The Jesuit Community » mmossa

Fr. Michael Williams, S.J.

mmossa — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 17:12:37 +0000

A deep involvement with literature and with his students are the hallmarks of the career of Rev. Michael A. Williams, S.J. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Fr. Williams received a Ph.D. degree in English from the University of Southern California in 1975. He also studied at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, and was ordained in 1975. He joined Spring Hill College in 1986 and is currently Emeritus Associate Professor of English. He continues to serve as faculty adviser to Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit Honor Society, and Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Of his work with students, Fr. Williams says, “I have gotten to know students in ways I never dreamed of. I am blessed indeed!”

Fr. Christopher Viscardi, S.J.

mmossa — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 17:09:14 +0000

A thoughtful and scholarly voice on theology at Spring Hill since 1979, Austin Texas native Rev. Christopher Viscardi, S.J., entered the Jesuits in 1967 and was ordained a priest in 1976. Fr. Viscardi completed his doctorate in theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, in the area of spirituality. In 1986, he was appointed chair of Spring Hill’s Theology Department and of the Philosophy & Theology Division. He is currently working on a history of the Jesuit, Catholic mission and identity of Spring Hill College based on his sabbatical research in the Jesuit archives in Rome, Paris, New Orleans and Spring Hill College.

Fr. Robert Poirier, S.J.

mmossa — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 17:04:15 +0000

Waters of Baptism flowed over my head in St Joseph’s Church in Cottleville, Missouri. Seven Holy Founders School provided schooling with a bunch of baby boom children. At SHF I received the sacraments of Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. St. Joan of Arc School prepared me for academic challenges from unfamiliar Jesuit priests. After a year at SLU I donned the Jesuit cassock in the novitiate in Florissant, Missouri. I checked out Chicago Style Pizza and cheesecake for three years while I studied theology in Hyde Park. After those 3 years I received the Sacrament of Ordination in the Chapel at SLUH. For 14 years, off and on, I worked at Rockhurst High School, teaching English, leading retreats, service projects, celebrating masses, and serving as Rector. Regis Jesuit High School was home for me for five years as assistant Principal and Principal. Going down under for a year was an unforgettable experience at Saint Ignatius High School-Riverview where I learned about Rugby. Jesuit life and high schools gave me a chance to feel so totally at home down under. Doctoral studies in Clinical Psychology at George Washington University allowed me to live at the Jesuit parish rectory in Georgetown for three years and enjoy the cultural life of DC. Returning to Saint Louis opened up opportunities as a clinical psychologist at Loyola Academy and the Counseling Center at Saint Louis University and a private practice. In 2015, after peregrinations around the U.S. and Australia, I came almost first circle back home, to the first Jesuit high school west of the Mississippi where generations of J’s pushed frontiers of excellence in knowledge and faith. Ready for a new adventure in 2018 I find myself at the third oldest Jesuit college in the United States. I am Rector of the Jesuit Community and active in Mission and Ignatian Identity at the College.

Fr. Mark Mossa, S.J.

mmossa — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 17:00:00 +0000

Rev. Mark Mossa, S.J. is Spring Hill’s Director of Campus Ministry. He has been a Jesuit since 1997, and a priest since 2008. He offers retreats throughout the country for young adults. He holds advanced degrees in Theology, Philosophy, & English, and has studied and taught at Fordham University, Boston College, Loyola University in New Orleans, and the University of South Carolina. He was actively involved in campus ministry at Fordham and Loyola, and also served as Director of Campus Ministry at Jesuit High School in Tampa. Most recently at Fordham, he was a teacher and mentor in the American Catholic Studies program, and a freshman advisor. He has authored or co-authored three books: Already There: Letting God Find You; Saint Ignatius Loyola—The Spiritual Writings; and Just War, Lasting Peace. He is known for creatively incorporating popular culture into his ministry, teaching and writing. It’s not a surprise to hear him quoting Pope Francis, Linkin Park, Jane Austen or Buffy the Vampire Slayer, maybe even in a single homily or lecture!

Fr. José Mesa, S.J.

mmossa — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 16:51:49 +0000

Rev. José Mesa, S.J. has been ministering to the Hispanic community of the Archdiocese of Mobile since 2013. He holds a Master’s degree in agriculture from the University of Florida, and is an expert in soil chemistry. He entered the Jesuits in 1966, and was ordained a priest in 1977. Fr. Mesa taught for ten years in the Dominican Republic, then served for five years in the country of Chad, in West Africa. After leaving Africa, he returned to the Dominican Republic, serving as president of the Instituto Agronómico San Ignacio de Loyola in Dajabon, near the border with Haiti. Before coming to Mobile, he served for ten years at St. Augustine Church and Catholic Student Center, at his alma mater, the University of Florida.

Fr. Gregory F. Lucey, S.J.

mmossa — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 15:34:40 +0000

Rev. Gregory F. Lucey, S.J. currently serves as Chancellor of Spring Hill College. From 1997 to 2009 and from December 13, 2013 to June 1, 2015 he served as the President of the College. From July 1, 2011 until his return to Spring Hill College in April, 2013, he served as President of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities based in Washington, D.C. In 2005, Father Lucey was selected as Mobilian of the Year. He has also served as the President of the Jesuit Conference U.S.A., Rector of the Jesuit Community at Marquette University, and Vice President for Development at Seattle University. He founded and served as Director of Marquette’s Center for Ignatian Spirituality, and in 1995, he attended the 34^th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus as one of 200 delegates worldwide. He has served as trustee of Xavier University, Loyola University, New Orleans and Marquette University. He has been involved with the activities of Heartland/Delta from the consortium’s inception. A Wisconsin native, Fr Lucey entered the Society of Jesus in 1951 and was ordained in 1964.

He holds a Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, an M.A. in liturgy from the University of Notre Dame, as well as undergraduate and graduate degrees in philosophy, theology and education from Saint Louis University.

Fr. Stephen Campbell, S.J.

mmossa — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 15:27:08 +0000

New Orleans native Rev. Stephen Campbell, S.J. is Associate Professor of Theater and Drama at Spring Hill College. After he graduated from Jesuit High School, New Orleans, he studied at Spring Hill for two years before entering the Society of Jesus in 1974. He completed his undergraduate work at Loyola University New Orleans in 1978. His theological studies at Weston Jesuit School of Theology (1982-1985) led to his ordination to the priesthood in 1985, after which he completed theological studies at Centre Sèvres, in Paris, France (1985-1986). Steve received the Ph.D. in theatre from Northwestern University in 1991. His dissertation is a study of the convergence of early Jesuit spirituality, rhetoric, and performance in seventeenth-century France. He has a particular interest in early modern France and cultural performance.

Bro. Ferrell Blank, S.J.

mmossa — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 15:17:13 +0000

Brother Ferrell Blank, S.J., is a man of many talents. A native of Gramercy, Louisiana, he entered the Society of Jesus as a brother in 1955 took his final vows as a Jesuit at Spring Hill College
in 1966. Ferrell was certified as a plant engineer in 1976, and directed operations at Spring
Hill for many years, where he was of great assistance in putting the college back together after Hurricane Frederic in 1979. While he is now semi-retired, Ferrell is still renown for his andouille and chicken gumbo.

Fr. Rafael V. Baylon, S.J.

mmossa — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 15:06:23 +0000

Rev. Rafael V. Baylon, S.J., teaches bioethics in Spring Hill’s department of philosophy. R.V. was born in Manila, Philippines, and completed degrees in Zoology (B.S. – 1984) and Medicine (M.D. – 1989) at the University of the Philippines before coming to the University of Alabama, Birmingham, to study Microbiology (1991-1994). He entered the Society of Jesus in 1994, and completed a Master’s degree in Health Care Ethics at Loyola University, Chicago, in 1999. After teaching biology and chemistry at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory in Houston, TX (1999-2002), he completed his theological studies at Weston Jesuit School of Theology and was ordained to the priesthood in 2005. He came to Spring Hill shortly after his ordination, and has taught biology, philosophy and bio-ethics.