Our current Youth Ministry Team began in 2007. Since that time we have collaborated on nearly 600 retreats for tens of thousands of youth across the Mid-West. Together we share over 40 years of ministry experience. Our Team strives to ensure the highest quality and standard of programs; each retreat is custom designed to meet the unique charism of your school or parish group.
Below you can meet some of our dedicated ministry professionals.
Eric joined the Youth Ministry Team in 2008, and after 10 years is excited to step into his new role as Director. In addition, he also continues to serve as Community Life Coordinator for the Ignite Internship, and is responsible for the Center’s IT needs. Eric is a twice graduate of Xavier University, holding a B.A. in Theology and Religious Education, as well as a Master's in Business Administration. You can contact Eric by email at enichols@jesuitspiritualcenter.com or by phone at (513) 965-6988.
After 13 years of parish youth ministry, Matthew returned to school to complete a degree in Theology and Pastoral Ministry from Brescia University. He now joins our team in an effort to offer the gifts God has given him. As associate director, Matthew shares his talents as a retreat director and developer of speaking ministry. He is also instrumental in the ministerial formation of our interns. You can contact Matthew by email at mlageman@jesuitspiritualcenter.com or by phone at (513) 965-6987.
Our Team also includes talented post-graduate interns (members of our Ignite Community) who assist in facilitating small and large group activities.
Below you can meet this years interns:
Megan Brooks is an Ignite intern from Baltimore, Maryland. Last May, she graduated from Loyola University Maryland with a B.A. in vocal music and a minor in theology. She is passionate about her Catholic faith and encountering God through Ignatian Spirituality. During her time at Loyola, Megan worked in the Loyola office of campus ministry with liturgical, retreat, and music ministries. When she is not working, Megan enjoys singing, swimming, or spending time with family and friends. Megan is excited to be returning for a second year and hopes to grow as a minister and follower of Christ.
Joe is a Cincinnati native and 2016 graduate of Miami University. His first experience at The Jesuit Spiritual Center came volunteering for college Kairos retreats with St. Mary Catholic Campus Ministry in Oxford, Ohio. The Ignite internship is an opportunity to embrace both youth ministry and Ignatian spirituality, two long-held interests. Joe enter's his second year with one more niece than the year before, and hopefully a little more wisdom too.
Klaire Mathews is a graduate of Theology and Religious Studies from John Carroll University, but was born and raised in Columbus, OH. During college, she developed a passion for Campus Ministry, Greek Life, and offering her time to various non profit organizations. In her spare time, she can found updating her personal blog, Irish Dancing, or reading a book she’s most likely already read once or twice. She is very excited to begin her journey at the JSC and to develop the skills that are necessary to be successful in both Ministry or Non profit organizations.
The mental engineer returns for a second year. After an exhilarating year of musical experimentation, Jose has settled on violin playing, and is happily embracing his role as a part of Matt Maher’s tribute band. Ever more the avid learner, attentive listener, and well traveled guy. Jose remains ready and willing to kick back with friends, dine well with family, and above all be a whole person of solidarity for the real world.
Jed was raised the second oldest son of a wonderful Catholic family in Festus, Missouri. His parents Matt and Jennifer put five children through Catholic education from start to finish, which, looking back, has been such a blessing. Sometime around the beginning of High School, he began to fall in love with Our Lord and the richness of His Church. And since then, Jed has been on a beautifully unexpected journey that has brought him here to the Jesuit Spiritual Center. After finishing high school, he became deeply involved in Campus Ministry at Rockhurst University, using his gifts of music and leadership to help bring others to Christ. While there he studied Philosophy, Theology, & English. And while he never imagined being called to a retreat center out in Milford, Ohio, nevertheless, here he is, and for that he is sincerely grateful.
JP was born in Mexico City, Mexico, and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended St. Louis University High school, a Jesuit college-prep school, and graduated from Seton Hall University in 2016 a B.A. in Modern Languages, with additional majors in Philosophy and in Catholic Studies. Youth ministry has been central to his personal and professional formation. He became heavily involved with FOCUS in college, leading Bible studies, teaching at conferences, and even going on a mission trip to Uganda. He loves to learn new things, tinker with puzzles, experiment in cooking, and play music. He is looking forward to deepening his faith at the Jesuit Spiritual Center through Ignatian spirituality and youth ministry.
We provide spiritual formation, retreats, and sacred space for prayer and discernment rooted in the Gospel as expressed in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
The Jesuit Spiritual Center at Milford creates a Christ-centered oasis where people of all walks of life experience a deeper relationship with God.
5361 S. Milford Rd.
Milford, OH 45150
(513) 248-3500
