Team — Agency for Evangelisation and Catechesis

The Agency Team

Fr Marcus Holden

Episcopal Vicar for Evangelisation and Catechesis

Fr Marcus was appointed by Archbishop John Wilson to be Episcopal Vicar in February 2020. He was born in Chorley, Lancashire, but also spent ten years of childhood in Wales. Fr Marcus read Theology at Oxford University, 1996-1999, before heading to Rome (Venerable English College and the Pontifical Gregorian University) for preparation and studies for the priesthood. His home base at that time was New Malden and he was ordained there in the parish of St Joseph on 10 September 2005. He served as priest in Balham, Tunbridge Wells and at Ramsgate. He is presently parish priest at Clapham Park and Dean of Lambeth. Fr Marcus has helped set up St Anthony Communications and the Evangelium Project and also works with the Maryvale Institute and the Catholic Truth Society.

Dr Mark Nash

Director

Mark joined the diocese in 2014 with over seven years' experience promoting and supporting small Christian communities in the Diocese of Westminster. He completed a Ph.D. in Russian and East European Studies at the University of Birmingham in 2007. Together with his wife, Rachel, he set up House on Rock, a family publishing firm, in 2014 providing parish resources. A father of four, Mark became Director of the Centre for Catholic Formation in 2016 and now heads up its successor, the Agency for Evangelisation and Catechesis. He lives in the parish of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Herne Bay. Mark also serves the Archdiocese as Co-Director for the Ongoing Formation of Priests.

Mrs Ingrid La Trobe

Family, Child and Youth Catechesis Advisor

Ingrid is the Agency’s Advisor for Family, Child & Youth Catechesis. She has over 20 years of extensive parish catechetical experience supporting families pass on their faith to their children. She holds the Diocesan Catechetical Certificate (which she now oversees) as well as a BA in History and Linguistics and a post-graduate diploma in Journalism, both from Rhodes University in South Africa. Married for over 30 years and a mother of five, Ingrid is an avid walker, completing the Camino Frances in 2016, and the Camino Portugues with her 3 sons in 2019, she frequently walks parts of the Pilgrims’ Way to Canterbury which runs through her parish of St Thomas of Canterbury, Sevenoaks.

Mrs Lissette Jeannet

Adult Formation and Missionary Discipleship Advisor

Lissette is the Advisor for Adult Formation and Missionary Discipleship. She participated in the renowned Catechetics programme at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, receiving her B.A. in Theology. Lissette has over 20 years of experience working in a variety of pastoral ministries including children’s catechesis, sacramental preparation, youth work, retreats, Bible studies, adult formation, resource development, and volunteer training. Originally from southern California, Lissette lives in southwest London with her husband and son. She enjoys old films, classic literature, good food, and firmly believes (quite rightly, ed.) that British cheese is much better than American.

Mr Brenden Thompson

Evangelisation and Outreach Advisor (shared role)

Brenden Alejandro Thompson works as one of the Evangelisation & Outreach Advisors for the Agency. Brenden studied Youth Ministry and theology at St Mary’s, Twickenham before going on to do a Masters in Applied Theology at Oxford University. As well as working part time for the Agency, Brenden is also currently the CEO of the communications project Catholic Voices. Brenden has made multiple appearances on TV & Radio including on the BBC, Sky News & Al Jezeera. He is also a sought-after speaker who speaks to thousands every year about the Gospel with joy and enthusiasm and trains others in how to share the Christian faith with clarity and charity.

Mr JJ Hussem

Evangelisation and Outreach Advisor (shared role)

JJ is one of the Archdiocese’s two Evangelisation & Outreach Advisors. He holds a B.A. in English Language and Culture from Radboud University Nijmegen and Loyola University New Orleans, an M.A. in Political Economy and an M.Ed. from Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands. After full-time missions with Life Teen and two years in France, he taught EFL to 6th formers in the Netherlands before moving to London in 2015 to work full-time in youth and young-adult ministry at the retreat centre for young people of Westminster Diocese. His family is spread out from southern Holland to California, but London has been the city JJ has grown to love with all its architecture, history and parks. In his free time he enjoys playing tennis and a good cup of coffee. JJ resides at the Loretto HOME Mission Base in Twickenham.

Miss Isabel Fawcett

Local Leadership and Resource Coordinator

Isabel is the Local Leadership and Resource Coordinator. She holds an M.A. in Divinity from the University of Edinburgh where she also had the opportunity to study abroad at Radboud University Nijmegen in The Netherlands. Following her graduation Isabel continued to live abroad completing the Emmanuel School of Mission in Rome before returning to the UK to work as a Parish Youth Coordinator. She was then asked to help launch the Emmanuel School of Mission New York City in the South Bronx where she has lived and worked for the last 3 years. Originally born in North London but having grown up in Herefordshire, Isabel is happy to return again to the capital this time crossing over the river to the South!

Mrs Ann Williams

Course Administrator

Ann is the Agency’s Course Administrator (supporting both the CCRS and the DCC certificates) and she is also the Administrator for the Rite of Election. She studied with Education for Parish Service, through St. Mary's University, successfully gaining a Foundation Degree in Pastoral Ministry. She went on to further study at Heythrop College, Kensington, completing an M.A. in Philosophy and Religion.