Dr. Lenard Kelley, Ed.D. | Catholic Ministry & Organizational Leader

About Me

I am a Catholic ministry and organizational leader with 29 years of experience in parish and diocesan ministry. My work has centered on building ministries, developing leaders, strengthening teams, and creating sustainable structures for faith formation, evangelization, pastoral care, sacramental preparation, and volunteer engagement.

I currently serve as Director of Adult Faith Formation, Evangelization, and Pastoral Care at St. Patrick Catholic Community in Scottsdale, Arizona. I lead a broad portfolio of ministries including Alpha, OCIA (Adult Initiation), Adult Confirmation, Infant Baptism, Catholic 101, parish missions, Stephen Ministry, and Ministers of Care.

Through volunteer recruitment, formation, leadership development, and expansion of ministry capacity, annual pastoral care visits have grown from approximately 8,000 to more than 25,000.

My career includes parish and diocesan leadership, program development, staff supervision, volunteer recruitment and formation, communications, sacramental preparation, liturgy, retreats, and training. I have developed ministry programs and training resources, led conferences for parish staff, managed parish communications, and helped organizations translate mission and vision into practical ministry.

I hold a Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Christian Ministry, graduate education in Christian ministry and leadership, and undergraduate education in philosophy and letters.

My doctoral research examined the motivation of Catholic volunteers and reinforced a leadership principle that has shaped my career: people are most effective when they understand their purpose, recognize the value of their contribution, and are equipped to succeed.

I am particularly effective at developing leaders, strengthening ministries, building collaborative teams, improving organizational capacity, and creating systems that help people and programs thrive while remaining focused on mission.

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Leadership Experience

Director of Adult Faith Formation, Evangelization, and Pastoral Care
Provide strategic and pastoral leadership for Adult Faith Formation, Evangelization, and Pastoral Care at St. Patrick Catholic Community. Direct ministries including Alpha, OCIA (Adult Initiation), Adult Confirmation, Infant Baptism, Catholic 101, parish missions, men's formation, Stephen Ministry, and Ministers of Care. Develop formation and evangelization initiatives, coordinate parish-wide programs and guest speakers, and recruit, train, and develop volunteer leaders. Through leadership development, volunteer formation, and ministry expansion, annual pastoral care visits have grown from approximately 8,000 to more than 25,000.
St. Patrick Catholic Community | September 2022 - Current | Scottsdale, Arizona
Director of Catechesis
Directed catechetical formation across the lifespan from infancy through adulthood, excluding junior high, high school, and young adult ministry. Led sacramental preparation, catechetical programming, volunteer recruitment, and volunteer development while coordinating parish formation programs and equipping volunteer leaders to support parishioners in faith formation and sacramental preparation.
Corpus Christi Catholic Church | March 2021 - September 2022 | Phoenix, Arizona
Director of Family Life
Developed facilitator training manuals and formation programs for marriage preparation, marriage enrichment, infertility support, bereavement, and ministry to divorced and separated Catholics. Designed and led training conferences ranging from one to five days for parish staff serving communities throughout the Archdiocese of Hartford.
Archdiocese of Hartford | April 2019 - March 2021 | Hartford, Connecticut
Director of Liturgy / Director of Family Life / Pastoral Associate / Director of Sacraments
Held multiple leadership responsibilities spanning liturgy, family life, sacramental preparation, adult faith formation, and parish operations. Coordinated weddings, funerals, weekend Masses, and holy days; oversaw RCIA, retreats, family programs, and sacramental preparation; supervised parish staff and personnel decisions; and provided oversight for youth ministry and religious education leadership.
Saint Bridget Catholic Church | March 2015 - April 2016 | Mesa, Arizona
Administrative Assistant of Communications
Managed parish communications across the website, a 12-page weekly bulletin, print media, and marketing materials. Expanded the parish's social media presence and transitioned the website from a traditional format to a blog-style platform that received more than 8,000 visits per month.
Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church | July 2014 - March 2015 | Goodyear, Arizona
Director of Family Ministries / Director of Youth Ministry / Director of Liturgy
Led youth and family faith formation, Confirmation preparation, parish events, liturgy planning, volunteer coordination, ministry to the homebound, and adult ministry leadership.
Saint Luke Catholic Church | January 2013 - June 2014 | Phoenix, Arizona

Earlier Ministry Experience

College Campus Minister
Organized liturgy and faith-based programming for college students, supported students entering RCIA or completing the sacraments, and coordinated campus ministry programs and events.
Arizona State University West Campus | July 2008 - July 2012 | Phoenix, Arizona
Coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministry
Led youth ministry and sacramental preparation, recruited and trained volunteers, provided Safe Environment and Called to Protect training, managed the Youth Ministry budget, collaborated on family ministry initiatives, and planned retreats.
Our Lady of the Valley / Saint Raphael Catholic Church | July 2008 - July 2012 | Phoenix, Arizona
Saint Bernadette Catholic Church | June 2003 - July 2008 | Scottsdale, Arizona
Seventh Grade Religion Teacher
St. Stevens Parish | August 2000 - May 2001 | Miami, Florida
Seventh Grade Religion Teacher
St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church | August 1999 - May 2000 | Saint Louis, Missouri
Missionary
Kibera | March 1998 - July 1998 | Nairobi, Kenya

Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Christian Ministry
Grand Canyon University | 2018 | Phoenix, Arizona | Doctorate Diploma
Master's of Arts in Christian Ministry with an emphasis on Leadership
Grand Canyon University | 2015 | Phoenix, Arizona | Master's Degree Diploma
Bachelor's of Arts in Philosophy and Letters
Saint Louis University | 2000 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Bachelor's Degree Diploma
Certificate of Achievement
Cardinal Glennon College Seminary | 2000 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Kenrick Glennon Seminary Certificate
Certificate of Pre-Theology
Saint John Vianney College Seminary | 2002 | Miami, Florida | Certificate of Pre-Theology Diploma
Certificate of Marriage Preparation
Diocese of Phoenix | 2015 | Phoenix, Arizona | Marriage Preparation Certificate
FOCCUS Certificate of Facilitator Training
FOCCUS Inc. USA | 2015 | Phoenix, Arizona | FOCCUS Certificate
Certificate of Catechetical Ministry
Diocese of Phoenix | 2006 | Phoenix, Arizona
Certificate of Safe Environment Train the Trainer
Diocese of Phoenix | 2006 | Phoenix, Arizona