Programs of the Institute are strengthened by the expertise of its speakers and presenters, including successful and articulate pastors, educators, theologians and lay professionals from a wide range of backgrounds and professional experience.
Following is a sampling of some of the many distinguished speakers and presenters who have been involved with the Institute’s programs.
Rev. Denis Robinson , a monk of Saint Meinrad Archabbey is President-Rector of Saint Meinrad School of Theology. He also teaches systematic theology. Fr. Denis earned a doctorate in systematic theology from the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium, where he earlier received an advanced degree in sacred theology. Learn more >>
Rev. Thomas Boyer, a native of St. Louis, MO, attended Latin School of Indianapolis, Saint Meinrad College, Saint Meinrad School of Theology, and summer institutes at Leuven and Notre Dame. Among other service, Fr. Boyer has conducted seminary and diocesan priest retreats. Learn more >>
Mr. John Chappell, an attorney with the Jasper, IN, office of the law firm of Bingham McHale LLP, is a member of numerous civic groups; the American, Indiana State and Dubois County bar associations; and the Board of Overseers for Saint Meinrad School of Theology. Learn more >>
C. Justin Clements graduated from Saint Meinrad College in 1961. He has served as director of the Office of Stewardship and Development for the Diocese of Evansville since 1985, and recently served as a lay advisor to the USCCB Committee on the Laity. Learn more >>
Rev. Bill Dickinson, a priest of the Diocese of Cleveland, serves as the parish administrator for the African-American community of St. Catherine Church and is director of the Office of Continuing Education and Formation of Ministers. Learn more >>
Rev. Gabriel Hodges, OSB, a monk of Saint Meinrad Archabbey, is currently program coordinator for the Institute. He earned a bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management from Iowa State University in 1988, his Master of Divinity degree in 2004, and was ordained a priest in June 2006. Learn more >>
Rev. J. Ronald Knott, a priest of the Archdiocese of Louisville, is founding director of the Institute for Priests and Presbyterates. He is also a weekend campus minister at Bellarmine University, writes for his diocesan paper, and is the author of several books. Learn more >>
Melanie Buschkoetter, RD, CDE, is a registered dietitian and a certified diabetes educator. Melanie is currently a clinical dietitian at Memorial Hospital, Jasper, IN. She also teaches a variety of group fitness classes including bodypump, step aerobics, spinning and bodyvive. Learn more >>
Rev. Mark O’Keefe, OSB, is an educator and a moral theologian. He holds a doctorate in sacred theology (STD) in moral theology from The Catholic University of America.
He has served as academic dean and associate academic dean before being appointed president-rector in 1996. He also is a consultant on issues of medical ethics. Learn more >>
Sister Mary Angela Shaughnessy is a Sister of Charity of Nazareth who has taught at all levels of catholic education from elementary through graduate school. She served eight years as principal of a catholic high school. She has also served on several white house committees through the United States Department of Education. Learn more >>
Rev. Brendan Moss, OSB, holds a doctorate in the ministry of preaching from Aquinas Institute of Theology in Saint Louis, MO. Currently he serves as the Director of New Donor Initiatives for Saint Meinrad’s development office and teachers during the summer in Saint Meinrad’s Permanent Diaconate Formation Program. Learn more >>
Rev. Tom Smith, OFM Conv., is the treasurer for the Mt. St. Francis Sanctuary, Inc., caring for the property at the Mount. He is president of a recently formed Hispanic Connection, and assists in local parishes when he is able. Learn more >>
Rev. Robert Ray has served as Ministry of Spiritual Direction at the Saint Meinrad School of Theology. He currently holds the positions of Pastor at St. Jerome, Fairdale/St. Mary, Hillview; Retreat ministry, both directed retreats and conference retreats and Ministry of Spiritual Direction. Learn more >>
Rev. Thomas R. Clark, is a priest of the Archdiocese of Louisville and is recently retired after serving 44 years as a priest. He has served on the Executive Board of the Kentucky Council of Churches, as chaplain at Central State Hospital in Anchorage for ten years, and on the Archdiocesan Health Panel for 18 years. Learn more >>
Mr. Thomas Schroeder recently retired as the executive director of the Department of Human Resources in the Diocese of St. Petersburg and is also the former chancellor and commissioned lay minister of the Diocese of Saginaw, Michigan. Learn more >>
Mrs. Mary Jeanne Schumacher of Santa Claus, IN, has been director of communications for Saint Meinrad Archabbey and School of Theology since 2001. She worked for newspapers and magazines before coming to Saint Meinrad in 1997. Learn more >>
Dr. Rick Stern is professor of homiletics at Saint Meinrad School of Theology. His interests within the area of preaching include preaching parables, preparing the assembly to hear, and preaching as listening. Learn more >>
Rev. Michael Heher is the Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia of the Diocese of Orange. His essays have appeared in America, Church and Image. He is the author of The Lost Art of Walking on Water; Reimagining the Priesthood. Learn more >>
Dr. Brian Reynolds is the Chancellor and Chief Administrative Officer for the Archdiocese of Louisville. He is presently on the faculty of the Loyola University Institute for Pastoral Ministry. Learn more >>
Rev. Lawrence Richardt has held numerous associate pastor and pastor positions at various parishes throughout southern Indiana. Though currently retired, Fr. Richardt remains a member of Spiritual Directors International Region 21.1. Learn more >>
Rev. Godfrey Mullen, OSB, a monk of Saint Meinrad Archabbey, is the director of the Office of Permanent Deacon Formation, Director of Liturgy, and Associate Dean of Formation for Saint Meinrad School of Theology. Learn more >>
Rev. Joseph Atcher, O. Carm., has been the Assistant Director in the Office of Liturgy, Archdiocese of Washington, DC, taught English and Theology, been the Dean of Students, Assistant Principal and Principal in the Catholic school system. He has also been Parochial Vicar and Pastor of various parishes. Fr. Atcher is currently the Executive Director for the Office of Lifelong Formation and Education for the Archdiocese of Louisville. Learn more >>
Br. John Mark Falkenhain worked for five years at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis. He is adjunct assistant professor of psychology at Saint Meinrad School of Theology. Learn more >>
Mr. Dan Conway, during the past 12 years he provided consulting services to more than 30 Catholic organizations, including archdioceses, dioceses, seminaries, Catholic schools and religious communities. Dan taught in the International Catholic Stewardship Council’s Institute for Stewardship and Development for the last seven years and he writes a regular column on stewardship themes. Learn more >>
Deacon Joseph Chathaparampil became Chairman of the Psychology Department at Spalding University, Louisville, KY. He attended the first class of the Diaconate Program in the Archdiocese of Louisville, was ordained a deacon in 1976. In 1986, Joe became the trainer of instructors and counselors at Fort Knox for the Government where he stayed until his recent retirement. Learn more >>
Cecelia Hamilton is the Assistant Treasurer/Business Manager for the Saint Meinrad Archabbey. She and her husband have operated an accounting/tax preparation business in Ferdinand, IN since 1985. Learn more >>
Mr. George “Bill” Spice became the National Director of High Adventure, and General Manage of Philmont Scout Ranch, National Council in 1993. Bill retired in 2000. He is currently volunteering with the local Boy Scouts, serves on his church board and is a member of the American Heart Association board. Learn more >>
Rev. Patrick Cooney, OSB, a monk of Saint Meinrad Archabbey is an Instructor in Canon Law and serves as an associate formation dean in the School of Theology. He is also the director of Academic Computing and Webmaster for the Archabbey as well as a chaplain in the Air National Guard and a Defender of the Bond for the Metropolitan Tribunal in Indianapolis. Learn more >>
Rev. Stephen P. Lintzenich has been a pastor for 24 years at St. Mary Catholic Church. He serves as personnel director for the Diocese and is active on the Presbyterate Council. He also served the Marriage Tribunal in Court of Second Instance. Learn more >>
Rev. Nick Rice has served as president of three national organizations—the National Conference of Catechetical Leadership, the National Directors of the Permanent Diaconate, and the National Federation of Priests’ Councils, with accompanying membership on the respective NCCB/USCC committees. Fr. Rice has two weekly television programs on the ABC affiliate in the Louisville area, and presently is a certified trainer for the Stephen Covey Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Learn more >>