Rev. Damian FerenceFounder and Institute DirectorFr. Damian Ference is a priest of the Diocese of Cleveland where he serves as Vicar for Evangelization, Secretary for Parish Life and Special Ministries, and as Professor of Philosophy at Borromeo Seminary. He holds a licentiate in philosophy from The Catholic University of America and a doctorate in philosophy from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. He writes regularly on the intersection of faith and culture for a variety of outlets and is the author of the award-winning book, The Strangeness of Truth (Pauline Books & Media, 2019). Fr. Ference is the founder and director of {TOLLE LEGE} Summer Institute and is a life-time member of the Flannery O’Connor Society. @frference
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the professors
Beth A. Rath, Ph.D.Professor of PhilosophyBeth A. Rath Ph.D., (philosophy, Saint Louis University) has a joint appointment in philosophy at John Carroll University and Borromeo Seminary. She teaches Philosophy of the Human Person, What Does Science Prove, 19th and 20th Century Philosophy, and Philosophy of God. Doctor Rath is an active member of the academic community. She has presented her work at the meetings of the American Catholic Philosophical Association and Society for Christian Philosophers.
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Rev. Joseph KoopmanProfessor of TheologyFr. Joe Koopman, M.Div, M.A., S.T.D., graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville in 1996, after which he entered St. Mary Seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Cleveland in 2001, and served as a newly ordained priest at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Parma. From 2005 to 2009, Fr. Koopman attended the Accademia Alfonsiana in Rome, Italy, where he received a license and doctorate in theology. Since 2009, he has been a professor of moral theology at St. Mary Seminary, along with serving as an advisor in moral theology and ethics for the Diocese of Cleveland and the Ohio Catholic Conference of Bishops.
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Rev. Jeffrey Barnish
Professor of Theology
Fr. Jeff Barnish entered the seminary in 2007 after graduating from Hudson High School. He was ordained in 2015 and spent the first four years of his priesthood serving at St. Bernadette Parish in Westlake, OH. He was then asked to pursue an advanced degree in moral theology at the Angelicum University in Rome. He enjoys traveling and is excited to be back home in Cleveland, OH.
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the seminarians
Josh SteczInstitute AdministratorJosh is entering Second Theology at Saint Mary Seminary. His home parish is St. Francis de Sales in Akron. He graduated from St. Vincent St. Mary High School in 2019. Josh enjoys any kind of sport or anything that involves competition, especially ping pong, soccer, and frisbee. Though he has a rather intimidating size, he is actually a very relaxed and gentle person who really loves the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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Andrew BendahanInstitute AdministratorAndrew recently finished his junior year at Borromeo Seminary. Hailing from St. Luke Parish in Lakewood, he is a proud graduate of St. Edward High School. Andrew is an avid guitar player and enjoys spending time with his brother seminarians. He also embodies Borromeo spirit as exemplified in this photo.
Matt WasinskiInstitute Administrator
Emerging from the great city of Parma, Matt is a rising junior at Borromeo Seminary. He is from St. Basil the Great Parish in Brecksville, a graduate of Trinity High School, and a {TL} alumni (2021). Matt is a photographer, videographer, graphic designer, avid creative, and a coffee connoisseur. Matt’s favorite saint is St. Maximillian Kolbe. His favorite artists are
Allie Paige and Gable Price and Friends. |
Hailie JesterWeek TwoHailie is a Catholic School teacher in the Diocese of Cleveland and a leader at Saint Charles Borromeo’s High School Youth Group. She is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Theology from Saint Mary’s Seminary and seeking certification in the Diocese of Cleveland Lay Ecclesial Ministry Program. She is a {Tolle Lege} alumni (2015) and is so excited to be back! She loves the saints, good coffee, and the youth
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