Key Leaders and Faculty

Reverend Monsignor Robert F. Coleman, J.C.D.
Reverend Monsignor Robert F. Coleman, J.C.D., Rector and Dean and Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology, earned a J.C.L. and a J.C.D. from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, where he also earned a diploma from the School of Latin Letters. His doctoral dissertation is titled “Canon 369:  The Definition of a Diocese in the Code of Canon Law.”  Ordained to the priesthood in 1978, Monsignor Coleman’s first assignment was as parochial vicar at St. Aloysius Church, Jersey City, NJ, until 1982.  He then served as Advocate, and later, as Judge and Defender of the Bond of the Metropolitan Tribunal, Archdiocese of Newark.  From 1994-1996, he was Secretary for Canonical Affairs, Office of the Archbishop of Newark, as well as Coordinator of the Task Force for the Pastoral Visit of Pope John Paul II to the Archdiocese.  In 1996, he was named Chaplain to His Holiness with the title of Monsignor.  Monsignor Coleman served as Vice Rector/Business Manager of Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology from 1996-2000 and was appointed Rector and Dean on July 1, 2000.  He teaches Canon Law General and Canon Law Marriage and is a member of the theological faculty of the Pastoral Provision.  In Spring 2005, Monsignor Coleman was elevated by the Holy Father to the rank of Prelate of Honor.

Reverend Robert K. Suszko, M.B.A., M.Div., was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Newark in 2002. He served as parochial vicar at St. Catherine of Siena Church, Cedar Grove, from June 2002-January 2010, and at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, West Orange, from January 2010-October 2010. In November 2010, he began his duties as Vice Rector, Director of Formation, and Business Manager at Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology.

Reverend Monsignor Joseph R. Chapel, S.T.D.
Reverend Monsignor Joseph R. Chapel, S.T.D., Assistant Spiritual Director for the Seminary, Associate Professor of Moral Theology, Co-Director of the Institute for Christian Spirituality and Director, Center for Diaconal Formation, earned an M.A. in International Relations from the Paul S. Nitze School for Advanced International Studies (SAIS), The Johns Hopkins University.  He also earned an S.T.B. from The Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, and an S.T.L and an S.T.D. from Accademia Alfonsiana (Lateran University), Rome.  His doctoral dissertation is titled “Why Confess Our Sins Out Loud?  An Analysis Based on the Dialogical Philosophy of Ferdinand Ebner in Light of the Philosophy of Language and the Symbolic Sacramentology of Louis-Marie Chauvet.”  Ordained to the priesthood in 1992, Monsignor Chapel teaches Moral Theology, Reconciliation and Anointing and Preaching Practicum and is a member of the theological faculty of the Pastoral Provision.  His publications include “Why Confess Our Sins Out Loud?  Some Possibilities Based on the Thought of Ferdinand Ebner and Louis-Marie Chauvet” (Irish Theological Quarterly), “Dialogical Personalism Revisited” (Studia Moralia) and “Philosophy as Preparation for Sacramental Theology and Moral Life” (Seminary Journal).  In Spring 2009, Monsignor Chapel was named Chaplain to His Holiness with the title of Monsignor.

Dianne M. Traflet, J.D., S.T.D.
Dianne M. Traflet, J.D.,S.T.D.,  Associate Dean, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology and Founder and Co-Director of the Institute for Christian Spirituality, earned a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law, an M.A. in Catholic Theology and Pastoral Ministry from The Institute of Advanced Studies of Catholic Doctrine, St. John’s University, and an S.T.L. and an S.T.D. from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (The Angelicum), Rome.  Dr. Traflet oversees the Catholic Center for Family Spirituality and the William J. Toth Summer Institute for Family Spirituality, both of which she founded.  She gives numerous lectures and retreats on St. Edith Stein and related topics in spirituality, and is the author of Edith Stein:  A Spiritual Portrait (Pauline Media, 2008).  Her recent classes include Women Mystics, Theology and Practice of Prayer, Spiritual Theology and Public Speaking and Marian Spirituality.

Deacon Andrew E. Saunders, M.A.
Deacon Andrew E. Saunders, M.A., Coordinator of Programs for the Institute for Christian Spirituality and Director of the Catholic Center of Family Spirituality,  comes to the Institute with over 26 years of business experience with leading Fortune 500 firms including the International Business Machines Corporation, Citigroup, Inc., and CIT Group, Inc. He has a B.A. in Economics from the University of Connecticut, M.A. degree in Economics from Trinity College, and an M.A. degree in Theology with a Biblical Studies concentration from Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology. He is the Pastoral Associate for Liturgy at St. Luke’s Church in Ho-Ho-Kus, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and was ordained in 2011 to the Permanent Diaconate in the Archdiocese of Newark.

Gregory Y. Glazov, D.Phil. (Oxon.)
Gregory Y. Glazov, D.Phil., Associate Professor of Biblical Studies and Institute for Christian Spirituality's Great Spiritual Books (GSB) Program Coordinator,earned an M.Phil. and a D.Phil. in Jewish Studies in the Graeco-Roman World from Oxford University.  His doctoral dissertation, “The ‘Bridling of the Tongue’ and the ‘Opening of the Mouth’ in Biblical Prophecy,” was published by Sheffield Academic Press in 2001.  He has published in Vetus Testamentum and for the Linacre Centre.  Dr. Glazov specializes in Old Testament Studies and in Second Temple Literature.  His classes include Introduction to Johannine and Pauline Literature, Jewish Roots of Christian Spirituality, New Testament Greek I and II, Prophetic Literature, Pentateuch, Wisdom Literature and Psalms and The Four Loves and Family Life.  Currently he is completing two books:  Brothers in Hope:  Models of Judaism in Catholic Perspective (Notre Dame) and The Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary, the Glory Be and the Sign of the Cross (Paulist), as well as a translation of Vladimir Solovyov’s writings on Christianity and Judaism.

Diane M. Carr, M.A.
Diane M. Carr, M.A., Academic Services and Admissions Coordinator for Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, and Coordinator of the Center for Prayerfully Speaking. Diane is also an adjunct instructor at the Seminary, co-teaching Spiritual Theology and Public Speaking and is the co-founder and co-director of the Center for Prayerfully Speaking Program of the Institute. Drawing on her 17 year background in Sales and Marketing, she is often the first person a potential student will speak to when inquiring about programs at ICSST. She has represented the School of Theology at various Graduate Open Houses and conferences and assists in facilitating all academic applications. Diane received an M.A. in Theology with a concentration in Systematic Theology, and leads the Disciples in Mission Evangelization program in her parish.

Julie V. Burkey, D.Min.
Julie V. Burkey, D.Min., Coordinator of the Center for Workplace Spirituality (CWS),  offering programs focusing on a spirituality of work for parishes and academia as well as the secular workplace. Julie holds a master's degree from Immaculate Conception Seminary, having earned the prestigious Pope John Paul II Medal of Academic Excellence upon graduation and a Doctor of Ministry from Catholic University of America. She has worked with the Institute since its inception, initially creating the core program, Finding the Work You Love, followed by several other programs which address the subject of work in all its differing aspects and life stages, including careers in church ministry. She also creates retreats on a variety of work-related topics, such as Virtue Ethics in the Workplace. Julie is an adjunct instructor at the Seminary, teaching the course she created, Theology of Work. 

Stephen B. Kass, M.N.E., M.A.
Stephen B. Kass, M.N.E., M.A., Coordinator, STEPS Program and Editor of the Catholic Center Family Journal, has held a variety of leadership positions in the business community where he has worked as the Director of Sales, Director of Marketing and the Director of Customer Care. He has also worked as a Nuclear Marketing specialist and as a nuclear submarine systems design engineer. He spent five years on active duty and nine years of reserve duty as an officer in the United States Navy. Steve received his B.A. in Geological Sciences from the University of Rochester, his master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering from North Carolina State University and an M.A. in Systematic Theology at the Immaculate Conception Seminary  School of Theology. Steve is involved in a variety of Adult Faith Formation ministries, including RCIA, JustFaith, Theology on Tap and the Servant Leadership program.

Ewa Bracko, M.B.A.
Ewa Bracko, M.B.A., Assistant Business Manager, and Director of Finances, Institute for Christian Spirituality has worked at the Seminary since 1991. She earned a B.S. in Business Administration and a Certificate in Accounting, both from the Stillman School of Business, Seton Hall University. She is involved mainly with the financial segment of the Seminary and the Institute for Christian Spirituality, including all aspects of budget, payroll and personnel. She assists the administration in planning, analyzing and making recommendations to implement changes. Prior to her work at the Seminary, Ewa worked as a Senior Officer for a housing cooperative in Warsaw, Poland. During her studies, Ewa traveled to various countries where she acquired a global perspective on social and business issues. In May 2010 she received her M.B.A., with a concentration in finance, from the Stillman School of Business, Seton Hall University.

Deborah A. Kurus
Deborah A. Kurus, Secretary for Academics and Administration began working for the Seminary in March 2006 as Secretary for the Institute for Christian Spirituality and Editor of the Institute’s newsletter, Stirrings. In November 2009, she became Secretary for Academics and Administration for the Seminary. She works for the Seminary’s English as a Second Language (ESL) program and the B.A. in Catholic Theology program. Debbie’s previous work experience includes work as a cash applicator in the medical field and as an office manager in the retail field. Prior to serving in these positions, she was an account coordinator in the field of advertising for more than 10 years. Debbie attended Roberts-Walsh Business School, and she later earned an associate’s degree in Office Systems Technology from Union County College. She serves as a Eucharistic Minister at Christ the King Parish, Hillside, NJ.

Kristine Hudak
Kristine Hudak, Academic Resource Coordinator and Assistant to the Catholic Center for Family Spirituality and Institute for Christian Spiritualitybegan working for the Seminary in 2005, and is responsible for assisting the Associate Deans with course scheduling, scheduling of appointments and correspondence. She assists students with registration, advisement and graduation processes and faculty with processes such as book ordering, grade submission and course adjustments. Prior to working for the Seminary, Kris earned a B.S. from Kean College and worked in medical billing for 22 years. She is an active parishioner at Christ the King Parish, Hillside, NJ.

Eilish R. Harrington
Eilish R. Harrington, Institutional Research Specialist, joined the Seminary community in early January 2009 as Assistant Editor of Publications and Assistant Marketing Coordinator for the Institute for Christian Spirituality. In August 2009, she became Institutional Research Specialist for the Seminary. A 2008 summa cum laude graduate of Seton Hall University, with a B.A. in Liberal Studies and Classical Studies, Eilish is a member of Eta Sigma Phi National Classics Honor Society and Theta Alpha Kappa Religious Studies Honor Society. She also serves as an advisor to Pirates of Irish Persuasion & Extraction (PIPE), Seton Hall University’s Irish cultural society (which she founded in 2006) and is a member of St. Columcille United Gaelic Pipe Band, Kearny, NJ.