About
Chrism’s distinctive vision for an integrated approach to priestly formation was conceived in October 2023, born from the growing awareness of a critical gap in how we support our priests. It became clear that many seminarians, priests, and bishops are facing profound challenges that cannot be addressed through isolated solutions. There is an urgent need for a holistic, integrated framework that weaves together leadership development, mental health care, and spiritual support. Priests are whole persons—body, mind, and spirit—and their formation must reflect that reality. To truly thrive in their vocation, they need resources and tools that go beyond the traditional seminary experience, equipping them to serve with resilience, authenticity, and deep interior freedom.
Meet the Team
Matthew Rudolph
Founder
Matthew Rudolph is a husband and father of four children. In 2015, he joined the founders of Amazing Parish, Pat Lencioni and John Martin, and spent the next 8 years leading coaching and content efforts for nearly 1,000 priests and bishops across the country. He most recently served as Executive Director of Amazing Parish, and recently stepped down to pursue his passion for helping priests integrate human formation, leadership and healing. In co-founding Chrism, he hopes to equip even more clergy with practical skills and confidence so they can become the leaders and spiritual fathers they are called to be.
Dene’ Rosser
Coach
Dene’ Rosser serves on the Chrism team as a coach and administrative support. With her strengths-based and parts-aware approach, she accompanies priests with compassion and clarity, helping them grow in self-awareness and integration so they can lead and live from a place of wholeness. Alongside her work with Chrism, Dene’ serves as a Whole Person Leadership Coach with the Human Formation Coalition and is a Certified Working Genius Facilitator with the Table Group. She lives in Ave Maria, FL, with her husband and six children.
Alex Rodriguez
Coach
Alex Rodriguez resides in Hastings, NE and studied education at Benedictine College. After graduating she spent seven years serving with FOCUS. Alex finds great joy in walking alongside others as they discover the unique gift they are. After leaving FOCUS, the Lord led Alex to start Avila Coaching and Consulting, where she has spent the past two years working with priests in organizational health and leadership coaching. Through Avila, Alex collaborates with movements, dioceses, and Church leaders who support priests in becoming fully alive—just like Chrism!
Priest Cohorts
Join a Priest Cohort focused on Identity, Growth, and Mission
Chrism Interdisciplinary Team
We partner with Catholic coaches, therapists, and spiritual directors to support priests in their integrated needs. We currently have 15 plus people in our Interdisciplinary network which is growing regularly. Contact us if you’d like to be connected to a coach, therapist, or spiritual director.
What Parishioners Need to Know About Their Priests: An Interview with Chrism Founder Matthew Rudolph
Why Are So Many Young Priests Leaving Ministry?
Endorsements
“I’ve seen firsthand the impact of Matthew Rudolph and the formation offered by Chrism in the lives of both seminarians and priests. Working closely alongside those who are already involved with the formation of your men — both priests and lay leaders alike — Chrism goes beyond just providing content. It offers transformative experiences that speak to the heart of the priestly vocation: the call to give oneself fully and freely. Seminarians and priests alike leave encouraged, challenged, and altogether more grounded in their identity and mission. With its blend of spiritual depth and practical support, Chrism is a valuable partner in priestly formation. I wholeheartedly recommend this ministry to my brother bishops, vocations directors, and vicars for clergy.”
– Archbishop Emeritus Joseph F. Naumann
“I’ve had the privilege of knowing Matthew Rudolph for many years, as a friend, and as an advisor and coach for our ministry, Real Life Catholic. Matt brings practical insight to business/ministry strategy and to building healthy workspace-culture. More importantly, he has a true gift for helping leaders—who bear burdens few understand—to thrive personally. I’m so excited to see him put his gifts at the service of clergy, helping them flourish in their jobs, in their vocations, as leaders, and above all, as men living a healthy, happy, and sustainable life!”
– Chris Stefanick, Catholic speaker, author, and founder of Real Life Catholic
“I began collaborating with Matthew Rudolph several years ago, when he was Executive Director of Amazing Parish. I was delighted to see him move into this role with Chrism, a ministry designed to accompany priests and seminarians in the integration of the four pillars of formation. Matthew is a gifted collaborator and mature leader, and a faithful son of the Church. The ministry of Chrism is much needed and is making a tangible difference in the lives of priests and seminarians.”
– Dr. Bob Schuchts, Founder of John Paul II Healing Center
What Priests Are Saying About Chrism
“Chrism has helped me overcome my fear of getting together with my brother priests, which is helping me grow in fraternal charity to fight against the kingdom of darkness.”
-Fr. Lawrence Carney
“Chrism has been a great growth experience for me as a priest. It has made me more aware of my strengths, weaknesses, how to handle those weaknesses, and a greater compassion and respect for my brother priests. Individual coaching has helped me to identify woundedness to be healed and how it affects my ministry. Chrism has helped me to be a happier, holier priest.”
– Fr. Matt Marney
“The Chrism program has been a wonderful blessing! It has been a great opportunity to discern more deeply God’s will for my studies and ministry and to form deeper bonds with brother priests.”
– Fr. Tony Pillari
“Chrism has been a blessing for me to be involved in. It has helped me to grow personally and in my priesthood. The material is practical. The one-on-one coaching is very beneficial. I highly recommend Chrism!”
– Fr. Darrin May
“I started with Chrism right as I transitioned to be a first-time pastor and it has proved to be of real benefit. So many new situations, challenges, and blessings arose both in my ministry and in my personal life which I was able to process… through the Chrism cohorts and individual coaching. Due directly to Chrism I have stronger bonds with brother priests, I’m eating healthier, and I have more confidence leading as a pastor.”
-Fr. Adam Grelinger
“It is a great opportunity for me to have Chrism and I am very grateful to our Bishop for making this program available for us. As priests we give spiritual direction and pastoral counseling to many people. However, Chrism made me aware of my own need to improve in many hidden areas. I am impressed with the professionalism of the cohorts. Thanks a lot and I am on my way to a healthier and happier life as a priest.”
– Fr. David Michael
“Chrism has been a source of growth and deep renewal in my priesthood. The cohorts provide a time for authentic fraternity with brother priests, through meaningful and vulnerable conversations, where I feel supported by others on the same journey and reminded that I am not alone. Through the individual one-on-one coaching, I’ve grown in self-awareness, uncovering both the gifts and weaknesses that shape how I lead and serve. I truly feel that, through Chrism, I am becoming a more integrated priest, growing in happiness, health, and holiness.”
– Fr. Curtis Robertson
“Our time together was a great gift for me, as well as for our whole Vocations Team! Our conversations, both during our official sessions and all the time in between, renewed my own sense of giftedness from the Lord, and helped me to see my brother priests more deeply in their uniqueness as well. It was a truly blessed time!”
– Fr. Steve Robbins
“The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus. When you see a priest, think of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
-St. John Vianney