Our Mission
Family Renewal Project was established in 2016 to help “restore the family and renew the culture by educating and forming men and women to understand, embrace, and live authentic love and responsibility.” We strive to connect persons of all ages with the message of Theology of the Body through various programming and events.
Formation Team
Cathy Blandford
TOB Educator
Cathy is a mother of five children (all boys) and the grandmother of nine beautiful grandchildren. She was a stay-at-home mom and ‘consummate church volunteer’ until her youngest son went to school.
Cathy formally began parish work in 1992 at St. Martha parish, where her children went to school. Later she served as Pastoral Associate at St. Francis Xavier (Mt. Washington) and All Saints (Taylorsville); her last 9 years she served as Pastoral Associate at St. Peter the Apostle. She retired on December 31, 2017.
She completed a two-year Ministry Formation Program and was commissioned by Archbishop Kelly as a lay minister in 1993. She received certification in Ministry Studies at Spalding University’s Russell Institute of Religion and Ministry, in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Louisville, in 1996. In 2001, Cathy was awarded Master Catechist certification for the Archdiocese of Louisville.
Cathy has a long-standing devotion to St. John Paul II. From the moment in 2012 when Archbishop Kurtz and Leisa Shulz, our superintendent of schools announced that Theology of the Body would be incorporated into the middle school classrooms in the Archdiocese Cathy became an avid student of these beautiful teachings.
Along with many books, videos, and seminars, she has attended two of the 30-hour graduate level immersion courses at the Theology of the Body Institute. In 2014 she began teaching Theology of the Body at her local parish with over 200 people participating in various courses.
Cathy is devoted to spreading these beautiful teachings and generous beyond measure with her time and talent.
Elina Holland
Mental Health Educator
In 2014, Elina graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Psychology and minors in Neuroscience & Business. After college Elina attended the Institute for the Psychological Sciences (IPS) at Divine Mercy University. IPS is a graduate school devoted to educating and training psychologists in a curriculum that is firmly rooted in the integration of Catholic anthropology and psychological science. Elina graduated in 2016 with her masters in Clinical Psychology.
Elina is a vibrant young woman with a heart for Christ and His Church and a passion for helping others. She has experience as a mental health counselor and a substance abuse counselor helping adults, adolescents, and children deal with a range of mental health issues such as addiction, depression, anxiety, parenting, case management, homelessness and transitioning from homelessness, PTSD, and emotion management and regulation. The special training she received from IPS coupled with her work at Catholic organizations allows her to effectively integrate psychological science with Catholic anthropology. Elina is dedicated to treating and teaching about mental health, especially as it relates to Catholic truth.
Elina and her husband, Jonathon, have 3 beautiful children.
Elina also serves as our in-office Therapist.
Please visit the Psychological Services page for more information.
John Sohl
TOB Educator
John is a graduate of Western Kentucky University who loves hunting, fishing, hiking, theater, videography and after a long hiatus since playing D1 baseball, he returned to the field this summer in a young adult league!
After discerning the call to the priesthood, John transitioned from seminary to the role of discipleship leader in the Archdiocese of Louisville. Some may say “youth minister,” but after five years of dedication to youth, John realized that if he’s really doing his job, he’s developing disciples. (Those who know him can attest that he’s “really doing his job.”)
John has attended & led pilgrimages to the last 4 World Youth Days: Madrid, Spain, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Kraków, Poland, Panama City, Panamá.
John serves as the only male chastity instructor in the Archdiocese of Louisville. Every school year he & one of his female counterparts teach a multi-day course at over 40 schools (Catholic, private, and public).
John has completed (8) of the 30-hour graduate level immersion courses at the Theology of the Body Institute. After completion of his practicum this Spring, John will be the first person in the Archdiocese of Louisville to receive his Master’s Certification in Theology of the Body from the TOB Institute … a major accomplishment!
In October 2019, John married his sweetheart, Crystal! They attended their first TOB immersion course together in the Fall of 2019 and are now leading intro sessions for couples.
Founders & Leadership Team
Donna Burry
Garry Burry
Jan Ford
Susan Gendron
Very Rev. Martin Linebach
Madonna Stinson
“Discover Your Story”
Live the adventure you were made for! God has a plan for your life and calls you to live it to the fullest! We want to help you discover the story He’s writing.
Family Renewal Project provides a space to:
(1) Build authentic relationships.
(2) Serve with a purpose.
(3) Learn the truth of who they are and the love they were made for.
Family Renewal Project was established in 2016 to help “restore the family and renew the culture by educating and forming men and women to understand, embrace, and live authentic love and responsibility.” We strive to connect persons of all ages with the message of Theology of the Body through various programming and events.
Donate Now
Contact Us
Call: 502.303.1996
Email: info@familyrenewalproject.com
Louisville, KY