Open To Work
James Rizza
Las Vegas,NV
Work Preference
Summary
Copywriter
Experienced with creating engaging and persuasive content across various platforms. Utilize storytelling techniques to captivate audiences and enhance brand messaging. Track record of effective collaboration and meeting project deadlines with keen eye for detail.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Theology Teacher
Bishop Gorman High School
Las Vegas, Nevada
09.2025 - 11.2025
- Assumed six 9th grade classes mid-semester teaching “Intro to Catholicism” and “Old Testament.”
- Developed engaging lesson plans focused on theological concepts and critical thinking skills.
- Evaluated student performance through assessments, providing constructive feedback for improvement.
- Established a supportive classroom environment that encourages open dialogue and respect for diverse perspectives.
- Tailored lessons to accommodate students with diverse backgrounds, ensuring inclusivity within the classroom setting.
- Increased student engagement by utilizing multimedia resources and incorporating real-life examples into lectures.
Director of Liturgy, Catechumenate and Adult Faith Development
St. Thomas More Catholic Community
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
01.2022 - 01.2024
- Developed, implemented, led, and administered the parish’s liturgical Life, adult faith development, evangelization, and the Catechumenate.
- Coordinated the liturgical life of the parish and school as Director of Liturgy. My accomplishments include the post-Covid reinstitution of administering the Blood of Christ in our services, increased education about Mass, and providing more Eucharistic worship opportunities. The St. Thomas More liturgies included 6 weekend Masses, 4 in English and 2 in Spanish. Additionally, the parish celebrated Mass daily, Holy Days and a weekly school Mass. Our rotunda involved 600 volunteer liturgical ministers. I had a part-time administrative assistant to help with the scheduling and 3 paid sacristans.
- Developed, implemented, and administered the Catechumenate programs for adults in English and Spanish, special needs adults, children, and students from the parish school as Director of the Catechumenate. My achievements include introducing an RCIA track for adults with special needs, developing the content of the Catechumenate, and fostering an exponential growth in the ministry. The Catechumenate operated all year, with baptized Christians entering into Full Communion quarterly. I directly oversaw 6 volunteer catechists in the English adult RCIA and 3 volunteer catechists for the special needs RCIA. I also taught two 6-week Confirmation preparation programs for adult Catholics each year.
- Implemented the parish’s 3-Year Adult Faith Development Plan as Director of Adult Faith Development. I formed an advisory board with 7 parish leaders to write the 2024-2026 3-Year AFD Plan.
- Reopened the parish library. This included forming a volunteer library committee, upgrading the software catalog and replacing unwanted books with the best of Catholic theology and literature. I organized regular book fairs for the parish with the purged books and donated books which the library didn’t want to keep.
- Introduced two 6-week summer and winter Apologetics courses to parishioners, monthly STM Movie Nights, First Friday Divine Mercy chaplet, and an annual parish-wide consecration Novena to St. Joseph.
- Organized and hosted speaker events for the parish. Guests included: Chris Stefanick: Founder of Real Life Catholic; internationally acclaimed author, speaker & TV host, Jenny Hubbard: Founder of Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary; author of Finding Sanctuary, Chris Clemons: UNC Chapel Hill Provost; Distinguished Professor of Physics & Astronomy; parishioner, Brendan McCauley: President and Co-Founder of Humanum Project; Theology of the Body Institute Speaker
Director of the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral
Reno, Nevada
01.2019 - 01.2022
- Redeveloped RCIA curriculum under direction of new cathedral rector.
- Wrote its curriculum, structuring the Period of Inquiry so that the doctrinal lessons matched the Sunday lectionary and the Period of Catechesis covered the seven sacraments.
- Prepared adults to be Baptized, brought into Full Communion with the Catholic Church, and Confirmed each year.
- Led the RCIA ministries during the Covid lockdowns using Zoom and other technology.
Associate Director of Faith Formation
Diocese of Reno
Reno, Nevada
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Directed Youth Ministries and Young Adult Ministries for Diocese of Reno, collaborated with youth ministers across parishes, served on bishop’s Pastoral Council, and contributed to various diocesan committees.
- Recruited and led 20 teens annually from parishes in Northern Nevada to form Diocesan Youth Council, prepared them to plan and execute annual EpiConnect Diocesan Youth Rally.
- Initiated Catholic Heart Work Camp in 2014, and organized retreats, youth ministry trips, and music concerts.
- Designed 'Strong Catholic Families in Reno' website.
- Authored application for Catholic Home Missions Grant.
- Organized World Youth Day ’16, coordinated Theology on Tap meetings, and participated in Sirach 4:28 prayer meetings, fostering community engagement among young adults.
Director of Campus Ministry
Assumption College
Worcester, Massachusetts
01.2010 - 01.2013
- Supported the faith of the student body.
- Served as Rector of the Chapel of the Holy Spirit and chaired the Liturgy Council.
- Managed annual budgets for campus ministry and chapel account, ensuring effective allocation of resources.
- Supervised a team of five full-time employees and brought in two additional volunteer part-time campus ministers.
- Sat on several college councils including the Enrollment Management Committee, Student Affairs Committee, Dean’s Council and Student Advisory Board.
- Advised the Campus Ministry Core Team and AC Allies as a faculty member. Coordinated RCIA program for students seeking initiation sacraments, fostering spiritual growth and community engagement. Initiated student participation in Eucharistic Ministry to the Sick with a local parish and L.O.V.E. (Living Our Values Everyday) support group for students resisting the hook-up culture.
- Served on the committee that completed the design of the $4M Tinsley Campus Ministry Center. I transitioned our headquarters on campus to the new location. The center was completed in the spring of 2012 and included offices for the staff and work study, a multimedia Community Room, Eucharist Chapel, Interfaith Prayer Room, Conference Room, kitchen and renovated sacristy. We purchased the St. John’s Illuminated Bible to display the Sunday readings throughout the week.
- Chaired the Faith and Culture Committee to organize an event each semester. These included “Women of Faith”, “Faithful Citizenship”, “Shroud Encounter” and “When I was in Prison”.
- Brought our Advocates for Life group to the March for Life in Washington D.C. Organed and led student trips to World Youth Day ’11 in Madrid, Spain and World Youth Day ’13 in Rio, Brazil.
- Renewed the “De Freitas Grant” to fund our mission trips.
Religion Teacher
Notre Dame High School
Lawrenceville, New Jersey
01.2006 - 01.2008
- Taught 9th grade interdisciplinary scripture studies for four semesters.
- Developed lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards and student needs.
- Facilitated engaging classroom discussions to enhance student understanding of religious concepts.
- Integrated technology into lessons to support diverse learning styles and increase engagement.
RCIA Director
Saint Aloysius Parish
Jersey City, New Jersey
01.2003 - 01.2008
- Prepared non-Catholics for Baptism and Full Communion with the Catholic Church. Catechized and prepared adult Catholics for Confirmation, strengthening their commitment to the Church.
- Facilitated initiation sacraments for 36 adults over 5 years, including 8 baptisms, contributing to community growth and engagement.
- The highlight on my ministry was when one of the seniors in my religion class at the school, a Hindu, asked to be baptized with me as his godfather.
Religion Teacher and Service Coordinator
Saint Aloysius High School
Jersey City, New Jersey
01.2003 - 01.2005
- Taught a semester of Social Justice and a semester on Marriage and Family as the 12th grade religion teacher. I taught a semester of Church History and a semester of World Religions as the 11th grade religion teacher.
- As Service Coordinator I ensured that every student documented service hours to the community. I digitalized the record keeping. I organized an annual Service Day for the students to build up the local community.
- Directed the choir for our student Masses.
Actor/Dancer
Screen Actors Guild
01.1995 - 01.2003
- Film and stage work
- Performances that had an educational focus include: Lincoln Amphitheatre Lincoln City, Indiana Young Abe Lincoln (2001) Summer-stock, Periwinkle National Theatre New York, New York “Halfway There” (2001) Anti-drug high school tour, Literally Alive New York, New York “The Ugly Duckling” (1999-2000) Children’s literacy theatre company, United Broadcasting Group, Los Angeles, California “A Drug Called Pornography” (1997), “Anti-Graffiti Commercial” (1995), Los Angeles, California
Education
Licentiate in Sacred Theology - Moral Theology
International Theological Institute
Trumau, Austria06-2010
Master of Arts in Theology - Systematic Theology
Immaculate Conception Seminary and School of Theology, Seton Hall University
South Orange, New Jersey05-2008
Bachelor of Arts - Economics/Philosophy Dual Major
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, California05-1995
Skills
- Creative storytelling
- Persuasive writing
- Content development
- Deadline adherence
- Critical thinking
- Editing and proofreading
FOREIGN LANGUAGES STUDIED
Biblical Greek, Latin, German, Italian, French and Spanish
Timeline
Theology Teacher
Bishop Gorman High School
09.2025 - 11.2025
Director of Liturgy, Catechumenate and Adult Faith Development
St. Thomas More Catholic Community
01.2022 - 01.2024
Director of the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral
01.2019 - 01.2022
Associate Director of Faith Formation
Diocese of Reno
01.2013 - 01.2015
Director of Campus Ministry
Assumption College
01.2010 - 01.2013
Religion Teacher
Notre Dame High School
01.2006 - 01.2008
RCIA Director
Saint Aloysius Parish
01.2003 - 01.2008
Religion Teacher and Service Coordinator
Saint Aloysius High School
01.2003 - 01.2005
Actor/Dancer
Screen Actors Guild
01.1995 - 01.2003
Licentiate in Sacred Theology - Moral Theology
International Theological Institute
Master of Arts in Theology - Systematic Theology
Immaculate Conception Seminary and School of Theology, Seton Hall University
Bachelor of Arts - Economics/Philosophy Dual Major
Claremont McKenna College