Welcome to the Maryland Catholic Women’s Conference!

Sr. Mary Michael Fox, OP 

Has been a member of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia (Nashville) for over 35 years. During that time, she has been blessed to teach all ages from 3 to 93. She received a Master of Arts degree in Education from Northwestern State University and a Master of Arts degree in Theology with a Specialization in Catechetics from Franciscan University. Sister conducted research in the field of catechetics at the Maryvale Institute of Birmingham, England and holds a PhD through Liverpool-Hope University in Liverpool, England. She has published articles in the Sower, The Catechetical Review, and Catechist Magazine. Sister Mary Michael serves as a catechetical consultant and is a popular speaker at evangelization and catechetical conferences. Her book, Following God’s Pedagogy: Principles for Children’s Catechesis explores the genius of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd approach drawing particular attention to how it responds to the Church’s call for an evangelizing education in the Faith (DC, 179).

Dr. John-Mark Miravalle

Dr. John-Mark Miravalle received his doctorate in theology from the Regina Apostolorum in Rome. He is currently Professor of Systematic and Moral Theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD, as well as coordinator of the Philosophy Program. He is the author of six books and has publicly debated noted atheists on the topics of God’s Existence, Same-Sex Marriage, and Theistic Morality. He and his wife Jessica have seven children.

Amy Schisler

An award-winning novelist, children’s book author, and spiritual writer, Amy is also a speaker, retreat leader, and pilgrimage coordinator / leader. Amy has published numerous novels, picture books, devotionals, and a Bible study. She spent twenty years leading women's Bible studies before a pilgrimage to the Holy Land changed her life forever and led her to the ministry she runs today. Her mission and passion is helping people deepen their understanding of the faith and form an intimate relationship with Christ.

  Ester Sesmero, Ph.D.  

Dr. Ester Sesmero was born in Spain and answered the Lord’s call to consecrate her life to Him just before beginning college. In 2005, while earning her bachelor’s degree in chemistry at the Autonoma University of Madrid, she joined the Secular Institute of the Crusaders of Mary—a community of lay consecrated women devoted to the formation and education of youth.

Her years in college ministry in the highly secular environment of Madrid deeply shaped her understanding of what it means to live as a joyful, disciple of Jesus Christ. In 2011, she came to the United States to pursue a doctorate in chemistry at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), where her passion for evangelization continued to grow. During her time at UMBC, she led a women’s group within the UMBC Retrievers Catholic Campus Ministry, this groups desire was to grow closer to Jesus and bring others to Him.

Ester’s heart for mentoring and forming young people is evident in her longtime service in youth ministry, including teaching Confirmation preparation at St. Peter’s on Capitol Hill and ministering at the Franciscan University of Steubenville’s Youth Conferences.

After earning her Ph.D. in 2017, Ester went on to teach at several institutions, including Catholic University of America and George Washington University.

Ester is now working in Campus Ministry at Divine Mercy Academy. She loves teaching students to think critically, to ask good questions, and to be in wonder and awe at the gift of Creation.