Meet The Phatmass Church Scholars

[dUSt]

The "Question and Answers About Catholicism" phorum is unique in that it only allows a few select phorum members to reply. Here is a little bit of information about those individuals phatmass likes to call the "Church Scholars":

Pontifex

Fr. Pontifex, aka Fr. Claude "Dusty" Burns, attended Mundelein Seminary in Chicago, IL. He was ordained a priest on May 25th, 2002, and is currently studying for an extended degree with an emphasis in Spiritual Direction. He is the parochial vicar at St. Joseph Church in Jasper, IN.

cappie

Cappie, aka Fr Greg Rowles, joined the Capuchins (Archbishop O'Malley and Archbishop Chaput are also Caps) in 1976 and studied for the Priesthood at the Catholic Theological Union at Hunters Hill in Sydney, Australia. He was ordained to the priesthood on 10th December 1983 in Sydney, Australia. He has worked in parish life since his ordination. He was Parish Priest in Wynnum, Brisbane, Australia from 1989 - 1999 and from 2000 - 2006 in Plumpton, Sydney Australia. As well as the parochial duties, he is involved in Adult Education and youth work. In 2005 he was elected to the Provincial Council of the Capuchin Friars of Australia and in 2006 was appointed to the parish of Wynnum again.

Pio Nono

Pio Nono, aka Fr. Ryan Hilderbrand, is a priest for the Diocese of Evansville, Indiana. He attended St. John Vianney College Seminary in Minnesota and majored in both Catholic Studies and philosophy, with study interests in the fields of languages, classics, and scholastic philosophy.

Brother Adam

Brother Adam, aka Adam Janke, is a Director of Religious Education, Director of Evangelization, and Catholic Youth Minister for St. Mary Catholic Church in Williamston, Michigan. He is a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology and Catechetics and is completing his Masters of Theology from Franciscan in 2011. His areas of interest include scripture, apologetics, the catechumenate, natural family planning, patristics, and the liturgy. He is a convert to Catholicism, entering into full communion with the Catholic Church with his wife in 2004. He lives in Williamston with his wife and three children.

phatcatholic

"phatcatholic," aka Nicholas Hardesty, is one of the earliest members of phatmass. In 2002, he graduated from Lindsey Wilson College with a B.A. in Human Services and Counseling. In 2004, he received his M.Ed. in Counseling and Human Development (with an emphasis in Mental Health Counseling) from the same college. In 2009, he received his M.A. in Theology and a Certification in Catechetics from Franciscan University of Steubenville. He is currently the Director of Religious Education for Blessed Mother Catholic Church in Owensboro, KY. He also writes a popular blog, appropriately titled, "phat catholic apologetics".

Theoketos

Theoketos, aka James Lewis III, graduated from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas with degrees in Religious Studies and Philosophy. Following that he obtained his Masters of Theology from the University of Dallas in Irving, Texas. His primary interest is Catholic Social Thought, Moral Theology with an emphasis on Marriage and Agriculture. He is currently following the distributist's dream of homesteading in the Midwest; teaching Highschool Religion, Logic, and Philosophy; and adjucting at Newman University. He loves his wife and many, many children. His favorite tacos are fish tacos.

TeresaBenedicta

TeresaBenedicta, aka Kayla Garry graduated from Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland with degrees in Philosophy and Theology. She is currently the Director of Faith Formation and Youth Ministry at St. Rita's Catholic Church in Portland, Oregon where she particularly enjoys teaching RCIA and Adult Education classes. Her philosophical and theological interests include soteriology, Thomism, scholastic philosophy, mysticism, and the new evangelization.

StColette

StColette, aka Jennie Murphy, is a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology. Her theological specialties include Biblical exegesis, Hebrew, and Mariology. She lives with her husband, Raphael (aka Micah), and their son, Aaron.

CherieMadame

CherieMadame received a Catechetical Diploma from Catholic Distance University, and is also a certified Marian Catechist from the program created by the Servant of God, Fr. John Hardon, SJ. She spent five years in a religious community. She is now married and is a happy stay-at-home mom.

qfnol31

Zachary, or "Q" as he is better known around these parts, is currently finishing his doctoral degree in the history of Catholic theology. His particular interests are in the early Church Fathers and the Incarnation, but dabbles in a few other topics as well. When he's not working on his degree or teaching, he spends most of his time with his family. His favorite activity is taking pictures of his little daughters. Sometimes these pictures find their way onto the boards.

CatherineM

CatherineM aka Catherine Mardon has a Bachelors in Agriculture (Forestry) from Oklahoma State University, a Bachelors in Pastoral Ministry from Newman University, a Doctorate in Jurisprudence from the University of Oklahoma School of Law, and is currently pursuing a Masters of Theological Studies degree in Moral Theology at Newman Theological College. She is a retired attorney, a disabled rights advocate, an author, a lecturer, and a mom.

Edited August 5, 2014 by Credo in Deum
updated bios (at CherieMadame's request)