Administration, Faculty, and Staff

Mrs. Babin is a native of New Orleans and is a graduate of Cabrini High School and Our Lady of Holy Cross College. She joined the Notre Dame Seminary staff in May 2015.

Dr. Barker was born and raised in New York City. He completed a doctorate in philosophy at the Center for Thomistic Studies (Houston). He holds an M.A. from the University of Paris (the Sorbonne) and a B.A. in Classical and Romance Languages from Harvard University, which included studies at the University of Seville, Spain. He studied two years of graduate-level theology while in France. While Dr. Barker has a broad range of competencies, his research focuses on philosophical psychology, notably in Aquinas, Aristotle, Avicenna, and Averroes. His research in contemporary philosophy focuses on Heidegger. He also translates Spanish, French, and Latin scholarly texts.

Dr. Barker enjoys teaching philosophy because it disposes seminarians to live holier lives and enables them to better defend truths accessible to reason such as the existence of God or the right to life.

His publications include: “Aquinas on Internal Sensory Intentions: Nature and Classification,” International Philosophical Quarterly 52.2 (2012); “Experience and Experimentation: The Meaning of Experimentum in Aquinas,” The Thomist 76.3 (2012); Review of Martin Rhonheimer, Vital Conflicts in Medical Ethics, in International Philosophical Quarterly 51.1 (2011); “Material Cooperation with Abortion: A Test-case,” Homiletic and Pastoral Review 109 (2009). He is nearing the completion of a book-length manuscript entitled Aquinas on the Cogitative Power: Sensory Knowledge of Kinds.

http://cogitativepower.blogspot.com/

The director of the Rev. Robert J. Stahl, S.M.. Memorial Library, Tommy arrived at Notre Dame Seminary, in 2010, from Xavier University of Louisiana where he filled the roles of reference and electronic resources librarian for six years. He had worked in a number of different school and public libraries dating back to 1989, and received his Masters of Library and Information Science from Louisiana State University in 1999. A pastoral musician, also, he has served in parishes of the Archdiocese of New Orleans for over 30 years; his service began while still a student at St. John Vianney Preparatory Seminary. He is currently the organist at St. Rita of Cascia on Lowerline in New Orleans where he has served since 2000.

Brian J. A. Boyd is a moral theologian with particular interest in Catholic Social Teaching, and he serves as the director of the Center for Ethics and Economic Justice at Loyola University New Orleans. Dr. Boyd is delighted that his role at Loyno offers the flexibility to teach also at NDS because the formation of seminarians and active laity is essential to the flourishing of the faith. The son of an Italian immigrant who has lived in seven states and three countries, he and his family now hope to put down strong roots in, and help to grow, Catholic Louisiana.

Dr. Boyd holds three degrees in philosophy or theology from the University of Notre Dame and a fourth from Blackfriars Hall at the University of Oxford. Besides publishing scholarly work on the just wage and related topics, he is a consultant and contributor to The New Atlantis on the ethics of artificial intelligence, using the framework of “amistics.” He has been a James Buchanan Fellow of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, and in 2024-2026 he will engage transhumanism and the body as part of the “Generations in Dialogue” cohort at the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at the University of Southern California — or, as Domers will insist on calling it, “Southern Cal.”

Fr. Luke Buckles was born April 22, 1949 in Des Moines, Iowa and Baptized the following June at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Des Moines. As a young boy his family moved to San Diego, California where he grew up. His father worked in the post office and his mother was a nurse. He has one brother who just retired from teaching at St. Rita’s elementary school and continues to teach Philosophy at the community college.Fr. Luke entered the Catholic Church in October, 1967 during his first semester of pre-med studies. Mid-way through the program he discerned a call to become a priest. The vocation director for the diocese of San Diego encouraged him to consider religious life. The vocation director gave him a book to “pray through” with all the different religious orders of men in the Church and that is how he first came across the Dominican Order.

Fr. Luke entered the Dominican Order on September 8, 1972 and was ordained on March 17, 1978, having completed an M.Div and a Master of Arts in Theology. After a year of ministry at Holy Rosary Church, he was sent to Rome and earned his licentiate and doctorate in sacred theology in 1985 from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Angelicum. He taught at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology until 2003 when he was invited to teach at the Angelicum. He finished his assigned terms as a member of the faculty and rector of the International Convitto of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome and currently has been teaching again at the Dominican School in California every fall semester and for every spring semester since 2021 at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is currently appointed as an adjunct faculty member of the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in California and adjunct professor of spiritual theology at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans.

Fr. Luke has taught theology for the last 40 years as well as serving as spiritual director to religious brothers, priests, nuns and sisters co currently during these years. In the summers he has had the privilege of serving in parishes, Newman centers, and offering retreats to priests, married couples, and members of Christ’s Faithful Laity.

Daniel P. Burns, Ph.D. was appointed the Director of Lay Ministry Programs and Lay Formation at Notre Dame Seminary in July, 2023. As the director, Dr. Burns directs, promotes, and develops the Institute for Lay Ecclesial Ministry (ILEM) and the Master of Arts in Pastoral Leadership (MAPL) programs. Dr. Burns is a lifelong resident of Louisiana, earned his B.A. in Philosophy from St. Joseph Seminary College in Covington, LA. in 1997. He then earned an M.A. in Theology from Notre Dame Seminary in 2004. He continued his graduate studies and earned a Ph.D. in Theology from Loyola University Chicago in 2011. He is married to his lovely wife, Christi, and together they have four children and reside in Covington, LA, where he has been an active parishioner of St. Peter Parish since 2007. As a theologian and higher education administrator, Dr. Burns has spent most of his career in seminary formation, first as theologian and Chief Academic Officer of St. Joseph Seminary College since 2007, and now at Notre Dame Theological Seminary. His particular research interests are Theological Anthropology, Christology, monastic spirituality, and vocations and the states of life. Recent publications include “College Seminary: a Defense” and “The Limits of Self-sacrificial Love: Ecclesiastical Obedience in the Theology of Hans Urs von Balthasar.” Both of these articles were published by the Institute of Priestly Formation.

Fr. Michael Champagne, CJC graduated from Leonville High School and attended Louisiana State University where he received a BS in mechanical engineering.  He worked for Louisiana Power and Light until 1988 when he joined the Community of Jesus Crucified. In 1993 he received a STB in Theology from the Gregorian University in Rome and was ordained a priest in 1994. In 1995 he received an STL in theology from the Angelicum University, where he wrote on the Sacramental Characteristics of Religious Consecration. In 2006 he earned a doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas in Rome, writing on The Relation between St. Thérèse de Lisieux and Mother Teresa of Calcutta.  His publications include topics on consecrated life, the Holy Spirit, Mother Teresa and St. Thérèse de Lisieux.

In 2006 he began the Aquinas Institute in Lafayette and continues to serve as director and faculty members. Fr. Champagne joined the NDS faculty in 2008 as an adjunct professor of theology and spiritual director. In 2015 he began Fȇte-Dieu du Teche, LLC, an organization to promote new evangelization initiatives in the Acadiana region including the annual Assumption Boat Procession, the public Bible Marathon, and the operation of the Spiritual Care Unit (mobile confessional). Father is also the director of St. Teresa Center for the Works of Mercy which operates a soup kitchen and food pantry for the poor, Guadalupe Sober Living House for men, and Oratory Don Bosco, a youth center for at-risk youth. Father Champagne presently serves as the religious superior of his community.

Fr. Steve Dardis is a native of New Orleans and served in Religious Life from 1998-2016.  He was ordained to the Priesthood for the Legionaries of Christ in 2012 before incardinating into the Archdiocese of New Orleans in 2016.  After serving as Chaplain for Christian Brothers School and then Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Slidell, in 2018 he was named Pastor at Holy Family Church in Luling for six years and Dean of the River Parish Deanery through 2024.  He also served as chaplain for Pope John Paul II High School in Slidell and St. Charles Catholic High in LaPlace.  Having served as an adjunct Spiritual Director for six years at Notre Dame Seminary, Fr. Steve now serves full time as Spiritual Director and Coordinator of Spiritual Formation.  

Fr. Luis Duarte is a native of  Colombia, studied Philosophy and Theology in his country and was ordained for the archdiocese of New Orleans in 2020 after completing his studies at Notre Dame Seminary. 

He served as the parochial vicar of Divine Mercy Parish in Kenner, Louisiana, for four and a half years, and he has been teaching Ecclesiastical Spanish since 2020 at Notre Dame Seminary. 

As of July 1, 2024 Fr. Duarte is serving as Parochial vicar of St. Jane de Chantal Parish in Abita Springs, Louisiana, and coordinator  of the Hispanic Ministry in the Northshore of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

Konnie graduated from Loyola University New Orleans with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and has over 20 years professional accounting experience.  She joined Notre Dame Seminary Staff in July 2024.

B. Phil (Makerere University – Kampala), M.Div (Notre Dame Seminary),
S.T.L. (Sant’Anselmo – Rome), S.T.D. (Sant’Anselmo – Rome).

A priest of the Archdiocese of Tororo – Uganda, Fr. Deo was ordained in 1998 after his seminary studies at Notre Dame Seminary.

He then served for seven years as Secretary to his bishop and Chancellor of the diocese. During that time he also served for four years as Vocations Director and Master of Ceremonies of the diocese and three years as Pastor of Queen of Peace Parish in Kachongha.

After his studies in Sacramental Theology in Rome, Fr. Deo began serving on the faculty of NDS in 2009. At NDS Fr. Deo serves as the Vice-Rector, Director of Configuration Formation, a Professor of Sacramental Theology and Liturgy and a Formation Adviser. He is also the Director of Seminarians for the Tororo seminarians studying at NDS.

In addition to his training and experience as a priest and formation advisor, Fr. Deo hopes to bring to Notre Dame Seminary the experience of the African Church and culture. In addition to several native Ugandan languages, he speaks English and Italian.

Thomas (Tommy) Fonseca holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Mississippi State University. He is a professor of Counselor Education and the School Counseling Coordinator within the Department of Counseling and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Holy Cross. He has over eight years of school counseling experience and over seventeen years of experience as a counselor educator. He created the first webinar on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of trauma- and stressor-related disorders hosted by the Louisiana Counseling Association (LCA). Dr. Fonseca served as past president of the Louisiana Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling (LASERVIC), a division of LCA. Dr. Fonseca also serves as past president of the Louisiana Counseling Association. He received the 2010 Adjunct Faculty of the Year award from the University of Holy Cross.

He has presented several chapters of the DSM-5 at Family Services of Greater New Orleans, Jewish Family Services (Metairie), and Catholic Counseling Services (New Orleans). He has presented at the Louisiana Counseling Association’s (LCA) Annual Conference for the past fifteen years, the Law and Ethics National Conference, and the Mississippi Counseling Association’s (MCA) Annual Conference on crisis response planning. His presentation on crisis response planning won the 2015 LCA Best of Show award for its excellence in demonstrating how professional school counselors can advocate for the profession by enhancing their contributions to campus crisis planning teams.

Dr. Fonseca has been the guest speaker for three district-level school board in-services, during which he focused on using best practices in campus planning for violent intruders. He has received training from multiple institutes and organizations, including NOVA (National Organization for Victim Assistance), ALICE Training Institute (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate – the first active shooter training to be endorsed by the US Department of Education, Homeland Security, and FEMA), Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council (WRHSAC) Symposium on Active Shooter Awareness, Louisiana State University (LSU) School Shooter Awareness Summit, and Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Training. In addition, he has responded to two active shooter events.

His licenses/certifications include Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), LPC Board-Approved Supervisor (LPC-S), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), National Certified School Counselor (NCSC), and National Certified Counselor (NCC). Outside work, Dr. Fonseca loves spending time with his family and friends, reading, fishing, or relaxing on a beach.

Travis Gerhkin Travis is a Native of New Orleans who attended Ben Franklin High School, Tulane University, and received his Bachelor’s of Science at University of New Orleans. He joined Notre Dame Seminary in 2012.

Father Nile Gross is a native of New Orleans and was ordained for the archdiocese in 2009 after completing his studies at Notre Dame Seminary. After serving as the parochial vicar of Saint Clement of Rome Parish in Metairie, Louisiana, for two years, he was selected to study Liturgical Theology at Santa Croce University in Rome, from which he received his License in 2013. Upon his return to the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Father Nile was named Director of Liturgy at Notre Dame Seminary. He also served as Associate Academic Dean, Director of the Master of Divinity Programs, Director of Intellectual Formation, and Professor of Liturgical and Sacramental Theology for both the seminarians and those enrolled in the M.A. program. As of July 1, 2023, Fr. Gross is serving as Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in New Orleans and an adjunct professor of Liturgical and Sacramental Theology at Notre Dame Seminary.

Sherri was born and raised in Metairie.  She is a graduate of the University of New Orleans as well as Nicholls State University.  She has worked within the Archdiocese of New Orleans for over 20 years.  She joined the Notre Dame Seminary staff in July 2023.

Reverend Andrew O. Gutierrez is a native of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. He grew up in Metairie and was an active member of his home parish, St. Clement of Rome. He attended Archbishop Rummel High School graduating in 2011 and then pursued a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Louisiana State University graduating in 2014.

Fr. Gutierrez entered St. Joseph Seminary College and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Theological Studies in 2015. He continued his seminary formation at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans where he received a Master of Arts in Theology with a concentration in Spiritual Theology in 2019. That same year, Fr. Gutierrez was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

Following ordination, he served four years as parochial vicar of St. Catherine of Siena Parish. In 2023, Fr. Gutierrez was assigned to Notre Dame Seminary where he currently serves as Coordinator of Pastoral Formation, Coordinator of Vocational Synthesis, Chair of Pastoral Theology, and Professor of Sacramental Theology while remaining chaplain of Archbishop Rummel High School.

In 2024, he completed further graduate studies to receive his Licentiate in Sacramental Theology from the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundeline, IL.

Dr. Haddad is a professor of Dogmatic Theology. He earned a B.A. in Philosophy and a B.S. in Psychology from Louisiana State University in 2012. He is an alumni (2015) of the M.A.T.S. program of Notre Dame Seminary, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude, and he is a proud son of South Louisiana, having been born and raised in Houma, LA. Dr. Haddad earned his Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from The Catholic University of America in 2022, where he wrote his dissertation on why and how modern natural scientific knowledge can positively contribute to the practice of Catholic theology. Dr. Haddad’s research interests focus on fundamental theology, the theology of Joseph Ratzinger, and the relationship between theology, philosophy, science, art, and culture. He is the Co-founder and Co-director of The St. Louis IX Art Society and is a Scholar Associate of the Society of Catholic Scientists. His essays have appeared in New Blackfriars, Church Life Journal, and Homiletics & Pastoral Review. He lives in Kenner, LA, with his wife, Shannon, and their two daughters, Lily and Elizabeth.

Ms. Hattier is a native of New Orleans. She is a graduate of Archbishop Chapelle High School and attended the University of New Orleans. She joined the Notre Dame Seminary staff in June 2016.

Kathy R. Hebert, CPA has over 25 years of professional accounting and auditing experience. Kathy began her career as an audit professional at Ernst & Young, LLP where she was an Audit Manager. She also held positions as the Vice President of Finance & Administration for The Greater New Orleans Foundation, Corporate Controller for Broadpoint, and Chief Operating Officer for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Kathy started KRH Consulting, LLC in 2008 which provides accounting and financial consulting services primarily for non-profit organizations. Kathy has served audit clients in many different industries. Having held CFO, COO, and Controller positions, she has gained knowledge that is beneficial not only in finance but also operations. She has also worked for non-profits and served on numerous non-profit boards so understands the unique needs of non-profits and able to provide best practices on how financial management can better support the operations and mission of non-profits.

Reverend Timothy D. Hedrick was born and raised in Metairie, Louisiana.  Fr. Tim graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Systems and Decision Sciences from Louisiana State University in 2004.  After serving as a parish youth minister, high school religion teacher, and high school campus minister, he entered formation at St. Joseph Seminary College in 2008.  He graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Theological Studies.  Fr. Tim completed his theological studies at Notre Dame Seminary, graduating in 2014 with a Master of Divinity degree.

After being ordained a priest of Jesus Christ for the Archdiocese of New Orleans on June 7, 2014, Fr. Tim served as parochial vicar at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Metairie while also completing a Licentiate in Canon Law at Catholic University of America.  In 2018, Fr. Tim was named the 10th pastor of St. Catherine of Siena.

In addition to serving as pastor of St. Catherine, Fr. Tim joined the faculty of Notre Dame Seminary in 2019.  He is currently the Department Chair and Professor of Canon Law.  He also serves in a number of roles around the Archdiocese: chair of the clergy benefits committee, chair of the parish share committee, member of the presbyteral council, and member of the college of consultors.

Archbishop Hughes was ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Boston in 1957. After serving in two parishes, he secured a doctorate in Spiritual Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome. He then served sequentially as professor, spiritual director and rector of St John’s Seminary, Boston. Pope John Paul II appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of Boston in 1981; Bishop of Baton Rouge in 1993; Archbishop of New Orleans in 2002. Since retirement in 2009, Archbishop Hughes has served as Adjunct Professor and Adjunct Spiritual Director in residence. He has published four books and numerous articles and talks.

Dr. James Jacobs has had the honor of teaching at Notre Dame Seminary since 2003. He earned a B.A. in philosophy from Harvard University, an M.T.S. from the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley, and a Ph.D. in philosophy from Fordham University. He specializes in the thought of Thomas Aquinas, particularly natural law ethics. He approaches Thomistic realism not merely as an historical interest, but as a vibrant and intellectually fulfilling alternative to the decadent nominalism and relativism which characterize modern approaches to metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, politics, and natural theology. Dr. Jacobs has had articles published in such journals as the American Catholic Philosophical Quarterly, the International Philosophical Quarterly, Nova et Vetera, and the Heythrop Journal.

Teaching in a seminary presents Dr. Jacobs with the opportunity to focus philosophical discussion on the real-world consequences of undisciplined thinking. Many of the deep problems faced by Western Civilization are traceable to faulty ideas of truth, goodness, and freedom. Grounding society in the proper understanding of these notions prepares it to receive the Gospel, whose revealed truths perfect man’s natural longing for the True and the Good.

A native of Lafayette, Louisiana, Oliver Lear graduated with his Master of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music, having studied organ with David Higgs. Prior to attending Eastman, he earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Northwestern State University of Louisiana, having studied organ with Mary DeVille. Following his rudimentary organ lessons with Kevin Martin in Lafayette, he studied with Marcus St. Julien and Herndon Spillman in New Orleans and Baton Rouge respectively.

Mr. Lear has been privileged to participate in numerous performances, most notably as a solo performer on two of the Eastman Centennial concerts. He has also performed in masterclasses given by high-profile organists including Ken Cowan, Jean-Baptiste Robin, and James O’Donnell.

In July of 2024, Mr. Lear joined the faculty of Notre Dame Seminary as Head of Liturgical Music and Organist. Prior to this appointment, he served as Director of Music and Organist at St. Peter’s Parish in Clifton Springs, NY.

Monique Legendre graduated from the University of New Orleans, receiving her BA in Sociology and a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in Higher Education Administration. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Justice Studies with a concentration in Educational Justice from the University of New Orleans. 

Monique has worked in both ministry and academic environments. She is originally from the New Orleans area and is the mother of four. Monique will also assist the NDS Development Office and with institutional effectiveness. 

Dr. David Liberto (Ph.D., Marquette University) has served as professor of Dogmatic and Historical Theology since 2001 and Director of the Master of Arts in Theological Studies since 2018. His professional interests include Trinitarian theology, the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, Christology, and Patristics (especially with regard to the development of Trinitarian theology in the Patristic period). When asked what he enjoys about seminary education, he said: “Teaching theology at a major seminary allows me to teach very specific areas of theology in an appropriately challenging way to seminarians. I especially appreciate the gravity of what I am being called to do – to prepare future priests to be well-informed pastors who can communicate the theological Tradition of the Church in an authentic manner.” Dr. Liberto has published several scholarly articles including the following: “Ad Imaginem Dei. Asymptotic Assimilation in Thomas’s Understanding of Grace.” In Divine Transcendence and Immanence in the Work of Thomas Aquinas, (Leuven: Peeters Publishing, 2009); and “St. Thomas on the Supernatural: Christological, Eschatological, and Anthropological Insights from the Thomistic Corpus.” Josephinum Journal of Theology (Winter/Spring 2011). Dr. Liberto is currently working on a book-length treatment of the psychological analogy of the Trinity.

Dr. Rebecca S. Maloney earned a Ph.D in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of New Orleans in 2002. She was an Associate Professor of Education at Our Lady of Holy Cross College from January, 2003 – May, 2011 and also served as Chair of Education, NCATE Coordinator, and on the SACSCOC Leadership Team. In addition, Dr. Maloney held the position of Associate Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of New Orleans from 2012 – 2014.  Dr. Maloney began working at NDS in 2011 and she currently serves as the Academic Dean and the Director of Institutional Effectiveness.  Dr. Maloney is married and has two children and five grandchildren.

Mrs. Martin is a native of New Orleans and is a graduate of Chapelle High School and LSU She joined the Notre Dame Seminary staff in August 2018.

Dr. Nathan Mastnjak joined the faculty at Notre Dame Seminary in 2019 as Professor of Sacred Scripture. He has previously taught at Indiana University (2015 to 2018) and Brandeis University (2018) and was a Harry Starr Fellow in Judaica at Harvard University (2018 to 2019).

Dr. Mastnjak received his Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East from the University of Chicago in 2015. His research and writing focuses on the prophetic literature of the Old Testament. His first book, Deuteronomy and the Emergence of Textual Authority in Jeremiah, was published in 2016 by Mohr Siebeck. His second book, Before the Scrolls: a Material Approach to Israel’s Prophetic Library, was published in 2023 by Oxford University Press. Dr. Mastnjak has also published a number of articles in scholarly journals, including Biblical Interpretation, Hebrew Studies, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, The Journal of Religion, and Vetus Testamentum.

Reverend Jeffrey A. Montz, S.T.L. is a native of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. He grew up in Chalmette where he was involved from a young age in his home parish, Our Lady of Prompt Succor. The faithful witness of his parents helped to lead him to develop a personal relationship with God and to foster within him a sense of vocation to the priesthood from a young age. He attended Archbishop Hannan High School, and upon graduation entered into seminary formation at St. Joseph Seminary College.

After graduating from St. Joseph Seminary College in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts, Fr. Montz continued his seminary formation at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans where he received a Masters of Divinity in 2008. That same year Fr. Montz was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

Following ordination Fr. Montz served the Archdiocese as parochial vicar of three different parishes over the span of five years with one year being spent part-time in the diocesan office of worship. In 2013 he was sent to Rome to pursue a licentiate in spiritual theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum).

Having completed his licentiate in the summer of 2015, Fr. Montz joined the full-time faculty of Notre Dame Seminary where he currently serves as coordinator of spiritual directors, spiritual director, and professor of theology.

Rev. Earl C. Muller, S.J., born 1947, entrance into the Society of Jesus, 1965, B.S. in Physics and Philosophy, Spring Hill College, Mobile, AL, 1971; M.Div. Regis College, Toronto, Ont., 1977; ordained to priesthood, 1977;  Ph.D. in Religious Studies (published dissertation: Trinity and Marriage in Paul), Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, 1987.  Assignments: instructor in science and mathematics, Tampa Jesuit High School (1971–74); theology faculty, Spring Hill College (1983–86); theology faculty, Marquette University (1987–95); theology faculty, Gregorian University (1995–98); theology faculty/spiritual director, Sacred Heart Major Seminary (1999–2013; Bishop Kevin M. Britt Chair in Dogmatic Theology—Christology 2004–2013); spiritual director/theology faculty, Kenrick-Glennon Seminary (2013–2016); spiritual director/scholar in residence, Notre Dame Seminary (2017–present).  Co-organizer for two national conferences on Augustine and on Theological Education in the Catholic Tradition and co-editor of the published works which followed; the author of a number of other articles, translations, book reviews.  In addition to these more academic activities I have over the years also lead retreats, given parish talks, helped run a Confirmation program, critiqued manuscripts (once for then Bishop Francis George).  I have also been, off and on, very active in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, leading prayer groups in the late 1960s and early 1970s.  More recently I have participated in Renewal Ministries (Ann Arbor, Michigan) mission teams to Tanzania, some eight times since 2006, primarily charged with conducting mini-retreats for priests and other talks given at workshops and rallies.  Most recently I was one of the featured speakers at the Catholic Renewal Center Spring Conference at the Cardinal Rigali Center, March 11–12, 2016 on the theme of “Mercy Falls, Mission Calls.”  In October of 2017 I became the Secretary/Treasurer for the Federation of Seminary Spiritual Directors.

Ms. Navarro has had the honor of working at Notre Dame Seminary since 2017, first as an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher, and now as Director of the Office of Academic Support and Instructional Services (OASIS). She is a native of Missouri, but even though she has spent the majority of her adult life in New Orleans and has wholeheartedly adopted this city as her home, her “Yankee” accent is still detected by locals.

Her first dream was to become an actress, so she majored in theater at the University of Missouri and spent a semester in London studying with instructors from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. However, she eventually transferred to Drury University and changed majors, earning a BA with Honors in English. She later undertook her graduate studies at Tulane and received an MLA centered on linguistics, rhetoric, and the English language.

She began her teaching career in Tokyo and was fortunate to work with a diverse range of students, ages 3 to 83. Afterward, she moved to New Orleans and opened her own language school, New Orleans Language Academy (NOLA – before “NOLA” was all the craze), where she and her team of international instructors taught English, Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese. She was also a private tutor for a number of consuls and international executives. A few years later, she closed the school and moved to Brazil, where she served as the Coordinator of Language Services in Rio de Janeiro. After returning home to New Orleans, she worked for several years as the Coordinator of the Intensive English Language Program at the University of New Orleans, taught English at Delgado Community College, and served as the President of LaTESOL (Louisiana Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages).

She is the proud mother of a son and a daughter, both of whom, despite being born and raised in New Orleans, have inherited her Yankee accent.

Ms. Panepinto is a native New Orleanian. She comes to Notre Dame Seminary with a background as a Registrar since 2009.

Rev. Minh Phan: Born 1967 in Vietnam; ordained 1997 for the Archdiocese of New Orleans; Pastoral Assignments (1997 – 2006); Parishes of St. Jerome, Our Lady of Divine Providence, St. Rita in Harahan; Theological Studies at the University of St. Thomas (Angelicum) in Rome (2006 – 2010); Training Program for Seminary Spiritual Directors, Institute for Priestly formation at Creighton University (2012).

He joined the full-time faculty of Notre Dame Seminary in 2010 as a Spiritual Director, Formation Advisor, Professor, Academic Dean and Director of the Pre-Theology Program. In addition to his training and experience as a priest and spiritual director, Fr. Minh also brings with him the experience and taste of the Vietnamese Church and culture.

Degree information:
BA, History, University of New Orleans (1990)
MA, History, University of New Orleans (1992)
M.Div. Notre Dame Seminary (1998)
Ph.D., Historical Theology/Church History, The Catholic University of America (2009)

Assignments:
Ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of New Orleans (1998)
Parochial Vicar, St. Catherine of Siena (1998-2001)
Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of Prompt Succor (2001-2003)
Pastor, St. Robert Bellarmine Parish (2003-2005)
Administrator, St. John the Baptist Parish (2005)
Doctoral Studies (2006-2008)
Professor of Historical Theology, Notre Dame Seminary (2008-current)
Director, Continuing Formation of Priests, Archdiocese of New Orleans (2011-current)
Pastor, St. Louis King of France Parish (2017, for six year term)
Publications:

History of Notre Dame Seminary (1997)
Narrative History of the Catholic Church (2000)
History of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, 1965-2005 (2005)
“Americanism as Seen through the Cincinnati Catholic Telegraph” U.S. Catholic Historian (2007)
Doctoral Dissertation: “John William Shaw: First American-born Archbishop of New Orleans, 1918-1934,” (2009)
A Southern Catholic Legacy: Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans Louisiana (2015)

A native of New Orleans, Dr. Redmann began his study of classical languages at Jesuit High School. He received his B.A. in Classical Studies with Honors in Music from Millsaps College, and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Linguistics from Tulane University. In addition to grammar and language pedagogy, Dr. Redmann’s research interests include translation theory and technique, particularly that of Saint Jerome. Having joined the full-time faculty in 2006, Dr. Redmann finds teaching at Notre Dame Seminary extremely rewarding in that it has afforded him the opportunity to pursue his love of biblical and ecclesiastical languages not merely as an academic exercise, but as an integral part of the formation of men for the priesthood.

Fr. Joshua J. Rodrigue is a priest of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.  He grew up in the St. Charles Community in Thibodaux, LA, and graduated from E. D. White Catholic High School. After completing college seminary studies at St. Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict, LA, Fr. Rodrigue spent five years in formation for priesthood in Rome at the Pontifical North American College and received the S.T.B. from the Pontifical Gregorian University (2001) and the S.T.L. in Sacramental Theology from the Pontifical Athenaeum of Sant’ Anselmo (2003).  Fr. Rodrigue was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux on August 10, 2002.

Over the years following his return to the diocese, Fr. Rodrigue served as Associate Pastor at Holy Cross Church in Morgan City, Pastor at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Bayou Black, and Rector of St. Francis de Sales Cathedral in Houma. In 2017, Fr. Rodrigue was granted permission to serve at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, where he served as Director of Pastoral Formation and a Formation Advisor and then as Director of Spiritual Formation and as a Spiritual Director.

Since 2006, Fr. Rodrigue has been involved in seminary formation and over the years, has taught as an Adjunct Spiritual Director and also Adjunct Professor of Theology at St. Joseph Seminary College (2006-2017), Notre Dame Seminary (2008-2009), the Pontifical Gregorian University (2017-2018), and the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (2018-2022).

On August 16, 2022, Fr. Rodrigue was installed as the 17th rector and seventh president of Notre Dame Seminary by Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond.

Mary Shaffo grew up in Covington, LA and went on to receive her bachelor of arts in dance from DeSales University in Pennsylvania in 2015.

After graduation, Mary returned to New Orleans where she worked as the Chair of the Dance Department at Louisiana Academy of Performing Arts for 4 years. In 2019, Mary moved to Israel with her husband as he pursued his PhD in the Hebrew Bible. They returned to New Orleans in 2021 and Mary began teaching preschool at St. Benilde School. In 2023, Mary joined the Notre Dame family as the Development Coordinator.

Fr. Bryce Sibley is a priest of the Diocese of Lafayette. He studied at the Pontifical North American College in Rome and was ordained to the priesthood in 2000. In 2001 he received his Licentiate degree from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family in Rome. After several pastoral assignments, in 2010 he was appointed as pastor and chaplain at Our Lady of Wisdom Church and Catholic Student Center on the campus of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where he served for 11 years. He is now serves as associate professor of moral theology and spiritual director at Notre Dame Seminary. Over the years he has travelled extensively giving retreats, talks, and workshops.

Caroline Thriffiley graduated from Mt. Carmel Academy in 2012 and went on to attend Louisiana State University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Marketing in 2016.

After graduation, Caroline worked as a Digital Marketing Coordinator in the capital city of Baton Rouge. In June 2017, she returned back to New Orleans and joined Notre Dame Seminary as the Director of Events & Communications. In July 2021, Caroline was promoted to oversee the Development Office as the Director of Development.

Gregory R. Vall, Ph.D.
Professor of Sacred Scripture

Dr. Gregory Vall has been privileged to serve the Church on the faculty of Notre Dame Seminary of New Orleans from 1992 to 2000 and from 2015 to the present. He also taught at the Catholic University of America (1989 to 1992), the Franciscan University of Steubenville (2000 to 2004), and Ave Maria University (2004 to 2015), where he served as Director of the Ph.D. Program and Chair of the Theology Department.

Dr. Vall received a Ph.D. in Semitic Languages and Literatures from the Catholic University of America in 1993. He is the author of Ecclesial Exegesis: A Synthesis of Ancient and Modern Approaches to Scripture (CUA Press, 2022), and Learning Christ: Ignatius of Antioch and the Mystery of Redemption (CUA Press, 2013). He has published articles in Biblica, Catholic Biblical Quarterly, Journal of Biblical Literature, Nova et Vetera, The Thomist, and Vetus Testamentum.

Dr. Vall is a native of Cleveland, Ohio. He and his wife Lourdes reside in Covington, Louisiana. They are the parents of four grown children: Teresa, Greg, Ezra, and Mark.

Fr. Kurt R. Young is a priest of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.  He grew up in St. Edward the Confessor Parish in Metairie, LA, and graduated from Archbishop Rummel High School. After completing one year of studies at Louisiana State University, he went on to graduate from college seminary at St. Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict, LA. Fr. Young spent four years in formation for priesthood at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans and received a Masters in Divinity (2012). Following his seminary formation, Fr. Young went on to receive his Doctorate in Ministry in Preaching from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, MO (2021). Fr. Young was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of New Orleans on June 2, 2012.

Throughout his more than decade-long ministry as a priest, Fr. Young served as Parochial Vicar of St. Philip Neri Parish in Metairie, LA, as well as the Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of New Orleans for five years. In 2019, Fr. Young was granted permission to serve as a Chaplain in the United States Navy Reserve and was mobilized to Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, Africa, for seven and a half months in 2022. Fr. Young is a Lieutenant (O-3) in the United States Navy, currently serving as a member of the Religious Support at Marine Forces Reserve in Algiers, LA.

Fr. Young joined the faculty of Notre Dame Seminary in 2019 as a Formation Advisor and the Director of Human Formation. He currently serves as the Vice-Rector of Propaedeutic Formation/Coordinator of Human Formation, and he is the Director of Homiletics and Preaching.