Ray John Marek Hired as Renewal Program Director

Ray John Marek is a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate and currently serves as the Director of Lenox House in Oakland. Lenox House is a center of renewal, encounter, and hospitality near Lake Merritt.

Ray John holds a M.Div. from Oblate School of Theology (1989), including a year of theological study and cultural experience in the Republic of South Africa at St. Joseph’s Theological Institute. He also earned a D. Min. from Aquinas Institute of Theology (2000) with a concentration in homiletics.

His pastoral service includes parish and shrine ministry (Houston and New Orleans), retreat ministry (Illinois and San Antonio), faculty member at Oblate School of Theology (San
Antonio), and provincial treasurer for the Missionary Oblates (Washington, DC). While on faculty at Oblate School of Theology (OST), Ray John facilitated sessions in the International Priests Institute and the Ministry to Ministers renewal program. He also served for five years as Director of the D. Min. Program at OST.

Ray John recognizes the long history and contribution that the JST-SCU Renewal Program has provided to ministers throughout the world, including members of his own religious community. From his firsthand experiences, he knows the contributions that Renewal Program participants offer to theological institutions. He is excited to build on the foundations already established in the JST-SCU program as well as collaborating with administration, faculty, and staff to meet the challenge outlined in JST-SCU’s strategic plan to make the Renewal Program a strong option for  experienced ministers looking for theological and spiritual renewal.