Leaders

Dr. Pat Castle is the founder of LIFE Runners (est. 2008), the world’s largest Pro-Life team with 25,500+ teammates who wear “REMEMBER The Unborn” jerseys as a public witness in 4,061 cities across 53 nations. He is a life-saving force through faith, activism, and education. Pat has encouraged millions with 800+ presentations and media interviews, including a meeting with Pope Leo. He has delivered millions of life-affirming messages to help end abortion and has raised over $6 million for Pro-Life ministry. Pat is in the International Sports Faith Hall of Fame. He was part of the movie Unplanned. Pat directs the annual A-Cross America Relay, the world’s largest spanning Pro-Life event. Pat served as a pregnancy help center chairman and teaches life-saving outreach at abortion facilities. He completed the Notre Dame Vita Institute. Pat directed youth retreats and RCIA. He grew up in Sioux Falls and graduated from the United States Air Force Academy. He earned a PhD in nano-analytical chemistry from the University of Illinois and is a board member at the Institute for Theological Encounter with Science and Technology. Pat did ten military assignments, including medical squadron commander and the Weapons of Mass Destruction Defense Officer at the base closest to Osama bin Laden on Sep 11th. While an Air Force Academy chemistry professor, he developed the ethics curriculum and coached the marathon team. Pat is a sub-3 hour marathoner, racing 25 marathons including Jerusalem, Venice, Boston, Pikes Peak, and Great Wall of China. He encountered St. Padre Pio while racing up Pikes Peak and carried a “REMEMBER The Unborn” flag to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Pat co-authored the LIFE Runners Daily Devotions book. Dr. Pat is “All In Christ for Pro-Life!” 

Bernadette Costello (2020): operations director.  “My Mom conceived 32 children (16 miscarriages).  After delivering her fifth child, the doctor attempted to do a hysterectomy without her permission.  My Mom awoke and stopped the doctor.  Praise God for her heroic stand for the Unborn.” Bernadette is a respiratory therapist, and advocates through the medical care she provides.  She served as a parish Respect Life coordinator and started an Embrace Grace support group for women who have unexpected pregnancies.  Bernadette does sidewalk outreach training, offering help to women.  She was miraculously healed from blindness.  Bernadette teaches at the Omaha Campus Encounter School of Ministry.  She completed the prayer & spiritual direction program with the University of Mary.  Bernadette selected the best 366 LIFE Runners devotions (out of over 3,000) and edited them to one minute, now published as the LIFE Runners Daily Devotions.  “It is a privilege and blessing to serve God.”

Grant Fenske (2015): healing coordinator. His goal in life is to spread the peace and love of our Lord through prayer and humility. Grant is a Third Order Dominican. He is a fourth degree Knight of Columbus who has a strong devotion to the Rosary and Eucharistic Adoration. He has led retreats for Christ Renews His Parish. For eight years Grant hosted a program on Radio Maria called “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” that was broadcast throughout LA. Grant graduated from Saint John’s Prep High School in Condado, Puerto Rico. He graduated from the University of Southwest Louisiana in 1986 with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Personnel Management. Grant works for 3M. He helps organize races that support Pro-Life efforts. Grant sees the National LIFE Runners Team as a family joined with the life-saving mission of sharing The Good News with love and compassion.

Jeff Grabosky (2013): vice chairman. Jeff grew up in New Jersey and earned Finance and Theology degrees at the University of Notre Dame. In 2011, he completed a solo and unsupported 3,700-mile run across America.  Jeff ran while praying for intentions people sent him from all over the world.  He is the 43rd person to complete an ocean to ocean run, finishing one of the longest routes.  Jeff averaged more than 30 miles a day over the four-month journey.  During the journey, he met LIFE Runners founder Dr. Pat Castle in Alton, IL which resulted in the formation of the annual A-Cross America Relay for Pro-Life (est 2013).  His book, Running with God Across America, was published in 2012 and details his prayerful journey.  Jeff works in the insurance and running specialty industries. He lives in Florida with his wife Mary and their four children.

Matt Jandrain (2022): treasurer.  Matt was born and raised in Omaha, NE and is one of eight kids.  He attended Benedictine College in Atchison KS, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a masters degree in business administration.  Matt did mission trips to El Salvador, Dominican Republic, and Guatemala.  In 2020, he began volunteering for the LIFE Runners apostolate.  Matt is now living back in Omaha and studying for the CPA exam.  He is the proud brother of Clare Jandrain, the 2021 LIFE Runners Female Student of the Year.  Matt and his great family are truly All In Christ for Pro-Life!

Bishop Thomas John Paprocki (2011): team chaplain.  Bishop Paprocki has served as the LIFE Runners team chaplain since racing the 2011 Kansas City Marathon with us.  For the annual national race retreat, he leads the team in prayer at a local abortion facility and at the starting line.  A security guard quit working at the Overland Park KS Planned Parenthood after witnessing Bishop Paprocki lead LIFE Runners in praying the Rosary.  At the 2019 Tulsa Marathon, Bishop Paprocki used his law degree to convince the race directors that we were allowed to hold the “REMEMBER The Unborn” banner on a public sidewalk near the starting line.  He has raced 24 marathons, including Boston, and in the process raised more than $500,000 for charity.  Bishop Paprocki has made the connection between sports and faith a focus of his ministry.  He wrote two books, Holy Goals for Body and Soul and Running for a Higher Purpose.  Bishop Paprocki has served as the Bishop of Springfield in Illinois since 2010.  His episcopal motto is “LEX CORDIS CARITAS” which expresses his profound belief, as both a civil and a canon lawyer, that “the law of the heart is love.”  Bishop Paprocki serves as the chairman of the Committee on Canonical Affairs and Church Governance for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

David Zebolsky (2023): secretary.  David is a lifelong resident of Omaha, Nebraska. After college David worked full time as a business manager before starting a residential construction business which he led for 30 years.  His conversion led him to serve the Omaha Poor Clare Sisters and worked closely with the late Mother Theresina Santiago in her work to reform and build a new monastery, also accompanying the sisters to Rome in 2018.  He was called to the Pro-Life movement as an activist and advocate for life.  David is a 20 year member of the Apostolate for Family Consecration, serving on the Omaha Lay Evangelization Team, and consecrated to Jesus through Mary.  He leads the Omaha team for the St Paul Street Evangelization Apostolate, and is a fourth degree Knight of Columbus, also an officer in his council at Christ the King Church. He was elected to the board of directors at Nebraskans Embracing Life in 2016, and to chairman in 2018.  He has served as Executive Director for NEL since 2020, speaks regularly across Nebraska, fighting for life with hundreds of volunteers and thousands of Nebraskans in their mission to defend life from conception without exception.