Key Leaders & Faculty

Reverend Monsignor Robert F. Coleman, J.C.D.
Monsignor Coleman is Rector and Dean of Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology where he also teaches Canon Law. Monsignor holds a J.C.L. and J.C.D. from the Pontifical Gregorian University and a diploma from the School of Latin Letters, Pontifical Gregorian University His dissertation was titled: “Canon 369: The Definition of a Diocese in the Code of Canon Law.” Ordained to the priesthood in 1978, he 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.

Reverend Monsignor Thomas P. Nydegger, M.Div.
Monsignor Nydegger is Vice-Rector, Business Manager, and Director of Formation. Monsignor holds an M.Div. from Immaculate Conception Seminary, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1992. Msgr. Nydegger served in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor Assistant to the Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, Newark, NJ; Director of Vocations at the Vocations Office, Newark, NJ; Secretary to the Archbishop, Office of the Archbishop, Newark, NJ; and Parochial Vicar at Immaculate Conception Church, Secaucus, NJ.


Reverend Joseph R. Chapel, S.T.D.
Father Chapel is Associate Dean and Assistant Professor of Christian Ethics and serves as the Co-Director of the Institute for Christian Spirituality. He holds a doctorate in Theology from the Alphonsian Academy of the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome and an M.A. in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University’s Paul S. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). Prior to priesthood, Fr. Chapel worked for many years for a multinational electronics company as Director of Sales in Latin America and Southern Europe, and Managing Director of Divisions in Mexico and Brazil.


Dianne M. Traflet, S.T.D., J.D.
Dr. Traflet is Associate Dean, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology, and the founder and co-director of the Institute for Christian Spirituality. Dr. Traflet holds 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). She gives numerous lectures and retreats on Edith Stein and related topics in spirituality.


Gregory Y. Glazov, D.Phil.
Dr. Glazov is Assistant Professor of Scripture Studies and Coordinator of the Great Spiritual Books Program. Dr. Glazov is currently serving as Co-Director of the Institute during Fr. Chapel’s sabbatical. Possessing more than a decade of teaching and workshop/retreat experience at Oxford University, Dr. Glazov provides the Seminary and the local Christian communities with opportunities to read, reflect upon and discuss timeless themes taken from the great masters of Christian theological thought. Dr. Glazov earned an M.Phil. and a D. Phil. in Jewish Studies in the Graeco-Roman World from Oxford University. His doctoral dissertation, titled: “The ‘Bridling of the Tongue’ and the ‘Opening of the Mouth’ in Biblical Prophecy” was published by Sheffield Academic Press (2001). He has published in Vetus Testamentum and for the Linacre Centre. Dr. Glazov specializes in Old Testament Studies, and in Second Temple Literature. He is currently working on two books: United by Hope: Models of Judaism in Catholic Perspective, forthcoming in 2008 (Notre Dame University Press) and The Our Father, the Hail Mary, The Glory Be and the Sign of the Cross:Scripture as a Source of Prayer, forthcoming in 2008 (Paulist Press).


Andrew Saunders
Coordinator of Programs for the Institute for Christian Spirituality, Andy comes to the Institute with over 26 years of business experience with leading Fortune 500 firms including the International Business Machines Corporation and Citigroup, Inc. He has a B.A. and M.A. in Economics and is currently pursuing a M.A. in Theology with a Biblical Studies concentration. He is actively involved in liturgical ministries at St. Luke’s Church in Ho-Ho-Kus, a member of the Knights of Columbus and is in formation for the Permanent Diaconate in the Archdiocese of Newark.


Jo-Anne Lieder, D.V.M., M.A.T.
Coordinator of the Seminary’s Theological Education for Parish Services Program (STEPS), Dr. Lieder earned a Master’s in Theology from Immaculate Conception Seminary with a concentration in Moral Theology. She also holds a D.V.M. degree from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. In March 2002, Jo-Anne had an article published in Homiletics and Pastoral Review on the Catholic perspective of the animal rights movement. She has been actively engaged in many catechetical ministries of her church, teaching both CCD classes and RCIA groups. In 2005, she was a workshop speaker at the New Jersey Catholic Charismatic Conference. The STEPS program provides educational and formational opportunities for adult lay Catholics who desire a deeper knowledge of their faith and increased preparation for church ministry.


Diane Carr, M.A.
Diane is Academic Services and Admissions Coordinator for Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, and Coordinator of the Parish Partnership Program. She is the co-founder and co-director of the 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 Burkey, M.A.P.M.
Coordinator of the Christian Employment Outreach Program (CEO), Julie holds a master's degree from Immaculate Conception Seminary, having earned the prestigious Pope John Paul II Medal of Academic Excellence upon graduation. She has worked with the Institute since its inception, initially creating the core program of CEO, 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. Julie is also an adjunct instructor at the Seminary, co-teaching a course she created, Theology of Work. Her latest venture for the Institute is to establish the Centre for Workplace Spirituality, an entity which will offer programs focusing on a spirituality of work for both the parish environ and the secular workplace. Julie is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree at The Catholic University of America.


Rev. John Russell, O. Carm.
Professor of Christian Spirituality, Father Russell is involved in the ministry of spiritual formation. He joined the Carmelites in 1953. After studying at the Carmelite International House in Rome and the Lateran University, Father returned to the United States with a graduate degree in theology. In 1970 Fr. Russell began studies at The Catholic University of America, where he completed his S.T.D. degree. Subsequently, he began an association with Immaculate Conception Seminary which lasted for twenty-two years, teaching Christian Anthropology and a variety of courses in Christian and Carmelite spirituality. He returns to ICSST after spending two years as the Carmelite Director of Novices and three years as the Prior Provincial of the Carmelite Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary.


Ewa Bracko
Assistant Business Manager of Immaculate Conception Seminary and Director of Finances for the Institute, Ewa has worked at Seminary since 1991. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Certificate in Accounting. Ewa is mainly involved with the financial aspects of the Seminary and the Institute: its budget, payroll, and purchasing. She currently is pursuing an MBA at Seton Hall University.


Deborah A. Kurus
Assistant Great Spiritual Books Coordinator and secretary for the Institute for Christian Spirituality, Debbie works closely with each program coordinator in the Institute. Her previous experience includes work as a cash applicator in the medical field and prior to that she was an account coordinator in the field of advertising for more than ten years. Debbie is also very involved in volunteer work at her parish as Coordinator of Altar Servers, Eucharistic Minister, and a member of the Liturgy Committee.


Patrick J. Cline
Institutional Research Specialist for the Seminary and a Program Consultant for the Institute, Patrick also is a candidate for an M.A. in Theology with a concentration in History. Ordained to the Permanent Diaconate for the Diocese of Brooklyn in 1978, he has served for the past 22 years in the Parish of St. Bernard of Clairvaux in Bridgewater, NJ. Patrick’s ministerial activities have included working with the RCIA for over 25 years as well as adult confirmation, Pre-Cana, and parochial Adult Educational programs. For 17 years prior to retiring, Patrick worked at Deloitte Consulting as a Management Consultant and in the Human Resources area. He served as the firm’s HR Director for its outsourcing operations in India and Europe. Patrick has a Masters degree in Human Relations and a B.A. in Commerce.


Kristine HudakKristine Hudak
Kristine Hudak has served as the Secretary for Academics in the Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology since the beginning of the 2005 fall semester. In October 2006, she also began to serve as the assistant coordinator of the Institute’s STEPS program. Kris will be helping to run different events for the Institute throughout the year. Kris’s previous work experience involves working in medical billing for 22 years. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Kean College. Kris is an active parishioner at Christ the King Church in Hillside.