Faculty Members of the Avila Institute
Dr. Mark Miravalle earned his Sacred Theological Doctorate at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. He holds the Saint John Paul II Chair of Mariology at Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he has been teaching since 1986. He also is a professor at Ave Maria University.
Dr. Miravalle is the founder and senior editor of Ecce Mater Tua, an international journal of Mariology research. He is also president of the International Marian Association, comprised of more than 130 theologians, bishops, clergy, and laity worldwide who seek to promote Marian devotion and doctrine.
This module will consist of a theological investigation of the doctrines and magisterial teachings concerning the singular role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the providential plan of salvation. This will be followed by examining the important relationship between discipleship, discernment, and Marian devotion. Lastly, there will be a theological and pastoral analysis of the Marian messages from the principle apparitions of Mary in the modern world.
Dr. Margaret Turek is originally from the Midwest. She earned a B.A. at the University of San Francisco where she studied in the St. Ignatius Institute, an M.A. at the Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology, and a Doctor of Sacred Theology degree at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. Prior to her graduate studies, she received spiritual formation as a Carmelite for six years. Dr. Turek’s scholarly interests include Trinitarian theology, Soteriology, and the re-integration of Dogmatic Theology and Spirituality. Before joining the faculty at STPSU in 2001, she was a tenured Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at the University of Dallas. She also teaches in the Deacon Formation Program for the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the Diocese of Oakland.
“Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (Jn 14:9). This three-week module will be an exercise in contemplating Jesus Christ as the definitive interpreter and living icon of God the Father (Jn 1:18; Col. 1:15). Following the guidance of Sacred Scripture and the theological reflections of Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, we will bring to light the glorious features of the face of the Father. This is the true God and Father whom (with Christ and in Christ) we are called to imitate as his beloved sons/children (Eph 5:1; Mt 5:48).
Dr. Anthony Lilles, completed his graduate and post-graduate studies in Rome at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas. Living in Oxnard, California with his wife Agnes, they are blessed to be parents of three young adults. Dr. Lilles also serves as Associate Professor, Admissions Director and Academic Advisor to the Academic Dean of St. John’s Seminary; and has been appointed as the Academic Dean of St. Patrick’s Seminary and University in Menlo Park. Having taught graduate level theology for over 20 years, Dr. Lilles is specialized in Spiritual Theology, Spiritual Direction, and various classics of Catholic Spirituality. His expertise is in the spiritual doctrine of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and the Carmelite Doctors of the Church: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and St. Thérèse of Lisieux. He’s the author of Fire From Above, published by Sophia Institute Press, Living the Mystery of Merciful Love: 30 Days with Thérèse of Lisieux and 30 days with Teresa of Avila – both published by Emmaus Road.
God has called us out from the world and into the life of the Church. What does that mean?
The opening module addresses this question by reflecting on the call of God and the way of personal holiness. God has a specific plan for each of us, but knowing this plan is to take the first step of claiming our sonship in Christ and allowing God to mold our hearts as His own (cf CCC, 2563).
Fr. Sean Kilcawley is a nationally recognized speaker on Theology of the Body, Human Love and pornography addiction. He was ordained a priest in 2005 for the Diocese of Lincoln. He served as assistant pastor at St. Joseph and North American Martyrs and taught Theology of the body at Pius X High School from 2005-2009. In 2013 Fr. Kilcawley completed a License in Sacred Theology at the John Paul II institute for marriage and family studies in Rome and returned to the Diocese of Lincoln as director of Religious Education. Fr. Kilcawley is currently serving as the pastor of Sts. Leo and Martin parish in Palmyra, Nebraska.
This module reviews specific challenges present in the entertainment industry and offers life skills for dealing with them. The unit suggests apps and other resources that promote balanced participation in social media, protect against pornography, and support Catholic spirituality. By discussing practices such as periodic “media” fasts and other helpful suggestions, seminary applicants will discern ways to become wise media consumers and good witnesses to the faith.
Dr. Joseph Hollcraft has taught at the Middle School, High School, and University level. During that period, Dr. Hollcraft also hosted the radio broadcast, Seeds of Truth, which reached thousands of listeners in over 40 countries. Seeds of Truth radio can still be found as an iTunes podcast. Currently, Joseph Hollcraft is a Professor and Director of the High Calling Program with the Avila Institute.
Dr. Hollcraft is also the author of A Heart for Evangelizing (Emmaus Road, 2016) and Unleashing the Power of Intercessory Prayer (Sophia Institute, 2020). Joseph has been published with aleteia.org and is a regular contributor to The Catechetical Review, the Homiletic and Pastoral Review, and spiritualdirection.com.
Joseph earned his B.A. and M.A. from the Franciscan University of Steubenville and received his PhD from Graduate Theological Foundation with studies completed at Oxford University.
Most importantly, Joseph is a devoted husband and father. He lives in Canal Fulton, OH with his beautiful wife Jackie, and their four children: Kolbe, Avila, Isaac, and Siena.
Psalm 105:5 tells us to remember God's wonders—His miracles and the judgments He pronounced. God is the essence of goodness, mercy and love. But sometimes, we forget what He has done for us. This module, our closing seminar, will consider the importance of "remembering" and how our memories can serve us in discernment, particularly emphasizing the virtue of hope. Among other topics, we will also reflect upon the nature of time, Christ's words, "do this in remembrance of me," and ways we can better serve the path of remembering what God has done for us.
God has called us out from the world and into the life of the Church. What does that mean?
The opening module addresses this question by reflecting on the call of God and the way of personal holiness. God has a specific plan for each of us, but knowing this plan is to take the first step of claiming our sonship in Christ and allowing God to mold our hearts as His own (cf CCC, 2563).
Father Philip G. Bochanski, a native of suburban Philadelphia, received the degree of Master of Arts in Theology from Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook, and was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in May 1999. He has served in several parish assignments, as well as in special ministry as a high school theology teacher, a chaplain for cloistered nuns, and a spiritual director for seminarians.
Father Bochanski served for five years as a chaplain for the Courage Apostolate in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Founded in New York in 1980, Courage provides pastoral care and spiritual support for Catholic men and women who experience same-sex attractions and who desire to live chastely in accord with the teaching of the Catholic Church on homosexuality.
In January 2015, he was appointed to the position of Associate Director. From January 2017 to June 2023, Father Bochanski served as the new Executive Director of Courage International, Inc., which now includes more than 180 Courage chapters and 80 EnCourage chapters in dioceses throughout the United States and in 15 other countries on 5 continents. He is now serving as the Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Fr. Patrick Summerhays is a priest of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. He has served the diocese as a parochial vicar, vocations director, Archbishop Priest-Secretary, and now as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia. Fr. Summerhays wrote his MA thesis on the topic of Balthasar’s treatment of the Paschal Mystery and its basis for a Christoform spirituality.
Fr. Ignatius John Schweitzer, O.P. is a Dominican priest of the St. Joseph (Eastern) Province. He was ordained in 2011. He spent six years living as a monk in a Carthusian monastery. He then returned to the Dominicans, discerning a strong call from the Lord to help others grow in the spiritual and mystical life. Upon returning, he completed his STL, writing on The Life, Light, and Fire of Triune Love: A Trinitarian Spirituality from Scripture, Aquinas, Ruusbroec, and John of the Cross. He is the prior of St. Catherine of Siena Priory in New York City (411 East 68th Street). He hopes to be of service to the Lord’s loving cry to souls and souls’ cry for the Lord: “Abyss calls to abyss!”
Fr. Donald Haggerty, a priest of the Archdiocese of New York, is currently serving at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. He has been a Professor of Moral Theology at St. Joseph’s Seminary in New York and Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Maryland and has a long association as a spiritual director for Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity. He is the author of Conversion: Spiritual Insights into an Essential Encounter with God, as well as Contemplative Provocations, Contemplative Enigmas: Insights and Aid on the Path to Deeper Prayer, and The Contemplative Hunger.
This module offers reflective insights on the experience of conversion and matters of spiritual importance that arise in the wake of conversion.
The aftermath of conversion is as important as the conversion itself. There will also be special emphasis placed on understanding sin, mercy, and the soul’s response to grace.
Fr. Dennis McManus is a priest of the Archdiocese of Mobile in Alabama. From 1997-2006, he worked as Associate Director of the Secretariat for the Liturgy at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, DC. Pope John Paul II named him as consultor and theologian to the newly established Vox Clara commission of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on which he has served since 2001; Pope Benedict XVI then appointed Fr. McManus as consultor to the Congregation itself in 2010 and then as peritus to the Vox Clara commission. He has taught as professor of liturgy at several seminaries, just completing his last assignment at Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg. Fr. McManus has written widely on liturgical topics. He served as pastoral coordinator for the Archdiocese of New York in deliverance and exorcism ministry from 2009-2011. He is also the USCCB consultant for Jewish Affairs and membered on both the Vatican-Baptist dialogue (2007-2012) and the USCCB-Reform Churches dialogue which issued its historic joint agreement on the form and recognition of baptism (2012). He was general editor of Paulist Press’ Ancient Christian Writers Series from 1994-2007 and translation editor of Varsity Press’ Ancient Christian Commentary from 1995-1998 . Fr. McManus has taught courses in theology, medieval literature, classical languages and Jewish studies for over 40 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in classical languages and philosophy from St. Mary’s College of California; a master’s degree in historical ethics from Georgetown University and a doctorate in patristics from Drew University. He just completed 25 years as Professor in the department of Jewish civilization at Georgetown University. He is presently assigned as parochial vicar at the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland, California and professor of theology at St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park.
This module will explore the time-tested wisdom of the Catholic mystics to better understand the enemy’s influence on the mind and heart, and the tactics needed to combat him. This examination of spiritual warfare will include a reflection on the ebbs and flows of consolation and desolation and teaching to distinguish between the voices of God and Satan. After this module, you will come to see the spiritual life not as a science to be learned, but as an intuitive art to be practiced as you move with increasing success from habitual sin to sanctity and holiness.
