Aquinas Institute of Theology

Danielle Harrison is a national speaker, retreat leader, and consultant on faith, equity, and reconciliation. President of Mission Faith Equity Consulting and a doctoral student at Aquinas, she also serves as Manager of the St. Charles Lwanga Center in St. Louis, and is a regular speaker at national and international conferences on racism, inclusion, and the authentic call of the Gospel.

Aquinas Institute of Theology is pleased to introduce its incoming President, who will officially begin serving on July 1. An announcement of his installation is forthcoming. For complete updates on this developing story make sure to check ai.edu for more information.

https://bit.ly/49mSCXM

Fr. Toby Collins serves as pastor of St. Mary Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows Parish in Kitchener, Ontario, where he launched Tiny Home Takeout, an outreach providing food and shelter to those in need. A former Vocation Director and past Vice Chair of the National Religious Vocation Conference, he received a King Charles III Coronation Medal for his leadership and service to the community.

Fr. Jose David Padilla is Associate Professor of Theology and Director of the Master of Arts in Theology program at Barry University in Miami. A scholar of the New Testament, he has served in parish and campus ministries in New Orleans and Miami, including as Director of the Catholic Center at Tulane University.

We pray for Fr. Mark Wedig, OP, as he begins his journey.

We are pleased to announce that Fr. Mark Wedig, O.P., has been elected as Prior Provincial of the Dominican Province of St. Martin de Porres.

Please keep Fr. Mark and all of the Dominican Friars in your prayers. Pictured is Fr. Mark just after making the oath of fidelity at the Provincial Chapter.

Bo Fraga is a civic leader, Air Force veteran, and Manager of Civic Engagement at BakerRipley in Houston. A longtime advocate for affordable housing, he is active in neighborhood renewal, education, and social outreach, he also teaches social work at the University of Houston.

David Wenzel is a former Executive Director and Board Chair of Aquinas Institute and a longtime business executive with leadership roles at Edward Jones, Purina, and Price Waterhouse. With a background in finance and a passion for Catholic education, he led a transformative period in Aquinas’s history, helping the school regain stability and mission focus.

Dr. Fred Rottnek is Professor and Director of Community Medicine at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and Medical Director at ARCA. He co-founded the SLU Center for Substance Use Disorders and Pain Management and helped develop its Addiction Medicine Fellowship.

Clarence Heller is a poet, painter, and spiritual director known for his work with Moments of Grace and Prayer, an organization offering spiritual retreats in everyday life. His book Everyday Sacred blends visual art and reflection, offering inspiration for daily prayer and helping people embrace the sacredness of ordinary life.

Dr. Erin Bakanas is a professor of Palliative Medicine at Washington University, and board-certified in Internal Medicine.