Meet the Youth & Young Adult Apostolates’ Team
Director of Youth & Young Adults
Mariane Staron
About Me
Hometown: Indaiatuba, São Paulo, Brazil
Birthdate: August 6th
Education: George Mason University, B.A. Global Affairs, concentration in Global Governance; Minors in Latin American Studies & Conflict Analysis and Resolution; Franciscan University of Steubenville, Certification in the Apostolate of Catholic Youth Ministry; Franciscan University of Steubenville, Master of Arts in Catechetics and Evangelization (expected May 2023).
Active in ministry since: 2013
In this current position since: July 2017
Fun fact: Since my parents aren’t Catholic, I was baptized when I was 5 years old. I remember getting my hair curled, wearing a pretty colorful dress, and the excitement of joining the Catholic family!
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
I was first called to minister to the youth through the Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM) at George Mason University. As a part of CCM, I took on a variety of roles, including social events coordinator and Bible study leader. That time at Mason helped me to grow stronger in my relationship with the Lord and to learn more deeply about the faith.
Following graduation, I went on to work in the secular world, where I gained invaluable professional and life experience. Eventually, however, through volunteering as a parishioner with the Basilica of Saint Mary’s Youth Apostolate, I felt the call to serve full-time within the Church. It is a privilege to share my testimony, the faith, and most importantly Christ’s love. I am incredibly blessed for the opportunity to serve the parish community in this role!
Program Assistant
Mariama Roldan
About Me
Hometown: Springfield, Vermont
Birthdate: August 24th
Education: University of Vermont, B.A. Psychology, Minor in Dance.
Active in Ministry since: 2015
In this current position since: September 2022
Fun Fact: I once was asked to be an extra on a TV show while I was in college but I turned them down because I had to go to dance class!
Favorites
Favorite Food: Spaghetti and Meatballs
Favorite Band: JohnnySwim
Favorite Pastime: Grabbing Coffee with Friends
Favorite Saints: St. Josephine Bakhita, St. Teresa of Avila, and St. Faustina
Favorite Book: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Why I work with youth and young adults
When I was in college, I experienced a deep transformation in my faith that completely changed my life. It was then that my Catholic faith became more than a set of rules and regulations and all about relationship with God the Father. This experience let me to give my life to Christ in a profound way post-college; first as a FOCUS missionary and then as a campus minister. From my own time as a young teen and adult and through working with college students I realized the need for people to share the Gospel and reach out to young people who are thirsting for true love – a thirst only quenched by the Love of God. All of this has led me to Saint Mary’s Basilica, working with the youth and assisting the young adults in their programming. I am honored to walk with the young people of this parish through this time in their lives and hope to help foster in them a deeper relationship with the God Who Loves them. All that we receive in this life is a gift and I feel blessed to be entrusted with the hearts and souls of the young people of Saint Mary’s.