2026 Theological Institute Graduation with Mass and Diploma Ceremony

Ellen Gunning- M.A.M.

Ellen Gunning was born in Dorchester and baptized at St. Peter’s Church. When she was two, her family moved to a three-story house in Roslindale, where they became members of Holy Name Parish, an integral part of Ellen’s life for the next 32 years. She attended Holy Name School, received First Communion from Monsignor Charles A. “Zip” Finn and, was affiliated with the Holy Name Band for 24 years as a student and, then as an instructor. She served as an informal leader of the “Inspirations” who sang at Mass, and taught third and fourth graders for 8 years after her graduation from Boston College.

During the 30 years that followed, Ellen enjoyed working with young people in her roles as music teacher, classroom teacher, assistant principal and principal in public schools. During retirement, Ellen served briefly as a Faith Formation Director, facilitated adult Bible studies, sang in the Choir, and participated in a pilgrimage to Medjugorje. Her field education experiences included ministry with the men at a correctional institution and with elderly Sisters at the Seton Residence. Ellen currently serves as an intercessory prayer minister with Encounter School of Ministry of the Archdiocese. As for the future, “Thy Will be done”.

Michael Habeeb- M.A.M.

Michael has spent his career in service to the Church through various ministry roles. He has been a speaker at national and diocesan conferences on the topics of Catholic education, youth ministry, and evangelization. In his current position as Director of Mission Programming at the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana, he oversees Campus Ministry, Service Engagement, and the Assisi Program for Discipleship and Leadership.

Michael lives in Fort Wayne with his wife, two sons, and one awful dog. He is a proud son of Our Lady of the Angels parish in Hanover where he first encountered the faith as a child and was later reintroduced to it as a teenager. He is particularly passionate about the evangelization of young people.

Kathleen Hogan- M.A.M.

Kathy Hogan, formerly of Belmont, lives in Reading. She is blessed with four grown children and six grandchildren. Kathy earned a B.S. in Education from Boston State College and a Master of Art in Curriculum and Instruction from Lesley College. After retiring as a teacher in the Belmont Public Schools, Kathy became an extraordinary minister at St. Camillus Parish in Arlington. It was there that Kathy’s faith journey began and led her to living her Cursillo. Kathy continued on her faith journey by participating in the St. Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, to enhance her prayer life, and by enrolling in the Masters of Arts in Ministry (M.A.M.) program of Saint John’s Seminary, to enhance her understanding of her faith. The M.A.M. program has been a deeply gratifying experience for Kathy, and one that she recommends to others who are looking to grow their faith and grow in Christ - one course at a time.

“For I know, the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jer 29:11 NIV)

Marian McGrath- M.T. S.

Marian was born and grew up in Dorchester, Massachusetts. As a lifelong Catholic, she feels blessed to have had the opportunity to attend the Saint John’s Seminary’s Theological Institute which has strengthened and enriched her faith. She is the mother of sons Andrew and William and daughter Barbara. She is especially proud to be the grandmother of Dominic, Kyjohn, and Matteo.

After attending Catholic elementary school, Marian graduated with honors from Girls’ Latin School in Boston. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics from Boston College, a Juris Doctor from New England Law-Boston, and a graduate certificate in conflict resolution from the University of Massachusetts-Boston. She currently works as an attorney for Dooley Noted Law, PLLC and also grades the Massachusetts Bar for aspiring attorneys.

Since 2018, Marian has been a facilitator for adult religious education (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) in her parish, Saint Bernadette, Randolph, Massachusetts. She previously bagged and distributed groceries weekly at the food pantry of her former parish, Saint Edith Stein, Brockton, Massachusetts.

Marian is especially grateful for the deep faith in God, the kindness and support for each other demonstrated by the faculty, staff, and fellow students at the Theological Institute.

Frederick O’Brien- M.T.S.

Fred has been happily married to his wife Martha for thirty-one years. They have one adult son. As a couple, they participate together as one heart in hosting faith sharing prayer groups, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and many other spiritual events.

Fred was ordained to the permanent diaconate in October 2022. He is currently assigned to St. Michael parish in Lowell, Massachusetts. Fred receives tremendous joy in serving people that he visits who are sick, or lonely or desire to receive our Lord in Holy Communion. In the diaconate ministry, Fred has stood with families as they joyfully present their children for baptism. He has also brought the comforting and merciful message of Jesus Christ to families in grief as they prepare to say goodbye to their loved ones. Fred helps adults in their faith journey who wish to be educated in the faith and come into full communion with the Church through the OCIA program.

Fred’s theological studies and his engagement with instructors and students has been invaluable to his pastoral approach within ministry. Fred’s studies have led him to a deeper knowledge of God and a deeper love of the Church, the people of God.

Rodolfo Panizales- M.A.M.

Rodolfo is graced with love from family and friends. He is married for forty-two years to his college sweetheart, Dr. Maria “Tess” Theresa Panizales. God gifted Tess and Rodolfo with a beautiful and loving daughter, Christia. She was born during Christ the King Sunday on November 23, 1986. She is married and lives in San Francisco with her wonderful husband Ricky. Rodolfo’s late father was a successful business owner, and his late mother was a devoted Catholic Women’s League leader in the Philippines. He was a student leader in college and served under the first woman president of the Philippines, the late Corazon “Cory” Aquino.

Rodolfo is an alumnus of the Center for Public Management of Sawyer Business School of Suffolk University. He is a former consultant and supporter of Harvard University Advanced Leadership Initiative and program participant of the Program on Education Policy and Governance of the Kennedy School of Government.

At Saint John’s Seminary-The Theological Institute, Rodolfo benefited from the Whole Person Formation which included an academic program, spiritual and human formation training. Rodolfo works full-time as a case manager for people with disabilities. He is a former Grand Knight and District Deputy of the K of C.

Michaela Silva, M.A.M.

Michaela grew up in a large Catholic family in Rumford, Maine, where her faith was nurtured from an early age. As a cradle Catholic, she was deeply influenced by the faithful witness of her parents, who were her first and most formative role models. Michaela attended Bates College, where she met her husband of 20 years, David Silva. Together they have three children: Olivia (19), Nicholas (17), and Vivian (12).

After nearly two decades working in finance, Michaela experienced a profound calling to leave the industry in order to pursue a deeper knowledge of the faith, following a Life in the Spirit seminar. In response, she enrolled in the TINE Certificate Program and earned a Certificate in Catholic Theology in June 2020. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in her vocational journey. She went on to work at the Saint John the Baptist & St. Joseph Collaborative in Quincy, MA, where her faith continued to grow and mature.

Michaela later pursued the M.A. in Ministry program, trusting the guidance of the Holy Spirit as new opportunities unfolded. She taught theology at Blessed Sacrament School in Walpole for two years before accepting her current role as Associate Campus Minister and Theology teacher at Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro, MA.

The Theological Institute has been a tremendous blessing in her life. Upon graduation, Michaela looks forward to continuing to serve God wherever He may lead her.

Francis X. Stanton III- M.A.M.

Francis Stanton is a Boston area native who has been actively involved in the Archdiocese for close to fifteen years. He has taught at several schools in the Boston Catholic Schools network for over a decade with roles including classroom teacher, campus minister, and coach. On the parish level, he has served as a volunteer, catechist, and youth minister. Additionally, Francis has been active in a number of Catholic young adult groups and has held leadership roles with groups such as Pure in Heart, Jesus Across the Border, and Young Catholic Professionals. He looks forward to utilizing his M.A.M. degree to continue to serve the Archdiocese in a much greater capacity. He is appreciative of all the support he has received from friends, family, Saint John’s Seminary, Malden Catholic, and the Pastoral Center to finally bring this graduation to fruition.