Many young people lose their faith by the time they leave high school. We send teams of young adults to share their faith in schools and churches so youth are transformed and re-engaged in their Catholic faith.
Mission statement
To challenge young catholics to love Christ and embrace the life of the Church
It is accomplished by:
Proclaiming the Gospel of
Christ through a personal
witness of faith
Inviting young people
to live for Christ
Forming young people in Christian character through the study and practice of our faith
Equipping youth workers and young adults with the ministry skills needed for evangelization
Missionaries
Staff
Board of Directors
Director
Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall, Ontario
On May 6, 2020, Archbishop Marcel Damphousse was named the coadjutor archbishop of the newly created Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall. He succeeded Archbishop Terrence Prendergast following the latter’s retirement on December 3, 2020. As a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Boniface, before becoming a bishop in 2012, he was an instructor at the Manitoba Catholic School of Evangelization, a vocations director, and a Catholic high-school chaplain. Archbishop Marcel is proud to serve on the board of directors of NET Ministries Canada because he truly believes in the power of youth sharing their faith with their peers.
Director
Director
Diocese of St John, New Brunswick
Bishop Riesbeck of the Diocese of Saint John, New Brunswick is passionate about living the Joy of the Gospel and leading people into a deep encounter with Jesus and the Church. His pastoral focus is to raise up disciples who are joyfully living out the mission, proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ, and making disciples of others. Bishop Riesbeck encourages people to give God permission to build a Church that is explosively alive. His long standing support of NET allows him to contribute to one of his greatest joys, which is to see young people give their hearts to Jesus and discover the true meaning of their lives in Him.
Director
Director
Diocese of Calgary, AB
Elizabeth Sanesh lives in Calgary AB with her loving husband Desmond and their five beautiful children. Elizabeth was born and raised in Tucson, AZ and came to Canada as a NET missionary for the first parish team in 2001-2002, followed by a traveling team in 2002-2003. She went on to serve on NET staff as a team supervisor and parish team coordinator from 2003-2008. These years were both formative and transformative! Elizabeth’s family has been blessed to host NET missionaries in Calgary. Elizabeth homeschools her three youngest children, while serving with her husband in various ministries such as marriage preparation, marriage mentorship, and parish-based evangelization. She recently completed a three-year formation program and now serves as a spiritual director. Elizabeth is passionate about making Christ known and loved! She prays for all young people to be given the opportunity and grace to say yes to the life changing gift of Christ’s personal love for them.
Director
Co-Founder & Director
Archdiocese of Kingston, Ontario
James Mikulasik grew up in Kamloops, B.C. in a loving, Catholic, Cursillo, ranching/logging family. After graduating from Olds Agriculture College, James went on NET USA in 1988 and NET USA Staff from 1989-1994. In 1994 James brought NET to Canada where it was launched in Ottawa, Ontario. He served as Executive Director for NET Canada from 1994 – 2008. In 2004 he was instrumental in bringing NET to Ireland and starting NET Ireland. Involved in residential land development, James and his wife Pati have two boys ages 19 and 21 and currently reside in Carleton Place, Ontario. James and his family pray the rosary together and love their Catholic life. James has been on the NET boards for both NET Canada and NET Ireland since their beginnings.
Co-Founder & Director
Director
Archdiocese of Winnipeg, Manitoba
Jean Lafrance hails from the parish of Holy Cross in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He is a husband and father of five amazing children ages 7-18. Jean’s desire to live out his Catholic faith began as a child and was greatly influenced by his devout grandmother. While spending three years in seminary in Ottawa, Jean experienced the ministry of NET Canada and since then he has come to know and become friends with many NET missionaries and staff. Currently working as an engineer, Jean is honored to be a member of the NET board and prays that the Lord will continue to bless this organization in its many endeavors.
Director
Chair
Archdiocese of Regina, Saskatchewan
Lisa Polk currently serves as the Director of Pastoral Services for the Archdiocese of Regina. She has hosted NET missionaries in her home and enjoyed praying with the young people and experiencing their witness to the faith. Lisa enjoys walking, golfing, and spending time with her husband and adult daughters. She has a zeal for the Lord and lives her call to leadership with compassion and generosity. Serving on the NET board and sharing her passion and expertise in the area of board governance is fulfilling for Lisa. She appreciates working with others and the variety of gifts they bring.
Chair
Co-missionaries
NET’s mission is made possible by the many people who give of their time, their talents, their treasures and their hearts. Anyone who helps out by donating, volunteering or hosting our missionaries is a co-missionary.
Interested in becoming a co-missionary? Here are some ways you can help!
Host Missionaries
Provide NET Missionaries with meals and a place to sleep while they are in your town
Donate
Give financially to support the work of NET Missionaries sharing the Gospel with young people across Canada.
Volunteer
Lend your time and talent to fill the many support roles that make NET’s mission possible.
