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Sharing Faith, Building Bonds: Class of 2025 Graduate Answers Call to Minister to Parish Youths

Religious studies alumna Lizzie Hackenberg '25 begins work as coordinator of youth ministry and evangelization for Our Lady of Lourdes in Dunedin, FL

Tags: Alumni Bachelor's Catholic Catholic Identity College of Arts Sciences and Allied Services Religion Religious Studies Theology Undergraduate University Campus University Ministry Youth Education Faith Formation
8 July 2025 - By University Communications
Lizzie Hackenberg

Youth ministry is more than planning pizza parties and sharing Bible verses. At its core, it’s about providing a supportive and caring relationship to young people so that they may grow — in their faith and in their lives. Recent Saint Leo University graduate Elizabeth “Lizzie” Hackenberg is doing just that as the new coordinator of youth ministry and evangelization at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Dunedin, FL. 

Lizzie Hackenberg at Commencement 2025

Hackenberg graduated cum laude in May with a Bachelor of Arts in religious studies after securing the position. “In starting the new job, I am most excited to dive into the community and get to know the youth, volunteers, and parishioners,” she said. “I cannot wait to be a part of this new community.”

Right after graduating from Todd Beamer High School in Federal Way, WA, Hackenberg engaged in ministry work with National Evangelization (NET) Ministries, which is a Catholic peer-to-peer youth ministry organization. Her family including parents, Jeremy and Marie Hackenberg, moved to Florida, four years ago, and she began volunteering at her parish, St. Timothy Catholic Church in Lutz, FL, while completing her associate degree online. 

During her first visit to Saint Leo University, she stayed at the Saint Leo Abbey guest house. “I came seeking my own personal retreat after coming back from missionary work,” Hackenberg said. “During my visit I was discerning where God was calling me to next. Throughout the visit I got a deep sense of peace. I knew that whatever was next, it was to be at Saint Leo.”

Hackenberg chose to major in religious studies because she knew she was called by God to work full time in ministry. “I had a desire to grow in my knowledge of my faith, so I could better lead anyone God asks me to walk with in their faith journey,” she said. 

Saint Leo provided her not only with an education, but also with the experience to “go out into life with good tools,” Hackenberg said. “I know from my experience that I have learned much about Catholicism, grown in my faith, and become more confident in my abilities. I know going into the future I am prepared.”

At the University, Hackenberg found a sense of place and purpose, being involved in University Ministry and working part time at the Saint Leo Abbey as the youth retreat coordinator. She also completed an internship with DREAM Project in the Dominican Republic. DREAM offers literacy, early childhood education, youth leadership, educational, and community programs to complement the national education system and prepare at-risk youths for a better future. 

“I assisted with the English class, PE [physical education], and an art class at one of the many locations that they [DREAM] have,” Hackenberg said. “It gave me a glimpse into a different culture, where the youth have different needs, but every child has the same desire: They want to be seen and loved.”

Hackenberg said she really enjoyed her time at Saint Leo and including time spent with her fellow students and professors. “Some really fruitful conversations have been had when I least expected,” she noted. “At times, I stepped out of my comfort zone to meet new people, connect, and build relationships.”

Dr. Tommy Humphries, professor of theology and religion, told her about the job at Our Lady of Lourdes, and thanks to her work with youth retreat at Saint Leo Abbey, she already knew fellow alumnus Father Zachary Brasseur, who graduated from Saint Leo in 2015 and was serving as parochial vicar for the parish. While Brasseur now is parochial vicar for St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Tampa, and she didn’t get to work with him long, Hackenberg is excited about her job. “The rest of the parish team is amazing, and I am really looking forward to working with all of them,” she said. 

As the coordinator of youth ministry and evangelization, she is responsible for the middle school and high school groups for fellowship, prayer, and learning how to love God. Hackenberg will coordinate weekly meetings, service opportunities, and retreats, and as part of the job is evangelization, she’ll be involved in the local community, reaching out to the public schools and hosting events. 

And she understands her mission: “The best thing I can do for the youth I minister is showing them the love of Christ and meet them where they are at.”