our mission
Through the patronage of St. John Paul II and with the fidelity for The Magisterium of The Catholic Church, we seek to renew individuals, families, religious, & parishes through projects and initiatives that promote what is true, good, and beautiful.
our History
A group of us came together in 2007 after experiencing a life-changing week at The Theology of the Body Institute. We are a group of men and women with a common denominator: Our lives were transformed upon learning and implementing the teachings of Theology of The Body. In effect, our relationships were transformed, with families strengthened and marriages saved.
Without having a formal organization, we quickly began finding opportunities to share what we learned with others, particularly young adults and engaged couples. We soon became a go-to source for speakers within the Rockford Diocese.
In 2012, we officially became a non-profit organization, with Jack Rigert as the director and primary representative of the mission. Because of the trust and credibility of the organization, Jack has been called into parishes across the USA to present parish missions and address topics of love pertaining to Theology of the Body by St. John Paul II.
We increased our reach with the introduction of a podcast, where thousands of listeners are reached across the globe. With well over 500 episodes produced, and with many of them with a long shelf life, we have built an arsenal of content to help many people who are lost and confused.
We have called on several enthusiastic men and women to assist in the mission in various ways to meet the needs of various audiences.
In the summer of 2024, we hired our first executive director to help us continue the momentum. We hope to create a bigger and even more effective chapter in our short history.
Board of Directors
Jeff Galush
President & Co-founder
Jeff is the co-founder of the John Paul II Renewal Center and is now committed to assisting as the director of pornography awareness: after recently retiring after 44 years of work. He spent the last 27 years at a business which he started. He earned a BS in Civil Engineering from the Univ. of MN and an MBA from St. Louis University. Jeff resides in St. Charles, IL with his wife Kim. They have three children and two grandchildren. He is deeply in love with Jesus Christ and his Holy Catholic Church and hopes to help others find the peace and joy that he has discovered, particularly through the love of Our Blessed Mother.
Jack Rigert
Vice President, Director & Co-founder
Jack is a co-founder of the John Paul II Renewal Center, the host of the "Become Who You Are" podcast, and a writer for several online Catholic outlets. Jack was a professional chef and entrepreneur who owned restaurants, real estate, and a financial service company. Dramatic “encounters” with Jesus Christ at his dying brother’s bedside and again in the Eucharist at his brother’s funeral, brought him back into the Church after a twenty-year absence. While attending graduate school in Theology, Jack came across the teaching of Pope John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body.” He immediately understood that this was the treasure he had been seeking all his life, sold everything, and now devotes his time presenting Parish Missions, Retreats, and Classes. Jack has three grown children and seven grandchildren. He lives in Elburn, Illinois with his wife, Jeannie. Jack is an active member of St. Gall’s Parish, in Elburn, IL.
Patrick Naughton
Treasurer
Patrick is a certified public accountant and certified financial planner and president of Naughton & Co, a private accountant firm located in the western suburbs of Chicago. He’s a graduate of Loyola University Chicago, where he earned a BBA. He has been married to Marilyn for over 39 years and have four children together. Patrick is actively involved in his parish’s TMIY group and RCIA program. He has also served on the board of a Catholic boys high school for 12 years.
Mark Hopkinson
Secretary
Mark Hopkinson spent 26 years as the Chief Financial Officer for Artistic Carton Company. He now works as a financial consultant for various companies and industries. Mark has been active in his parish and the diocese of Rockford. He’s spent 27 years teaching Religious Education and the last few years leading RCIA. He’s also served on his parish’s finance council and St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation Board. He’s a two-time recipient of the Bishop O’Neil award for outstanding service in R.E. for the diocese of Rockford. He is passionate about helping younger children learn about authentic love, which is why he joined the John Paul II Renewal Center board. Mark lives with his wife Kathy in Campton Hills, IL.
Dr. Lindsay Tobin
Member
Lindsay is a licensed clinical psychologist and has been in private practice for over 10 years, the last 3 have been as a solo practitioner. She is deeply involved in volunteering at her parish church and her children’s catholic school. Some of the volunteering she most enjoys is leading small groups for ALPHA, coaching her daughter’s basketball team, being a leader for the American Heritage Girls troop through her parish, and helping plan and execute the annual St. Joseph’s Table event each year. Lindsay recently joined the John Paul II Renewal Center Board and helped plan and lead the first LoveEd event at her parish. Lindsay Tobin is a wife and mom of two. Her favorite saint is St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, who is associated with a family miracle
Linda Pieper
Member & Co-Founder
Linda J. Pieper is a wife of 53 years, mother of two adult children, and grandmother of eight. A retired Special Education teacher, Linda’s life journey has taken many twists and turns with blessings and challenges alike. While raising young children, Linda taught in Special Education for several years. Her husband’s work transfer to the Atlanta area required a new endeavor landing in Alcohol and Drug Prevention instruction to DUI offenders and training of new instructors. A subsequent transfer sent her and her husband to Sydney, Australia.
Working through issues of career and marriage choices of her children led her to the teachings of St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. Linda subsequently attended the Theology of the Body Institute and earned a certification. She became a founding board member of the John Paul II Renewal Center. In that capacity, and drawing on her teaching career, Linda was thrilled to present portions of the TOB catechesis to parents, youth, and adult groups in local Catholic parishes. Today she and Jack Rigert present a weekly podcast episode on Become Who You Are discussing each audience of the Theology of the Body catechesis.
Working through issues of career and marriage choices of her children led her to the teachings of St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. Linda subsequently attended the Theology of the Body Institute and earned a certification. She became a founding board member of the John Paul II Renewal Center. In that capacity, and drawing on her teaching career, Linda was thrilled to present portions of the TOB catechesis to parents, youth, and adult groups in local Catholic parishes. Today she and Jack Rigert present a weekly podcast episode on Become Who You Are discussing each audience of the Theology of the Body catechesis.
Jeff Galush
President & Co-founder
Jeff is the co-founder of the John Paul II Renewal Center and is now committed to assisting as the director of pornography awareness: after recently retiring after 44 years of work. He spent the last 27 years at a business which he started. He earned a BS in Civil Engineering from the Univ. of MN and an MBA from St. Louis University. Jeff resides in St. Charles, IL with his wife Kim. They have three children and two grandchildren. He is deeply in love with Jesus Christ and his Holy Catholic Church and hopes to help others find the peace and joy that he has discovered, particularly through the love of Our Blessed Mother.
Jack Rigert
Vice President & Director
Jack is a co-founder of the John Paul II Renewal Center, the host of the "Become Who You Are" podcast, and a writer for several online Catholic outlets. Jack was a professional chef and entrepreneur who owned restaurants, real estate, and a financial service company. Dramatic “encounters” with Jesus Christ at his dying brother’s bedside and again in the Eucharist at his brother’s funeral, brought him back into the Church after a twenty-year absence. While attending graduate school in Theology, Jack came across the teaching of Pope John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body.” He immediately understood that this was the treasure he had been seeking all his life, sold everything, and now devotes his time presenting Parish Missions, Retreats, and Classes. Jack has three grown children and seven grandchildren. He lives in Elburn, Illinois with his wife, Jeannie. Jack is an active member of St. Gall’s Parish, in Elburn, IL.
Patrick Naughton
Treasurer
Patrick is a certified public accountant and certified financial planner and president of Naughton & Co, a private accountant firm located in the western suburbs of Chicago. He’s a graduate of Loyola University Chicago, where he earned a BBA. He has been married to Marilyn for over 39 years and have four children together. Patrick is actively involved in his parish’s TMIY group and RCIA program. He has also served on the board of a Catholic boys high school for 12 years.
Mark Hopkinson
Secretary
Mark Hopkinson spent 26 years as the Chief Financial Officer for Artistic Carton Company. He now works as a financial consultant for various companies and industries. Mark has been active in his parish and the diocese of Rockford. He’s spent 27 years teaching Religious Education and the last few years leading RCIA. He’s also served on his parish’s finance council and St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation Board. He’s a two-time recipient of the Bishop O’Neil award for outstanding service in R.E. for the diocese of Rockford. He is passionate about helping younger children learn about authentic love, which is why he joined the John Paul II Renewal Center board. Mark lives with his wife Kathy in Campton Hills, IL.
Dr. Lindsay Tobin
Member
Lindsay is a licensed clinical psychologist and has been in private practice for over 10 years, the last 3 have been as a solo practitioner. She is deeply involved in volunteering at her parish church and her children’s catholic school. Some of the volunteering she most enjoys is leading small groups for ALPHA, coaching her daughter’s basketball team, being a leader for the American Heritage Girls troop through her parish, and helping plan and execute the annual St. Joseph’s Table event each year. Lindsay recently joined the John Paul II Renewal Center Board and helped plan and lead the first LoveEd event at her parish. Lindsay Tobin is a wife and mom of two. Her favorite saint is St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, who is associated with a family miracle
Linda Pieper
Member & Co-Founder
Linda J. Pieper is a wife of 53 years, mother of two adult children, and grandmother of eight. A retired Special Education teacher, Linda’s life journey has taken many twists and turns with blessings and challenges alike. While raising young children, Linda taught in Special Education for several years. Her husband’s work transfer to the Atlanta area required a new endeavor landing in Alcohol and Drug Prevention instruction to DUI offenders and training of new instructors. A subsequent transfer sent her and her husband to Sydney, Australia.
Working through issues of career and marriage choices of her children led her to the teachings of St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. Linda subsequently attended the Theology of the Body Institute and earned a certification. She became a founding board member of the John Paul II Renewal Center. In that capacity, and drawing on her teaching career, Linda was thrilled to present portions of the TOB catechesis to parents, youth, and adult groups in local Catholic parishes. Today she and Jack Rigert present a weekly podcast episode on Become Who You Are discussing each audience of the Theology of the Body catechesis.
Working through issues of career and marriage choices of her children led her to the teachings of St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. Linda subsequently attended the Theology of the Body Institute and earned a certification. She became a founding board member of the John Paul II Renewal Center. In that capacity, and drawing on her teaching career, Linda was thrilled to present portions of the TOB catechesis to parents, youth, and adult groups in local Catholic parishes. Today she and Jack Rigert present a weekly podcast episode on Become Who You Are discussing each audience of the Theology of the Body catechesis.
Staff
David Avignone
Executive Director
Jack Rigert
Director
Paulina Gorski
Parish Coordinator
Isabel Chavez
Facilitator
Peter Gorski
IT/Web Coordinator
Mark Schmitt
Presenter
Jacob Growth
Presenter
Get in Touch with Us Today!
- Info@JP2Renew.org
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John Paul II Renewal Center
902 S Randall Road STE C #296
St. Charles, IL 60174