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Institute for Priestly Formation
2500 California Plaza • Omaha, NE 68178
Phone: (402) 546-6384 • Fax: (402) 280-3529
Email: ipf@creighton.edu
Spiritual Formation
For Diocesan Seminarians
Overview | Highlights | Foundational Living Principles | Objectives & Creative Uses
Components of the IPF Program | Daily & Weekly Schedule | IPF Summer Finances
Advantages | Admissions | IPF Faculty | Reading References | Program References
IPF Faculty
Rev. Nicholas Cachia, S.T.D.
Spiritual Theology, Pontifical Gregorian University, 1995.
Fr. Cachia is a diocesan priest of the Archdiocese of Malta in Europe. He was ordained a priest in 1988. Since 1994, he serves as spiritual director of the seminary in Malta. He also lectures in Spiritual Theology and related subjects at the University of Malta. For a number of years he served as head of the National Catholic Radio and the Diocesan Media Center. He chairs the Diocesan Commission for the on-going Spiritual Formation of Priests. His areas of specialization include spiritual direction, history of spirituality and different Christian spiritualities.
Rev. Michael Fuller, S.T.D. (Cand.)
Spiritual Theology, Pontifical University of St. Thomas — Angelicum, Rome.
Ordained a priest for the Diocese of Rockford, Illinois in 1997. Fr. Fuller is a graduate of Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa. He was a member of the Peace Corps and taught math and science in the Kingdom of Swaziland located in southern Africa. After seminary, he was an Associate Pastor for St. Bridget Parish, Loves Park, Illinois and taught Medical Ethics at Saint Anthony College of Nursing in Rockford, Illinois. He is currently teaching spiritual and systematic theology at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Illinois.
Rev. Richard Gabuzda, S.T.D.
Sacramental Theology, Pontifical Athenaeum, San Anselmo, Rome, 1988.
A priest of the Diocese of Scranton, Pa., Fr. Gabuzda was ordained in 1981. From 1987-1995 he served as a faculty member at St. Pius X Seminary, Dalton, Pa., and adjunct professor of theology, University of Scranton (1987-1995). He is the Executive Director of IPF. He specializes in liturgical and priestly spirituality.
Edward M. Hogan, Ph.D.
Systematic Theology, Boston College, 2001.
Dr. Hogan currently teaches Theology at Duschene Academy of the Sacred Heart in Omaha, Nebraska. His primary area of expertise is in theology and science with a special emphasis on methodological issues. Other areas of special interest and research include inter-religious dialogue and marriage, especially as they relate to the Trinity.
Rev. John Horn, S.J., D.Min.
Pastoral Theology, Emory University, 1993.
Fr. Horn is a priest of the Maryland Province, Society of Jesus, ordained in 1985; he has served on the staff of the Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth, Wernersville, Pa. Previously he worked as a chaplain for the Jesuit Refugee Service, Bataan, Philippines, and taught in Jesuit secondary education for eight years. He specializes in the areas of spiritual direction, pastoral diagnostics and retreat work. He is an Assistant Director of IPF.
Kathleen Kanavy, M.A.
Christian Spirituality, Creighton University, 1993.
Miss Kanavy has served in diocesan offices of liturgy and religious education. From 1981 to 1996 she worked as Director of Liturgical Music at the University of Scranton and was also engaged in retreat ministry and Catholic leadership formation. Presently Miss Kanavy specializes in the training and supervision of spiritual directors. She is an Assistant Director of IPF.
Rev. Gerard McCarren, S.T.D.
Systematic Theology, Catholic University of American.
Fr. McCarren currently teaches Liturgy and Sacramental Theology at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey where he also serves on the seminary formation faculty. He also serves regularly in parish ministry. He serves on the board of the Venerable John Henry Newman Association, which promotes Newman’s thought in the United States. His special interests focus on this area of theological research.
Rev. Thomas P. Melvin, M.Div.
University of St. Mary of the Lake — Mundelein Seminary.
Fr. Melvin is a priest of the Diocese of Winona, MN, ordained in 2001. He has served the diocese in parish and high school ministry. Fr. Melvin currently serves as Director of Vocations and in the ministry of spiritual direction at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary. He is the director of Emmaus House of Discernment, and teaches in IPF’s spiritual direction training program for diocesan priests at the University of St. Mary of the Lake - Mundelein Seminary.
Rev. Patrick J. O'Kane, Ed.S.
Educational Specialist, University of Dayton.
Fr. O’Kane is a priest of the Diocese of Sioux City, IA. and was ordained in 1977. He has served in several diocesan high schools as a teacher and administrator and for six years as a diocesan superintendent. His primary areas of specialty include curriculum design, assessment and learning outcomes.
Rev. James A. Rafferty, S.T.L.
Moral Theology, Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, 1995.
Fr. Rafferty was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Scranton in 1994. Having served five years in secondary education and parish ministry, Fr. Rafferty has spent the past four years as campus minister/chaplain at Marywood University in Scranton, P.A. While working in campus ministry at the high school and college level, Fr. Rafferty served as Academic Dean of Saint Pius X Seminary for seven years, the last three as resident formation advisor. He has taught introductory theology courses at the University of Scranton and Marywood University.
Rev. Nicholas Rouch, S.T.D.
Spiritual Theology, Pontifical University of St. Thomas — Angelicum, Rome, 2000.
A priest of the Diocese of Erie, PA, Fr. Rouch was ordained in 1989. Beginning in 1994, he has served both on the formation faculty of St. Mark Seminary (Erie) and the theology department of Gannon University. Currently he is Vice President for Mission at Gannon University and Vice Rector of St. Mark Seminary. His special interests include theology of John Henry Newman, the relationship of dogma and spirituality, and vocational discernment.
Margarett Schlientz, Ph.D.
Psychiatric Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, 1981.
Dr. Schlientz presently works as an internal consultant to the healthcare system. Previously, she taught for a number of years in Creighton University’s Christian Spirituality Program and acted as a consultant to a variety of dioceses and religious orders. She specializes in teaching the human integration of Ignatian Spirituality and Developmental Psychology.
Sr. Linda Sevcik, S.M., S.T.L.
Psychology and Spirituality, Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, 1983.
Sr. Linda is a Marist Sister, currently the Director of Field Education at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. She also teaches in the Pastoral Life department there. She previously served as Director of Novices for her community, had private practice as a therapist and spiritual director, and served as pastoral associate and music director in a Chicago parish. She specializes in the integration of psychology and Christian Spirituality.
Rev. Austin Vetter, S.T.B.
Pontifical University of St. Thomas — Angelicum, Rome.
Fr. Austin Vetter is priest of the Diocese of Bismarck, North Dakota. He received his theological training at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. Fr. Vetter was ordained in 1993. For five years he was a teacher at a Catholic high school. He has been the Vicar for Deacons and Master of Ceremony for the Diocese of Bsimarck. Currently he is the pastor of St. Patrick’s Church in Dickinson, ND where he has just recently completed a renovation and expansion project.