Western Mass Catholic

Sister Deirdre Byrne

Sister Deirdre Byrne is an active missionary sister and superior of her community in Washington, DC. She is double board-certified in family medicine and general surgery. A native of the Washington, D.C. area, Sister Deirdre (known to many as Sister DeDe) is one of eight siblings, attended Langley High School, and graduated from Virginia Tech. After college, Sister DeDe followed in her thoracic surgeon father’s footsteps and entered medical school at Georgetown University, where she eventually completed a surgical residency. During that time she also joined the Army. After a life of medical and military service in far ranging areas, she was led to the Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts community, whose charism involves sisters placing each and every person they care for between the Heart of Jesus and Mary. Her apostolate has been performing overseas medical missionary surgery and providing free medical care for the poor and uninsured. The over 125-year-old community includes 400-500 members. By 2000, the board-certified Dr. Byrne made her commitment to the Little Workers and began her novitiate training in earnest.

Sister DeDe retired with the rank of Colonel from the United States Army in 2009 after 29 years of service in the military. She was extremely grateful for the opportunity to have served the “brave soldiers” while deployed to Afghanistan. Over the years, Sister Deirdre has found it easy to integrate her medical and military service into her religious vocation. Though comfortable in scrubs, she wears a full black or a white working habit when she can and is grateful for the impact it has on those to whom she ministers. Currently, she is the superior of the D.C. Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts house near Catholic University, where the sisters run a pro-bono physical therapy clinic and diabetic eye clinic, retirement home for her elderly sisters as well as a music school pre-school children.

Sister DeDe’s other charitable medical/surgical service includes hands-on ministry in the rubble of the twin towers following the terrorist attack on 9-11, caring for the sick during the earthquake in Haiti in 2011 and annual medical missions to Haiti and Iraq.

Fr. Justin Bolger, OP

Father Justin, a Dominican friar of the Province of St. Joseph, was ordained to the priesthood in May 2020. He is Catholic Chaplain for Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI, and is a member of the Hillbilly Thomists, a band of friars who play bluegrass and country music.

Dr. Peter Kreeft

Dr. Peter Kreeft is a renowned Catholic philosopher, author, and professor of philosophy at Boston College. With a deep passion for defending and explaining the Christian faith, Kreeft has written over 80 books, covering topics such as philosophy, theology, and apologetics. Known for his clear and engaging writing style, he is particularly recognized for his works on the intersection of reason and faith, including his well-known books Socratic Logic and Handbook of Christian Apologetics. Dr. Kreeft’s thought-provoking insights have made him a sought-after speaker and a trusted voice in contemporary Catholic intellectual circles. His ability to present profound theological and philosophical concepts in accessible ways has made him a beloved figure among those seeking to understand and live out the Catholic faith more deeply.

Artie Boyle

Hingham resident Arthur P. “Artie Boyle” is a Dorchester native, he’s been married to his high school sweetheart, Judy, for 50 years. They have 13 wonderful children and 28 grandchildren. He’s been a successful businessman, amateur hockey player and coach. Perhaps most telling of his character, though, is that he is a man of deep faith – a practicing, devout Catholic.

Artie is a product of Catholic Elementary education in Dorchester, MA at ST. Peter’s. He has been employed by the Archdiocese of Boston for the past four years working with the Catholic Appeal and with the Campaign for Catholic Schools under the direction of Jack Connors and Kathleen Driscoll. Artie owned and operated a successful transportation business for thirty years before joining the Archdiocese. Artie sold his business with the hopes of getting into something that would enable him to help spread the faith.

In the year 1999 Artie was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma (Kidney Cancer) that spread to his lungs. The doctors gave him less than 5% chance for survival. At the urging of two dear friends he went to Medjugorje, Bosnia-Hercegovina, an apparition site of the Blessed Virgin Mary that began in 1981. It was in Medjugorje that Artie believes he was healed by Jesus through the intercession of Mary and by way of the sacrament of Reconciliation and the power of Forgiveness.