Cheryl R. Holley
Director

The Josephite Pastoral Center director is responsible for the operations, finances, promotion and leadership of the Center’s activities and programs.
Cheryl R. Holley was born in Washington, D.C. Cheryl has been blessed to reach many educational milestones. She earned a Certificate of Completion from Trinity College’s Education for Parish Service (EPS). She went on to earn Graduate Certification in Spiritual Direction and later a Master Degree in Theological Studies from the Washington Theological Union.

Currently Cheryl lives in White Plains, Maryland and is the Director of the Josephite Pastoral Center in Washington, D.C. One of Cheryl’s dreams was for the local Baptist Church to be united with the Roman Catholic Church. She never dreamed she would be a part of that ecumenical effort. She ministered the New Samaritan Baptist Church for seven years in the capacity of the Executive Director of Finance.

Cheryl also has a passion to work with pregnant teenage girls and to share with them their God-given dignity. Her love for her Roman Catholic faith and the belief that education is the key to eliminating abortions and sexual transmitted diseases, led her to initiate and coordinate two Women Sexuality Conferences with the Archdiocese of Washington and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Washington, D.C.

Serving her parish, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church, in Washington, D.C., Cheryl has served as the Confirmation Coordinator of the Sacramental Preparation Team and as the assistant to the Director of Religious Education, member of the Finance Council and is a member of the Ladies Auxiliary No. 213. For three years, she has served on the North America Forum to the Catechumenate local team for RCIA; and is the local team leader for 2012.

Her favorite scripture: I Cor 12: Spiritual gifts. We are all part of the One Body of Christ, given gifts by the Holy Spirit for the honor and glory of Our Heavenly Father.

Denise Bogans
Administrative Assistant

Denise comes to us from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Washington, D.C.
where she is the co-chair of the Lector Ministry and is a member of the Perpetual Glory Gospel Choir.
Denise is no stranger to the Josephites, having previously served as the Parish Council Secretary under the leadership of Father William Norvel and Father Thomas Frank. Denise’s work experience comes from 24 years with AT&T and 4 1/2 years with The Salvation Army.

When Denise isn’t working, she’s usually gardening, baking, reading or biking.

Very Reverend Kenneth C. Ugwu, SSJ

AREA FOUR (including Texas and California)

Very Rev. Kenneth C. Ugwu, SSJ, has been a devoted member of the Josephite Fathers since 2000 and was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood in 2010. Throughout his pastoral ministry, Fr. Ugwu has faithfully served in diverse African American communities across the United States, including Washington, Baltimore, New Orleans, Breaux Bridge, Houston, and Mobile. Currently serving in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Fr. Ugwu is the Pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Parish. He also serves as the Deanery 15 Priest-Liaison for the Racial Justice Ministry, promoting unity, advocacy, and the dignity of all people within the Church. In addition to his pastoral responsibilities, Fr. Ugwu currently serves as the Area IV Director on the General Council of the Josephite Fathers, continuing his commitment to leadership, evangelization, and service to the people of God.

Denise

Denise serves with the Josephites (Saint Joseph Society of the Sacred Heart) and the Josephite Pastoral Center, where he works at the intersection of evangelization, community engagement, and Catholic Social Teaching. Rooted in the traditions of Black Catholic ministry and community organizing, his work emphasizes dialogue, accompaniment, and synodal participation, creating spaces where people can listen deeply, share lived experiences, and build stronger communities through faith-informed action. He collaborates with parishes, national Catholic organizations, and grassroots leaders on initiatives focused on justice, formation, youth engagement, mental health awareness, restorative practices, and strengthening the Church’s witness in public life.

Denise currently serves on and collaborates with several national and regional organizations and initiatives, including the CENTERS: Synodality Advisory Committee, the Salt and Light Advisory Council at Georgetown University’s Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life, Catholics In Communion and the Season of Faithful Witness Executive Board, the Archbishop Lyke Foundation & Conference Board, the Executive Board of VOICE (Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement), Restorative Arlington, the Collaborative for Catholic Organizing, The Just Power Alliance, the Institute for American Policing Reform,

Mr. Christian Bentley

Christian Bentley serves with the Josephites (Saint Joseph Society of the Sacred Heart) and the Josephite Pastoral Center, where he works at the intersection of evangelization, community engagement, and Catholic Social Teaching. Rooted in the traditions of Black Catholic ministry and community organizing, his work emphasizes dialogue, accompaniment, and synodal participation, creating spaces where people can listen deeply, share lived experiences, and build stronger communities through faith-informed action. He collaborates with parishes, national Catholic organizations, and grassroots leaders on initiatives focused on justice, formation, youth engagement, mental health awareness, restorative practices, and strengthening the Church’s witness in public life.

Christian currently serves on and collaborates with several national and regional organizations and initiatives, including the CENTERS: Synodality Advisory Committee, the Salt and Light Advisory Council at Georgetown University’s Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life, Catholics In Communion and the Season of Faithful Witness Executive Board, the Archbishop Lyke Foundation & Conference Board, the Executive Board of VOICE (Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement), Restorative Arlington, the Collaborative for Catholic Organizing, The Just Power Alliance, the Institute for American Policing Reform,

OUR SUPERIOR GENERAL

Most Reverend John H. Ricard, SSJ

Bishop John H. Ricard, SSJ, is Superior General. He was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee on March 13, 1997 by Pope John Paul II. Bishop Ricard moved from the Archdiocese of Baltimore where he served as Auxiliary Bishop. He is the former Chair of Catholic Relief Services where he served from 1995 to 2002. Bishop Ricard was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and upon completion of high school entered the Josephite College Seminary in Newburgh, New York. He completed his theological training at St. Joseph Seminary in Washington, D.C., and was ordained to the priesthood on May 25, 1968. Since ordination, Bishop Ricard continued his studies, receiving a Master’s Degree from Tulane University in New Orleans in 1970 and a Ph.D. from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., in 1984. Bishop Ricard currently serves as the President of the National Black Catholic Congress. He most recently served as rector of St. Joseph Seminary in Washington, D.C.

VICAR GENERAL

Very Reverend Ray Bomberger, SSJ

Father Ray Bomberger is Vicar General. He former Director of Novices and had been pastor of parishes in Houston, Beaumont, New Orleans and Baltimore.

Very Reverend Cornelius Ejiogu, SSJ

AREA ONE (including Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Nigeria)

Father Ejiogu was born in Lagos, Nigeria in 1979. He came to the United State in August 2008 to continue his priestly training and theological studies at the Washington Theological Union. He graduated in May 2013 with two Master’s Degrees (Master in Divinity and Master of Arts in Theology). Father Ejiogu was ordained to the priesthood in June 2013 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. He was then assigned the responsibility of pastoring the faithful of St. Luke Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Washington. In addition to his pastoral ministry at the parish, he is also the Academic Dean at St. Joseph Seminary in Washington, D.C.