Poland Pilgrimage

Noelle Mering

Noelle Mering is a Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center where she co-directs EPPC’s Theology of Home Project. She is the author of the book Awake, Not Woke: A Christian Response to the Cult of Progressive Ideology and co-author of the Theology of Home book series. She is an editor for the online women’s magazine TheologyofHome.com. She writes on culture, politics, and religion and has published in Daily Wire, National Review, Newsweek, The Federalist, The Washington Examiner, Catholic World Report, and National Catholic Register. She has been featured several times on Fox News, EWTN, and various other platforms. Noelle is a wife and mother of six children in Southern California.

Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR ’89

Spiritual Leader

Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, became president of Franciscan University of Steubenville on May 21, 2019. The well-known Catholic speaker and author graduated from Franciscan University with his BA in theology in 1989, then earned an MDiv, MA in theology, doctorate in education, and executive juris doctorate. A solemnly professed member of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Province of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Penance, Father Pivonka was ordained to the priesthood in 1996. Father Pivonka held leadership positions at Franciscan University from 1996-2008 including as vice president for Mission and Planning. For his province, he directed Post-Novitiate Formation (2008-2012) and Franciscan Pathways ministry (2012-2019). He has hosted multiple video series including The Wild Goose on the Holy Spirit, Sign of Contradiction on St. Francis of Assisi, Metanoia on conversion, and in 2024, 10th Hour Production’s My father’s Father on God the Father. He has written seven books, including Living Metanoia: Finding Freedom and Fulfillment in Christ (OSV, 2021) and his most recent, Joyful Sons and Daughters: Embracing the Father’s Love (Word Among Us, 2024). Father Pivonka also hosts Franciscan University Presents on EWTN and the In Person and In Focus series on faithandreason.com, and cohosts the popular podcast, They That Hope, with Deacon Bob Rice.