Speaker: Patrick Lyon

Topic: Heresies

Speaker: Dr. Timothy P. O’Malley

Topic: St. Thomas Aquinas, Transubstantiation 

Timothy P. O’Malley, Ph.D. is Associate Director for Research, McGrath Institute for Church Life and Academic Director, Notre Dame Center for Liturgy. He teaches liturgical-sacramental theology at the University of Notre Dame. He is the author of twelve books including four on the Eucharist: Bored Again Catholic: How the Mass Could Save Your Life (OSV, 2017); Real Presence: What Does It Mean and Why Does It Matter? (Ave Maria Press, 2021); Becoming Eucharistic People: The Hope and Promise of Parish Life (Ave Maria Press, 2022); Behold, Believe, Become: Meeting the Hidden Christ in Things We See, Say, and Do at Mass (Ave Maria Press, 2024).

Speaker: Monsignor Tom Shoemaker

Topic: St. Augustine, Just War Theory

Fr. Tom Shoemaker grew up in Gas City, Indiana.  He attended Wabash College and I.U. School of Dentistry, practicing dentistry for two years.  He left his dental practice to enroll at St. John’s Seminary in Boston and was ordained a priest in 1990.  He has served at St. Matthew Cathedral (1990-1998), and St. Therese, Little Flower Parish (2013-2016) as well as four parishes in Fort Wayne.  He is now the pastor of St. Charles Parish in Fort Wayne.

Speaker: Melanie Williams

Topic: Mental Health

Dr. Melanie Williams, Psy.D., HSPP, is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and serves as Director of Diocesan Mental Health Ministries for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend. Holding a Bachelor’s in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville and Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology from Divine Mercy University, she brings extensive clinical and research experience from faith-based and secular settings.

Dr. Williams integrates Catholic Christian principles into her practice, specializing in holistic psychotherapy, group therapy, psychological assessment, and community psychoeducation. She also provides consultation to clergy, conducts evaluations for the Diocesan Tribunal, and facilitates parish-based mental health ministries. Additionally, she is a guest host on Hallow, contributing to their mental health section on body image and self-compassion.

Speaker: Fr. Mark Hellinger

Topic: St. John Henry Newman, Dignity of the Human Person

Fr. Mark Hellinger was born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is the youngest and only son of his family, with three older sisters and 13 nieces and nephews. After graduating from Bishop Luers High School, he entered seminary. He finished his philosophy studies at Marian University in Indianapolis, Indiana and competed his STB in Sacred Theology at the Gregorian University in Rome in 2021. He was ordained a priest in 2022 and completed his STL in Dogmatic and Sacramental Theology at the Pontifical Atheneum of St. Anselm in Rome in 2023. He has served as parochial vicar at St. Anthony, Angola; St. Joseph, LaGrange; and St. John the Baptist, Fort Wayne. He has also been an adjunct professor of Theology at the University of Saint Francis, in Fort Wayne. He is currently the Pastor of St. Jude Parish, South Bend and Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Lakeville. He serves on the leadership team and is a regular teacher for the St. Cyril of Jerusalem Catechetical Institute of the Diocese of Fort Wayne – South Bend. He is passionate about theology and teaching and enjoys reading, cooking, sewing vestments, and hanging out with friends.