A House of Priestly Formation and Theological Education | St. Mary Seminary
Source: http://www.stmarysem.edu
Archived: 2026-04-23 15:31
A House of Priestly Formation and Theological Education | St. Mary Seminary
Forming the Heart of a Shepherd
“The goal of pastoral formation is to form shepherds of God’s People.”
– PPF 6, no 367
Learn About Our Seminary
Serving as a House of Formation
“Listen to the Lord, walk together, give witness.”
– Pope Francis
Learn About Our Mission
Providing Advanced Theological Education
“Intellectual formation centers on theology as a search for “an even deeper knowledge of the divine mysteries.”
– Pastores Dabo Vobis, no. 51
Learn About Our Graduate School
Have You Prayed for Us?
“The ministry of the priest is entirely on behalf of the church.”
– Pastores Dabo Vobis, no. 45
Support Our Mission
Our Mission
Priestly Formation and Theological Education
We are preparing men for the Roman Catholic priesthood in the Diocese of Cleveland and serving as a center for advanced theological education for ministerial service.
learn more
Recent News
See What’s Happening at Saint Mary Seminary
As a house of formation, seminarians and lay men and women engage in human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation. We invite you to be part of our story.
Father Michael Stalla Publishes New Book on Spiritual Direction
Feb 20, 2026
The Disciple Christ Deserves: A Catholic Spiritual Director’s Approach is a valuable resource both for spiritual directors and directees, as Father Michael Stalla, DMin approaches spiritual...
read more
Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology receives $8.9 million grant for clergy, laity formation from Lilly Endowment
Dec 4, 2025
Catholic Diocese of Cleveland Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology Receives $8.9 Million Grant for Clergy and Laity Formation through Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow...
read more
Novemberfest helps raise funds for seminary student activities fund
Nov 13, 2025
It took months of planning to implement Novemberfest 2025, a fundraiser benefiting the student activities fund for Borromeo and Saint Mary seminaries, The event, which included an Italian dinner,...
read more
see more
Current Semester 2026
Welcome Master of Arts (Theology) and Continuing Education Students
For information or questions about registration, your schedule, or your tuition payments, please contact the Registrar’s office.
Get Additional Information
Accreditations & Affiliatons
Founded in 1848
Incorporated in the State of Ohio on August 16, 1968
Get the Details
Vocations & Seminary
Program of Priestly Formation
Forming men of prayer, service, and holiness for God’s people
Learn More
Graduate Degree Programs
Advanced Theological Education
A center for advanced theological education for ministerial service.
Find Information
The Doctor of Ministry program at Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology has been incredibly transformational for me, shaping my theological acumen and strengthening my capacity to engage within a ministerial setting. The stellar faculty and administration challenge students to nurture a relationship with Christ through the rigors of study, prayer and discernment. I strongly recommend this program for men and women who are looking to further their ministerial and leadership competencies, renew their own commitment to serve in the Church, and make a critical impact in their respective faith communities.
Miguel Feliciano Chavez, DMin
Senior Vice President of Misson and Ministry,
Sisters of Charity Health System
My time at Saint Mary’s was filled with grace. The opportunities were endless, and the community was vibrant. I will always look back on my time there with profound gratitude. It truly became a home for me—a place where my faith deepened, my gifts were nurtured, and my heart was set on fire for the Lord.
Catherine Zickert Ochoa
Campus Minister of TCU Newman Center, Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth
Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology enhanced my work as a Music Director and inspired me to use the theological knowledge to bring those I ministered to and with closer to God. The knowledge I obtained led me to new ways of strengthening the ministerial work that I do at the parish.
Kyle Lorek, MA (Theology), 2022
Music Director
SS. Robert & William Parish, Euclid
My time at the seminary was challenging, fruitful, faith-filled, and completely worth the time. It has guided and influenced how I approach religious education for children and I suspect it will continue to help me in any future ministry the Lord sends my way.
Debra Kacsala, MA (Theology), 2022
DRE-St. Cyprian Parish, Perry, OH
It was a great joy and a challenge to return to the classroom after an absence of over 20 years. I needed to rejuvenate my priestly ministry, and the Doctor of Ministry program did that for me. Not only did it help strengthen my ministry in the service, but it helped return and renew a sense of joy in serving.
Fr. David M. Misbrener, DMin, 2022
Pastor
St. Jude Catholic Church, Columbiana, Ohio
Our Lady of Lourdes Church, East Palestine, Ohio
My theology degree from Saint Mary Seminary has enhanced my life in every possible way. The instructors, the resources, and the theological education brought an even greater depth of meaning not only to my volunteer work with those incarcerated, but to my patients that I care for as a nurse in Case Management.
Deobrah Nemecek, MA (Theology), 2022
Nurse Case Manager, UH;
Catholic Jail Ministry, Geauga Safety Center
Saint Mary’s has helped form my heart to be bold in sharing the richness of our faith with people of diverse ages and backgrounds. I have consistently come across the capacity of children/teens to receive, understand, and live out convicting topics that I learned in graduate-level courses at Saint Mary’s.
Sr. Katherine Marie McCloskey, HMSS, MA (Theology), 2019
St. Michael the Archangel High School, Campus Ministry Assistant
Vocations Director, Mercedarian Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, Baton Rouge, LA
The kind encouragement and many dedicated hours of the faculty greatly helped improve my writing skills and has opened many doors to speak. This Doctor of Ministry degree is just the beginning of a teaching ministry in the healthcare marketplace.
Teresa Durbak Sipos, DMin, RN, MSED, LPC, 2022
Trinity Counseling, Lancaster, OH
Saint Mary Seminary Library
Supporting Study and Research
Our strong collection of materials—including more than 86,000 volumes, nearly 500 units of audio-visual media, and more than 18,000 bound and electronic journals—supports graduate research in theology at the Masters and Doctor of Ministry levels.
Discover Our Library
Forming the Heart of a Shepherd
“The goal of pastoral formation is to form shepherds of God’s People.”
– PPF 6, no 367
Learn About Our Seminary
Serving as a House of Formation
“Listen to the Lord, walk together, give witness.”
– Pope Francis
Learn About Our Mission
Providing Advanced Theological Education
“Intellectual formation centers on theology as a search for “an even deeper knowledge of the divine mysteries.”
– Pastores Dabo Vobis, no. 51
Learn About Our Graduate School
Have You Prayed for Us?
“The ministry of the priest is entirely on behalf of the church.”
– Pastores Dabo Vobis, no. 45
Support Our Mission
Our Mission
Priestly Formation and Theological Education
We are preparing men for the Roman Catholic priesthood in the Diocese of Cleveland and serving as a center for advanced theological education for ministerial service.
learn more
Recent News
See What’s Happening at Saint Mary Seminary
As a house of formation, seminarians and lay men and women engage in human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation. We invite you to be part of our story.
Father Michael Stalla Publishes New Book on Spiritual Direction
Feb 20, 2026
The Disciple Christ Deserves: A Catholic Spiritual Director’s Approach is a valuable resource both for spiritual directors and directees, as Father Michael Stalla, DMin approaches spiritual...
read more
Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology receives $8.9 million grant for clergy, laity formation from Lilly Endowment
Dec 4, 2025
Catholic Diocese of Cleveland Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology Receives $8.9 Million Grant for Clergy and Laity Formation through Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow...
read more
Novemberfest helps raise funds for seminary student activities fund
Nov 13, 2025
It took months of planning to implement Novemberfest 2025, a fundraiser benefiting the student activities fund for Borromeo and Saint Mary seminaries, The event, which included an Italian dinner,...
read more
see more
Current Semester 2026
Welcome Master of Arts (Theology) and Continuing Education Students
For information or questions about registration, your schedule, or your tuition payments, please contact the Registrar’s office.
Get Additional Information
Accreditations & Affiliatons
Founded in 1848
Incorporated in the State of Ohio on August 16, 1968
Get the Details
Vocations & Seminary
Program of Priestly Formation
Forming men of prayer, service, and holiness for God’s people
Learn More
Graduate Degree Programs
Advanced Theological Education
A center for advanced theological education for ministerial service.
Find Information
The Doctor of Ministry program at Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology has been incredibly transformational for me, shaping my theological acumen and strengthening my capacity to engage within a ministerial setting. The stellar faculty and administration challenge students to nurture a relationship with Christ through the rigors of study, prayer and discernment. I strongly recommend this program for men and women who are looking to further their ministerial and leadership competencies, renew their own commitment to serve in the Church, and make a critical impact in their respective faith communities.
Miguel Feliciano Chavez, DMin
Senior Vice President of Misson and Ministry,
Sisters of Charity Health System
My time at Saint Mary’s was filled with grace. The opportunities were endless, and the community was vibrant. I will always look back on my time there with profound gratitude. It truly became a home for me—a place where my faith deepened, my gifts were nurtured, and my heart was set on fire for the Lord.
Catherine Zickert Ochoa
Campus Minister of TCU Newman Center, Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth
Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology enhanced my work as a Music Director and inspired me to use the theological knowledge to bring those I ministered to and with closer to God. The knowledge I obtained led me to new ways of strengthening the ministerial work that I do at the parish.
Kyle Lorek, MA (Theology), 2022
Music Director
SS. Robert & William Parish, Euclid
My time at the seminary was challenging, fruitful, faith-filled, and completely worth the time. It has guided and influenced how I approach religious education for children and I suspect it will continue to help me in any future ministry the Lord sends my way.
Debra Kacsala, MA (Theology), 2022
DRE-St. Cyprian Parish, Perry, OH
It was a great joy and a challenge to return to the classroom after an absence of over 20 years. I needed to rejuvenate my priestly ministry, and the Doctor of Ministry program did that for me. Not only did it help strengthen my ministry in the service, but it helped return and renew a sense of joy in serving.
Fr. David M. Misbrener, DMin, 2022
Pastor
St. Jude Catholic Church, Columbiana, Ohio
Our Lady of Lourdes Church, East Palestine, Ohio
My theology degree from Saint Mary Seminary has enhanced my life in every possible way. The instructors, the resources, and the theological education brought an even greater depth of meaning not only to my volunteer work with those incarcerated, but to my patients that I care for as a nurse in Case Management.
Deobrah Nemecek, MA (Theology), 2022
Nurse Case Manager, UH;
Catholic Jail Ministry, Geauga Safety Center
Saint Mary’s has helped form my heart to be bold in sharing the richness of our faith with people of diverse ages and backgrounds. I have consistently come across the capacity of children/teens to receive, understand, and live out convicting topics that I learned in graduate-level courses at Saint Mary’s.
Sr. Katherine Marie McCloskey, HMSS, MA (Theology), 2019
St. Michael the Archangel High School, Campus Ministry Assistant
Vocations Director, Mercedarian Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, Baton Rouge, LA
The kind encouragement and many dedicated hours of the faculty greatly helped improve my writing skills and has opened many doors to speak. This Doctor of Ministry degree is just the beginning of a teaching ministry in the healthcare marketplace.
Teresa Durbak Sipos, DMin, RN, MSED, LPC, 2022
Trinity Counseling, Lancaster, OH
Saint Mary Seminary Library
Supporting Study and Research
Our strong collection of materials—including more than 86,000 volumes, nearly 500 units of audio-visual media, and more than 18,000 bound and electronic journals—supports graduate research in theology at the Masters and Doctor of Ministry levels.
Discover Our Library