About Us
Staff
Meet Meghan Cokeley, Director
As the Director of the Office for the New Evangelization, Meghan’s main responsibility is to guide and support the 200+ Catholic parishes of the Archdiocese in the area of adult faith formation and evangelization. Meghan has a B.A. in Theology and a Master of Theological Studies degree from the University of Notre Dame. She spent three years in doctoral studies in Theology at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute at the Catholic University of America. In 2019, Meghan received the Benemerenti Medal from the Holy Father for her service to the Church. Before coming to Philadelphia in 2012, Meghan served in parish ministry as a Director of Religious Education and Catholic school religion teacher. She was born and raised in Somerville, NJ and is an aunt to seven awesome nieces and nephews.
Fun fact: As a break from ministry, Meghan loves to read classic mystery stories like Sherlock Holmes, the Fr. Brown mysteries and Agatha Christie. She is also an avid bird watcher and bike rider.
Meet Xhonane Olivas Sweeney, Coordinator of Missionary Discipleship in Hispanic Communities
Born to a Mexican family, Xhonanita grew up in Pennsylvania and was homeschooled along with her sister and two brothers. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Penn State and a Master’s in Business Administration from Penn West University. She also served as a missionary for one year in Mexico for Kairos. Recently married, Xhonanita and her new husband, Kevin, live in Phoenixville. Her role in the Office for the New Evangelization is to work with our local Spanish-speaking communities to draw people into personal friendship with Jesus and equip them for mission to those who don’t yet know His love.
Fun fact: Xhonanita loves the art of movies and film; especially viewing it from an artistic and cultural commentary perspectives with others. She can also say the “Hail Mary” in five languages: English, Spanish, Latin, French, and German!
Other Members of the Team
Paola Cubides Herrera
Missionary Discipleship Facilitator
