The Focus
The focus of the Communio retreat is redemptive suffering. Through encountering Christ in Scripture & the Sacraments, participants will enter into a movement of life, of giving to Jesus and receiving from Him, in which they offer the sufferings inherent in their struggle in union with the sufferings of Christ and become receptive to the graces God will permit them to receive as a result of their offering. Ultimately, that their whole lives will become a total gift of self to the Lord, the only one who can turn suffering and disorder into grace.
The Format
Communio will not be a “preached” retreat. Rather, it is a series of Lectio Divina’s and group sharings inviting participants to be active members in the gospel story. Through the meditations, participants will have the opportunity to internalize the movement of giving of self, especially their sufferings and struggles, to Christ and becoming receptive to His grace.
Meet The Team
Jennifer Prather, MATS
Founder of Image and Gift Ministries
Inside Team, Facilitator
Jennifer is a daughter of God, wife, teacher, founder of Image & Gift Ministries & instructor for Image & Gift. She has 20+ years of experience teaching Theology. She graduated summa cum laude from Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans with her masters in Theological Studies. She teaches Theology of the Body at high school, parish, Dioceasan, undergraduate and international levels. She and her husband reside in Denham Springs, Lousiana.
Nathan Maranto, MSW, LCSW
Inside Team
My name is Nathan Maranto. I am a parishioner at Christ the King Parish at LSU. I graduated from LSU in 2017 with my Master of Social Work and I’ve been working in a private practice in the Baton Rouge area since 2021. My work is trauma informed and growth oriented and I believe in the healing power of knowing, understanding, and accepting our stories.
Rachael Johnson
Graduate Student
Inside Team
Rachael is currently a student at Divine Mercy University where she is Pursuing a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Rachael has volunteered with ECHO Community in a wide variety of ways since 2018 and is currently serving with ECHO as an Intern. Through involvement with ECHO as well as her own reading, Rachael has been marinating in the teachings of John Paul II's Theology of the Body for the past six years. Rachael is passionate about her future career as a counselor, encountering Jesus in the Eucharist, fresh air, coffee, and campfire conversations.
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Sarah Fox
Social Media Cooridinator, Image and Gift Ministries
Outside Team
​Sarah is a daughter of God, a wife, and mother. She creates the content for all of Image and Gift's social media accounts, leads live events for social media accounts and helps out on the website. Sarah was trained by NET Ministries and Echo in presenting and in Theology of the Body. She is available for speaking engagements at the middle school level through Image and Gift. She and her family reside in Denham Springs, Louisiana. Her motto, received in prayer, is to "Cultivate Beauty."
Emily LaRue
Outside Team
Emily is a parishoner at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Denham Springs. She is a proud homeschool graduate and a graduate of the United States Sports Academy in Alabama where she studied Sports Coaching. Golfer, guitar player and singer in her spare time :). She became a Theology of the Body fan by first reading St John Paul the 2nd's Love and Responsibility (he favorite book) and by attending and helping out on multiple ECHO retreats and events. She is excited to be joining this new amazing team at Image and Gift on their outreach mission!
Fr. Joseph Bresowar
Parochial Vicar
Inside Team
​Fr. Joseph is a priest of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, ordained May 2023. Prior to seminary, he studied engineering at LSU, attending St. Joseph Seminary in Covington, LA, and Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans for priestly training. He currently serves as the Parochial Vicar at Immaculate Conception in Denham Springs, LA, under pastor Fr. Matthew Graham. TOB has had a major formative impact on his life and priesthood, and he takes great joy in the opportunity to share it with others.
Dana Turpin
Business Owner
Inside Team
I am currently a real estate agent and our family owns a coffee shop. My favorite job is grandparenting, spreading the love of the Lord and serving in the Legion of Mary doing spiritual works of mercy. I belong to Our Lady of Prompt Succor parish in Sulphur and volunteer in whatever capacity the Lord calls me😊
Naomi Broussard
Musician
Inside Team
Naomi is a true Louisiana cajun. She is a single, consecrated woman, living in the world but not of it. She can play any instrument by ear but, as a music minister serving in The Church for 26 years, guitar and piano are her main instruments for ministry. She is also the head of St. Ignatius Catholic School's choir. In addition to being a singer/songwriter, this Jill of all trades also enjoys poem writing, drawing, carpentry work, welding and others. She has many livestream videos on her Facebook that helps to lift the hearts of others in song and encouragement on our journeys to Heaven. Her ministry, The Visitation Pilgrimage, brings Jesus to others through providing songs for wedding, funerals, conferences and retreats, along with talks upon request.
Kayla Sifuentes
Outside Team
I am a 2019 graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University. I received multiple TOB trainings in 2021 through the Diocese of Baton Rogue and through Dumb Ox ministries. I am currently working as the Secretary at Our Lady of Hope Retreat Center in Chatawa, MS. Me and my husband are parishioners at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Ponchatoula, LA.