Our Team
Writers
Our talented team of writers shares the stories of stewardship in action. Through parishioner profiles, ministry features, and faith formation articles, they capture the heart of parish life and inspire others to embrace stewardship as a way of life.
Michelle Romeu-Henkel
Washington, D.C.
Michelle has been writing for Catholic Stewardship Consultants since 2012, bringing more than a decade of experience and a storyteller’s heart to every assignment. As a freelance writer, she especially enjoys parishioner profile interviews, where she has the privilege of learning about individuals’ personal journeys of faith and stewardship. Michelle approaches each article with curiosity and care, appreciating the diverse ways parish life and stewardship are expressed across the country. During her four years living in Hawaii, she wrote primarily for Hawaiian parishes and found great joy in seeing how local culture, customs, and tradition were beautifully woven into parish life. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a B.A. in English, Michelle has written professionally for websites, blogs, and social media platforms, including work with public libraries. She also writes fiction and poetry for fun and enjoys storytelling that highlights the personal experiences of individuals and families. As the spouse of a Coast Guard pilot, Michelle is part of a military family that frequently relocates, and she currently resides in Washington, D.C. with her husband, Jeff, and their two young daughters. Their travels have taken them across the country, and Michelle has been fortunate to visit many of the parishes she’s written about—an experience she finds deeply rewarding. In addition to writing, she enjoys artistic journaling, crocheting, traveling, and hiking with her family. Michelle values the opportunity to connect with Catholics across the U.S. and to help share their inspiring stories of faith, service, and stewardship.
Grace Pregent
East Lansing, Michigan
Grace is one of our veteran writers at Catholic Stewardship Consultants, having been a part of our writing team since 2012. She enjoys collaborating with parishioners and clergy on articles covering a wide range of topics, including education, liturgy, finance, and strategic planning. Grace brings extensive experience in writing and teaching, having taught college-level courses in writing, literature, and education since 2010. She earned her Ph.D. in English from Loyola University Chicago in 2020 and now serves as the Director of the Writing Center at Michigan State University. She is also a faculty member in MSU’s Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Cultures and the Global Studies program. In addition, she co-directs a Community Writing Center housed in the local public library, offering free writing support to community members. Grace is passionate about empowering others through language and education, and she values storytelling as a way to build community and share faith. She and her family live in Michigan, where they enjoy hiking, traveling, and camping together.
Allison Norgren
Sauk Centre, Minnesota
Allison has been writing for Catholic Stewardship Consultants (CSC) since 2019, contributing parishioner profiles, ministry features, and event recaps for parish newsletters. A lifelong writer with a deep love for the Catholic faith, Allison finds great joy in telling stories that highlight the vibrant life of parish communities. She especially enjoys interviewing parishioners and families, and she is continually inspired by the many ways Catholics are living out their call to discipleship through unique ministries and generous service. Allison earned a degree in broadcast journalism with a minor in Catholic Studies from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., including a formative semester studying in Rome. She has worked in both print and television journalism and has been writing in various professional capacities for decades. Her strengths lie in storytelling, interviewing, and writing faith-based content that draws readers into the lived experience of stewardship and parish life. Originally from Central Minnesota, Allison still calls the area home, where she lives with her husband and their four children. Their family life is filled with outdoor adventures, time at the lake, youth sports, and a shared love of reading and watching professional sports. For Allison, writing for CSC is a perfect blend of vocation and passion—a creative and faith-filled endeavor that never feels like work.
Judi Tarowsky
Weirton, West Virginia
Judi brings more than two decades of journalism experience to her work with Catholic Stewardship Consultants. A former newspaper reporter and editor for 24 years, she also spent a decade in the public relations field, working with an advertising agency to support various faith-based organizations affiliated with the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley. Judi began writing for CSC in 2014 and continues to enjoy helping parishes tell the stories of their ministries and parishioners in a compelling, faith-filled way. In addition to her work with CSC, Judi is also a professional storyteller. She earned a Graduate Certificate in Storytelling from the University of North Texas and currently serves as president of the West Virginia Storytelling Guild. She is also an active member of the Texas Storytelling Association and the San Antonio Storytellers Association. A native of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, Judi spent most of her childhood in New Castle, PA. She received her Bachelor of Science in Journalism from West Virginia University, where she met her husband, Thomas. The two now live in Weirton, West Virginia, and have one son—longtime CSC Copy Editor Joe Tarowsky. Judi brings both her journalistic training and her love for stories to her interviews with CSC, drawing out the unique gifts and experiences of parishioners and ministry leaders. She is passionate about highlighting how everyday stewardship makes a lasting impact on parish communities and helps others grow in their relationship with Christ.
Elisabeth Schmitz
Minot, North Dakota
Elisabeth has been writing for Catholic Stewardship Consultants since 2020, combining a gift for storytelling with a deep love for the Catholic faith. She approaches each assignment prayerfully, asking the Holy Spirit to inspire her words and help readers connect more deeply with the call to stewardship. Elisabeth especially enjoys writing parishioner profiles and highlighting the everyday ministries that form the backbone of parish life. She has a special heart for writing about homeschooling and moms groups but also finds great joy in showcasing the quiet faithfulness of liturgical and funeral ministries. Elisabeth grew up on a farm in rural North Dakota and now lives in Minot, ND, with her husband, Nick, and their five children. The two met at the University of North Dakota’s Newman Center and married in 2013. Alongside farming, Nick practices law, while Elisabeth homeschools their children and finds immense joy in witnessing their growth and formation. Though she studied Occupational Therapy for two years in college, Elisabeth has always had a natural talent for writing and credits an exceptional high school English teacher for helping develop that skill. She also finds fulfillment in writing obituaries, creatively honoring the lives of those who have passed. Outside of her work, Elisabeth enjoys reading, Adoration, good coffee, and leading Bible studies and book clubs. She serves on her parish’s Stewardship Council and views her work with CSC as both a creative outlet and a beautiful way to support her family. She treasures the flexibility it offers and the opportunity to engage with faith-filled Catholics across the country.
Monika Ryan
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Monika has been writing for Catholic Stewardship Consultants since 2021, bringing a thoughtful, story-driven approach to each assignment. Whether writing a ministry feature or parishioner profile, she approaches interviews with curiosity—always looking for what motivates people to serve and what makes their stewardship uniquely inspiring. Monika especially enjoys writing about newer ministries, where the passion and sense of purpose among volunteers often shines through. She believes the most “ordinary” details are often the most powerful, as they reveal the quiet, faithful commitment that defines true Christian service. Monika studied creative writing and earned a B.A. in Theology with minors in Catholic Studies and Creative Writing. She interned with Aleteia while studying abroad in Rome and wrote alumni features for Aquinas College’s website. Before becoming a full-time writer, Monika taught in Montessori early childhood classrooms for five years and earned her AMS certification. Her ability to see each person’s unique story and vocation continues to shape her writing for CSC. Originally from rural Illinois, Monika now lives near Grand Rapids, Michigan, with her husband, Devin. They were married in 2019 and have three children. In her free time, she enjoys sewing and knitting clothing, as well as camping and kayaking with her family. Monika is grateful for how writing for CSC deepens her own faith, allowing her to learn from the witness of the many inspiring Catholics she interviews.
Riann Bach
New Braunfels, Texas
Riann has been writing for Catholic Stewardship Consultants since December 2021, contributing articles that highlight parishioner profiles, ministry features, and parish events. With a B.S. in English from Bradley University, Riann brings a thoughtful, reflective voice to her work, combining her passion for writing with a deep love for the Catholic faith. She especially enjoys interviewing older parishioners and married couples, whose wisdom and life stories often provide inspiration for her own journey as a young wife and mother. Through these conversations, she has gained a greater appreciation for parish life and an even stronger desire to be involved in her own faith community. CSC is Riann’s first experience with journalism, and she views the opportunity to write for a Catholic company as both a gift and a calling. Her background in creative nonfiction and faith-based reflection writing enriches her storytelling, allowing her to craft engaging narratives that encourage readers to grow in their own discipleship. Originally from Peoria, Illinois, Riann moved to New Braunfels, Texas, in 2021 with her husband. Married since 2018, the couple now has three young children, and Riann embraces the vocation of stay-at-home motherhood while also homeschooling their oldest. In addition to writing, she enjoys reading, knitting, baking, and planning creative sensory activities and experiments for her children. She recently served as co-coordinator for her parish’s moms’ group, Ladies of G.R.A.C.E., where she organized meetings, crafts, and speakers. Riann sees her work with CSC as a way to support the Church’s mission while living out her own vocation in a way that honors her gifts, faith, and family life.
Rebecca Darwent
Limoges, Ontario, Canada
Rebecca crafts parishioner profiles, ministry features, and event stories for newsletters across the country. Since joining CSC in 2022, she has written more than 500 articles, approaching each one with care, attentiveness, and a deep sense of responsibility. Rebecca especially enjoys telling the stories of people whose faith has been shaped over time—whether through lifelong Catholic family traditions or recent conversions—and she brings a gift for listening and drawing out meaningful conversations with every interview. Rebecca’s path to writing was shaped by years of travel and mission work, including service with NET Ministries in both Canada and Ireland. These experiences sparked her desire to tell the stories of people whose lives and faith journeys might otherwise go untold. She studied journalism at Algonquin College in Ottawa and went on to earn a B.A. in Social Communication from St. Paul University. Her background includes work as a reporter, editor, and photographer for student and community publications, as well as writing for The Catholic Register and the faith-based magazine, Convivium. Now based in Ottawa, Rebecca balances her writing work with life as a full-time stay-at-home mom. She and her husband are raising two young daughters and enjoy spending time outdoors, singing together, and hosting friends and family. Their home is filled with books, music, and faith—a “little Nazareth” inspired by the Holy Family. Rebecca is grateful to use her gifts in service of the Church, helping share the stories of disciples across North America.
Marie Von Rueden
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
Marie began writing for Catholic Stewardship Consultants in January 2024, bringing a deep love for the Catholic faith and a passion for sharing the stories of God at work in parish communities. She especially enjoys writing about Eucharistic Adoration and the spiritual transformation that flows from time spent with the Lord—a cornerstone of authentic stewardship. While she does not have a formal background in writing or journalism, Marie brings a strong sense of storytelling rooted in her faith, believing that each person’s story reveals a unique facet of Christ’s love and presence in the world. Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she still lives, Marie holds a Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point and a Master’s in Psychology from Divine Mercy University. In addition to writing for CSC, she works in cognitive development, helping individuals strengthen key skills such as attention, memory, and reasoning—work that demands creativity, empathy, and a deep commitment to helping others flourish. She is also a watercolor painter and rosary maker who finds inspiration in nature through hiking, kayaking, and rock climbing. Marie is a devoted aunt to many nieces and nephews who keep her on her toes with endless adventures. She sees her work with CSC as a way to live out the mission of the Church, inspired by the words of St. Teresa of Avila: “Christ has no body now but yours.” Through each article, Marie hopes to inspire others to discover and share their own God-given gifts in service to the Body of Christ.
Kimberly Lynch
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Kimberly began writing for Catholic Stewardship Consultants in December 2023 and brings a deep love for storytelling and the Catholic faith to her work. She especially enjoys writing parishioner profiles and interviewing couples, finding great joy in capturing their complementary voices and the witness of their shared faith. Kimberly’s favorite part of the job is listening to people from all walks of life talk passionately about how they serve their parish communities—often not for recognition, but simply out of a commitment to stewardship and a deep love for Christ and His Church. A freelance writer since 2015, Kimberly has written content and copy for a wide variety of clients, including Rosetta Stone, BBC Education, and several local magazines. She has also contributed faith-based articles to Blessed Is She, CatholicMom.com, and has written marketing content for Catholic influencers such as Leah Darrow and Lisa Canning. A former language teacher, Kimberly holds a B.A. in French and International Studies with a minor in German from Colby College, and a Master of Arts in German from Middlebury College. Originally from New Hampshire, she now lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with her husband of 20 years—her college sweetheart—and their seven children, ages 14 to 3. A former collegiate competitive skier and marathon runner (with nine races completed), Kimberly now enjoys hiking, CrossFit, and weightlifting in her spare time. She has a special love for the mountains of Switzerland, where her father is from and her sister now lives. Kimberly considers it a privilege to help tell the stories of faithful Catholics who quietly and humbly live out stewardship in parishes across the country.
Caroline Godin
Tewksbury, Massachusetts
Caroline joined Catholic Stewardship Consultants as a freelance writer in early 2024 and brings a passion for storytelling rooted in her Catholic faith. With each assignment—whether a parishioner profile, ministry feature, or event recap—Caroline views the interview process as a sacred opportunity to step into someone’s world and witness their unique faith journey. Her approach, shaped by her experience as a life coach, prioritizes listening with empathy and intention, often uncovering meaningful insights and powerful quotes during quiet pauses in conversation. Caroline’s professional writing background spans from fiction to blogs, including publicist work for First Responder Coaching and contributions to Catholic publications such as Catholic365, Epic Pew, and Catholic Mom. A lifelong storyteller and committed evangelist, she has served as a catechist since 2011 and currently teaches Confirmation at her parish. She is also preparing to launch a parish youth group, reflecting her deep love for mentoring young Catholics. Caroline holds a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration but has always followed a calling to faith-based writing. She lives in a Boston suburb with her husband, a former firefighter/EMT who is now an ER nurse, and their three children—two teenagers and one young “bonus” child. Together, they share a life grounded in the sacraments and animated by service, family, and faith. In her free time, Caroline enjoys martial arts with two of her children, watching hockey games featuring her husband or son, and unplugging with her family on mountain getaways in the great outdoors.