Our Retreat Presenters 

Brother Jack Ventura, SM is a native of New York City and currently serves as the Director of Mission Integration at Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory in Hollywood, FL. He has an MBA from Iona College, NY, a master’s degree in Applied Spirituality from the University of San Francisco, and a master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry from Loyola University in New Orleans. Brother Jack has served in various ministries for his province, including vocations, formation, and provincial administration. He has conducted various retreats for Lay Marianists, small communities of faith, and boards of various apostolic organizations. Recently, Brother Jack worked with LGBTQ+ Initiative Team Member Brian Halderman to present a concurrent session at the Imago Dei assembly titled Living Our Marianist Charism: Embracing the LGBTQ+ Community. 

Gabby Bibeau is a Lay Marianist PhD candidate at Fordham University. Her primary research interest is French Catholic women’s spirituality and religious experience in the Nineteenth Century. Gabby's other research interests are Marian piety, devotions, and religious movements; the intersection between art, spirituality, and popular culture; women’s religious life; and mystical theology. Gabby's relationship with the Marianists and experience as a Catholic sister is where much of her interest in Mary, France, and Nineteenth Century Catholicism originated, particularly in her prior work as a Research and Program Assistant at NACMS in Dayton, OH. She also co-hosted the Sharing Our Marianist Stories podcast during her time at NACMS and has produced research focused on Marianists, Catholic social thought, and social justice.