Media
The Monk Mindset media platform makes the hidden wisdom of the monastery accessible to a global audience.
100M+
Views
300K+
Followers
30K+
Newsletter Subscribers
Check it out to learn more!
Our Partners
Meet the monks and nuns of Monk Mindset
Fr. Tom
Weinandy
St. Francis Friary
(Capuchin College)
Capuchin Friars
Washington, D.C.
Fr. Tom Weinandy is a theologian with around 40 years of teaching experience. He taught for 12 years at the University of Oxford and served as head of the Secretariat for Doctrine at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for 9 years. A prolific author, he has written about 20 books and hundreds of articles.
Fr. Matthias of the Immaculate Heart
Mount St. Joseph Carmelite Monastery
Discalced Carmelites
San Jose, CA
Originally from Washington state, Father Matthias entered the monastery early into his professional career, leaving a rock band to join the Carmelite province of St. Joseph. He wrote his masters thesis on the universal call to contemplation & enjoys sharing the contemplative life with others, especially college students. Father Matthias loves spending time in nature & with his community.
Fr. John
Bayer
Cistercians
Irving, TX
Fr. John Bayer is a monk at Our Lady of Dallas Cistercian Abbey in Irving, Texas. In addition to serving as a vocations director, he teaches at Cistercian Preparatory School and the University of Dallas.
On the side, he also enjoys making videos about theology for his YouTube channel. Besides studying, teaching, praying and living in community, he loves backpacking and celebrating mass in the wilderness.
Fr. Malachy
Napier
Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFRs)
Bronx, NY
Fr. Malachy made his final vows in 2014 and was ordained in May 2020. His first three years of priesthood were in the CFRs’ mission in Matagalpa, Nicaragua, where his principal work was with young people and prisoners. He was one of over 50 priests appointed to speak at the National Eucharistic Congress. Even though he is far from his southern roots in Georgia he remains a loyal UGA fan.
Fr. Paul Sheller
Benedictines
Conception, MO
Fr. Paul serves as his monastery’s Vocation Director, and the Director of the Abbey Guest Center. His days are filled with the usual ora et labora of monastic life, where he meets with individuals for spiritual direction, leads weekend retreats at the Abbey Guest Center, and spends time with his brother monks.
He grew up in Stillwater, Oklahoma and attended Oklahoma State University for two years before joining the seminary for the Diocese of Tulsa. God’s call led him to discern monastic life and he professed vows in 2006 an was ordained in 2013. He earned his M.Div. and M.A. in Systematic Theology from St. Vincent Seminary. He completed his M.A. in Christian Spirituality from Creighton University in 2020. Fr. Paul enjoys photography, woodworking, board games, a competitive game of volleyball, and he is an avid cyclist and competes in triathlon races.
Sr. Katherine Caldwell
Franciscan Sisters
Toronto, OH
In college, Sr. Katherine discovered St. Francis and her heart resonated with his, particularly his compassionate love for Christ Crucified and for those suffering. During this time, she received a call to help found her religious community who with Mary at the foot of the Cross receives and gives God’s merciful love through prayer and works of mercy.
As a lifelong learner, she strives to grow from the joys and challenges of life, seeking to integrate the human and spiritual dimensions. She has been blessed to receive graduate degrees in Franciscan studies, Christian spirituality, and clinical counseling. Over the years, she has served the homeless, provided trauma therapy, and led retreats and faith sharing groups. She has served her community as Reverend Mother and various roles in formation and leadership.
Norbertine Canonesses
Bethlehem Priory of St. Joseph
Tehachapi, CA
The Norbertine Canonesses are a growing community of cloistered nuns dedicated to the celebration of the liturgy and are known for their beautiful Gregorian chant. Integrated into their intense life of liturgical prayer, they undertake a variety of works, including farming, breeding and training dogs, making cheese and other home-made treats and gifts available in their online store. While belonging to a 900 year old Order, this community is the first house of Norbertine Canonesses to be established in North America.
Fr. Isaac Haywiser
Benedictines
Latrobe, PA
Fr. Isaac went to Saint Vincent College for a degree in Business Management but with little direction in life in terms of a career. He asked the Lord to reveal to him who He created to him to be and what He was calling him to do in life. Recalling a moment in 4th Grade when the pastor of his parish asked who was open to the priesthood and he raised his hand, Fr. Isaac intentionally discerned and discovered the call to be a Benedictine, entering Saint Vincent Archabbey after graduation in 2009.
Fr. Isaac continues his pursuit of the Lord, living as a beloved son of the Father through the ora et labora of monastic life – praying the Divine Office in community, taking care of the health insurance of the monks, teaching business courses in the College and serving in the Seminary. He attends to the spiritual and human formation of others and continually seeks the ongoing encounter with God’s Love and Truth which brings us into wholeness and communion.
Sr. John Paul Marie of Jesus, Light of the World
Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal
Bronx, NY
Sr. John Paul grew up in Minnesota and became a Neonatal ICU nurse after graduating from Franciscan University. While fear kept her running from her call to belong to Christ alone, He patiently waited until her heart was ready to say "Yes!" She made her final vows in the Community of Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal in 2016 and has served in Harlem, England and most recently in the Bronx. She will soon move to Harlem again to serve as the Postulant Directress and is excited to accompany these women as they begin their journey in religious life.
Fr. Jeremy Hiers
Our Mother of Good Counsel Novitiate
Radnor, PA
Fr. Jeremy Hiers serves as the Vocation Director for the Augustinian Province of St. Thomas of Villanova and also serves on the Formation Team at the Our Mother of Good Counsel Novitiate. He grew up in Hebron, KY and went to Thomas More University to earn a degree in Computer Information Systems and Mathematics. Following graduation he moved to Washington, D.C. to work for the U.S. Army as an IT Specialist and then Acquisition Program Manager. During this time he earned a Masters in the Management of Information Technology from the University of Virginia. While raised Lutheran, he entered the Roman Catholic Church at the age of 29. Five years later and 13 years into his career with the U.S. Army he discerned a call to the Order of Saint Augustine after learning about the life of Saint Augustine. His other passions include prison ministry, evangelization, and studying the Rule of Saint Augustine. In addition to ministry he enjoys writing, meditation, and hiking.
Sr. María
Gonzalo-García
Trappist-Cistercians
Crozet, VA
Sr. María serves as Novice Director and cheese production manager at Our Lady of the Angels Monastery, in Crozet, Virginia. She is an author and medieval scholar.
As a child, she dreamed of being a writer and contributing to making the world a better place. When she was asked what she was going to be when she grew up, annoyed by the question, she would reply, “I’m going to marry a very wealthy man.” Little did she know that God’s Providence for her would surpass her wildest expectations.
Abbot Jeremy Driscoll
Benedictines
St. Benedict, OR
Abbot Jeremy Driscoll, OSB, is the 12th abbot of Mount Angel Abbey, elected by the community in March of 2016. Abbot Jeremy made his first profession in the community on September 8, 1974, and was ordained a priest in 1981.
During his years in the community, Fr. Jeremy taught theology at Mount Angel Seminary and at Sant’ Anselmo in Rome. As Abbot, he continues to teach at Mount Ange seminary. He also continues to serve on various Vatican commissions, conducts conferences and retreats throughout the United States (and beyond), and continues to write and publish. On January 11, 2025, Pope Francis announced his appointment of Abbot Jeremy as a member of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
Br. Joseph Teresa of the Eucharist
The Espousal of Mary and Joseph Monastery
Discalced Carmelites
Brighton, MA
Originally from northern Virginia, Br. Joseph Teresa comes from a family of 8 kids. After receiving a bachelor's degree in philosophy from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, he entered the Washington Province of Discalced Carmelite Friars in 2019. He completed his seminary studies in December of 2025.
Brother enjoys spending quality time with community, family, and God in prayer, as well as reading, playing soccer, and swimming.
Br.Thomas A. Piolata
St. Francis Friary (Cap College)
Capuchin Friar
Washington, DC
Br. Thomas Piolata is a Capuchin friar of the Province of St. Augustine. After professing solemn vows in 2018, Br. Thomas was sent to Rome for further studies. In 2024, he completed his doctorate in theology at Durham University (UK) and the Antonianum University (Rome). Currently, he is an Assistant Professor of Historical and Systematic Theology at The Catholic University of America. His research focuses on the Franciscan intellectual tradition; within this tradition, he is especially interested in the writings of St. Francis of Assisi and the theology of St. Bonaventure. He is also close theological friends with Romano Guardini and Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI), who has had a major impact on his life.
Br. Thomas loves a good beer coupled with great conversation, has had a lifelong devotion to St. Joseph, thinks most people don't laugh enough, and—thanks to his father's influence—is committed to praying for souls in purgatory.
Fr. Robert Barcelos
St. Therese Parish and Monastery
Discalced Carmelites
Alhambra, CA
Fr. Robert came to know the life-changing Love of Jesus for the first time at the age of nineteen. Much to his surprise the love of Christ seized his heart while attending Mass for the first time after having had rejected the Catholic faith of his childhood upbringing. This divine encounter won him over and ignited a new fire of desire in his passion for life. The conversion became gradually deeper until it manifest in the discovery of a calling to be a Carmelite priest.
Apart from his ministry, Father Robert is passionate about certain styles of art & music, professional football, long boarding by the beach, sunsets over the ocean, fellowship before a fire, mountain top vistas, favorite food is Hawaiian pizza with a side of sardines, and his favorite color is metallic orange representing the seraphic spirit of the saints of Carmel.
Fr. Peter Teresa McConnell
Franciscan Friars of the Holy Spirit
Phoenix, AZ
Fr. Peter Teresa made his final profession in 2017 and was ordained to the priesthood in 2019. He has spent the entirety of his priesthood serving the Native American population in the diocese of Phoenix, Arizona. He also serves in formation work with his community.
He grew up in Pennsylvania and played a year of collegiate basketball before hearing a call to the priesthood and Franciscan religious life. He still enjoys basketball, reading, and hiking in the mountains.
Fr. Michael Herlihey
Capuchin Friar
Philadelphia, PA
Fr. Michael Herlihey is a beloved son of God. He enjoys a front row seat to God's creativity and generosity. Wanting to be a teacher, therapist, or case manager at a homeless shelter, God instead challenged him to trust and called him to be a Capuchin priest. Resistant at first, he later discovered God's creativity and generosity as now he teaches daily when preaching at Mass, has therapeutic conversations with God's people, and shows love to people struggling from homelessness in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia.
He serves as a vocation director for the Capuchins. His favorite bible verses are Heb 13:2; Phil 2:6-11; Mt 25:40 & Mk 5:25-34. In his free time he plays sports (especially ping pong and soccer); camps; and visits waterfalls.
Fr. Stephen Cantwell
Shrine of the Sacred Heart Friary
Capuchin Friar
Washington, DC
Fr. Stephen Cantwell is a Capuchin Friar for the province of St. Augustine. He made final vows in August of 2023 and after receiving a Mdiv and STB degree from The Catholic University of America he was ordained a priest in June 2026. He grew up just outside of Philadelphia and got a undergrad degree in Civil Engineering from Penn State in 2012. He found the friars and his vocation while he was working in Center City Philadelphia as a Construction Manager. He essentially went on one discernment retreat and began to follow the Holy Spirit more fully and changed his entire life. Every day since then has been an adventure with the Lord and more blessings than he ever could have imagined.
Sr. Francesca Maria Sabo
Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal
Bronx, NY
Sr. Francesca grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles and first made her way to NYC to attend Barnard College. While in college, she encountered the personal love of Jesus for her, was reignited in the Catholic faith, and heard the call of Jesus to become His spouse. She completed her college degree (in chemistry) and was passionately involved in pro-life efforts throughout NYC. Drawn to serve the poor and evangelize, she entered the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal (CFR Sisters) in 2004 and made final vows in 2012. She currently serves the community as the General Financial Administrator and in her free time likes to garden.
Content Partners
If you are a religious community or other partner wishing to work with us, please send a message telling us about your community to monk@monkmindset.com
Media Inquiries
For media inquiries, please email monk@monkmindset.com