Religious Studies

James Grindey, Department Chair

The Ignatian Workout, Senior Synthesis
Mr. Grindey has taught theology at the high school and college level for over 20 years. He received a Master of Arts in systematic theology and a Bachelor of Arts in theology/philosophy from Creighton University and offers a wealth of classroom experience. He has taught Scripture, Ethics, and Senior Synthesis at Brophy for five years and is the offensive linemen coach for varsity football. He enjoys participating in retreats and clubs, and engaging the students in Ignatian spirituality. He is married and has three sons.

Chris Agliano

Theodicy and the Holocaust, Scripture
Mr. Agliano grew up in Tampa, Florida, and attended Tampa Jesuit High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Boston College in theology and Jewish studies and a Master of Arts from Vanderbilt University in Jewish Studies and Biblical Studies. In addition to teaching, Mr. Agliano is also a coach and club moderator.

Megan Agliano

Christian Ethics and Morality
Mrs. Agliano received her Bachelor of Arts in political philosophy from the University of Dallas in 2001 and her Master of Divinity from the University of Notre Dame in 2008. She grew up in the Phoenix area and attended Xavier College Preparatory. Mrs. Agliano spent several years in Chicago directing a whole family catechetical program at a parish but decided to move back to warm and sunny Phoenix in 2011 to begin teaching at Brophy. Prior to attending Notre Dame, she also spent a year on staff at Andre House of Arizona which serves the homeless in downtown Phoenix. Mrs. Agliano currently teaches in the Religious Studies Department and is the coordinator of retreats and reflections in the Office of Faith and Justice.

Tim Broyles

Senior Synthesis, Living the Paschal Mystery
Mr. Broyles grew up in Phoenix. He attended ASU where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in English and a Master’s in secondary education. He and his wife lived and worked in Mexico and Central America for five years, and he currently coordinates Brophy’s El Salvador trip.

Elizabeth Clarke

Scripture
Ms. Clarke earned a Bachelor of Science in communications from Illinois State University, a Master’s degree in secondary English education from Northern Arizona University, and a Master’s degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University in New Orleans. She began teaching in the English Department in 2002 and has taught in the Religious Studies Department since 2012. She is the head coach of the Brophy Speech and Debate team and she moderates Brophy’s Youth and Government program.

Tom Donlan

History of the Catholic Church; Jesus, Catholicism and Violence
Dr. Donlan grew up in Highland Falls, New York, and earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame. After teaching high school in New York, he earned a Master of Arts in religious studies from Yale University, followed by a Ph.D in European History (focusing on French Catholicism and Francis de Sales) from the University of Arizona. In addition to teaching, Dr. Donlon moderates the Middle Eastern Club and leads the Appalachia immersion trip.

Paul Fisko, Assistant Principal for Ministry

Encountering Jesus in the Sacraments
Mr. Fisko directs the Office of Faith and Justice and is originally from South Bend, Indiana. He recently completed his 14th year as a faculty member in the Religious Studies Department and teaches a course on the Sacraments of the Catholic Church. He has graduate degrees from the University of Notre Dame, the University of Portland and the University of Oxford, concentrating his work on Catholic education and the historical and modern relationship between science and religion. Mr. Fisko moderates many clubs and immersion trips, directs liturgical music for the Brophy Chapel community on Sundays, and serves as a board member of the Christian Schools Consortium at Grand Canyon University. His family attends St. Gregory the Great Catholic parish and school, and he enjoys singing, composing, gardening and travel.

Josh Garcia '07

Scripture
As well as leading Brophy's baseball program, Coach Garcia teaches in the Religious Studies Department. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in religious studies from the University of Arizona where he was captain of the baseball teams that played in the NCAA Regionals in 2010 and 2011.

Tel: (602) 264-5291, ext. 6284  ||  jgarcia@brophyprep.org

Thomas Mar

Christian Ethics and Morality, Philosophy, Senior Synthesis
Mr. Mar brings a variety of education and experience to Brophy. He has a degree in physics from Stanford, a philosophy degree from the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, and a Master's degree in Education from the University of Mary. He is a long-time resident of the Valley and has taught in Catholic education for over a decade, most recently at Notre Dame Preparatory in Scottsdale. His interests include chess, philosophy, Thomas Aquinas, and occasionally he bikes to work.

Quentin Orem

Encountering Jesus in the Sacraments, History of the Catholic Church
While studying philosophy at Santa Clara University, Mr. Orem developed a deep affinity for Jesuit education. He received the Jean Donovan Fellowship which enabled him to design an immersion program in Calcutta, India where he spent a summer teaching at Mother Theresa’s Gandhi School. He also studied abroad in El Salvador and returned there after graduation to spend a year as the community coordinator with the Casa de la Solidaridad. Mr. Orem recently completed his Master’s in Theological Studies at Boston College.

Will Rutt '08

Jon Shores

Scripture
Mr. Shores received a Master of Education in curriculum andinstruction from ASU in 2005 and a Master of Education in school counseling from NAU in 2010. He began teaching in fall 2000. In addition to teaching, Mr. Shores is the head coach of the Brophy golf team and works with the Office of Faith and Justice retreat programs.