Speakers

Theology-on-Tap 2006 Speaker Biographies

Dr. Donna M. Altimari Adler is an immigration lawyer and a scholar in philosophical theology. She has campaigned aggressively with the Chicago Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association for comprehensive immigration reform for the past two years.

Dr. Scott Alexander is Associate Professor of Islam and Director of Catholic-Muslim Studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. He holds an A.B., from Harvard University; and a M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. from Columbia University. His has been dedicated to the study of Islam.

Fr. Peter Armenio is the Midwest Vicar of Opus Dei and the official chaplain of the Chicago Bears. He was awarded a doctorate in philosophy from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome, and has taught college level philosophy, Moral Theology, and Church History.

Fr. Britto Berchmans is pastor of St. Nicholas Parish in Evanston, IL. He received a PhD in mass communication from the University of Illinois, and holds master degrees in physics, journalism and theology.

Ms. Christie Billups is currently teaching theology at Lewis University. She holds a master degree in teaching from National Louis University and a masters in pastoral studies from Catholic Theological Union. She is working toward her doctorate in ministry.

Fr. Patrick Brennan is the pastor of Holy Family Parish in Inverness and president of National Center for Evangelization and Parish Renewal. Both an author and practicing psychotherapist, he holds a doctorate in clinical psychology.

Mr. Pat Byrnes is a cartoonist for the New Yorker and America Magazine, creator of the comic strip "Monkeyhouse," and author of two books. He received an Aerospace degree at Notre Dame and worked as an engineer prior to his current profession.

Friar Johnpaul Cafiero, O.F.M. is a Franciscan priest of the Sacred Heart Province. Presently he serves as the Illinois State Police chaplain. He has a doctorate in theology from St. Mary of the Lake.

Sr. Jesus Casas está estudiando para convertirse en un diácono para la arquidiocesis de Chicago. Su esposa Silvia estuvo a cargo de la cordinación de preparación de jovencitas para su quinceañera. También es un estudiante Romero en CTU.

Ms. Judith Chiarelli is a pastoral assistant at St. Clement Parish in Chicago. Judy has worked as a political scientist for over 20 years and is a manager at Argonne National Laboratory. Judy holds master degrees in political science and divinity.

Ms. Anne Chrzan is the associate director of the Diaconate Formation Program in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Ms. Elzbieta Chudzik - Absolwentka Papieskiego Wydzialu Teologicznego we Wroclawiu. Prace magisterska z teologii dogmatycznej napisala u profesora Romana Rogowskiego. Obecnie pracuje w Archidiecezji Chicago w depatrtamencie Biura Katechetycznego na stanowisku Koordynatora katechetycznego dla polskiej grupy etnicznej.

Sr. Christine Connolly, O.P. is the promoter of vocations for her congregation. She participates in retreat ministry, and her experience includes administration within her congregation and with Catholic Charities. She is a graduate of Catholic Theological Union.

Sr. Jose Coronel es un seminarista en el St. Josephs College, estudia filosofía. José tambien ha trabajado en St. Agnes of Bohemia y antes de entrar al seminario estaba activo en la parroquia Holy Family en Waukegan.

Fr. John Cusick is the director of Young Adult Ministry for the Archdiocese of Chicago and on staff at Old St. Patrick’s Church. Ordained in 1970, he served as a faculty member of Niles College Seminary and spent seven years as associate pastor at Mary Seat of Wisdom Church.

Ms. Kate DeVries is the associate director of Young Adult Ministry for the Archdiocese of Chicago. She holds master degrees in divinity, pastoral studies and special education, and is a doctor of ministry candidate.

Br. John Mark Falkenhain, OSB, is a Benedictine monk of St. Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana. He is a licensed psychologist who teaches courses in human and faith development and human sexuality while maintaining a part time clinical practice.

Fr. Ron Galt is a priest at St Teresa of Avila parish in Lincoln Park. He is also the Chaplain at Dominican University in River Forest and teaches a class on Faith and Life to freshman. He is originally from Glasgow, Scotland.

Mr. Sonari R. Glinton is a news commentator and broadcaster for WBEZ 91.5 AM – Chicago Public Radio.

Ms. Marilu Gonzalez is the Coordinator for Pastoral and Social Concerns at University of Notre Dame Institute for Latino Studies Metropolitan Chicago Initiative, a consultant to the Resurrection Project, and is currently pursuing a Masters degree from CTU.

Fr. John Grace, ordained in 1979 and transitioning into the Paulist Community, is an associate pastor at Old St. Mary’s Church. He has served as pastor in Linchberg, VA and as Campus Minister at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA.

Dr. Lisa Green Hill. Founder and director of the Family Christian Health Center.

Mr. Vincent Guider is development director at Saint Philip Neri elementary school.

Dr. Al Gustafson is a past director of the Crossroads Center for Faith and Work at Old St. Patrick’s Church. He holds a doctorate in ministry at Catholic Theological Union. He is an adjunct faculty member at Benedictine University

Mr. Frank Hannigan is the director of the Family Ministries Office. Frank has a BS from Loyola University and an MA from Chicago State University. Previously, he was the director of the Cana Conference of Chicago.

Mr. And Mrs. Neil and Kathy Heskin. Nationally known speakers on marriage and family life.

Mr. Thomas H. Howard is the Director of Life Directions, an organization dedicated to young adults. Tom holds masters in Theological Studies from CTU. Tom has been a speaker and facilitator with numerous organizations.

Mr. Paul Jarzembowski is the acting executive director for the National Catholic Young Adult Ministry Association, and the Young Adult Ministry Director at Holy Family Catholic Parish in Inverness. Paul is also an M.A. candidate in the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University, Chicago.

Fr. Frank Jenks is pastor of St. Alphonsus in Lemont. Previously, he was a pastor of Ascension Parish in Oak Park, where he directed adult retreats and formation days. He has also worked at St. Mary of Vernon, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and Our Lady of Wayside.

Ks. Marek Kasperczuk zdobyl wyzsze wyksztalcenie i stopien magistra teologii przy Katolickim Uniwersytecie Lubelskim oraz otrzymal swiecenia kaplanskie w 1999 r. w Bialymstoku. Obecnie posluguje jako wikariusz w parafii sw. Teresy w Palatine i posiada szczególne zainteresowania w zakresie teologii zycia duchowego oraz liturgii.

Fr. James Kastigar es un sacerdote de la Arquidiocesis de Chicago. Fue maestro en los seminarios de Quigley and St. Joseph's. Actualmente es pastor de la parroquia de St. Anthony of Padua.

Maciek Karaban, (1974) Ukonczyl politologie na Uniwersytecie Kardynala Stefana Wyszynskiego w Warszawie. Specjalizowal sie w zakresie Nauczania Spolecznego Kosciola. Zauroczony personalizmem etycznym Karola Wojtyly z jego koncepcja praw czlowieka i narodu. Zyciowy optymista. Interesuje sie zagadnieniami dotyczacymi zycia Kosciola i problematyka miedzynarodowa. Zareczony. Mieszka w Prospect Heights.

Ms. Beth Knobbe is currently a campus minister at the Sheil Catholic Center at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. She is also working on a master of divinity at Catholic Theological Union.

Fr. Terry Keehan ordained in 1986, is the pastor of St. Matthias and Transfiguration Parishes in Chicago's Lincoln Square/Ravenswood neighborhoods. Previously, he worked in the Vocation Office for the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Fr. Dennis Kolinski, SSJC, is currently associate pastor at Saint John Cantius Church in Chicago, IL. He was one of the founding members of the Society of Saint John Cantius prior to studying at Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell, CT. He was ordained a priest in 2004.

Mr. Matthew Lickona graduated from the Thomas Aquinas College in California, and then began working as a staff writer at the San Diego Reader. In 1999, he began writing a series of columns on his spiritual life for the “San Diego News Notes”, a lay Catholic monthly newspaper.

Pawel Manelski, (1977) Studiowal filozofie na Uniwersytecie Kardynala Stefana Wyszynskiego w Warszawie. Interesuje sie historia filozofii starozytnej i sredniowiecznej oraz filmem niezaleznym z Sundance. Mieszka w Prospect Heights. Hobby: literatura historyczno-fikcyjna, podroze, boks.

Fr. Patrick Marshall is the director of the John Paul II Catholic Newman Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has a master of divinity degree from St. Mary of the Lake and a master in social work from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is a certified addictions counselor.

Mrs. Noelle McWard is a licensed Clinical social worker with a Masters from the U of Chicago. She has been in practice as a social worker since 1993. Noelle has always worked as a psychoterapist, working with individuals, couples & families. She also helped to start "Marcie's Place," a camp for children who have experienced the death of a loved one.

Sr. Elias Moo es un estudiante en la Universidad de Notre Dame con doble maestria en Sociologia y Teología. Es el cordinador de Ministerios para Estudiantes Latinos. Y presidente of MECHA de ND, grupo activo pro-campaña de la legislación de derechos de los emigrantes in South Bend, IN.

Ms. Meghan Murray is the program director of Amate House, the Young Adult Volunteer Program of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson was on faculty of Loyola Academy for 18 years and is currently on staff at Old St. Patrick’s Church as director of faith formation. He holds a doctorate in ministry from the University of St. Mary of the Lake.

Fr. Stephen Newton, a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross, has served at the University of Notre Dame, UIC, in East Africa and in Portland Oregon. He is Director of Faith Formation at St. Emily Parish, and directs the Institute for Central and East Africa Rehabilitation.

The Very Rev. Paul Novak, O.S.M., was ordained as a Servite priest in 1990 and now serves as Provincial of the order of Friar Servants of Mary. He currently assists at Old St. Patrick’s Church, and was formerly a faculty member and campus minister at De LaSalle Institute.

Fr. William O’Shea is pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Naperville. He has taught scripture and ethics at Rosary College and grew up in St. Philip Neri Parish in Chicago.

Ms. Libia Páez-Howard, a native of Venezuela, holds a Master of Divinity from CTU. She is currently serving at the Office for Catechesis, as Vicariate III Catechetical Coordinator, and as Coordinator of Hispanic Leadership Formation for the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Ks. Edward Panek zostal wyswiecony w 1991 roku w Archidiecezji Chicagowskiej. Obecnie jest ksiedzem proboszczem w kosciele Swietego Tomasza Becketa w Mount Prospect. Ksiadz Panek przyczynia sie wzrostu duchowego i psychicznego wszystkich uczestniczacy w zyciu wspólnoty i ich organizacji. Ksiadz Panek ma tytul Magistra w Teologji i pracuje nad zdobyciem tytulu Magistra w Duchowosc.

Mr. Joe Paprocki is associate director of catechetical services at Loyola Press in Chicago. He has over 20 years of experience in pastoral ministry and is an author and speaker on pastoral ministry and catechesis. He is a Doctor of Ministry candidate.

Mr. Jacob Pérez was born and raised in the Little Village community of Chicago. A graduate of U of I, he is the Associate Director of Economic Development at the United Neighborhood Organization (UNO), and an adult educator for City Colleges of Chicago.

Sr. Jesus Presiado es un emigrante que llegó a los Estados Unidos a la edad de 16 años. Jesus está recién graduado de la Universidad de Illinois y actualmente trabaja para la parroquia de St. Anthony of Padua.

Dr. Amanda Quantz is assistant professor of the History of World Christianity Program at Catholic Theological Union. She holds an MTS from Harvard Divinity School and a Ph.D. from the University of St. Michael’s College.

Mr. Tom Quinlan is the director of the Religious Education Office for the Diocese of Joliet. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from the University of St. Mary of the Lake, and worked in parish and diocesan ministry for the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Ms. Elsie Radtke is an associate director of the Family Ministries Office. She coordinates the Divorce and Annulment Support Ministry for the Archdiocese of Chicago. She is co-director of the School for Marriage and a co-host of the Family Ministries monthly radio program.

Fr. Robert Rohrich, C.M., is a marriage/family therapist and a teacher of Christian morality and sexuality for over 25 years. He is involved in parish missions, and works extensively with the engaged, married, separated and divorced.

Sr. Ismael Romero era un seminarista de Casa Jesus y Mundelein. A pesar que no es sacerdote se ha mentenido envuelto en ILP (Interfaith Leadership Project).

Dr. Michael Schuck, who received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, is an associate professor at Loyola University, Chicago. His specialty is Roman Catholic Social Teaching and his interests include Political Philosophy and Theory.

Ms. Modesta Soto-Martinez es Ia asociada pastoral en St. Simeon en Bellwood. Modesta fue la coordinadora de asuntos Hispanos para el vicariato IV por once años. Es Abuela, Madre e hija de padres emigrantes en búsqueda de la tierra prometida.

Fr. Michael Sparough, S.J., is a storyteller, writer, actor and a spiritual director. He holds an MFA from the Yale School of Drama and a doctorate in ministry from St. Mary of the Lake. He is the director of Charis Ministries and a lecturer at Loyola University Institute of Pastoral Studies.

Dr. Lynn Stasior, M.D., is a physician specializing in Internal Medicine who also holds a masters in pastoral studies from Loyola University. Dr. Stasior has a special interest integrating spirituality into patient care.

Sr. Theresa Sullivan, celebrating 25 years as a Daughter of Charity, is the Executive Director of St. Joseph Services. She has used her nursing and administrative skills to assist the poor. Accomplishments include: establishing health clinics, a parish nurse program, and ESL programs.

Dr. Philip Sutton is a licensed psychologist, marriage and family therapist, and clinical social worker. He received a doctorate in Marriage & Family Therapy and his masters in Clinical Psychology from Purdue University. His undergraduate degree is from Notre Dame.

Mrs. Angela Swain holds a master of divinity degree from Catholic Theological Union and is a candidate for the Masters of Social Work degree from the University of Chicago. She is a scholar in the Augustus Tolton Pastoral Ministry Program at CTU.

Fr. Michael Wanda was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1991. He is an associate pastor at Mary Seat of Wisdom and was the associate pastor at St. Louise de Marillac in LaGrange Park.

Mr. Todd Williamson is the director for the Office for Divine Worship with the Archdiocese of Chicago. He is an author and presenter in the areas of liturgy and sacraments, and has ministered in the Archdiocese of Chicago teaching religion and theology.