The Theological Institute Graduation Mass and Diploma Ceremony

Karen Drake-M.A.M.

Karen’s faith journey began at home with her first Catholic role model, her mother. Becoming a mother placed a yearning in Karen’s heart to deepen her understanding of her faith and grow closer to the Lord. She earned a Catechetical Certificate at the Theological Institute of Saint John’s Seminary and set a goal to one day pursue a Master’s Degree in Theology.

Karen’s background includes a BS in Business Administration from Merrimack College where she met the love of her life, her husband, Gary. Her career began at Raytheon as a Financial Analyst. Later, she opened a small business with her mother. She was blessed to be a stay-at-home mom during which time she taught religious education, led adult bible studies, and served on the Parish Pastoral Council. Currently, as a School Nutrition Director, she and her team provide nutritious food to students of all economic backgrounds. She also initiated a prayer group for the staff and a faith-based program for students.

Once her children graduated from college, Karen pursued her goal of earning a Master’s Degree (M.A.M.). For Field Study, Karen developed and implemented a Catholic Mindfulness Program for high school students. Upon graduation, she plans to continue her faith journey by serving the Lord wherever he may lead her.

Michelle Gallo - M.A.M.

Michelle is the youngest of ten children born to Irish immigrant parents. Her Catholic faith has always been the center of her life. As a parishioner of Dorchester’s St. Peter Parish and student at the parish elementary school, Michelle served as a lector, choir member and catechist. As a student at Monsignor Ryan Memorial High School for girls, Michelle continued to serve the community and the church through a variety of volunteer efforts. She was recognized for her service as the recipient of the 1984 Bill Mullen Award for Boston’s Outstanding Catholic Youth. Michelle earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Massachusetts at Boston majoring in English and minoring in History with a concentration in Communications.

Upon graduation, Michelle worked for a large Boston financial services company as an Internal Communications Manager. Today, Michelle will complete her 17th year working for the Franklin Public Schools as a Special Education Paraprofessional.

Michelle’s most important and favorite responsibility is as a wife of 30 years to her husband Andrew, and mother to Bridget (28), Andrew (27), and twins Frankie and Jimmy (16). The family resides in Franklin and are parishioners of St. Brendan Parish in Bellingham where Michelle serves as a lector, catechist and is involved in planning and participating in various parish activities.

Michelle considers her time at Saint John’s Theological Institute as an incredible blessing.

She plans to use what she has learned to continue to serve God, and His Church wherever He leads her.

Arianne Lokuta - M.A.M.

Arianne Lokuta is thrilled to be earning the Masters of Arts in Ministry at The Theological Institute of Saint John’s Seminary. She was baptized and received into the Catholic Church in 2017, and the M.A.M. program has been instrumental in deepening her understanding of the Catholic faith and growing more in love with Jesus. She is grateful to the amazing faculty and students that she has had the pleasure to meet. After graduation, Arianne plans to continue serving in the faith formation ministry at Blessed Trinity Parish in Westford and Littleton, MA. She also plans to continue volunteering with the Scouts where she taught classes for scouts to earn Catholic religious medals. In her free time, Arianne enjoys being outdoors with her husband Bob and two teenage sons Nicolas and Jake (pictured).

Elaine Noonan - M.A.M.

Elaine received her B.S. in Accounting from Stonehill College and her M.B.A. from the State University at Albany. She lives in Franklin with her husband Mark and has been a communicant of St. Mary Parish for over twenty years. Currently Elaine is treasurer of the St. Mary’s Catholic Women’s Club, publicity person for the Women’s Faith Formation group, and a member of the Respect Life team. Outside of her parish, Elaine is a volunteer at Old Colony Correctional Center, participating in Catholic ministry programs.

For most of her professional career Elaine has been employed in hospital finance. While she does not immediately anticipate changing careers, she looks forward to the opportunity to use the knowledge and experience gained from the M.A.M. program to support her volunteer work and is waiting to see where God may lead her next.

Elaine wishes to thank family and friends for their support while pursuing this degree.

In addition, she is extremely grateful to the many inspiring people she has met through the M.A.M. program - the professors and fellow students, as well as to those whom she has been privileged to meet during her field study programs.

Daniel Waldron - M.T.S.

Daniel is originally from Baltimore, MD and moved to New Bedford, MA in 1999 to join the Franciscans of Primitive Observance, a community now based in the Archdiocese of Boston. After serving as a lay brother in that community for nearly 20 years, he began studying for the priesthood at Saint John’s Seminary in 2018. Daniel discerned a different call in 2023 and left seminary to pursue a career more directly involved with ministry to young people. He is now teaching at St. Michael’s School in Lowell, MA and is looking forward to using the Master’s in Theological Studies degree to continue his work in forming youth.