Faculty Members
John Allen...is CNN's Senior Vatican Analyst, the prize-winning Senior Correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter and a frequent commentator for other media outlets. He authored five books on the Vatican and &Catholic affairs, and writes the weekly Internet column, All Things Catholic.Allen has given hundreds of lectures in various parts of the world.
Diego Antolini...graduated from the Conservatory of Music of Perugia, italy. He co-founded the Opportunities Aid Foundation in Malta, is Creative Director of Alliance Exports based in Los Angeles and is a staff member of Planetary WEB-TV. He holds conferences about ethics, spiritual awakening and the development of a new consciousness.
James Carper...is the Director of Development for the Southeast Ventura County YMCA’s. He is the past Director of Stewardship at St. Monica Catholic Community with a weekly blog on spirituality in daily life which is read worldwide. He is the past president of the Simi Valley Education Foundation, the former development director of St. Peter Claver, and serves on the corporate board of the YMCA. Jim and his wife, Teresa, are in the diaconate program, with expected ordination in 2012.
Kerri Caviezel...is a National Chastity Speaker and a well- respected pro-life supporter and counselor, devoting her life to working with youth. She spent eight years teaching junior high and high school students, and coaching basketball. Her interaction with young people made her aware of the great need for guidance and education to counteract the cultural message of death that is constantly being thrust on today’s youth.
Fr. Guy Consolmagno...is curator of the Vatican meteorite collection in Castel Gandolfo, one of the largest in the world. After obtaining his education at MiT and his PhD at the University of Arizona, he joined the Peace Corps, teaching in Kenya. He took vows as a Jesuit brother in 1991. His current research explores the connections between meteorites and asteroids and other small bodies in the solar system. He is honored to have his contributions within the science world recognized with the naming of asteroid 4597 Consolmagno.
Dr. Janice Daurio...is a professor of philosophy at Moorpark College. She is a parishioner at Padre Serra Parish and is married to theology professor Dr. Paul Ford of St. John’s Seminary. Janice and Paul are Benedictine oblates of St. Andre’s Abbey, Valyermo.
Father Paul Donlan...was ordained a priest of Opus Dei in 1962 after completing his Doctorate of Theology from the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome. Following many years of youth ministry on both coasts, he became a Navy Chaplain. Assigned to the Marine Corps from 1988–1992, he took part in the Persian Gulf War of 1990-1991.
Dn. Dick & Franca Dornan...A retired U.S. and World History teacher, Dn. Dick Dornan completed his masters degree in Communication Arts from Loyola University. Ordained a permanent deacon in 1975, Dn. Dick has worked in Baptism Catechesis, RCIA, Detention, and Ministry to the Homebound at St. Jude the Apostle Parish for more than 30 years. Through those years, Franca Dornan, a graduate of Marymont College, ministered at her husband’s side, taught kindergarten.
Suzanne Freiberg...is an expert in career management and transition, specializing in faith- based career programs. With over 20 years of corporate leadership experience, a degree in Theology, and as President of The Gifted Vocation, she helps others integrate faith, reason and best business practices into their career and job search. in 2012, she was one of four social innovators invited to participate in the White House Forum on Social Entrepreneurship and innovation. She also presented the Gifted Vocation program at the White House Forum on Employment Ministries and Job Clubs. She co- leads the RECONNECT Employment Ministry at St. Julie Billiart Church.
Kevin Haley...and his family are recent transplants from the University of Notre Dame, Indiana. He is the new assistant professor of biblical studies at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, and recently finished his doctorate in the Old Testament. “When I was a young man, I seriously considered becoming a priest for a long time,” he said. “Even though I never attended a seminary, I am familiar with the search to discover one’s vocation. It is all about answering the question: Who and what is God calling me to be?”
Fr. Dave Heney...grew up in Thousand Oaks and attended St. Paschal Baylon, where he is now the Pastor. He was ordained a parish priest in 1978 and holds a master’s degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling from USC. He is the author of Don’t Tell Me What to Do!, a book on modern moral issues. He is also a leader of the annual Holy Land Tour, now in its eighth year. In 2002, he founded The University Series.
Daryl Hitt...challenges everyone to quiet the daily noise in their life, connect with God, and speak to the world through action. That is a big challenge in his own life, as coordinator for Youth Ministry and Jr. High at St. Julie Billiart parish, the co-founder of inspired Voice Ministry, the owner of Hittman Mobile Music, and most importantly, husband and new dad.
Gail C. Ireland...developed the use of guided imagery to begin meditation and recently published a book Imaging Prayer. She recently retired as District Captain for Ventura County for the Sacred Heart Retreat House in Alhambra.
Fr. Felix Just, SJ...currently serves at the Loyola Institute for Spirituality in Orange. He is a former professor at Santa Clara University, University of San Francisco, and Loyola Marymount. He holds a Ph.D. degree from Yale University. Fr. Just was born in Berlin, Germany; grew up in Tucson, Arizona; and enjoys hiking and backpacking.
Sam Kaufman...was born into a musical family and started studying music at age five. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in music and English from the University of Washington, is a published musician and poet, and has led hundreds of retreats. Her music has received national airplay, but serving the needs of the local church remains at the heart of her ministry.
Chris Knabenshue...was originally from South Bend, indiana. He has been evangelizing the Catholic faith since the Jubilee 2000. He uses his seminary background (seven years) and continued study to explain the faith and specializes in making difficult concepts tangible and easy to understand for both youth and adult audiences. He has spoken internationally on the Crucifixion and the Shroud of Turin, and nationally on many other faith-based topics. He has worked as the Youth Minister at Our Lady of Grace (Encino, CA), as a theology teacher, and theology department chair at Crespi Carmelite High School (Encino, CA). He is now the Campus Minister at Crespi.
Chor Bishop Bill Leser...was ordained in 1963, was pastor of St. Jude the Apostle parish and has retired, but was most recently in residence at St. Jude Maronite Catholic Church in Murray, Utah. He has been a judge of the Metropolitan Tribunal of Los Angeles and judge of the Eparchial Marionite Tribunal in Los Angeles.
Fr. Bill Lowe...was ordained a Catholic priest in 2007 after 30 years as an ordained Episcopal priest, with degrees in theological studies from Oxford, Harvard Divinity School, Episcopal Theological School and St. John’s University. Following his ordination in 2007, he was appointed Catholic Chaplin/Pastor of the chapels at Naval Base Ventura County and is currently a Chaplain at St. John’s Regional Medical Center, Oxnard, and St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital, Camarillo, and on staff at Padre Serra Parish.
Bernadette Lueck...is a Certified Nutritionist and founder of Scaling Down, a nutritionally-based weight loss and wellness program. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics and has lectured to numerous groups in Southern California. She is a wife, mother of eight, marathon runner and triathlete.
Fr. James J. Maher...is a native born and Catholic school-educated Angelino. Fr. Jim has experienced three distinct careers, beginning with service in the U.S. Navy in the Korean War, followed by a work history of 33 years in aerospace as an industrial engineer and completed with ordination to the priesthood in 1992. He is currently retired and in residence at St. Rose of Lima Parish.
Bill Moran...formerly lived a life of self-destruction before God steered him back to the Sacraments and the life of grace. Now, a daily Communicant, student, entrepreneur, founder of WHYCatholic.com, and president/owner of Pacific Financial, a mortgage banking company, he speaks regularly about his rediscovery of the Catholic Church. His goal is to show others how be excited about their faith and inspire them to be more successful in their own lives.
Dr. Patrick Nichelson...is the President of the Board of Directors of St. John’s Catholic Seminary. He is Professor Emeritus and former Chair of Religious Studies at Cal State Northridge. He also is former President of the California Faculty Association, the union representing all California State University system faculty. His academic areas are ethics, religion and literature.
Fr. Kenan Osborne...a scholar and teacher of international repute, is in a league of his own. Students at Franciscan School of Theology have been crowding into his classes since 1967. Recently traveling and teaching in mainland China after learning Chinese, he can unite the Christian ways of thinking with Asian ways of thought. He is a bridge between the old, pre-Vatican ii world and the contemporary global village of today.
Roy Petitfils...comes to us as a Counselor at Pax Renewal Center in Lafayette, LA. After earning his Masters in Counseling, he studied ministry and spirituality in Rome at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas. An author and internationally syndicated columnist, he feels lucky to have to opportunities to speak and help facilitate experiences for people to enter sacred space and encounter the Lord in Churches, Schools, Conferences and Dioceses around the country. His newest book is in press, What Teens Want You to Know but Don’t Tell You.
Bob Pisapia...is a retired Occidental Petroleum executive and currently works on archeological excavations in California, New Mexico and Utah, publishing several articles on pre-historic Native American art. He has extensively researched early Christian art . He holds undergraduate degrees in Personnel Management and Industrial Psychology from Baruch University and a degree in Finance from California State University.
Fr. Chris Ponnet...is Pastor of St. Camillus Center and chaplain at County-USC Medical Center. He holds a master’s in Divinity from St. John’s Seminary and is a board-certified chaplain through the interfaith Association of Professional Chaplains. He speaks, writes, works for peace and justice, and serves on the board for Pax Christi and other organizations dedicated to the Catholic Consistent Life Ethic.
Deacon Guillermo Rodriguez...was ordained to the permanent deaconate in 2011. He is currently in the Hispanic Ministry at St. Paschal Baylon in Thousand Oaks. He has been involved in ministries such as Restorative Justice, Youth Groups, RCIA, Religious Education, the Charismatic Renewal and several others. Memo works as Software Applications Architect for a local company in Westlake Village.
St. Bonaventure High School Players...has a history of producing productions about social issues. it has worked with the “Dead Man Walking” school theater project to focus on death penalty awareness. it also performed Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 to students to raise awareness about reading and censorship.
Fr. Joe Scerbo...is a Franciscan Friar of Atonement. Ordained in 1970, he holds a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., and a master’s in Theology from St. Paul’s College, also in Washington. He holds a Ph.D. in Religion and Personality Sciences from the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley. Fr. Joe presently resides at St. Paschal Baylon.
Fr. Gregory J. Semeniuk...studied for the priesthood with the Eastern Province of the Vincentians. After 10 years of bilingual evangelization with an emphasis on Hispanic Catholics in Long Island, he opened a house of discernment for Hispanic Candidates to the Vincentian order. He is presently completing his dissertation in systematic theology on the work of Hans Urs van Balthasar and serves as the Director of Students at St. John’s Seminary.
Dave Shaneyfelt...is an attorney with the Ventura firm of Anderson Kill & Olick, PC. He is a former trial attorney with the U.S. Dept. of Justice in Washington, D.C. and is a graduate of Thomas Aquinas College and Willamette College of Law. He has also published numerous articles in Catholic, secular and professional publications.
Dr. William Shaules...received his PhD in New Testament from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena in 2005. He also has a Masters of Divinity from Fuller and a Masters of Religious Studies from Mount St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles. He presently teaches in the Diaconate Formation Program for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles as well as at Loyola Marymount University and at Fuller Seminary.
Fr. Joe Shea...is pastor of St. Rose of Lima in Simi Valley. Ordained in 1978, he served as an associate pastor at St. Ignatius of Loyola in Los Angeles and St. John Vianney in Hacienda Heights. He served six years as Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and 13 years as an administrator and pastor of Holy Family Catholic Community in Glendale.
Joe Sikorra...M.A., L.M.F.T., is passionate about sharing the Gospel of hope, and living with purpose. His workshops and lectures combine the best and most recent psychological research, which, he says, is consistent with Scripture. His music is rooted in the Bible, his rich life experiences, and focuses on relationship with God and each other. He is happily married and the proud father of two amazing children who thrive despite living with significant disabilities.
Sri Silva...has been a Catholic music and choir director and cantor for over 10 years after completing seminary studies for the priesthood. He received his master’s degree in Conducting from Cal State LA where he received Special Recognition in Graduate Studies from the music faculty. He has studied Gregorian chant with the monks of Solesmes, in France and in Genoa Italy. He is also an expert on regional pronunciations of Latin in the choral repertoire.
Fr. Alexei Smith...has served as the ecumenical and inter-religious officer of the Archdiocese since 2000. A past president of the inter-religious council of Southern California, he is a recipient of The Valley Interfaith Council’s prestigious Religious Leadership Award. Currently, he is President of the Southern California Ecumenical Council.
Dr. Daniel Smith-Christopher...A popular speaker, Smith-Christopher has a master’s degree from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Indiana and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Oxford University, England. He is currently a Professor of Theology at Loyola Marymount University and appears frequently on the Discovery and History channels.
Orlando Carter Snead...is the William P. and Hazel B. White Director of the Center for Ethics and Culture and professor of law at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana. His principal area of research is Public Bioethics – the governance of science, medicine, and biotechnology in the name of ethical good. His scholarly works have explored issues relating to neuroethics, enhancement, stem cell research, abortion, and end-of-life decision making.
Father Robert J. Spitzer, SJ, Ph.D....is the President of the Magis Center of Reason and Faith and the Spitzer Center for Ethical Leadership. He was President of Gonzaga University from 1998-2009. In addition to his doctorate, he earned three master’s degrees. He has published 5 books and numerous scholarly articles, started 6 national institutes, and speaks widely on the philosophy of science, philosophy of God, and ethics.
Dr. Stephen Trudeau...is an award winning psychologist practicing in Westlake Village, CA. Author of the book, The Special Needs of Parenting, and two popular blogs: The Courage to Thrive, and Special Parenting, he is a highly sought-after motivational speaker, radio host and television personality. Dr. Trudeau is dedicated to helping families overcome conflict and help support our youth to realize their true potential. His parenting mantra is “Behind every bad behavior is an unmet need.”
Sr. Rose Marie Tulacz...is recognized as the founder of Notre Dame Creations, a ministry of liturgical and fine art photography and spirituality. She frequently gives parish missions, retreats and faith enrichment.
Fr. James Valladares...is a diocesan priest and an educational and counseling psychologist who is presently serving the archdiocese of Adelaide, South Australia. This is his 44th year in the pastoral ministry; the first 19 years were spent in serving the archdiocese of Bombay (now Mumbai), India.
Dr. Chuck Weber...received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from UCLA in 1964 and has since been a member of the electrical engineering faculty at USC. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. A parishioner of St. Paschal Baylon, he is a lector and leads the Thursday evening Genesis-to-Revelation Bible Study.
Rhett Young...returns to us as the new Director of Missionary Outreach at Franciscan University of Steubenville, in Ohio. The father of eight, he has more than twenty years of experience working with children, parents, and educators as a high school teacher and elementary school principal. He holds a bachelor’s degree in theology and philosophy from Franciscan University and a master’s degree in education from Xavier University, Cincinnati.
Dr. Andrew Yuengert...is a professor of Economics at Seaver College, Pepperdine University. He holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Virginia and a Ph.D. in Economics from Yale University. He is a former President of the Association of Christian economists, and currently serves as editor of the journal Faith and Economics. Recent books include The Boundaries of Technique: Ordering Positive and Normative Concerns in Economic Research, and Inhabiting the Land: the Case for the Right to Migrate.
Facultad de Clases en Español
Margaret Oberon...es la Capellán del Ministerio de Detención de la Arquidiócesis de los Ángeles, en la oficina de Justicia Restaurativa. Actualmente atiende “La Detención de Adultos y Jóvenes” en el Condado de Ventura. Es empleada de la Oficina del Distrito de Abogados en el mismo condado y miembro de la iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción en Ventura, donde también es la líder del Ministerio de Detención.
Ruben Quezada...es el Director de Operaciones del Centro de Recursos Católicos (Catholic Resource Center) y es experto en el tema de la persecución de la Iglesia Católica en México y la vida del Beato Miguel Pro y los mártires mexicanos durante los 1920s. Rubén conduce frecuentemente el programa de radio "Encuentro" por Guadalupe Radio 87.7 FM en Los Ángeles y viaja por todo el país impartiendo presentaciones sobre la fe Católica.
Dcn. Guillermo Rodriguez...fue ordenado al diaconado permanente en el año 2011. Actualmente participa en el Ministerio Hispano en St. Paschal Baylon en Thousand Oaks. Ha participado en ministerios como Justicia Restaurativa, Grupos Juveniles, RiCA, Educación Religiosa, la Renovación Carismática, el Consejo interreligioso de Conejo Valley, entre otros. Memo y su esposa Liliana son facilitadores para el tercer año del Programa de Formación para el Diaconado. Memo trabaja como Arquitecto de Aplicaciones de Software para una compañía local en Westlake Village.
Jesse Romero...tiene una Maestría en Teología Católica de la Universidad Franciscana de Steubenville, OH. Antes y desde entonces, se ha dedicado a la enseñanza, dando pláticas, escribiendo e impartiendo estudios bíblicos sobre diversos temas católicos. Jesse también está sirviendo a nivel parroquial como el director de educación religiosa en la parroquia de Guardian Angel en Pacoima, CA.
Ernesto Vega...es el Coordinador Arquidiocesano del Ministerio de Formación de Fe para Adultos de Habla Hispana de la Arquidiócesis de Los Angeles. Obtuvo una licenciatura doble, una en Filosofía y la otra en Literatura Española en el Seminario Arquidiócesano de San Juan. Ernesto también obtuvo una maestría en Psicoterapia Familiar y de Parejas de la Universidad de Loyola-Marymount. Ernesto tiene una pasión por las artes, la sicología y la espiritualidad.
P. Paúl Velasquez...es sacerdote de la Arquidiócesis de Los Ángeles. Nació en Tepatitlán Jalisco, México y fue ordenado en 2006. Trabajó como maestro y trabajador social, además de trabajar en diferentes ministerios de la iglesia. Sus estudios de filosofía los realizó en el seminario Conciliar de México y los de teología en el seminario de San Juan en Camarillo, CA. También cuenta con una licenciatura en educación. Ha sido vicario en varias parroquias de la Arquidiócesis, entre ellas la de la Santa Cruz en Moorpark.
Faith in Music Performers
Lynn Rd....includes Jana Bellan, a veteran of stage, film, and television as a lyricist; Jody Bruno, who has been singing and performing since she was 8; Georgina Cerbrero, who joined the St. Paschal Contemporary Group in 2002; and Kevin Stoller, Director of Music at St. Paschal Baylon and composer and recording producer in Los Angeles.
Rise Above...is the result of many years of collaborative sacred song writing by Jim and Denise Leslie. The group includes singers from 3 local parishes: Nancy Luna, Nancy Cassell, Bobbie Kubit, Judy Anderson, Cecelia Coe, and also features Brandon and Chris Leslie on drums, bass, piano, and guitar. Songs feature a wide variety of musical influences, from gospel, blues and worship music to classical.
The Seraphim Ensemble directed by Sri S. Silva...is an ecumenical choral group comprised of singers of various faiths, musical experiences, and professional backgrounds. The Ensemble is dedicated to preserving the ancient art of sacred music through historically informed performances hoping to bring this enlivening and contemplative experience to our audiences. 10% of all proceeds support local maternity homes, such as St. Anne’s in Los Angeles and Sarah’s House in Simi Valley, CA.
Joe Sikorra...is a man with a vision: to experience and share the joy, comfort, and love of God.
Juan Carlos Sorez...was born in Nicaragua and raised in California. He is a poet, singer-songwriter and composer/guitarist who studied classical and jazz guitar with several well known teachers, including the legendary Ted Green. Sorez writes spiritual poetry in contemporary song form, with influences traced to Saint John of the Cross, Saint Therese of Avila, Tagore, Kabir, Dario and others. He works for the parishes of Saint Peter and Paul in Wilmington and Saint Aloysius in Los Angeles.