Saint John’s Seminary proudly welcomes the 2024 incoming class at The Theological Institute. This year, a dynamic group of students begins their journey toward deeper theological understanding and ministry. The Theological Institute offers degree programs designed to prepare laypersons for leadership within the Catholic Church, notably the Master of Arts in Ministry (M.A.M.) and the Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.). These programs equip students with a strong theological foundation, providing essential tools for ministry, service, and the ongoing pursuit of faith formation.
The Master of Arts in Ministry (M.A.M.) program is rooted in theology and pastoral care, offering an integrative education in scripture, Church teachings, and pastoral skills. It prepares individuals for various roles in parish leadership, campus ministry, and service-oriented ministries. The Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.) is an academic degree that delves deeper into systematic theology, ethics, and Church history, suitable for those seeking to contribute to the Church’s intellectual and cultural dialogue.
This year’s new students bring with them a rich array of experiences, reflecting the depth and variety of the universal Church. These students have felt the call to deepen their knowledge and service, and Saint John’s Seminary is honored to guide them in their faith journey.
Among the incoming students is Dustin Batista, a Theology Department Chair and Coordinator of Service at Austin Preparatory School in Reading, MA. He has joined the M.A.M. program as part of his Diaconate Formation, with hopes of becoming a future Deacon.
Also joining the M.A.M. program is Kathleen Hogan from Arlington, MA. A devoted member of St. Camillus Parish and grandmother of six, Kathleen embarked on this journey after her Cursillo in 2023, recognizing the blessings that have drawn her closer to a deeper engagement with her faith.
Another student is Brianna Larnard, who serves as a campus minister at Xaverian Brothers High School and a music minister in two local parishes. Having previously served as a missionary in the Amazon jungle, Brianna seeks to strengthen her ministry through formal theological education.
Lastly, Marian Schwaller Carney, from Dublin, NH, brings a unique perspective. A former bi-vocational pastor and a librarian, Marian’s decision to join The Theological Institute came after exploring Catholic theological studies through the TINE lay certificate classes. She is eager to integrate her background with a strong Catholic theological foundation as she moves into the field of mental health counseling.
Read more about our students below!
With such a diverse and dedicated class, The Theological Institute of Saint John’s Seminary continues its mission to equip students with the spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral tools necessary to be effective leaders in the Church and the world. We look forward to witnessing the growth of these new students and the contributions they will make in their ministries. Welcome to the Theological Institute!
Dustin Batista-M.A.M.
My name is Dustin Batista. I live in Billerica, MA with my wife and two children, where we worship at Saint Matthew the Evangelist Parish. I work full time at Austin Preparatory School in Reading, MA as the Department Chair of the Theology Department and Coordinator of Service. I enrolled into The Theological Institute of Saint John's Seminary as a member of the Diaconate Formation process in hopes to continue and further my knowledge and ministry as a possible future Deacon.
Kathleen Hogan-M.A.M.
My name is Kathleen M. Hogan a.k.a. Kathy. I have 4 children and 6 grandchildren. I am a member of St. Camillus Parish in Arlington. Living my Cursillo in 2023 led me to the next phase in my faith journey at The Theological Institute of Saint John’s Seminary. I am truly thankful for the many blessings in my life.
Brianna Larnard-M.A.M.
My name is Brianna Larnard and I am currently a campus minister at Xaverian Brothers High School. I am a music minister at both St. Thomas the Apostle in Millis, MA and St. Paul's Church in Hingham, MA. Before starting this M.A.M. program, I was a foreign missionary with Family Missions Company and served in the Amazon jungle of Peru. I was drawn to the M.A.M. program because I want to learn more about the faith and minister to the students I serve as best I can. One of my co-workers received his M.A.M. from SJS, and highly recommended it, so I am eager to be part of this program.
Marian Schwaller Carney-M.A.M.
My name is Marian Schwaller Carney, aka simply Marian Carney. I live in Dublin, New Hampshire, with my husband, T.J., and our dog, Teddy, in our 200-year-old home, the Capt. Samuel Allison House (which we recently discovered has its own Wikipedia page).
We attend St. Stanislaus Catholic Church (FSSP) in Nashua NH. I am a former bi-vocational pastor of ten years in the Church of the Nazarene, in the New England District. After receiving surprising new leading from God, we were confirmed into the Roman Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil 2014 in Peterborough, NH. We love being Catholic, and I am thrilled to attend The Theological Institute of Saint John's Seminary.
I attended the TINE lay certificate classes for theology in 2022-2023. During the final class session, I learned about the lay degrees available at Saint John's and chatted with Dr. Coleman.
I had just begun to think about a next career in mental health counseling, and wanted to couple that with a firm Catholic theological foundation. The program here is perfect for my third-life-stage professional development plans. A librarian, since 1997 I have represented data services to academic research libraries.
