About Us
Meet the team behind Wolf Pack Catholic. They are committed to fostering faith, community, and service while creating a welcoming space for students.
Staff
Father Joe Walsh
Pastor
Father Joe Walsh is the Pastor of Our Lady of Wisdom and also serves as Judicial Vicar and Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Reno. He has a deep love for guiding people in their faith and supporting young men who are discerning the priesthood. Father Joe previously studied Canon Law in Rome, an experience that enriches both his pastoral and administrative work. When he’s not serving the Church, he enjoys reading, traveling, and connecting with people through good conversation. He is grateful to be part of the Wolf Pack Catholic community and to walk with university students in their journey of faith.
Deacon Brian Callister
Deacon
Deacon Brian is originally from Lafayette, California, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Stanford University before earning his M.D. at the University of Utah and completing his residency at UCLA. He has practiced medicine in Reno since 1995 and now serves as Professor of Medicine and Vice Chair of Academic Affairs at UNR Med. Ordained a deacon in 2011, he and his wife, Rose, served at Our Lady of the Snows for 20 years before joining Our Lady of Wisdom in 2024. They have three grown children, one grandchild, and love dogs, hiking, and walking the Camino de Santiago. Both Brian and Rose are excited to be part of the Wolf Pack Catholic community and to share their faith with students.
Deacon Jim McClenahan
Deacon
Deacon Jim McClenahan serves at St. Albert the Great and Our Lady of Wisdom, where he helps students and parishioners grow in their Catholic faith. For more than 15 years, he has guided people through RCIA and now leads formation for future deacons in the Diocese of Reno. On campus, Jim is the Executive Director of Outreach and Engagement at UNR’s College of Business, where he connects students with businesses, oversees global learning opportunities, and teaches in the Executive MBA program. He and his wife, Karen, have lived in Reno for more than 20 years and love taking advantage of the outdoor adventures Northern Nevada offers.
Alex
Campus Minister
Alex graduated from Saint Mary’s College High School and is now studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno. He has been discerning a call to the priesthood for a few years and continues to listen for the Lord’s guidance in his life. Alex loves reading about the Catholic faith, playing basketball, mountain biking, and watching movies. He is excited to serve as a Campus Minister with Wolf Pack Catholic.
Ryan
Campus Minister
Ryan was born and raised in Reno and now studies Mechanical Engineering at UNR. He first got involved with Wolf Pack Catholic as a student coordinator and now serves as a Campus Minister. Ryan loves basketball, fishing, and playing guitar, and he’s always up for a good conversation about theology, apologetics, or growing closer to Christ.
Therese
Office Administrator
Therese has worked in Office Administration in the Diocese of Reno for over fourteen years and brings a heart for service to the Wolf Pack Catholic community. She is passionate about supporting parish life and is especially excited to be working with university students as they grow in faith. Therese enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and exploring all that Reno has to offer.
Student Coordinators
Gabby
Hey! My name is Gabby and I am a Freshman here at UNR. I am studying Biology and am a Pre-Med. I am From Reno NV and attended Bishop Managua Catholic High School where I was the Campus Ministry director there! I have a passion for helping people and assisting them on their faith journeys!
Gabrielle
Hey, I’m Gabrielle! I’m in my fourth year at UNR studying geography with a minor in geology. I was born and raised in San Jose, CA. Fun fact about me: I am a member of the University’s old-fashioned mining team, the Mackay Muckers! Feel free to stop me if you see me around campus; I’m always happy to talk!
FOCUS Team
Josh
FOCUS Team Director
Hi! I’m Josh, a 10th-year FOCUS Missionary and Team Director at UNR. Originally from Kansas City, MO, I graduated from Benedictine College and have served at the University of South Dakota and Idaho State University. I’ve been at Our Lady of Wisdom for three years and love living in Reno. I enjoy good food, coffee, walks, conversations, and games like pool and ping-pong. My greatest joy is being married to Annie and raising our three children.
Jianna
FOCUS Missionary
Hi! I am Jianna, a first year FOCUS missionary at UNR. I am originally from Goddard, Kansas, and I graduated from Fort Hays State University with a Masters in Biological Science Pre-Health. During my time at Fort Hays, my relationship with the Lord deepened year after year. Patiently He waited for me to fully give my life to Him in my senior year. Experiencing His healing and radical love led me to pause my pursuit of optometry and follow His call to become a missionary. Now I am grateful for the opportunity to walk with students at UNR and help them recognize that they are seen, known, and loved by our Father. I am excited to see how He moves on this campus and in the hearts of those I meet.
Monica
FOCUS Missionary
Hello! My name is Monica! I am from Orange Cove, California, and I graduated in June 2024 from the University of California, Irvine. While I was raised Catholic, I did not always practice the faith well and had almost left the Church completely to go down the New Age path. However, the Lord pursued my heart, and by His grace, I was able to recommit my life to Him, which has been the best decision I’ve ever made. This is my second year as a missionary, and I am so excited to continue serving the students here at UNR! In my free time, I enjoy reading, painting, and I am always down for karaoke!
Nathan
FOCUS Missionary
Howdy, my name is Nathan. I am a first year missionary from California, and I’m excited to know you all and grow closer to Christ with you. I enjoy dancing, singing, and playing board games on my free time. If I’m not found in the Chapel or the Newman Center, you might be able to find me swimming at the lake.
Our Mission
To lead the university community to encounter and respond to Jesus through ministries of Word, Sacrament and Prayer in Christian Fellowship.
Snapshots of Our Community
What Wolf Pack Catholic Looks Like
Our Partners
Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada
Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada is dedicated to providing support to those in need in the Reno/Sparks community as well as across rural Nevada.
FOCUS
FOCUS is a Catholic lay apostolate that sends teams of missionaries to college campuses and parishes across the world. We invite students and parishioners into a growing relationship with Jesus and the Catholic Church, inspiring and equipping them for a lifetime of Christ-centered evangelization, discipleship and friendships in which they lead others to do the same.
Diocese of Reno
The Diocese of Reno serves the Catholic community across Northern Nevada, fostering faith, education, and outreach through its parishes and ministries.