O Come O Come Emanuel

Jose Gonzalez joined the team at Sophia Institute for Teachers in 2014 after more than 10 years as a Catholic high school teacher. In addition to teaching, Jose has experience working in parish and diocesan ministry. Jose has been leading Workshops in over 60 dioceses for more than 8 years, and contributes regularly to our teacher's guides and digital instructional resources. He has a BA in theology with a concentration in religious education from Franciscan University of Steubenville, and an MA in evangelization and catechesis from the Augustine Institute. Jose and his wife, Mary Beth, have four children.

Scott G. Hefelfinger is Assistant Professor of Theology at the Augustine Institute in Denver, CO. He holds a PhD in Moral Theology from the University of Notre Dame, an STL in Systematic Theology from the International Theological Institute, an STM from the same, and a BA in Music Composition from the University of California at Berkeley. Drawing on his experience with art, traveling missionary work with NET Ministries, and the richness of family life, Dr. Hefelfinger has lectured and taught internationally on a wide variety of topics, most of which center on Christ’s promise of “life in abundance” (Jn 10:10) and the expressions this life finds in culture, music, literature, and the varied communities we inhabit. He has taught at the undergraduate and graduate levels for Franciscan University of Steubenville (Austrian campus), the International Theological Institute, and the University of Notre Dame. In addition, he speaks regularly on morality, prayer, and family life at parishes and conferences. Dr. Hefelfinger has published in scholarly journals and translated several theological works; he is currently finishing up a book project exploring the common good and international society in Catholic social thought. He and his wife, along with their three children, live in Centennial, CO, and love how the Rockies remind them of the Austrian Alps.