for the last twenty-five years. Following graduation from Rutgers University with a degree in history I went to Seton Hall Law School. After practicing law for a number of years I studied theology at the University of St. Thomas in Rome, Italy and at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton. I was ordained in 2000. Most of my priesthood has involved ministering on college campuses. I really enjoy being around college students and I am excited to be the chaplain here at Northeastern. I look forward to getting to know everyone.

“I came that they may have life and have it in abundance.” John 10:10  

Paul Jasek

Paul Jasek

paul.jasek@spo.org

Hi, I’m Paul. I’m super excited to get to know you! I grew up in the buckeye state and graduated from THE Ohio State University with a double major in Computer Science & Engineering and Mathematics and a heart set on fire for Christ. I thoroughly enjoy hiking, volleyball, top spinning, and video game making, among other things. I have a love for any activity, game, discussion, etc. that requires making use of the brain that God gave you and me – so I will happily talk with you about anything from philosophy & theology to state-of-the-art advancements in machine learning and artificial intelligence. I know the Lord has an amazing plan for us and I’m excited to live in it!

“The Lord, in seeking among the crowd for someone to work for Him, says ‘Who is there who desires life?’ (Psalm 34:12). If you hear Him and answer, “I do”, God says to you, ‘Do you desire true life, eternal life?’ then: ‘Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it’ (Psalm 34:13-14). And when you have done this I will set my eyes upon you, I will give ear to your prayers, and ‘Before they call, I will answer’ (Isaiah 65:24).”

– Benedict of Nursia Rule, Prologue 14-18

Br. Joseph McBride

Br. Joseph McBride

brojoseph.mcbride@brohope.net

 

Hey guys! Br. Joseph here and I’m excited to be joining you guys in Boston! I’m originally from a suburb near Cleveland, Ohio where my love for basketball, frisbee, mountains (Ok, maybe not in Ohio), and Skyline Chili began. Along with Paul and Dana, I also graduated from THE Ohio State University with a degree in Civil Engineering. It was there, during my Freshman year, that I decided to honestly give God a real chance for the first time in my life. That was the greatest decision I ever made. Since then I’ve worked full-time as a Civil Engineer in Ohio, an SPO Missionary at Rutgers in New Jersey, and a Novice in Tallahassee, Florida. And in July ‘21 I made my first vows in the Brotherhood of Hope!! Let’s gooo!! I can’t wait to meet all of you soon!

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.”
Jeremiah 1:5

 

 

Dana Middendorf

Dana Middendorf

dana.middendorf@spo.org

Hi everyone! I’m Dana, and I’m so excited to meet you all! I’m originally from Cincinnati, Ohio and like Paul, I also went to THE Ohio State University where I studied Biomedical Science and Spanish! As an Ohio native, I have a heart for Graeter’s ice cream, Cincinnati chili, and of course, the Buckeyes, but I actually have a lot of family in New England so I grew up cheering for the Celtics and Patriots, and I can’t wait to make Boston my new home! In my free time I enjoy painting, learning to play guitar, and going to coffee shops, and I’m passionate about declaring truth and the power we hold to speak life over ourselves and others!  The Lord has worked in incredible ways in my life in college and I know He has so much more for all of us – I can’t wait to run after that together this year!
“To the thirsty I will give water without price from the fountain of the water of life. He who conquers shall have this heritage, and I will be his God and he shall be my son.”
– Rev 21:6-7
Michael Rahm

Michael Rahm

michael.rahm@spo.org

Hello everyone! I was born in South Dakota, but I really grew up in a small town in the middle of nowhere Minnesota. So Boston has definitely been a different experience. I got a degree in Chemistry from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, and that’s really where I started to develop a relationship with Jesus. His love for me has changed my life, but also inspired me to help others come to know the love of the Father. I love to meet new people, so always feel free to introduce yourself. An easy way to get me excited is to talk about hiking, Taco Bell, or the Paddington movies. 

“For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all, therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for the one who for their sake died and was raised.” – 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Br. Austin Riordan

Br. Austin Riordan

Chapter Leader

broaustin@northeastern.edu

Originally from the Great State of Wisconsin, I left for college at 18 years old and experienced a life-changing conversion to the person of Jesus Christ. I like many things; the Green Bay Packers and cheese curds  are my unashamedly stereotypical Wisconsin ones. Beyond that, I enjoy star-gazing, woodworking, playing pond hockey, hiking in the white mountains, getting my hands in the dirt, etc.

“Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. “
– John 14:1-3

Gina Semensi

Gina Semensi

Office Manager

Hello hello, Gina here! I was born and raised in Franklin, MA, a suburb ~50 min southwest of Boston, and currently live just 10 minutes from where I grew up. I went to UMass Amherst and graduated in 2016 with degrees in Business Administration and Nutrition. Shortly after graduating, I experienced a major reversion to the Catholic faith in my search for purpose, meaning, and truth. I love journaling, nut-flavored coffees (hazelnut, coconut, almond, you name it), long-distance running, and spending quality time with my friends and family, and of course Mama Mary! I am usually tucked away in the third floor office, but I love visitors so please feel free to stop by and chat!

“There are those who seek knowledge for the sake of knowledge; that is Curiosity. There are those who seek knowledge to be known by others; that is Vanity. There are those who seek knowledge in order to serve; that is Love.”
– St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Angela Woodman

Angela Woodman

angela.woodman@spo.org

Hi there! My name is Angela, and I’m from the beautiful sunshine state, where I studied Biomedical Sciences at the University of Central Florida and had my life transformed by the Lord. I grew up in a lively family with 5 older sisters, and I love listening to and making music, reading, crafting, hiking, tea, and learning about who God is and how he made us. Some fun facts: I did most of my medical research on a mutant virus that glowed green like an alien, and I have been to Disney more times than I can count (shoutout to my sis for working there). I’m stoked to be serving the Lord here in Boston, and I can’t wait to see how He works through me and you to build up the kingdom this year!

“The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.”
– Psalm 23:1

Brita Vitello

Brita Vitello

Pastoral Staff

britavitello@gmail.com

Hi All! I’m Brita. I’m a New York transplant who arrived at Northeastern many years ago as a lowly freshman where I studied Philosophy and then became a Double Husky with my Masters of Education. During my time here I went through RCIA, learned how to seek Christ, and even met my husband. I love reading, painting, rainy days, bicycling, hot beverages, and the beach. I spend most of my time now running around after my three kids and trying to inspire them. I’m always happy to talk philosophy, talk about my conversion, and wrestle with the issues of the day!

“Whither is thy Beloved gone, O Thou fairest among women? Whither is thy Beloved turned aside? That we may seek him with thee.”
– Song of Songs 6:1

Br. Jason Zink, BH

Br. Jason Zink, BH

Director, Pastoral Staff

brojason@brohope.net

Welcome! I’m Brother Jason and I look forward to meeting you! I’m from Ft. Myers, Florida and I studied Mathematics in college at Florida State University. While in college I had a blast being in the Marching Chiefs, a 500+ marching band, playing trombone. And if you are a runner, let me know, I would love to have you join us for our annual Half Marathon! I am honored to be your brother and I look forward to running with you on your journey back to the Father’s House!

“For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the LORD—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope. When you call me, and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me—oracle of the LORD—and I will change your lot; I will gather you together from all the nations and all the places to which I have banished you—oracle of the LORD—and bring you back to the place from which I have exiled you.”
– Jeremiah 29:11-14

Our Mission.

BRING, BUILD, SEND

The Catholic Center HUB at Northeastern University
stands as a sign of HOPE in Jesus Christ.
With CHRIST-like care and LOVE for every PERSON,

the Catholic Center
BRINGS in students to know the faith,
BUILDS up students to live the faith and
SENDS out students to share the faith

for the good of the WORLD,
the growth of the CHURCH,
and all for the glory of GOD!

Contact

nucatholic@gmail.com
‪(617) 297-7364‬

Catholic Center
Serving Colleges of Boston

A Ministry of the Roman Catholic Church Archdiocese of Boston