Maureen Orkwis, M.A.

Born in Flushing, New York, Maureen moved with her family to St. Petersburg, Florida, in 1971. In February 1988, she relocated to Dunnellon—during what turned out to be one of the coldest winters in Florida history!

In the early 1990s, Maureen and her friend Robin Liss began working with the high school and middle school youth of St. John the Baptist Parish, founding the Teens in Christ (T.I.C.) Youth Group. Together, they led mission trips to Mexico, Jamaica, and Belize, where teams of teens and adult volunteers taught Vacation Bible School and completed building projects for impoverished communities. All funds for these missions were raised by the group.

Maureen joined the staff of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in August 2004. She holds a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Theology, which prepares lay ministers to assist clergy in their pastoral work, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Church Leadership, with a focus on parish and financial growth, as well as the administration of large parish communities. She also completed coursework in liturgy through the Catholic University of America.

In addition, Maureen is a certified Director of Youth Ministry through the Diocese of Orlando and holds a National Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies from The Center for Youth Ministry Development, a two-year professional formation program.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus… Hebrews 12:1-2a.