Meet Our Catechists and Faith Formation Team

Diana is the Coordinator for Faith Formation at St. Benedict's, assisting Deacon Anthony with the Traditional and Summer Academy programs and coordinating First Penance and First Holy Communion formation. For many years she volunteered as a catechist at her parish, St. Thomas More, and she currently teaches OCIA. Diana has been married 41 years to her husband, Ciro, lives in Manalapan, and is blessed with four children and six grandchildren.

I was born in Jersey City. My husband and I moved to Hazlet in 1985 where we raised our son and daughter. I began teaching Religious Education at Holy Family parish in 1991, where I currently teach 6th and 7th grade. I added 2nd grade at St. Benedict as well as teaching with the Holy Innocents Society. I thank God every day for the opportunity to share the knowledge and faith I have. I have 4 beautiful grandchildren that I am blessed to spend much time with. I had a lengthy career in customer service and management but am now best known as the crossing guard at Raritan Valley School.

My husband and I have been parishioners of St. Benedict Church for nearly 23 years. I have been a Catechist for 10 years, teaching both TRE and Summer Academy. This year, I am excited to transition from 1st to 3rd grade during the TRE year. I enjoy engaging the children while learning more about God's love for us and expanding their knowledge of our faith. I am a mom to a 19 year old daughter who attends Villanova University and 16 year old boy/girl twins who are HS juniors. In my spare time, I enjoy spending quality time with my close knit family and friends.

Life long educator and learner. Married 51 years. Love traveling with my husband Tom. Enjoy family time with my children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Always find comfort in church. Mass is an important part of my life. Look forward to spending time with the young people of Saint Benedict's.

I have been a high school teacher for 12 years and am passionate about supporting students both academically and personally. I am a recipient of Pear Deck's Compassionate Counselor Award, a 2026-2027 LifeChanger of the Year nominee, and have presented on mental health in the classroom at a national teaching conference. I earned my B.A. from Rutgers University and my M.A. from Villanova University, and I have been a parishioner at St. Ben's for the past four years. I am also involved in local Young Adult programs and am grateful for the opportunity to serve our parish community as a catechist.

I teach Religion and Financial Literacy to our middle school students here at St. Benedict's, and I feel truly blessed to be part of this school community. I'm married to my husband, Sean, and we have two children, Madison and Russell, who also attend St. Benedict's, and a dog named Murphy. As a certified catechist and active parishioner, I continue to grow in my faith through Bible study and involvement in my parish. My mission is to share the Word of the Lord with my students and help them grow in their faith, knowledge, and love of others.

Tim serves as Coordinator for Youth and Young Adult Ministry at St. Benedict's. He was an OCIA instructor in college and returned to that ministry at St. Benedict's in 2023. He was Director for Teen Volunteers at Summer Academy 2026. Tim has been a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1994, served as Grand Knight of St. Benedict Council in 2010-11, and was president of the Monmouth County Chapter in 2016-17.

Deacon Anthony serves as a Permanent Deacon at St. Benedict Church and School, where he is Director of Faith Formation and teaches middle school religion. He holds a Master of Arts degree and is an Adjunct Professor in the Diocese of Trenton's Deacon Formation Program through Seton Hall University's Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology. He also serves on the board of embrella, a New Jersey nonprofit supporting foster, adoptive, and kinship families. He is married to Annie and they have two teenagers, Brendan and Lily. For nearly twenty years he has made an annual silent retreat at St. Joseph's Abbey, a Trappist monastery in Spencer, Massachusetts.