Father Austin came to Saint Thomas early in 2005 to be the parish’s first “theologian-in-residence.” A priest-scholar, his background is in both the parish ministry and the academic world.

At Mount Aloysius College in Cresson, Pennsylvania, Father Austin was assistant professor of religious studies, philosophy, and theology. He has also taught on the adjunct faculty of Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York; Mount St. Mary College in Newburgh, New York; and the General Theological Seminary.

As a priest of the diocese of New York, Father Austin served from 1989 to 2003 as rector of the Church of the Resurrection, Hopewell Junction. Before that he was curate of Zion Church in Wappingers Falls. He is a graduate of St. John’s College in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the General Theological Seminary, and he earned his Ph.D. in theology from Fordham University in 2002.

Father Austin’s interests are wide-ranging but his particular focus (and doctoral dissertation) is in Christian ethics. He is the author of numerous scholarly articles and monographs. His book, A Priest’s Journal, was published by the Church Publishing Company in 2001 and is a series of vignettes from daily parish life.

Father Mead has called Father Austin to Saint Thomas to exercise his priestly gifts as a theologian, a teacher, and a writer. He shares the full-time priestly ministry with the other clergy, celebrates said and sung masses, preaches, and, particularly, teaches and oversees the program of theological education for adults. He is eager to draw out people who care about ideas and want to grow in a theologically strong, orthodox and traditional Christian faith.