About

I started this Substack as a digital platform for my writing. Being in the trenches of parish work for years has made me a Catholic “generalist” of sorts, so I post about theology, spirituality, literature, and culture. I do this with the serious-but-ordinary Catholic in mind. I’m also a family man trying to live a family life well. I will write about that too.

Digging deeper, this publication will search for the real in the light of Christ, as an exercise in the renewal of mind (cf. Rom. 12:2). As such, it’s an attempt to embrace, as Msgr. James Shea says, “a Christian vision of reality and…readiness to live out the ramifications of that vision.” It’s about living the encounter with Christ as the substance of being and rethinking everything accordingly.

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Biography

I was born and raised in Tiffin, Ohio, a small town in the northwest part of the state. I attended Catholic grade school and high school before completing my undergraduate studies in English and Theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville. My wife (Katie) and I met at Franciscan University and got married upon graduating. We have seven children and live in Cincinnati.

Since 2008, I’ve held various positions in parish ministry, directed an archdiocesan office, and taught at the secondary and collegiate levels. Outside of ministry, I spent a year working as a client leader at a digital marketing agency. During my time in ministry, I completed an MA in Theology and Christian Ministry at Franciscan University, and earned a PhD in Theology at the University of Notre Dame Australia where I studied under Dr. Gerard O’Shea and Dr. Tracey Rowland. My dissertation focused on the theological developments after Vatican II that led to the present catechetical crisis and the evaporating of Catholic culture within the Church. I propose a renewal effort along the lines of Joseph Ratzinger’s theology. This work has now been published as Because He Has Spoken to Us: Structures of Proclamation from Rahner to Ratzinger (Wipf and Stock, 2022). I frequently contribute to The Catechetical Review, Catholic World Report, and the Eucharistic Revival blog.

I am currently the director of evangelization at the Stella Maris family of parishes east of Cincinnati. In my not-so-abundant free time, I enjoy reading, writing, strumming on the guitar, and coaching my kids’ sports teams.

Contact

I’m happy to speak at schools and parishes. I’ve been doing it for years. Reach out at bradbursa@gmail.com.