Biagio Mazza is Pastoral Associate for St. Sabina's Parish in Belton, Missouri working with the adult faith formation needs of the parish. Born in Italy, Biagio came to America when he was 9 years old, not knowing a word of English. Biagio has worked for the Catholic church in various teaching and adminstrative capacities for over 30 years. Previous to coming to St. Sabina in May 2006, Biagio was a staff member of the Center for Pastoral Life and Ministry in the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. Since 1988, Biagio facilitated leadership formation sessions for the diocese, presenting workshops on parish pastoral councils, and leading councils through discernment and consensus training. Biagio also facilitated formation sessions in the nationally recognized diocesan ministry formation program, New Wine, for over 17 years, facilitating courses on a variety of topics, including scripture, theology, church history and doctrine. Prior to joining the staff of the Center for Pastoral Life and Ministry, Biagio worked in catechetical ministry in the Archdiocese of New York for over 12 years.A contributor to The Catholic Bible, Personal Study Edition published by Oxford University Press, Biagio was an adjunct instructor in scripture, theology, church history and Islam for the Institute of Religious Studies facilitated through Benedictine College for the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas since its beginning in the early 1990s. Biagio Mazza received his master's degree in theology and religious education from Fordham University, Bronx, New York, with post graduate work in scripture and theology at Maryknoll School of Theology, Maryknoll, New York. Biagio loves to teach and share faith with all sorts of people. His hobbies include reading, especially church history and scripture books, writing for various publications, gardening, cooking, and working late into the evening.