MEET JOHN & ASHLEY NORONHA
Ciao! We're John & Ashley, and since 2008 we've been living and loving "la dolce vita" in Rome, Italy.
We delight in Rome life and moved to the Eternal City to do our advanced studies, right after we walked down the aisle in 2008.
We love our faith and sharing it, and do that as speakers, media personalities, and university professors. We were honored with the Springtime Award for Outstanding Service in the New Evangelization and have a shared passion to work for the renewal of faith and culture through the Truth & Beauty Project 501(c)3.
We so enjoy breaking open Rome and its beauty for visitors of all ages. For those who can't come to Rome, we shared a little taste of it in a different way, when we hosted the EWTN television series, Art & Faith.
In 2017 we founded the non-profit "Truth & Beauty Project" and create unique Immersions understand the roots of their faith and their Christian identity, using art and beauty to teach what it means to live an authentic Christian life. We also offer a scholarship program, made possible by generous donors, to help young adults in financial need have this life and faith-transforming experience.
Fun fact: John was formerly a professional tap dancer and we just love to cut a rug and dance together - our favorites are ballroom, swing and Latin.
We invite you to come and experience a Truth & Beauty Project Immersion in Rome and see how your faith and life will never be the same.
JOHN
As a hardcore engineer, I never imagined that one day I'd fall in love with art and beauty, and actually teach university students how to peel back the layers in order to allow art & beauty to transform their lives.
But sure enough, I've gone from the lab to the classroom to the streets of Rome, where I teach Sacred Art & Architecture and Theology at various universities. But since you can't 'take the engineer out of the man, I also enjoy teaching Technology at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross.
My educational background is "diverse" with Master's
degrees in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering,
Theology, Philosophy, the Thought of Ratzinger, Augustinian
Studies, and in Computer Engineering and Information
Systems. On the side, I'm a Doctoral candidate in Bioethics.
Many years ago I felt God calling me to leave my dream job.
After reaching the highest level of technology as a corporate
executive with Verizon Global Telecommunications. I felt Him beckoning me to pursue Philosophy and Theology. And I haven't looked back since. In fact, it's been a joy to integrate all of my fields together. It was also fun to get to use my technology background as the Producer for the Television news show, "Voice of the Vatican."
I serve as a consultant in various capacities, including for the
Vatican, when the Pope appointed me and 8 others to the Papal Reform Commission, with the task of investigating the Holy See’s need for organizational, financial, and strategic reform of the Vatican.
God sure comes up with interesting and delightful plans that
we could never imagine, so we've been enjoying the adventure along the way.
ASHLEY
Each week since 2012, I imagine inviting listeners to "visit" Rome, via the gift of the radio airwaves, as the Rome Correspondent for the Relevant Radio Network. It's a joy to share this amazing city and the heart of the Church with listeners all over the world.
I have enjoyed working in television, commercials, voice-over narration, and as the host and anchor of the weekly television news show "Voice of the Vatican."
Believe it or not, my two most interesting bosses ... were Popes! That's when I was a Vatican Official at the Pontifical Council for Social Communications in the Holy See and worked under Pope Benedict XVI and then Pope Francis.
Teaching is near and dear to my heart and since 2013 I've
been a Professor at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross
here in Rome. I formerly taught "The Art of Leadership & Communication" at the European University in Rome. In 2010, I created a course called "Media Training for Priests" and since then have been teaching it at the NAC and to priests and seminarians all over the world.
I'm passionate about helping people grow in their communication skills and so I consult and coach for organizations on four continents in Conflict Resolution, Crisis Communications, Public Speaking, and Media Training.
Before I did my Masters in Theology and STL in Communications, I was an executive in lifestyle marketing for Kraft Foods, Discover Card, JCPenney, 3Com and Universal Pictures.
It's been quite a journey covering a lot of miles, but I like looking at life as a great big adventure of Providence.
