Theology-on-Tap 2001
Speaker Biographies
Speakers: A-K| Speakers:
L-Z
Fr. Britto Berchmans is
associate pastor at St. Anne’s in Barrington. Previously,
he was a professor at the Salesian Pontificial University in
Rome. He received his Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the University
of Illinois, and holds masters’ degrees in Physics, Journalism,
and Theology.
Fr. John Blazek is associate pastor of St. Alphonsus
on Chicago’s north side.
Mr. John Blumberg has worked with Arthur Anderson for
nineteen years. In 1995 he created Keynote Concepts, which focuses
on defining meaningful success in our lives. He is married and
has three children.
Ms. Kay Bracco is a speaker and consultant in the area
of human sexuality and family life. She has been a director
of religious education and a youth minister. She is the mother
of ten.
Fr. Patrick Brennan, pastor of Holy Family Parish in
Inverness, is the President of the National Center for Evangelization
and Parish Renewal. A practicing psychotherapist, he is completing
a doctorate in psychology and the author of 12 books on spirituality,
psychology, and church renewal.
Mr. Michael Cahill is a certified financial planner with
PEB Financial Group. Mike is a member of Our Lady of Mercy parish,
where he participates in the pre-baptismal program. Mike and
his wife, Cathy, have two children.
Mr. Alejandro Castillo grew up in Chicago’s Uptown
neighborhood. He graduated from Niles College and received his
MBA from UIC. He is executive director of the Archdiocese of
Chicago’s Millennium Office and is responsible for coordinating
several Jubilee projects.
Ms. Liz Collier is pursuing her doctorate in Christian
social ethics at Loyola University, while teaching moral problems
courses on poverty. She also works at a Chicago immigration
law firm. Liz holds a masters degree in theological studies
and a bachelors degree in Spanish.
Dr. Dianne Costanzo has taught
literature, writing, poetry and spirituality for over 20 years.
She teaches at Dominican University, for lay ministry programs
for the Archdiocese, and is a spiritual director. Formerly,
she was an associate professor of literature at Niles College/St.
Joseph Seminary.
Fr. John Cusick is the director of Young Adult Ministry
for the Archdiocese of Chicago and an associate pastor at Old
St. Patrick’s Church. Ordained in 1970, he was a member
of the faculty of Niles College Seminary, and spent 7 years
as associate pastor at Mary Seat of Wisdom parish.
Ms. Kate DeVries has been
the associate director of the Young Adult Ministry Office for
the Archdiocese for Chicago for the past twelve years. She holds
masters degrees in divinity and special education. Previously,
Kate taught high school and junior high students with behavior
disorders.
Ms. Michelle Doyle directs the Volunteers-in-Action program
for Young Adult Ministry, and serves on the Finance Committee
and Mission Advancement Council of Old St. Patrick’s Church.
She also volunteers as a mentor for the CARA Program, and for
Old St. Patrick’s Block Party.
Mr. Aaron Froehlich is Director of Program Services at
the Crossroads Center for Faith & Work and teaches a course
of vocations at Columbia College.
Ms. Jo Giarrante is a spiritual director Institute for
Spiritual Leadership.
Mr. Stephen Grabek has been married for 16 years and has
four children. He is currently resident vice president for American
International Group, a multi-national insurance company, with
management responsibility for the midwest region based in Chicago.
Ms. Judy Gross is a pastoral assistant at St. Clement Parish.
She directs the Adult Bible Study, Adult Confirmation programs,
and Second Act (for 40s and 50s people). She holds masters degrees
in divinity and political science, and is currently a manager
at Argonne National Laboratory.
Mr. John Donahue-Grossman has worked with churches, schools,
parents, teachers and youth for more than 13 years. He earned
a Bachelor’s in communications from Illinois State, and a
certificate in Youth Ministry from Loyola. John directs his own
business: Creative Empowerment.
Ms. Carolyn Groves, a professor at Garrett Evangelical
Theological Seminary, works in inner-city ministry with prostitutes.
Ms. Julie Gruszka works for O’Connor Partners as an
IT&Telco/Office Administrator. She has been volunteering at
the Young Adult Ministry office for 5 years, and instrumental
in organizing the FOCUS conference the past three years. She also
enjoys running, drawing and painting.
Mr. Al Gustafson has been
the director of the Crossroads Center for Faith and Work at Old
St. Patrick's Church since 1993. He holds degrees in accounting,
religious studies, and ethics. He lives with his wife and children
in Woodridge.
Mr. David Henry graduated from Duke University in 1989,
worked 3 years as a missionary in Africa, and worked for 2 years
as a financial analyst on Wall Street. He moved to Chicago in
1995 to attend the Kellogg Graduate School of Management. He works
at LaSalle Partners in Chicago.
Fr. Paul Hottinger, B.A, M.A., M.P.S., is the pastor of St.
Joseph Parish in Downer’s Grove, and director of Catholic
Charismatic Renewal for the diocese of Joliet.
Brother Guy Jelinek, OSB, is a Benedictine monk of St.
Procopius Abbey in Lisle, having made his vows in 1972. He is
currently the Vocation Director of the community. He holds advanced
degrees from the University of Illinois and the Pontifical Anthenaeum
of Sant’Anselmo in Rome.
Fr. Frank Jenks is pastor of Ascension parish in Oak Park,
where he has directed adult retreats and formation days. He previously
worked at St. Mary of Vernon, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and
Our Lady of Wayside parishes.
Fr. David Jones was ordained in 1989 and is pastor of St.
Ambrose Parish.
Fr. Terry Keehan, ordained in 1986, is pastor of St. Matthias
parish in Chicago’s Ravenswood community. Previously, he
worked at the Vocations Office for the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Fr. Jerome T. Kish received his doctorate in electrical engineering
in 1995 from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He entered
the seminary in 1993 and was ordained a priest for the Joliet
Diocese in 1998. He is currently associate pastor at St. Joseph
in Downers Grove.