Meet the Team

Fidelis Sisterhood National Staff

Alyson Borowczyk

Executive Director

Alyson Borowczyk has been blessed to work in Catholic media, pro-life advocacy, and Catholic education since 2015. With a B.A. in History (minors in Political Science and Art History) and an M.A. in History, concentrating on the Church in Early Modern England, both from Buffalo State University, Alyson has always been drawn to stories of faith and resilience.

Her time as the Director of Development and Outreach for a Catholic radio network allowed her to connect with inspiring people and learn how to support mission-driven organizations. In 2019, Alyson left her full time position and started Alyson Kelly Design (now OMNIA Design + Social) to work from home and care for her infant son. What began as a small, heartfelt project has grown into a team effort, helping hundreds of businesses and nonprofits create meaningful digital and print marketing campaigns.

Originally from Buffalo, NY, Alyson now lives in West Virginia with her husband, Aaron, their son, Maximilian, and their dog, Pierogi. In her free time, she enjoys Catholic podcasts, praying with the Ascension App, and reading and listening to books about the faith. She also loves traveling with her family, trying new restaurants, and staying active through running and workouts. Alyson feels incredibly grateful for the opportunities she’s had to serve others through her work while continuing to grow in her faith and vocation.

Please contact alyson@fidelisisterhood.org with any questions.

Mary Paul Forsyth

Inspire Coordinator

Mary Paul Forsyth, a retired mother and grandmother, lives in Charlotte, NC. She joined the St. Mark Fidelis chapter in 2019. Mary Paul graduated from the University of Tennessee and spent most of her professional life in the banking industry in various roles. After the birth of her youngest child, she began a new career as the event manager for MiraVia, a residential maternity and outreach organization. She has been actively volunteering in her diocese for more than 20 years.

For Inspire questions, contact inspire@fidelissisterhood.org.

Carolina Nemo

Operations Coordinator

Born in Portugal and raised in New Jersey, Carolina Nemo has always been passionate about the Catholic faith, learning, and serving others. She earned her B.A. in Classics and General Humanities from Montclair State University (minored in Latin and Archaeology) and received her M.A. in Theology (concentration in Moral Theology) at Seton Hall University.

For many years, Carolina devoted her time tending to the spiritual needs of youth and young adults in both school and parish communities throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In recent years, she transitioned from direct ministry into administrative roles within Church and Nonprofit settings.

Carolina now lives in Pennsylvania with her loving husband, Jonathan, and their two beautiful children, Henry and Cecilia. She is an active parishioner at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Byzantine Catholic Church in Levittown, PA. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, painting, watching baking shows, and learning the ukulele.

For general questions, contact carolina@fidelissisterhood.org.

Board of Directors

Patti dEFFENDALL

Chair

Patti graduated from Vanderbilt University. She completed a Master's in Linguistics from LSU and a Master's in Moral Theology from Holy Apostles College and Seminary in 2020. She initiated both the Fraternus Chapter and the Fidelis Chapter at her parish, Our Lady of the Lake in Hendersonville, TN. She is a mother of 2 and has been married to Mark since 1983. She is an original member of the Fidelis National Board.

Dianne Rider

Board Member

Dianne and her husband Tom are members of St. Mark in Huntersville, NC. They have been involved in youth ministry since the inception of the parish. Dianne helped establish the St. Mark Fidelis chapter in 2015 and served as the first Lead Lady. Fidelis is at the very heart of her current service to her parish and community. She stepped out in faith and has never looked back.

Priscilla MckINNEY

Board Member

Priscilla was born and raised in Southern California. She joined the Navy right after high school where she worked as a Nuclear Reactor Operator and experienced a life changing deployment that catapulted her faith life. In 2008, she was honorably discharged from the military and began pursuing a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from the University of Dallas, as well as a Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies from the Center of Ministry Development. In 2012, she was introduced to Fraternus and had the pleasure of helping to pilot one of the very first Fidelis Chapters at Our Lady Star of the Sea in Bremerton, WA that same year. In 2018, Priscilla was hired as the Executive Director of Fidelis where she served for over six years laying the foundation for the mission and structure of the organization. Priscilla resides in Knoxville, TN with her husband and 6 children where she homeschools her youngest children and volunteers in her local Fidelis Chapter at Holy Ghost Catholic Church.

Mary Paul Forsyth

Board Member

Mary Paul, a retired mother and grandmother, lives in Charlotte, NC. She joined the St. Mark Fidelis chapter in 2019. Mary Paul graduated from the University of Tennessee and spent most of her professional life in the banking industry in various roles. After the birth of her youngest child, she began a new career as the event manager for MiraVia, a residential maternity and outreach organization. She has been actively volunteering in her diocese for more than 20 years.

Jason Craig

Board Member

Jason is one of the founding members of Fraternus. He has a masters degree in Theology and Evangelization from the Augustine Institute and continues his studies and work from a small farm in rural NC. His writings on culture, masculinity, and mentoring have appeared on numerous sites like New Advent, Catholic Exchange, and Those Catholic Men, and he is working on a book on rites of passage for Catholic boys.

Guest Writers

Jessamyn Anderson Frain

Lucy Fernandes

Miriam Barry

Laurie Barclay

Mary Margaret Lewis

Catherine Wright

Michaela Ziegler

Kate Kirstein

Frances Liberto

Our Chaplain

Fr. Joshua Johnson

Father Joshua Johnson is priest of the Ordinariate Chair of St. Peter. He serves as the Parish Priest at St. Edmund Campion Catholic Church in Flat Rock, NC. Previous to becoming Catholic, he was a United Methodist Minister. Married with six children, he received special permission from the the Vatican to be ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood as a married man. Before entering priestly formation, Fr. Joshua Johnson worked for Fraternus, assisted in the founding of Fidelis and worked in Catholic parishes.