Meet the Youth & Young Adult Apostolates’ Team
Our team includes the Director of Ministries to Youth, Young Adults & Young Families, the Coordinator of Youth Ministry, a Program Assistant, and volunteer leaders who make up the Youth and Young Adult Core Teams. Together, we coordinate events, lead small groups, and provide mentorship—fostering intentional discipleship through formation, service, fellowship, and worship within the parish community.
Click on the titles below to see each staff member’s photo, bio, fun facts, and why they do ministry — and follow the buttons at the bottom to meet our Youth Core Team and Young Adult Core Team.
Mariane Staron
About Me
- Hometown: Indaiatuba, São Paulo, Brazil
- Birthdate: August 6th
- Education: Franciscan University of Steubenville, MA. in Catechetics and Evangelization; George Mason University, B.A. Global Affairs, concentration in Global Governance; Franciscan University of Steubenville, Certification in the Apostolate of Catholic Youth Ministry.
- Active in ministry since: 2013
- Working at the Basilica of Saint Mary since: July 2017
- Fun fact: Since my parents aren’t Catholic, I was baptized when I was 5 years old and remember it!
Favorites
- Favorite Food: Brazilian Barbecue (Churrasco) & Chocolate
- Favorite Band: Ed Sheeran
- Favorite Pastime: Reading & Watching Netflix or Amazon Prime
- Favorite Saints: St. Rita of Cascia & St. Thérèse of Lisieux
- Favorite Book: My Sisters The Saints by Colleen Carroll Campbell & Harry Potter: The Half-Blood Prince
Why I work with youth & young adults
My journey in ministry began through Catholic Campus Ministry at George Mason University, where I first felt called to serve. Through leading Bible studies and organizing events, I grew in my own faith and discovered a deep desire to help others do the same.
After college, I worked in the secular world, gaining valuable professional and life experience. But it was through volunteering at the Basilica of Saint Mary that I felt a stronger call to full-time ministry. Since 2017, I’ve had the joy of serving in various roles, walking with youth and young adults as they encounter Christ and grow as disciples.
I’m blessed to serve not only youth and young adults but also young families. Even more, I have the incredible honor of doing so in my own parish community, where I have been a parishioner since 2015. My hope is to create a welcoming space where individuals and families can deepen their faith, build community, and grow in their love for Christ and His Church. Whether through discipleship programs, marriage preparation, or family ministries, my goal is to support and encourage those striving to live their Catholic faith fully.
It is a privilege to serve this parish, and I am grateful for the opportunity to journey alongside so many wonderful people in faith.
Basia Soutsos
About me
- Hometown: Brookeville, MD
- Birthdate: November 11th
- Education: Bachelor’s in English Language and Literature from Christendom College; Master’s (in progress) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University
- Active in ministry since: May 2025
- Working at the Basilica of Saint Mary since: May 2025
- Fun fact: My real name is Barbara. “Basia” is a Polish diminutive/nickname and was my grandmother’s name as well!
Favorites
- Favorite Food: French fries
- Favorite Artist: Ed Sheeran (I promise I am not copying Mariane lol – I’ve been a fan for a solid decade)
- Favorite Pastimes: Crossfit, Irish dancing, spending time with my husband and my family
- Favorite Saint: St. Therese + co. (ask me about my saint squad)
- Favorite Books: So many! Here are a few:
- Spiritual: 33 days to Merciful Love (Fr. Michael Gaitley)
- Mental health: A Mindful Catholic (Dr. Gregory Bottaro)
- Novels/Classics: Brideshead Revisited (Evelyn Waugh), Til We Have Faces (C.S. Lewis), Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)
Why I work with youth & young adults
Though I am new to ministry, I have worked closely with high school and college students for many years through my Admissions role at Christendom College. Pope Leo has said ‘Young people of our time, like those of every age, are a volcano of life, energy, sentiments and ideas.” (Address to Christian Brothers, 2025) I think this image perfectly describes the unique way young people can live a life with Christ and share him with the world. My desire is for every young person to encounter Christ on a personal level through the sacraments, prayer, and community, and to experience His transformative healing and love.
I have been amazed by the healing Christ has accomplished in my own life and is still accomplishing. As a teenager, I experienced severe anxiety and OCD which left me with no other option except to cling to God in a new and vulnerable way. Through God’s mercy and provision in my life, this experience became an immense source of grace and healing and inspired me to become a licensed professional counselor.
Now, I am so excited to be working at the Basilica as the Program Assistant for Youth, Young Adults, and Young Families! I am eager to bring my witness and gifts to support the spiritual life, relationships, and well-being of the youth and my fellow young adults here at the Basilica. Ministry here can help connect us to God, ourselves, and others, and enable us to live with passion and joy!
COMING SOON
