MOST REVEREND J. MARK SPALDING

Bishop Spalding was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Louisville on August 3, 1991, by Archbishop Thomas C. Kelly, O.P. After ordination, he continued graduate studies at Louvain, earning his Licentiate in Canon Law in 1992. He returned to the Archdiocese in 1992 and served as associate pastor of the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral from 1992 to 1996. He was appointed part-time judge for the Metropolitan Tribunal in 1993, Adjutant Judicial Vicar in 1995, and Judicial Vicar and Director of the Metropolitan Tribunal from 1998 to 2011. 

From 1996 to 1998, Bishop Spalding was associate pastor of St. Augustine Church in Lebanon, Kentucky, and from 1998 to 1999, he served as a part-time associate pastor at St. Margaret Mary Church in Louisville. While continuing to serve as Judicial Vicar, Bishop Spalding was appointed pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in La Grange, Kentucky in 1999 and served there until 2011. Appointed Vicar General by Archbishop Joseph Kurtz in 2011, Bishop Spalding was also named pastor of Holy Trinity Church in Louisville that year. In 2016, Bishop Spalding was appointed pastor of Holy Name Church while continuing as pastor of Holy Trinity Church.

Bishop Spalding served on the College of Consultors, the Priests’ Council, the Archdiocesan Planning Commission, the Development Council for the Archdiocese, and the Catholic Services Appeal Pastors’ Committee. Other assignments included serving as presbyteral moderator at two parishes as well as filling the role as priest-chaplain at Bethlehem High School from 1992 to 1996, and at Sacred Heart Academy in Louisville from 2011 to 2017.

His appointment as the 12th Bishop of Nashville by Pope Francis was announced on November 21, 2017. His episcopal ordination and installation as the Bishop of Nashville was on February 2, 2018.

Bishop J. Mark Spalding, the oldest of three children, was born on January 13, 1965, in Lebanon, Kentucky, and was baptized at Holy Trinity Church in Fredericktown, Kentucky. His mother Mary Aileen Thompson grew up on a farm in Marion County and his father Joseph Lawrence Spalding was raised on a farm in Washington County. After their marriage, the Spaldings raised their children on a family farm in Washington County. Father Spalding attended Fredericktown Elementary School and Bethlehem High School in Bardstown.

After graduating in 1983 from Bethlehem High School, Bishop Spalding attended college at Saint Meinrad Seminary, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in history in 1987. He attended major seminary at the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium where he earned an M.A. and an S.T.B. in Religious Studies in 1990.

Maggie Craig

Full-time Catholic speaker Maggie Craig was born in New Jersey, raised in Ohio, and currently resides in Southern California. Equipped with an M.A. in Theology, a B.A. in Catechetics, and a gift for humor and storytelling, Maggie travels the world as a speaker and retreat leader. She enjoys watching NBA basketball, climbing mountains, and consuming breakfast burritos.

Joe Melendrez

Joe Melendrez is a Catholic speaker and performer who makes faith REAL and RELATABLE. Joe shares the gospel in may unique ways from turning a year of free Chipotle into a burrito ministry, to creating a faith-based clothing line (God Swagg Apparel). He has an electric ministry and has presented at churches, schools, festivals and conferences worldwide!  He has released five studio albums including his latest PRAISESHIP! Joe currently resides in Los Angeles, California with his wife Noelle, daughters Antoinette and Georgette, and son Anthony.

Thomas Muglia

Thomas is a singer/songwriter and worship leader from Glendale, Arizona, inspired by the story of humanity, God’s redemption, and the ability to create new things.

Under his dad’s leadership in the church, he began making music from a young age. Thomas graduated from Arizona State University, where he spent most of his time at ASU’s Catholic Newman Center, leading students in music at Masses, worship nights, and community outreach events. Through his time in campus ministry, he's discovered a passion for honest songwriting and music that speaks to the heart. Thomas continues to write and release music while working as the Director of the Young Adult and Youth Ministry at St. Thomas More Catholic Church.

Oscar Rivera

Oscar Rivera, was raised in the inner city of Waterbury, Connecticut, and was taught at an early age how to be a survivor. His method of avoiding the streets and its promises became the art of Hip Hop. Oscar's energy and passion for the faith makes his approach inspirational and real-to-life. Oscar is a Franciscan University Alumni ('10), and earned his Masters of Arts in Theology with Saint Leo University ('15). He takes his knowledge of the faith and inspires the youth and young adults of today's culture through his music, talks, retreats, and personal testimony. He brings a message of hope in times of despair, love during times of hate, and faithfully following God no matter the obstacles. His life has been devoted to the New Evangelization of the Gospel and his upbeat contemporary approach to the Good News has made the message easy to understand, follow, and relate to. Christianity is not boring, and Oscar does not intend to be either.