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John Rinaldo, MA ‘06

Master of Arts, Theology & Pastoral Ministries

John Rinaldo, Before the GPPM

As a young youth minister in the Diocese of San Jose right out of college, Dr. John Rinaldo remembers telling himself that he would not go on for a graduate degree for at least three years. Yet, just nine months after completing his undergraduate studies, he found himself walking through the doors of ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½’s Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries (GPPM). Needless to say, he ignored his own advice, and it changed his life.

His journey into the program was catalyzed by the deep encouragement of his pastor, Fr. Warwick James, and parochial vicar, Fr. Brendan McGuire. Recognizing his potential, they deeply valued formal theological formation and cared so much about the vocation of ministry that they were unwilling to let a young leader serve without growing in his pastoral and theological grounding.

ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½’s Jesuit identity was an immediate draw for Dr. Rinaldo. Having attended a Jesuit undergraduate university (Loyola Marymount University), he was deeply formed in Ignatian Spirituality and eager to pursue graduate work at an institution that intentionally paired robust intellectual formation with deep spiritual growth.

Because of his non-regular work hours as a youth minister (balancing mornings, evenings, and weekends) the GPPM's flexible and convenient schedule made it possible for him to complete his classes while remaining active in his parish.

Most importantly, Rinaldo recognized a fundamental truth about parish work early on:

“If I wanted to be a good leader in the Church, I needed to develop other leaders around me.” 
 

He understood that the only way to truly expand his ministry and reach more young people was to duplicate his efforts by forming others. The GPPM provided the exact toolkit he needed to form leaders in his parish and amplify their ability to evangelize the young church.

“It worked," John reflects. "I graduated, our parish ministry grew, and I felt more equipped and empowered to lead ministry in the Church.” 

A Vocational Call and a Podcast for Today's Church

Not long after graduating from ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½, Rinaldo went on to earn a Doctor of Ministry degree. He has now dedicated over 25 years to serving the Church, taking on leadership roles within dioceses and national Catholic organizations before ultimately landing back at the very school that formed him; this time as a Professor of Practice in the GPPM.

Today, Dr. Rinaldo's ministry at ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ is dedicated to forming the next generation of Church leaders through the courses he teaches in Leadership and Ministry, Youth and Young Adult Ministry, and Family Faith Formation.

His work has also expanded into the digital space. Through the Markey Center for Leadership and Ministry, a vital hub within ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ and the GPPM, Rinaldo launched and hosts a podcast titled . Through this platform, he interviews dynamic leaders from across the Church, translating their high-level experiences into practical, real-world applications for everyday ministry.

For Dr. John Rinaldo, journeying with and forming both lay leaders and clergy in their own ministry formation is more than a career; it is a profound vocational call.

"The joy it brings me is a gift from God," he shares. "I am so grateful for the foundation the GPPM at ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ gave me. It is the rock on which I place all of my ministry, without which I would not be able to serve the Church in the way I do today.”

“I will forever be indebted to the ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ faculty who shaped me into the leader I am today.”