Father Tom Bourque is a Franciscan TOR and a proud native of Massachusetts. He has a passion for prayer, ministry and teaching. Father Tom professed his solemn vows in 1981 and was ordained a priest in 1982.
 
Ministry and Education: Entered the community in 1976.  Earned Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Salem State University (MA); Masters of Divinity from St. Michael University and Toronto School of Theology (Toronto, Canada); Masters of Sacred Theology in Pastoral Theology from Regis College (Toronto, Canada); Masters of Arts in Educational Administration from Villanova University (PA); and a Doctorate in Education from University of San Francisco in Catholic Leadership and Private Education Administration (CA). His ministries have included parochial ministry as a deacon and parochial vicar St. Martha Catholic Church (Miami, FL); high school chaplaincy and teaching at Bishop Egan High School (Fairless Hills, PA); Assistant Professor of Religious Studies and Pastoral Ministry at Saint Francis University (PA); Director of Continuing Education and Professor of Religious Studies at Saint Francis University (PA); Provost and Executive Vice President at Franciscan University of Steubenville (FUS); Director of Formation, Local Minister and Vicar Provincial (Washington, DC); Professor of Religious Studies at Saint Francis University (PA) and Professor of Higher Education at Capella University (MN); Local Minister of Queen of Peace Friary and Director of Planning and Mission Effectiveness for the Province (PA); and parochial vicar and pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church (VA).
 
Faith Journey: Father Tom experienced a humbling conversion during his senior year of university. While discerning what path to take after graduation, he encountered the importance of Christ in his life during an Advent Penance Service. During two of his numerous Franciscan pilgrimages to Assisi/Rome, he was blessed to visit the tomb of Saint John XXIII and experienced a faith-filled pilgrimage in the “spirit” of Saint Padre Pio with a brother friar at San Giovanni Rotondo (Italy).

Inspirational Bible Verse: Romans 8:26: “…the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.”

Father David Dodd is a Franciscan TOR and a proud native of Nashville Tennessee. He has a passion for prayer, worship of God, preaching and teaching. Father David professed his solemn vows in 2018 and was ordained a priest in 2019.

Ministry and Education: Entered the community in 2012. Earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Franciscan University of Steubenville (OH); Masters of Divinity from The Catholic University of America. St Joseph’s Catholic Church is Fr David’s first assignment but he is interested in the future to pursue a higher degree in Biblical Studies.

Faith Journey: Father David encountered the love of God in a profound way on a high school retreat as a junior in high school moved by authentic Christian community and a love for the sacraments of the Church and this love only grew when he discovered praise and worship music at Franciscan University. Prior to entering the friars, he had the opportunity to pilgrimage in the Holy Land of Israel and to be present at Mass inside the empty tomb of the risen Christ. Prior to solemn vows, he was blessed to spend time on retreat in Assisi, birthplace of Saints Francis and Clare.

Inspirational Bible verse: “You did not choose me but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide” (John 15:16).

Father Matt Russick is a Franciscan TOR and a proud native of Michigan. He has a passion for preaching and teaching and loves to worship God. Father Matt professed his solemn vows in 2008 and was ordained a priest in 2009. Father Matt recently completed his ministry at Franciscan University of Steubenville.

Years of service: Entered the community in 2002.  Earned Masters of Divinity and Master of Arts in Theology (Spirituality) from the Washington Theological Union (DC). His ministries have included high school teaching at Bishop Carroll Catholic in Ebensburg, PA; coaching track and football; starting & leading a peer ministry group called Works in Progress; Parochial Ministry as a deacon and parochial vicar St. Joseph Catholic Church, Herndon, VA; Franciscan University of Steubenville (FUS). Father Matt recently completed his ministry at FUS in the Office of Evangelization and Household Life. 

Faith Journey: Experienced a profound conversion while a student at Hope College in Holland, MI.  While attending the Urbana Missions Conference at the University of Illinois after Christmas in 1996, he encountered the living God in a powerful way that set him on a new trajectory in life! In June 2021, he was blessed to experience The Way of St. James - El Camino Pilgrimage to Spain.

Inspirational Bible Verse: Matthew 6:33: "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides."

Fr. Pat Whittle is a Franciscan TOR and a proud native of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He has a passion for prayer, teaching, and studying the liturgy of the Church. Fr. Pat professed solemn vows in 2012 and was ordained a priest in 2013.

Ministry and Education: Before becoming a Franciscan, Fr. Pat earned a Bachelor of Arts in History at Franciscan University of Steubenville. He entered the community in 2006. He earned the Masters of Divinity from Catholic University of America, the Masters of Arts in History from American University, the Licentiate of Sacred Theology (STL) in liturgical studies from Catholic University of America. He has almost completed the Doctorate of Sacred Theology (STD) in liturgical studies, planning to defend his dissertation on early Franciscan liturgical practice in Spring 2022. His ministries have included: Apostolic Year in the Office of Evangelization at Franciscan University; deacon and parochial vicar at St. John the Evangelist Parish (Bellaire, OH) and Sacred Heart Paris (Neffs, OH); Adjunct Professor of History at Franciscan University; Assistant University Chaplain at Franciscan University; Director of Formation, Director of Postulants, Director of Post-novitiate Formation, and Local Minister at St. Louis Friary (DC); Master of Ceremonies for the Province of the Most Sacred Heart; Provincial Councilor; and Weekend Assistant at St. Joseph Catholic Church (VA).

Faith Journey: Growing up in a suburban Philadelphia parish, I first told my parents I wanted to be a priest when I was about seven years old. I put that thought on the backburner through middle school and part of high school. I was very active in youth ministry, and during my junior year in high school, I experienced a deepening of the Holy Spirit in my life and prompting me to take my life in Christ seriously. I went to Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, where my faith was continually nurtured, especially through the Mass and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

Inspirational Bible Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”