The Institute of Catholic Theology

Ryan Hanning PhD is a Professor of Theology and Catholic Studies and teaches for the University of Mary as well as serves as an instructor and mentor for the Franciscan University of Steubenville’s Catechetical Institute. He is a Fellow at the Institute of Catholic Theology, the Havard Virtuous Leadership Institute, and founding Fellow of the San Juan Diego Institute which assists several Universities, non-profits and religious apostolates. He is also a board member and officer for Fraternus US. In addition to teaching and consulting, Ryan also serves as Asst. Editor at Hearth & Field a Christian Agrarian Journal and writes and speaks internationally on education, theology, ecological ethics and virtuous leadership. He earned a PhD in Theology from Maryvale Institute Liverpool Hope University in England, a Masters in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University, a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies at ASU and has studied at University of Dallas, Cambridge, and the Jagiellonian. He is a member of the Royal Historic Society, American Catholic Historical Association and Fellowship of Catholic Scholars. Ryan currently homesteads in Tennessee with his beautiful wife Rebecca, and their ten well socialized homeschooled children.

Sr. Johanna Paruch, FSGM, PhD, grew up in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada. She is a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George. Sr. Johanna earned an undergraduate degree in deaf communication. She holds a BA in theology and elementary education from St. Louis University and an MA from the Angelicum, awarded after completing studies at Notre Dame Catechetical Institute. She also earned the Pontifical Catechetical Diploma. She has completed her doctorate at Maryvale Institute, Birmingham, England. In 1999, Sr. Johanna joined the Theology faculty of Franciscan University of Steubenville. She specializes in catechetics, and teaches both graduate and undergraduate students. Besides her teaching duties, Sr. Johanna travels throughout the country presenting workshops on catechist training, catechist retreats, and catechesis for persons with disabilities. She is a regular contributor to The Catechetical Review. In addition to her catechetical ministry, Sr. Johanna is engaged in research on the role of Catholic sisters in the American Civil War.

Dr. Eric J. Westby is the Director of the Institute of Catholic Theology in Phoenix, Arizona. He is also the Director of Parish Catechesis at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, coordinating Christian initiation for adults, teens and children. He teaches theology for the University of Mary, specializing in the areas of foundational doctrine, evangelization and catechetics. Through his studies at the Maryvale Institute of Birmingham, England, he received his doctorate from Liverpool Hope University, with his thesis entitled "Equipping the Catechist of Catechists: A Critical Discussion of Seminary Formation in Light of Priestly Ministry in Catechesis." He holds a Masters of Arts degree in Theology and Christian Ministry from Franciscan University in Steubenville, from where he was the first student to complete the graduate specialization in catechetics. He holds a Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies from the Center for Ministry Development, and has been involved in full-time catechesis since 1988. He is a regular presenter at the summer St. John Bosco Catechetical Conference at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. He has published articles in the Catholic University of America's International 'Journal of Evangelization and Catechetics'; in Franciscan University's 'Catechetical Review'; and in Emmaus Academic's In Speaking the Truth in Love: The Catechism and the New Evangelization. He has developed OCIA and youth ministry curricula, available through the Institute of Catholic Theology. Most importantly, he is husband to Nikki, is the father of five beautiful girls, has one son-in-law, and has one grandchild.