The Bible in a Year

Jeff Cavins is recognized both nationally and internationally as one of the most effective and engaging speakers in the Church today. Few can communicate their love for Jesus Christ with as much zeal, clarity, and enthusiasm as Jeff Cavins. In addition to his outstanding presentations related to Catholic Bible study, Jeff is available to speak on a variety of other faith-formation topics.

After twelve years as a Protestant pastor, Jeff returned to the Catholic Church under the guidance of Bishop Paul Dudley. His conversion story, one of the best known and most inspiring stories of its kind, is chronicled in the best-selling book, My Life on the Rock. After his conversion, Jeff received an MA in Theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville.

Over the past several decades, Jeff has dedicated his life to developing The Bible TimelineⓇ: The Story of Salvation, a practical, interactive program that helps people read the “big picture” of God’s plan of salvation in Sacred Scripture and understand its meaning for their lives.

For 2025, The Bible Timeline has been refreshed with new videos filmed on location in the Holy Land, Greece, Rome and several other locations, and new presenters such as Fr. Mike Schmitz, Mary Healy, and Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio. The Great Adventure Bible Timeline presents the entire sweep of the Bible in a way that is easy to understand and genuinely fun to engage. As the foundational element of The Great Adventure Learning System, the Bible Timeline has revolutionized Catholic Bible Study for hundreds of thousands of Catholics.

Dr. Biff Rocha’s area of interest is the intersection of rhetoric and religion. He earned his master’s degree in speech communication and rhetoric from Miami University in beautiful Oxford, Ohio. While there, Biff enjoyed coaching the Miami University debate team. He was a missionary for a decade with the interdenominational parachurch organization, Campus Crusade for Christ. Eventually Biff earned a doctorate in Catholic theology. Biff has taught catechetics at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, theology at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, and the American Experience at the University of Dayton.

Rev. Ryan Leibhaber is a Byzantine Catholic priest and author who has served at Saint Michael Byzantine Catholic Church in Pleasant City, Ohio.

Matthew received his M.A. in Theology from Providence College and his B.A. with majors in Religious Studies and Biology from Elizabethtown College. He has also undergone coursework at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, Italy as part of a fellowship program to study inter-religious studies. Based in Pennsylvania, in 2025 he initiated the Lebanon Young Adult Catholics group to serve as a spiritual resource for those ages 18 to 39 who reside in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, or surrounding areas.

Currently Matthew works as a full-time gardener for a public garden in Hershey, PA. Matthew is ultimately interested in growing deeper in love with Jesus Christ and serving Him in whatever capacity he is called to. 

He is grateful foremost to God and then to all those, family, friends, and mentors, who have helped and provided for him in his life journey. One of Matthew's passions is for learning about the saints, including the dates of their feast days. Activities that he enjoys include cooking, reading, writing, grilling, jogging, gardening, and fishing.  

Victoria Mastrangelo is a Catholic writer, educator, and campus minister based in Houston, Texas. She holds a B.A. in Theology from the University of Dallas and an M.A. in Theological Studies from the University of St. Thomas. A wife and mother of three daughters, she is passionate about Catholic feminism, the feminine genius, and helping young women deepen their relationship with Christ and the Church.

Hope Zelmer is a high school theology teacher and contributor to The Bible in a Year: Family Edition Parent’s Guide. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame in 2015 and her master’s degree through Notre Dame’s Echo Program in 2017. Originally from East Tennessee, Hope lives in the greater Chicago area with her husband and daughter.

Ann M. Koshute, MTS, is co-founder of Springs in the Desert, a Catholic ministry of accompaniment for those carrying the cross of infertility and loss. She holds a Master of Theological Studies from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in Washington, DC.

Ann is a speaker, writer, and monthly columnist for The Eastern Catholic Life. She was appointed to the USCCB’s Advisory Council by Most Rev. Kurt Burnette, Bishop of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic, completing a 4-year term of service in 2025. Ann contributed to Volumes I and III of The Catechism in a Year Companion from Ascension Press, and Scripture reflections on the daily readings for the Ascension app. In 2026 Ann and the Springs in the Desert Team collaborated with the Ascension app to present a 15-episode series, Scripture and Saints for the Path of Infertility, and an accompanying novena.

Ann and her husband Keith are Byzantine Catholics who married in 2011 and live in Central Pennsylvania. They joke about making their “mixed marriage” work: Ann, from Northeastern PA is an Eagles fan, and Keith’s Western PA roots make him bleed Steelers black and gold. They love watching football and rooting for their alma mater Penn State. Ann and Keith enjoy traveling, finding interesting trails to hike, and the occasional cocktail. They’re grateful for their large extended family, including many nieces, nephews and godchildren, and for the many ways God has made their marriage fruitful.