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.