Dr. Helen Alvaré

Helen Alvaré is a Professor of Law at Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University, where she teaches Family Law, Law and Religion, and Property Law. She publishes on matters concerning marriage, parenting, non-marital households, and the First Amendment religion clauses. She is faculty advisor to the law school’s Civil Rights Law Journal, and the Latino/a Law Student Association, a Member of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life (Vatican City), a board member of Catholic Relief Services, a member of the Executive Committee of the AALS’  Section on Law and Religion, and an ABC news consultant. She cooperates with the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations as a speaker and a delegate to various United Nations conferences concerning women and the family.

In addition to her books, and her publications in law reviews and other academic journals, Professor Alvaré publishes regularly in news outlets including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Huffington Post, and CNN.com. She also speaks at academic and professional conferences in the United States, Europe, Latin America and Australia.

Prior to joining the faculty of Scalia Law, Professor Alvaré taught at the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America; represented the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops before legislative bodies, academic audiences and the media; and was a litigation attorney for the Philadelphia law firm of Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young.

Professor Alvaré received her law degree from Cornell University School of Law and her master’s degree in Systematic Theology from the Catholic University of America.

Dr. James Link

Dr. James Link received his education in theology and clinical psychology from the University of St. Thomas. He now operates his own private practice in Bismarck, ND. In addition to his general practice as a psychologist, he also specializes in the integration of religion and spirituality within the practice of psychology. He collaborates closely with the several dioceses in the Midwest in providing evaluations for religious and clergy, serving as an expert witness on diocesan Tribunals, and providing individual and marital therapy. Dr. Link and his wife Tonya have seven children and reside in Bismarck.

He will give a keynote presentation on Saturday afternoon.

Andrea Thomas

Andrea Thomas is a musician, entrepreneur, and speaker. Her performance background turned to a deep love for and call to worship. She has fallen in love with the power of collaboration, and is honored to work with The Vigil Project team and serve as co-director of the organization. Andrea and her very large Italian family are from Cincinnati, Ohio.

Marcie Stokman

Marcie Stokman is founder and president of the international movement and book club the Well-Read Mom (WRM). With a passion for reading and motherhood, she writes and speaks to encourage women in a world of rising isolation, loneliness, and mental health issues. Through the power of reading together and reading well, Well-Read Moms across the country are finding friendships, meaning, and purpose through their shared reading experiences in their WRM book clubs.

Marcie has a Bachelor of Nursing from the University of Nebraska, Kearney and Masters in Psychology from the Adler Institute in Chicago. Marcie’s passion for the power of deep reading to transform lives and communities is central to her concerns and activism. Her training as a clinical nurse practitioner in mental health gives her a keen ear for listening and engaging in problem-solving and encouraging women in finding their passion and purpose. As a homeschool mom for 25 years, Marcie co-founded a classical co-op for high school students, bringing families together to support each other in their vision for excellence in education and seeking truth, beauty and goodness through the Western classical tradition. Marcie and her husband Peter have seven children and eleven grandchildren and reside in Crosby, Minnesota.

Vigil Project

The Vigil Project is a community of artists that collaborates to make music and resources for an authentic encounter with God and sincere prayer.  They write songs, make records, and shoot videos. They also develop written and recorded content to support group studies, music leaders, and people like you.

Visit their website ( www.thevigilproject.com) to learn more about them.