About Catholic Strategies
Catholic Strategies is a FAITH Catholic service to help dioceses and Catholic organizations assess their current status, create integrated strategic plans, train and support staff, and develop response assets. Services are provided by a group of seasoned Catholic communicators who work with FAITH Catholic to assist the Church in the midst of a crisis.
FAITH Catholic is the nation's largest publisher of Catholic magazines, serving more than 50 dioceses and Catholic organizations. We also offer a full array of integrated marketing, web and digital services. FAITH was founded in 2000 by the Diocese of Lansing with a mission to connect people with Jesus and his Church.
FAITH Catholic is the nation's largest publisher of Catholic magazines, serving more than 50 dioceses and Catholic organizations. We also offer a full array of integrated marketing, web and digital services. FAITH was founded in 2000 by the Diocese of Lansing with a mission to connect people with Jesus and his Church.
Consultant Bios
Patrick M. O'Brien
Patrick is founding President and CEO of FAITH Catholic, America's largest Catholic magazine publishing company. From one magazine that reached 80,000 homes in 2000 to what is now a multimedia company that produces 57 print periodicals, 55 digital publications, 35 websites, a weekly television broadcast and 80 products reaching an audience of more than 4 million. He expanded FAITH Catholic's services for dioceses and Catholic organizations to include Catholic Strategies, integrated marketing, and website design. Patrick has served as the head of communications, marketing and technology for the Diocese of Lansing. He advises bishops, dioceses, Catholic organizations and seminaries across the country on their communications. Prior to forming FAITH Catholic, Patrick worked in advertising serving clients such as Case, Caterpillar, Pfizer, Rhone Poulenc and Lincoln Mercury. He graduated from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit with a BFA in 1993 and completed two years of graduate work at the University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein Seminary.
Patrick is founding President and CEO of FAITH Catholic, America's largest Catholic magazine publishing company. From one magazine that reached 80,000 homes in 2000 to what is now a multimedia company that produces 57 print periodicals, 55 digital publications, 35 websites, a weekly television broadcast and 80 products reaching an audience of more than 4 million. He expanded FAITH Catholic's services for dioceses and Catholic organizations to include Catholic Strategies, integrated marketing, and website design. Patrick has served as the head of communications, marketing and technology for the Diocese of Lansing. He advises bishops, dioceses, Catholic organizations and seminaries across the country on their communications. Prior to forming FAITH Catholic, Patrick worked in advertising serving clients such as Case, Caterpillar, Pfizer, Rhone Poulenc and Lincoln Mercury. He graduated from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit with a BFA in 1993 and completed two years of graduate work at the University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein Seminary.
Elizabeth Solsburg
Prior to joining FAITH magazine in the Diocese of Lansing as assistant editor, Elizabeth worked in a parish as its director of religious education and procurator/advocate. As FAITH grew from publishing one magazine to more than 50, Elizabeth became the editorial director and, in 2014, she was named FAITH Catholic’s first corporate vice president. On a daily basis, Elizabeth works with dioceses to help them plan and create content to achieve their goals. Elizabeth received a BA from the University of Michigan, and a Master’s degree from Loyola University in New Orleans. She completed additional studies in graduate theology at St. John Provincial Seminary in Plymouth, Michigan. 
Katie Pesha
A strategic marketing and communications consultant, Katie is the former Executive Director of Communications and Planning for the Archdiocese of St. Louis. In her role as the Executive Director, Katie prepared and initiated an archdiocesan crisis communications plan and oversaw a variety of local Church crises affecting a range of archdiocesan entities. She streamlined communications for the local Church and functioned as lead spokesperson. As a member of the largest Catholic parish in Missouri, Katie initiated and presently oversees the communications committee for St. Joseph Parish, Cottleville, and serves as the President of the School Advisory Board (2018-19). Katie is an adjunct business instructor for several local colleges and universities. She holds an MBA from Webster University and a BS in Business Management from Quincy University. |
Marybeth Hicks
Marybeth joined FAITH Catholic in 2015 to lead the Integrated Marketing service for FAITH Catholic. Previously, Marybeth was a columnist for a major metropolitan daily newspaper, an author of four titles, a national speaker and a freelance marketing consultant. Prior to joining the company, Marybeth was a frequent contributor to FAITH magazine and also led the company’s long-term strategic planning process. Starting her career as a writer and communicator in the Reagan White House, Marybeth later was a marketing communications specialist in the educational, healthcare and corporate sectors. Marybeth holds a BA in English from Michigan State University. 
Michael Jones
Mike has spent 12 years helping to grow FAITH Catholic’s technology and digital services departments, beginning in 2006 as an information technology specialist and culminating in his 2017 appointment as Director of Technology and Digital Media. Mike serves FAITH clients with custom websites and structured data applications, digital publishing and client-facing content management solutions. A graduate of Michigan State University, Mike studied Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media, and Technology Management. |
Anne-Marie Welsh
In addition to her work as director of public relations for Penn State’s Behrend College, Anne-Marie Welsh has spent 25 years working for diocesan or Church-related institutions. She has overseen the communications needs of the Diocese of Erie, collaborating with senior administrators since 2004. Her most recent experience includes managing internal and external communications during the 40th statewide Grand Jury investigation of the dioceses of Pennsylvania. Her primary focus has been writing, public relations and strategic planning. 
Ann Jacob
Ann joined FAITH Catholic in 2013 to manage the publication of FAITH Catholic’s flagship publication, the Diocese of Lansing’s FAITH Magazine. She also is responsible for editing the company’s two longtime products for parishes and priests, Daily Homilies and Daily Universal Prayer and Commentary. Formerly a senior editor at Public Sector Consultants, Ann maintained a longtime freelance editing practice and was a contributor to FAITH Magazine since 2005. Ann holds a BA in History from the University of Notre Dame. |
