Paul Canavese - Director
Paul has his MTS from the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley. He has served in a wide range of parish ministries, most recently as a pastoral consultant at St. Augustine in Oakland, CA. He is a frequent conference speaker and directs GospelLiving.org (focused on "intentional daily life Catholicism") and GrowingUpCatholic.com (focused on coaching parents). Paul also has 20 years of software development experience with technology startups.
Ann Naffziger - Associate Director
Ann has her MDiv from the Jesuit School of Theology and MA in Biblical Languages from the Graduate Theological Union, both in Berkeley. Ann has worked in a variety of parish roles, as well as a hospital chaplain, spiritual director, scripture instructor, and lecturer at the Jesuit School of Theology at Santa Clara University. She has written articles in the field of spirituality and scripture for America, BustedHalo.com, Commonweal, The National Catholic Reporter, Spiritual Life: A Journal of Contemplative Spirituality, and other publications. She is also a Master Gardener and girls' softball coach.
Paul & Ann married in 2004, when they committed to a common rule of life. They live in Alameda, California with their daughters Madeleine & Rachel, and five chickens. Their family operates their mini-urban farm, loves to bike around town, and find creative ways to build community in their neighborhood. They do their best to navigate parenthood based on Gospel values.
Bill Huebsch - Founder & Director Emeritus
Bill founded The Pastoral Center and continues to serve as a senior advisor, although he has retired from day-to-day operations. He holds a Masters in Theology from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. He worked as diocesan administrator for many years in Minnesota, principally in the Diocese of New Ulm where he served with Bishop Ray Lucker. He later served as DRE in a suburban Minneapolis parish. He has worked in Catholic publishing for many years and served as the President and Publisher at Twenty-Third Publications. He is a popular speaker and has many published works, including, Grace: God’s Greatest Gift, Vatican II in Plain English, and Our Catholic Life. He is a lecturer at Loyola Marymount University's Center for Religion and Spirituality and an adjunct faculty member of Loyola University Chicago's Institute of Pastoral Studies. Bill is now spending more time tending his garden, reacquainting himself with his piano, and volunteering with Common Hope.
Leisa Anslinger - Advisor and Speaker
Leisa has a long history with the pastoral center, and has especially helped us create new ways to engage parents in the parish. Leisa is a pastoral minister, author, and national leader on matters related to coaching parents, engaging folks who are absent, and keeping faith central in daily life. She conducted an international survey of adult Catholic spiritual needs. Leisa has the gift of "pastoral insight" drawing on her many years in parish ministry. She is also the co-director of Catholic Life & Faith. To connect with Leisa's newest project for parish leaders, visit Bridge2Faith.net.
Our Team of Authors
This resources and coaching on this website are provided by a team of Catholic pastoral ministers including those listed above, Art Zannoni, Anne Neuberger, Kathy Coffey, Mary Birmingham, Diana Macalintal, Nick Wagner, Sue Provost, Beth Belcher, Janet Schaeffler, OP, Patricia M. McCormack, IHM, David Knight, various diocesan offices, and pastoral ministers like you.
The Pastoral Center is fortunate to have an amazing community of authors who work with us to create an excellent offering of practical pastoral resources. We are grateful for their contributions and the vast experience they are willing to share as part of our common ministry.