Meet the Theology Department Our mission is to develop leaders who are critical thinkers and effective communicators, committed to service and rooted in faith.

Mrs. Laura Diaz-Theology IV: Sacred Music

Laura Diaz has been part of Catholic Education from the very beginning of her education.  She graduated from Holy Family Catholic School in Irving, TX then graduated from Ursuline Academy in Dallas, TX.  Mrs. Diaz continued her education at the University of Dallas in Irving where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics.  Realizing her true passion was music, Mrs. Diaz enrolled in and graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education, Summa Cum Laude.  She began her graduate studies at UTA but decided to halt her studies to raise two beautiful children.  Mrs. Diaz has been praising God through worship since the 4^th Grade and hopes to share her passion for Sacred Music with the students at John Paul II.  Mrs. Diaz sings with the Diocesan Choir as well as directs the Adult Choir at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Garland, TX. 

Mr. Patrick Gothman - Theology III

Patrick Gothman is a former seminarian for the Diocese of Dallas, where he attended St. John Vianney College Seminary, in St. Paul, MN.  He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of St. Thomas, where he majored in Philosophy and Catholic Studies.   Patrick has volunteered at St. Ann Parish in Coppell, where he is a Core member for the youth group, and has helped lead mission trips for teens to Linares, Mexico.  His greatest passion is the Church, where he has fallen in love with the Lord, and considers it his greatest honor to help others do the same!

Rev. Mr. (Deacon) Jack Hopkins - Theology III and II and Campus Ministry

Deacon Jack comes to John Paul II after a 33 years with ATT/SBC as a manager and developer of new management employees. His career for 25 years was spent as a corporate technical instructor on high speed data networks. He entered the diaconate program for the Diocese of Dallas in 2000 and was ordained in June 2006. He presently serves as a deacon at Sacred Heart in Rowlett, Texas where he lives with his family. He has been a coach with Special Olympics of Texas for many years. Currently he is enrolled in the Catholic Biblical Study through the School of Ministry at the University of Dallas. 

Rev. Mr. (Deacon) Ed Putonti - Theology II

Deacon Ed, recently retired from a forty-plus year’s career in the computer field, is serving as a teacher of Church History at John Paul II. Deacon Ed is a graduate of St. Francis College in Brooklyn, NY. He was ordained a Deacon for the Diocese of Dallas in January 1992, and is currently assigned to Holy Trinity Parish in Dallas. He is co-coordinator of the RCIA program at Holy Trinity. He is married and is the father of two adult, married children and the grandfather of one. He and his wife have resided in Richardson for 35 years. He is honored to have this opportunity to be a part of the John Paul family, and to help form the spiritual lives of our teens.

Mrs. Beth Riley -  Theology II and Theology IV: Comparative Religions

Mrs. Riley came to John Paul II  two years ago with her Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Spanish.  She has seven years of teaching experience and five years as a Youth Coordinator.  She has taught all High School levels from level I (novice) to level V (Spanish and Hispanic Literature) as well as having been a sponsor for Spanish club, Cheerleading and the Color Guard instructor.  During her five years in working with parish youth, she took the teens to Montemorelos for a mission trips. While teaching here she has taught Spanish II, Theology II and Theology IV classes. This past summer she joined the Dallas Diocese with 40 youth from Bishop Dunne, Lynch, Ursuline, and John Paul II high school on a mission trip to Trujillo, Honduras. She has an advance certificate in Biblical Studies from the School of Ministry at the University of Dallas. And she is currently completing her Masters in Theological Studies from the University of Dallas. She has been married for 17 joyous years to Greg and has two wonderful sons Donovan and Taylor.

 Brother (Deacon) Mauricio Salazar, O.P. - Theology I

Brother Mauricio Salazar is a transitional deacon and a member of the Dominican Order.   He obtained a Masters of Divinity (MDiv) in 2006 and a Masters of Arts in Theology in 2007 from Aquinas Institute of Theology.  He was born in Nicaragua but his family resides in Florida which is now home for him.  He has been involved in a number of different ministries; including parish, hospital, jail and teaching ministries.

Sister Peggy Szeljack, CV - Theology II; Theology IV: Devotions in the Catholic Church, Psychology, and Department Chair, Director of Ministries.

A native of Michigan, Sister Peggy taught at Divine Child Elementary School in Dearborn, MI and St. Linus in Dearborn Heights, MI.  In the Diocese of Dallas she has been at St. Rita, St. Monica, Christ the King, Mary Immaculate, and Prince of Peace Community School (Mount St. Michael) and has served as principal at Prince of Peace Community School / St. Michael High School, St. Pius X and St. Luke.  Sister received her B.S. Ed. from North Texas State University with a concentration in psychology.  She holds a M.A. Ed in Administration from the University of North Texas and a Masters in Theological Studies (M.T.S.) from the University of Dallas.  Sister Peggy has done retreat work and  given classes for the Deacon Formation Program, Engaged Encounter, and Catechetical Services in the Diocese of Dallas.  She is currently part of the RCIA team at Our Lady of the Lake, Rockwall and plays guitar with the ensemble at the Saturday evening Mass.  The C. V. stands for Consecrated Virgin.  This is part of the ancient Order of Virgins.  CCC 922-924. 

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