Dr. Nathan Schmiedicke
Nathan Schmiedicke, PhD is Professor of Biblical Exegesis at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary (FSSP) in Denton, NE, where he commutes 14 weeks per year. When not there, he lives on his family’s farm in Michigan where he and his wife, Wendy, raise organic crops, animals, and a lot of children. He teaches online for Holy Apostles College and Seminary, and for monks in Silverstream Ireland, Norcia Italy, and most recently, Tazmania Australia. His first book, The Bible's Foundation: A Catholic Commentary on the Pentateuch reflects his primary biblical interests in how the dramatic, symbolic, and epic dimensions of the Bible’s literary modes are the divinely-inspired bearer of its sacramental action upon the listener (Hebrews 4:12). He is currently working on a book that explores the formative effects of the feminine reading of the protoevangelium (Gen 3:15b) on the rest of the Bible- The Gospel of She: How Woman is Mother of the Bible and Death of the Devil.
Dr. Lawrence Feingold
Lawrence Feingold, STD is Professor of Theology at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis. He and his wife were baptized in 1988 and received into the Catholic Church in 1989. He is the author of Touched by Christ: The Sacramental Economy; The Eucharist: Mystery of Presence, Sacrifice, and Communion; Faith Comes from What Is Heard: An Introduction to Fundamental Theology; The Mystery of Israel and the Church; and The Natural Desire to See God According to St. Thomas Aquinas and His Interpreters.
Hegumen Damian Higgins
Abbot Damian is the Hegumen/Superior at Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Redwood Valley CA where he entered as a monk in 1988. The Monks of Mt. Tabor belong to the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Nicholas in Chicago. He was instructed in the art and spirituality of Byzantine Iconography eventually becoming an instructor in iconography providing retreats and workshops throughout the USA. The work of iconography is defined by Abbot Damian as the ideal prayer-practice for the monastic who seeks to express theology in artistic form but insists that this work is not limited to monastics and is enthusiastic to share the techniques and practices of this pray with all who might strive to connect their life of faith with artistic zeal.
Dr. Lynne Bissonnette-Pitre
Lynne Bissonnette-Pitre, MD, PhD, LGCHS is a psychiatrist, musician and iconographer. She has lectured nationally, led retreats and has been organizing the Sacred Liturgy Conferences since 2013. She currently serves on the Holy Alliance of the Catholic Medical Association. She teaches classes on sacred scripture, iconography, and Gregorian Chant and is a Dame Grand Cross of the Knights and Dames of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. She is also the co-founder and director of Schola Cantus Angelorum and is the Executive Director of the Sacred Liturgy Conference.
Fr. Bradley T. Elliott, O.P.
Fr. Brad Elliott, O.P. After ten years as a professional drum set player and feeling a call to commit himself entirely to Jesus Christ, Fr. Brad chose to leave the music industry and become a Dominican friar within Western Dominican Province. After completing theological studies, he was ordained to the priesthood of Jesus Christ on June, 22nd 2018 at St. Dominic’s Church in San Francisco, CA. In 2014 Fr. Brad received a Masters Degree in philosophy from the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkely CA. In 2021 Fr. Brad received a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC. He is currently completing a Doctorate in Sacred Theology at the Catholic University of America focusing on the role of human craft and participatory governance in the social doctrine of the Church. He is currently a professor of Moral Theology at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley California.
Fr. Joseph Levine
Fr. Joseph Levine embarked on his journey to the priesthood following his graduation from Thomas Aquinas College. He was ordained on September 14, 2010, for the Diocese of Baker, Oregon and currently serves as the dedicated pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church in Burns, Oregon. Fr. Levine is the author of "The Stone Rejected by the Builders: Some Uncommon Reflections on Social Justice" a work that views social justice in respect to the fundamental relationships revealed in Genesis: man beneath God, the interior order of the soul, man and woman, and man's dominion over the earth. While the book is not about liturgy as such, the concern for the primacy of the right relation of man to God, which is achieved through right worship, puts the sacred liturgy at the heart of true social justice. A notable figure in the Sacred Liturgy Conference, Fr. Levine has played a key advisory role in this significant gathering. This involvement showcases his commitment to the liturgical aspects of Catholic worship, offering valuable contributions to the conference's mission.
Fr. Joseph Selinger, O.P.
Fr. Joseph Selinger O.P. is a member of the Order of Friars Preachers of the Western Dominican Province. He was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada. He earned a Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Philosophy at the Collège Universitaire Dominicain in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and both a Master of Arts in Philosophy and Master of Divinity at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley, California, United States. Father Joseph entered the Dominicans in 2014 and made solemn profession in 2020. He was ordained to the priesthood on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart in 2022. He has been serving as a parochial vicar of Holy Rosary Parish in Portland, OR since July 2022.
William Heyer Architect
William Heyer has been in practice since 1997. He opened his own office in 2002. From historic renovations and beautifications to new churches, residences, and furniture, William's knowledge and skills in the classical language for contemporary architecture form the foundation for his practice. The classical language of architecture is a continuous tradition throughout the whole of architectural history. Classical principles, based on time-honored rules set down over two millenia ago, form a living language which invigorates and gives meaning to architecture and reveals beauty in infinite expressions.
Fr. Peter Do, O.P.
Fr. Peter Do, O.P. is a member of the Dominican Order with a remarkable personal story that spans continents and cultures. Born in Vietnam, he was forced to flee after the fall of Saigon, enduring a perilous journey by sea as a young boy before finding refuge in a Malaysian camp. His experience of survival and faith led him to join the Dominican Order, where he now serves with deep dedication. Fr. Peter currently serves as pastor at Holy Rosary Parish in Portland, Oregon. In July 2024, he participated in the historic Elective General Chapter of the Dominican Order in Long Khanh, Vietnam—the first Chapter held in a communist, non-Christian country. This event was particularly meaningful for him as it provided an opportunity to return to his homeland and reconnect with his family after more than 30 years.
Fr. Paul Raftery, O.P.
Fr. Paul Raftery, O.P. is a native of Northern California, Fr. Paul originally attended the University of California, Davis. During his time there, he began considering a religious vocation. Encouraged by his uncle, a Dominican priest, he entered the Order of Preachers, making his first profession in 1977 and thereafter studying at St. Albert’s College (also known as the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology) in Oakland. Fr. Paul went on to earn his master’s of Divinity and was ordained to the priesthood in 1984. Some of his earliest assignments were at Newman Centers at the University of Arizona and the University of Oregon. He then spent an extended period in parishes up and down the Pacific coast, shepherding souls in Portland, Oregon, and in Northern California. Yet he still found the time to pursue a licentiate degree in the history of liturgy at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, which he completed in 1998.
Fr. Joshua Clifton
Fr. Joshua Clifton was born and raised in San Luis Obispo, CA. He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley and from Mount Angel Seminary. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Monterey in 2012. Father Clifton has ministered as a priest at several churches in California, including Madonna del Sasso Church in Salinas, Holy Trinity Parish in Greenfield, St. Patrick's Parish in Watsonville, Our Lady of Refuge Parish in Castroville, and Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in Santa Cruz. He currently resides in the Archdiocese of Portland where he serves as the administrator of St. Birgitta Catholic Church in Portland and St. Mary Catholic Church in Vernonia.