Michael Hogan, Director
Michael Hogan serves as the director of the Faber Center for Ignatian Spirituality and has held the position since January of 2006. He holds a master's degree in Christian Spirituality and a graduate certificate in spiritual direction and directed retreats from Creighton University. He also has a certificate of completion in spiritual direction from the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation. Because he was a Jesuit in formation for 8 years from 1972 – 1980, Mike has a strong affinity for the Spiritual Exercises and Ignatian Spirituality. He is married and has three children and one grandchild.
Before coming to Marquette, he worked as a trial lawyer for more than 25 years primarily in the areas of medical malpractice and other professional liability. Mike was certified as a civil trial specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He continues to teach as an adjunct professor at Marquette Law School and has done so for 14 years. He served on the state bar ethics committee and is the author of the chapter on opening statements in the state bar book, Wisconsin Trial Practice. He was trained in mediation at Hamline University and occasionally serves as a mediator privately.
Kathy Coffey-Guenther, Director of Ignatian Programs
Kathy Coffey-Guenther currently serves as the director of Ignatian Programs for the Faber Center for Ignatian Spirituality and Office of Mission and Ministry at Marquette University. Kathy received a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Marquette University and a certificate in spiritual direction from the Aquinas Institute of Theology. She has worked in private practice as a psychotherapist and spiritual director integrating psychological and theological paradigms to assist in psycho-spiritual healing. In addition to her clinical and retreat work, Kathy also serves as a speaker and consultant to religious congregations, clergy and religious, and parishes focusing on the work of community building, conflict resolution and spiritual growth. At the request of the Archbishop, Kathy currently serves as co-chair on the Community Advisory Board for clergy sexual abuse issues in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
Fr. J.J. O'Leary, S.J., Associate Director
Fr. J.J. O’Leary joined the Faber Center in a part-time capacity during the summer of 2008. He has been a welcome addition, packing a lot of work into his part time hours and while sharing his talents and gifts. J.J. has been in retreat work over 40 years and has given directed and group retreats in most of the Jesuit retreat houses in the States and in Canada and Kenya. He has been a spiritual director to Jesuits and lay people since his studies in Rome. J.J. taught the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament at Marquette University, Creighton University and the University of San Diego. Currently he also serves as the Chaplain to the School of Dentistry.
Ellen Blonski, Administrative Assistant
Ellen joined the staff of the Faber Center as their Administrative Assistant in January, 2009. She comes to the Center after having worked in a similar position in the office of Campus Ministry. In her 22+ years at the university, Ellen has served on numerous committees and been active in promoting the mission of the university. Her responsibilities in the Faber Center include providing assistance to the Director and Associate Directors, managing the day-to-day activities of the office, helping to plan and coordinate office events and welcoming its many visitors.
Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius
The exercises are a pathway to recognizing God's activity in our deepest desires and growing in unity with God. Emerging from the experience of St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus, the Exercises provide a structured opportunity to mature in spiritual freedom and make choices that are responsive to God's call in one's life.