Our team
Fr. Nilson Leal de sa
Director
Hello, I am Fr. Nilson! After 21 years in France, 4 in Italy, 2 in Africa, and a few months in Vietnam I am now in Denver, CO discovering the beauty of America! I never thought I would be so involved in this mission, but It is wonderful to see that Christ unites us despite our differences. Finally, the Community of the Beatitudes in the Church is like a family, where I feel at home everywhere. Beatitudes Missions offers the possibility to “taste” the universality of our Faith. In times past when I have left for a new country with fears and my limits, the Lord has always sustained me with his grace and given me his peace. So, I continually surrender myself to Him.
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Sr. Helene Bodman
Assistant Director
I am a French member of the Community of the Beatitudes and have lived in Denver for 5 years. Before Denver, I had a rich missionary experience in various countries, and I'm eager to share my faith with as many people as I can. I feel in many people a great thirst for God that they try to fill with the wrong things, and I want to help people drink from the living water Jesus offers us. I'm happy to be part of the Beatitudes Mission team, bearing fruit together through this ministry. I pray that the Holy Spirit opens doors for people who need to encounter the joy of Jesus.
Sr. sarah Mercier
Intern Coordinator
Hi! My name is Sister Sarah of the Annunciation. I am from France and have been in the community of the Beatitudes since 2008! I moved to the Denver, CO house at the end of November 2021 and I am happy to serve and follow Jesus here in America! My task in Beatitudes Missions is to help form the daily life of the interns. My goal is to help them serve Jesus every day with joy, to grow in a spirit of faith, freedom, fraternity, and to serve Christ in their daily life.
fr. anthony
Executive Director
Born and raised in Colorado, my formation path included the University of Notre Dame, diocesan seminary in Denver, Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, a Pontifical License in Theological Anthropology at the University of St. Teresa of Avila in Rome, and Byzantine bi-ritual faculties. I helped found the chaplaincy at the Colorado School of Mines as well as Beatitudes Missions. I have guided over 15 student/young pilgrimages to Israel, and 8 to Europe! I have spent the last six years residing in Israel and Lebanon, but for 2022-23, I live at our center for retreat and mission south of Paris, serving on the Community's international team for student and young adult outreach, preparing for World Youth Day in Lisbon.
mckenna foley
Missionary Intern
Shalom! I am so excited to be serving this year with Beatitudes Missions! Originally from Michigan, I recently graduated from Benedictine College in Kansas. I enjoy reading and writing poetry, having conversations about philosophy, and spending time outdoors. I will be assisting in planning upcoming pilgrimages to Lebanon and World Youth Day, running Beatitudes Missions' social media, and building community within Beatitudes Missions as a whole. Beatitudes Missions has shown me how to live the Christian life as a great adventure, and has been such a powerful witness of true community to me! I am overjoyed to be a part of the Beatitudes Missions community, and am looking forward to witnessing to the faith through the work we do.
sarah beth richthammer
Missionary Intern
Hey y'all! I am so excited to begin this adventure with the Community of the Beatitudes. I was born in West Virginia and grew up in Pittsburgh. I am the second oldest of eight, and just graduated with my Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling from Franciscan University of Steubenville. I love being outside whether it be hiking, camping, hammocking, canoeing, etc. I also love reading and one of my favorite books is Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl. I have a lot of favorite saints including JPII, St. Therese, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, St. Anthony of Padua, and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. (Fun fact about me is that I hope to write a memoir of awkward encounters to bless those who happen to read it.)