Advisory Board
Spirit Alive is privileged to have the support and expertise of theologians, school administrators, pastors, parish ministers, and those who have dedicated their lives to spreading the Good News.
Meet Our Board
Sister Jean Amore, CSJ, Ed.D.
Sister Jean Amore, CSJ, Ed.D., served as president and later principal of Sacred Heart Academy in Hempstead, N.Y. Previously, she was a professor of child study, and later, an administrator at St. Joseph’s University, New York. In 2000, she was elected president of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Brentwood, N.Y. Currently, she teaches in the Learning Connection, an educational program empowering women and girls.
Rev. Patrick Griffin, CM, Ph.D.
Rev. Patrick Griffin, CM, Ph.D., is currently the director of the Vincentian Center for Church and Society at St. John’s University in Queens, N.Y. Pat is a trained biblical scholar, and a popular teacher and preacher. He has served in various administration positions both within his religious congregation and at St. John’s University.
Sister Lauren Hanley, CSJ, M.S., M.A.
Sister Lauren Hanley, CSJ, M.S., M.A., is the coordinator of spiritual formation and outreach to young families at St. Frances de Chantal Parish in Wantagh. Previously, she was director of the Office of Laity and Family for the Diocese of Rockville Centre. This office housed the Pastoral Formation Institute. The institute offered a three-year formation for lay leaders, which became a model for other programs across the United States. S. Lauren is a trained spiritual director and family counselor.
Diane Vella, M.A.
Diane Vella, M.A., has served as a lay ecclesial minister in the Diocese of Rockville Centre for over 40 years. She holds a B.A. in Religious Studies from Molloy College and an M.A. in Theology from Boston College. On the parish level, she has served as a catechetical leader, pastoral associate, and liturgy director; on the diocesan level, she has served as director of adult catechesis, and coordinator of curriculum for the diocesan Pastoral Formation Institute. She has served on numerous diocesan and ecumenical committees, given retreats and workshops throughout the N.Y. metro area, and until recently, moonlighted as an adjunct instructor in theology at Molloy College.
Thomas Petriano, Ph.D.
Thomas Petriano, Ph.D., is currently professor and chair of the Department of Religious Studies at St. Joseph’s University, New York. He has worked there for over 40 years. Dr. Petriano is a passionate and gifted teacher who brings the world’s religions alive to his students. Most recently, he has co-developed a new minor in mindfulness and contemplative living.
James Philipps, M.A.
James Philipps, M.A., has been teaching theology for about 35 years. In addition to teaching in Catholic high schools, Jim has taught theology as an adjunct professor in both St. John’s University and Molloy College. Jim was a facilitator in the Pastoral Formation Institute of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, as well as an online facilitator for the Virtual Learning Community of Faith Formation (VLCFF) of the University of Dayton. Jim is the author of a number of books with Twenty Third Publications, written for catechists as well as the general Catholic reading public.
Rev. Robert J. Smith, S.T.D.
Rev. Robert J. Smith, S.T.D., serves as pastor of St. Hugh of Lincoln Church in Huntington Station, N.Y., and Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church in Wyandanch, N.Y., where he ministers to multicultural congregations, one large and the other somewhat smaller. Bob has a Doctorate in Moral Theology. Before becoming a pastor, he was a faculty member at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Huntington, N.Y. In addition to teaching, he also served as academic dean. He has served on various boards, among them the Board of Little Flower Children and Family Services.
Rev. Stephen Lampe, SSL, S.T.D.
Rev. Stephen Lampe, SSL, S.T.D., is currently the assisting priest at Divine Savior and Our Lady of the Lakes Parishes in Fredonia and Random Lake, W.I. In over 40 years of ministry, Steve was pastor of several parishes and taught 16 years at Saint Francis Seminary and 13 years at Cardinal Stritch University, both in Milwaukee. He has spent over 20 years in Catholic-Jewish dialogue, and is currently writing parish resources for Liturgy Training Publications in Chicago.
Anthony Mullen, M.A., D.Min.
Anthony P. Mullen was born in Donegal, Ireland, and currently lives in New York with his wife and two children. Before coming to the United States in 1994, Anthony worked with the Church in Angola during that country’s civil war. After completing an M.A. in Catechesis at St. John’s University and a Doctor of Ministry at Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion, Anthony went to work for Catholic Charities in Rockville Centre, where he served as the Chief Community Services Officer. Anthony then oversaw the grant-making activities of Porticus North America and Porticus’ global portfolio in Church and Faith. Anthony holds an M.A. in Theology from St. John’s University and a D.Min. from Hebrew Union College.
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