Maureen Orkwis, M.A.

Born in Flushing NY, Maureen moved with her family to St. Petersburg, Florida in 1971. She then moved to Dunnellon in February of 1988, which turned out to be one of the coldest winters EVER in Florida. In the early 90s she and her friend Robin Liss began working with the high school youth of SJB parish by establishing the Teens in Christ Youth Group (T.I.C.). Among other activities, three separate mission trips took about 15 teens along with adult volunteers to Mexico, Jamaica, and Belize where vacation bible school was taught along with building projects for the very poor. All funds were raised by the team. Maureen became a paid employee of St John the Baptist in August of 2004.

Maureen has a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Theology. Pastoral theology equips ministers to aid the clergy in their work. Maureen also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Church Leadership, which specializes in parish and financial growth as well as administration of large “mega” churches. She studied liturgy through Catholic University.

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

Born in Flushing NY, Maureen moved with her family to St. Petersburg, Florida in 1971. She then moved to Dunnellon in February of 1988, which turned out to be one of the coldest winters EVER in Florida. In the early 90s she and her friend Robin Liss began working with the high school youth of SJB parish by establishing the Teens in Christ Youth Group (T.I.C.). Among other activities, three separate mission trips took about 15 teens along with adult volunteers to Mexico, Jamaica and Belize where vacation bible school was taught along with building projects for the very poor. All funds were raised by the team. Maureen became a paid employee of St John the Baptist in August of 2004. Maureen has a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Theology. Pastoral theology equips ministers to aid the clergy in their work. Maureen also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Church Leadership, which specializes in parish and financial growth as well as administration of large “mega” churches. She studied liturgy through Catholic University. Maureen is certified as a Director of Youth Ministry through the Diocese of Orlando and has a National Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies from The Center for Youth Ministry Development, a two-year program.