Saint John’s Seminary Welcomes New Director of Lay Formation Programs - Saint John's Seminary
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Saint John’s Seminary Welcomes New Director of Lay Formation Programs

June 12, 2022

After a comprehensive search conducted over the past year for a new Director for the Master of Arts in Ministry (MAM) and Master of Theological Studies (MTS) Degree Programs, Saint John’s Seminary is pleased to announce that Dr. Anthony Coleman will serve as the new Director.

Dr. Coleman brings more than a decade of experience working in higher education as a teacher, administrator, and scholar. Having earned a B.A. in Theology at St. Anselm College, and an M.A. in Theology and Ph.D. in Systematic Theology (with a minor in Historical Theology) at Boston College, he has taught theology at St. Joseph's College of Maine, Anna Maria College (Worcester, MA), St. Gregory's University (Shawnee, OK), and has previously served as an Associate Program Director for St. Joseph's College of Maine and Director of the Albany Campus for St. Bernard's School of Theology & Ministry. He is the author of Lactantius the Theologian (2017) and editor of Leisure and Labor: The Liberal Arts in Catholic Higher Education (2020). He is the most blessed husband of AnneMarie and a father of four. A native of Braintree, MA, Dr. Coleman is excited to be moving back home, near family, and to serve an institution that was pivotal in his own spiritual and intellectual formation.

Saint John’s Seminary would like to congratulate Dr. Coleman on his new role. We look forward to his leadership as we continue to offer quality graduate education for those who wish to engage a serious study of theology faithful to the Catholic Tradition, and to serve our Church through ministry and evangelization.

“I add my personal thanks and gratitude to Dr. Coleman as he assumes this new role. I am confident that he will bring appropriate leadership, vision, and enthusiasm to move these programs forward," said Fr. Stephen Salocks, Rector, “Dr. Coleman is well respected in the field due to his extensive experience in theological higher education. This background will serve to bolster the existing strong and well respected faculty at Saint John’s.”

Dr. Paul Metilly, Academic Dean, expressed his enthusiasm in welcoming Dr. Coleman to Saint John's, "It is a great pleasure to welcome Dr. Anthony Coleman to the Saint John’s Seminary community as the new Director of the Master of Arts in Ministry and Master of Theological Studies Degree Programs. Dr. Coleman is a serious scholar who is deeply rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition—well versed in Patristic and Scholastic thought, and fully aware of more recent theological developments and proper continuity. He comes to Saint John’s with very significant teaching experience across the whole discipline of theology, and with a sound understanding of the needed training for ministry and evangelization by laity, religious and permanent deacons. He is a man of communion. We look forward to his effective program direction for the advancement of the Gospel and the Church."

The Master of Arts in Ministry and Master of Theological Studies Degree Programs of Saint John’s Seminary form disciples to grow in holiness through engaging the intellect, belonging to a vibrant Catholic community, deepening a student’s relationship with God, and nourishing a life of prayer. These two degree programs are faithful to the Catholic intellectual tradition and are carefully crafted to provide an integrated and thorough study of Catholic theology. They allow for specialization in one of two themes: acquiring skills to minister within the Church, or honing one’s skills to participate fully in the New Evangelization of the world. We are confident that Dr. Coleman will advance that mission faithfully and well.

On July 1, 2022 the Lay Formation Programs Offices will be re-located to Saint John’s Seminary, 127 Lake St., Brighton, MA, a move from their present location at the Pastoral Center of the Archdiocese of Boston, 66 Brooks Drive, Braintree, MA. The move will enable our Lay Formation Programs staff to have a more integrated experience with other seminary offices. Additionally, Lay Programs Saturday morning classes will be held at Saint John’s Seminary, while weekday classes will remain at St. Mary’s of the Assumption Parish, 25 Avery Street in Dedham.

To learn more, visit our website at www.sjs.edu/news

About the Seminary: Founded in 1884, New England’s oldest Major Seminary, Saint John’s Seminary serves Catholic communities across the New England region and beyond by educating and training men to be Catholic priests and by providing a graduate education in Catholic Theology to laity, deacons, and professed religious who serve the Church in a variety of different ministries.