We Welcome New Faculty Members

Saint John's Seminary is known for the excellence of its faculty in all areas of formation. This tradition continues with the addition of numerous excellent faculty members in the 2020-21 academic year.

One new full-time faculty member is serving as a director of one on the major pillars or dimensions of formation: Rev. David Barnes, M.Div., has assumed the office of Director of Spiritual Formation. He is a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston and is also an alumnus of SJS.

Among new full-time teaching & formation faculty is Rev. Crisitano Barbosa, S.T.D. His academic, theological expertise is in systematic theology. Fr. Barbosa is also a native of Brazil.

Prof. Marcus Otte, Ph.D. (cand.), who previously taught as an adjunct professor in the SJS Pre-Theology Program from 2016-2018, returns this year as a full-time teaching faculty member offering courses in both the Pre-Theology and Theology Programs. Prof. Otte's chief academic interest is in the thought of Saint Thomas Aquinas.

Rev. Peter Stamm, M.Div., also joins as a full-time teacher/formator. He is a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston and an alumnus of SJS. Along with his work in general seminarian formation, Fr. Stamm teaches liturgy, Latin and homiletics.

SJS is also pleased to announce the new adjunct teaching faculty members for this academic year:

Rev. Maurice Agbaw-Ebai, S.T.D., Ph.D. (cand.), a native of Cameroon and on leave from his home Diocese of Mamfe to serve in the Archdiocese of Boston, will be offering a course on the thought of Benedict XVI on the Enlightenment. The thought of Benedict XVI is a specialty of Fr. Agbaw-Ebai.

A special congratulations goes out to Prof. Michael Coughlin, S.T.D., for earning his doctoral degree this summer from Boston College. Last year, Dr. Coughlin joined SJS teaching at the Seminary proper. This year he also teaches in the MAM/MTS degree programs for laity, religious and deacons. Dr. Coughlin's academic specialty is Church History.

Prof. Peter Kreeft, Ph.D., who has taught at SJS at various times over the years, returns this year to provide a course in apologetics. Prof. Kreeft is a well-known Catholic author and speaker.

Rev. Nathan Ricci, J.C.L., serves as the Vice Chancellor of the Diocese of Providence and comes to SJS to teach Canon Law.

Rev. Kevin Staley-Joyce, S.T.L. (cand.), is a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston, who joins SJS teaching Patristics and Latin.

Teaching Spanish courses in the Pastoral Language Certificate is Prof. Lourdes Alvarez, M.A. Prof. Alvarez comes to SJS with over 35 years of experience teaching Spanish.

In the MAM/MTS degree programs, Prof. Julianne Shanklin, J.C.L., is teaching Canon Law. Prof. Shanklin has served for many years in the Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Boston, and on account of this service brings significant legal experience into the classroom.

SJS saw the departure of three full-time faculty members at the conclusion of the last academic year.

Msgr. Marc Caron, S.T.D. (cand.), leaves for his next assignment in his home Diocese of Portland, ME, to serve as the Vicar General and Moderator of the Clergy. In addition to his teaching and formation work, Msgr. Caron held the position of Director of Sacred Liturgy at SJS. He was a model to the community of great competence and thoroughness in executing his roles.

Prof. Janet Hunt, D.M.A., retired at the conclusion of last academic year after fifteen years at SJS. She served in those years by directing the liturgical and concert music offerings, and regularly teaching courses in liturgical music. She is remembered at SJS for her great ability at playing the organ, her knowledge of the history of liturgical music and her love of the music of the English Renaissance and of early 17th century sacred motets.

Rev. David Pignato, S.T.D., J.D., served in numerous leadership positions at the Seminary during his tenure of almost ten years. His extraordinary teaching, scholarship, formation work and Christian witness will be greatly missed. Fr. Pignato returns to his home Diocese of Fall River, MA.