Fr. Jeffrey Kirby

OBJECTIVE: To faithfully love and serve the Lord Jesus, seeking to spread his kingdom in our world today. 

ACADEMIC WORK:

• Doctor of Sacred Theology, Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome, Italy, 2014 – June, 2016
  • Graduated magna cum laude.
  • Dissertation: “Facilitating a Program of Conscience Formation among Medical Personnel”

• Licentiate in Moral Theology, Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome, Italy, 2006 – 2007; 2009 – 2010
  • Graduated magna cum laude.
  • Thesis: “The Natural Law as Teacher in Public Discourse.”
  • Residence at Casa Santa Maria, the Graduate House of the Pontifical North American College.

• Masters in Bioethics, Pontifical Athenaeum Queen of the Apostles, Rome, Italy, 2006 – 2007; 2009 – 2010
  • Residence at Casa Santa Maria, the Graduate House of the Pontifical North American College.

• Bachelor of Sacred Theology, Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, Italy, 2002-2006
  • Master of Divinity Equivalent
  • Graduated magna cum laude.
  • Priestly Formation at the Pontifical North American College, Vatican City State.
  • Served as an English Tutor to the Pontifical Swiss Guard, 2003-2004; 2005-2006.
  • Peer-Elected to give the “New Man Address” at the PNAC Dedication Anniversary Banquet, October, 2002.
  • Ordained a Catholic transitional deacon on October 5, 2006, St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City State.
  • Ordained a Catholic priest on July 27, 2007, Columbia Convention Center, Columbia, SC.

• Master of Arts in Philosophy, Franciscan University, Steubenville, Ohio, 1999-2001
  • Graduated cum laude.
  • Thesis:  “Homo Pontifex:  Man as Microcosm and Frontier Being.”
  • Defense Board:  Drs. John Crosby, Michael Healy, and John White.
  • Served as the Graduate Intern for Leadership Development in the Student Life Office
  • Peer-Elected “Graduate Student of the Year,” 2001.

• Bachelor of Arts in History, Franciscan University, Steubenville, Ohio, 1996-1999
  • Graduated cum laude.
  • Named “Honors Scholar of the Great Books,” for completion of the Great Books of Western Civilization Honors Program.
  • Member, Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society.
  • Senior Thesis:  “Human Dignity and the Exercise of Authority: The Historical Development of the Divine Right of Kings”; Advisor: Dominic Aquila, PhD, MMus.
  • Served two years as a Resident Assistant in St. Francis Residence Hall, 1997-1999.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Current Responsibilities:

• Pastor, Our Lady of Grace Parish, Indian Land, September 2018 – Present
  • Served as Administrator September 1, 2016 – September 1, 2018
•  Censor Librorum, Diocese of Charleston, April, 2024 – Present
• Professor of Theology, Belmont Abbey College, Charlotte, N.C., Summer, 2015 – Present
  • Instructor of “Introduction to Theology,” “Introduction to the Scriptures,” and “Introduction to Moral Theology”
• Senior Contributor, Crux Now: Taking the Catholic Pulse news site, June, 2016 – Present
• Host, Morning Offering with Father Kirby podcast.

Previous Responsibilities:

• Administrator, St. Joseph’s Parish, Chester, SC, September, 2016 – July, 2017
• Summer Priest Supply, Saint Michael’s Parish, Myrtle Beach, SC, June, 2016 – August, 2016
• Doctoral Student, Holy Cross University, Rome, Italy, 2014 – June, 2016
• Temporary Administrator, St. Mary Help of Christians Parish, Aiken, SC, July, 2015 – October, 2015
• Vicar of Vocations, Vocations Office, Diocese of Charleston, South Carolina, February 2010 – June 2015
  • Taught “Introduction to the Scriptures”
• Founding Director, Drexel House: Catholic Residence for Men, July 2011 – May 2015
• Chaplain, Bishop England High School, Charleston, South Carolina, July 2011 – June, 2014
• Chaplain, Cardinal Newman School, Columbia, S.C., July 2010 – June 2011
• Priest In-Residence, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Columbia, S.C., July 2010 – July 2011
• Parochial Vicar, St. Mary Help of Christians, Catholic Parish, Aiken, South Carolina, October 2007 – September 2009
  • Seventh Grade Religion Teacher, St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic School, Aiken, South Carolina, January 2008 – May, 2009
  • Adjunct Religion Teacher, Senior Religion Seminar, Cardinal Newman High School, Columbia, South Carolina, August 2008 – May, 2009
• Parochial Vicar, St. Andrew’s, Clemson; St. Paul’s, Seneca; and, St. Francis, Walhalla, Catholic
  • Parish, South Carolina, August – October 2007
• Seminarian, St. Ann’s, Kingstree; St. Philip, Lake City; and St. Patrick, Johnsonville, Catholic Parishes, South Carolina, July – Sept., 2006
• Seminarian, Pastoral Internship, Prince of Peace Catholic Parish, Taylors, South Carolina, July 2004 – April 2005
• Theology Teacher, New Testament and Christian Morality, Bishop England High School, Charleston, South Carolina, 2001 – 2002
• In Residence: Nativity Catholic Parish, James Island, South Carolina, August – December, 2001
• In Residence: Stella Maris Catholic Parish, Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina, January – June, 2002

MILITARY SERVICE:

• Served for six years in the Army National Guard, 1996 – 2002
  • Received an “Honorable Discharge” upon completion of enlistment
  • Recipient of the National Defense Service Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Humanitarian Service Medal, and Army Achievement Medal
  • Activated for “Operation New Horizons,” Summer 1999, Nicaragua

BOOKS:

• Author, A Year with the Popes. Charlotte: TAN Books. November, 2023.
• Author, A Journey to Mount Carmel: A Nine-Day Preparation for Investiture in the Brown Scapular of Our Lady. Sophia Institute Press. October, 2022.
• Author, Understanding the Bible: A Catholic Guide to Applying God’s Word to Your Life Today. Huntington: Our Sunday Visitor. April, 2022.
• Author, Sanctify Them in Truth: How the Church’s Social Doctrine Addresses the Issues of Our Time. Charlotte: TAN Books. March, 2022.
• Glory Unto Glory: A Primer on Ascetical Theology. Angelico Press. February, 2022.
• Author, Manual for Suffering. Charlotte: TAN Books. November, 2021.

• Author, Real Religion: How to Avoid False Faith and Worship God in Spirit and Truth. San Diego: Catholic Answers Press, 2021.
• Author, Way of the Cross for Loved Ones Who Have Left the Faith. Huntington: Our Sunday Visitor, 2021.
• Author, Living in Peace. Huntington: Our Sunday Visitor, 2020.
• Contributor, A Pastoral Guide to Opening Your Parish. Huntington: Our Sunday Visitor, 2020.

• Author, Thy Kingdom Come: Living the Lord’s Prayer in Everyday Life. Charlotte: TAN Books, 2020.
• Author, Be Not Troubled: A 6-Day Personal Retreat with Fr. Jean-Pierre De Caussade. South Bend: Ave Maria Press, 2019.
• Author, Always Have an Answer Ready: A Question-and-Answer Catechism to Help You Live Your Faith. El Cerrito: Pontifex University Press, 2019.
• Author, God’s Search for Us: Five Truths from a Missing Coin. El Cerrito: Pontifex University Press, 2018.
• Author, Kingdom of Happiness: Living the Beatitudes in Everyday Life. Charlotte: St. Benedict Press, 2017
• Co-Author, Doors of Mercy: A Journey Through Salvation History. Charlotte: St. Benedict Press, 2016
  • Received First Place Book Award, Catholic Press Association, 2017
• Co-Author, Becoming Mr. and Mrs. Thomas. Aiken: Signo Press, 2016
• Author, The Life and Witness of St. Maria Goretti. Charlotte: TAN Books, 2015
• Author, 101 Surprising Facts about St. Peter’s and the Vatican. Charlotte: St. Benedict’s Press, 2015
• Author, Lord, Teach Us to Pray. Charlotte: St. Benedict’s Press, 2014
• Co-Author, Becoming Sister Mary Grace. Aiken: Signo Press, 2013
• Co-Author, Becoming Father Bob. Aiken: Signo Press, 2010
• Author, Encountering the Lord in His Holy Court: A Walk Through St. Peter’s Basilica. Bethune:  Signo Press, 2009
• Contributor, Encyclopedia of Catholic Social Thought, Social Justice, and Social Policy. Lanham: Scarecrow Press, 2007
  • Submitted articles on “Pontifical Council ‘Cor Unum’,” “John Cardinal Krol,” and “George Weigel”

DIGITAL PROGRAMS:

• Instructor, First Samuel: Establishing the Throne of David. Charlotte: Saint Benedict Press, 2020.
• Host, Kingdom of Happiness: Living the Beatitudes in Everyday Life. Charlotte: St. Benedict Press, 2018
• Co-Instructor, Jesus Revealed. Charlotte: Catholic Scripture Study International, 2017
• Guest Expert, Queen of Heaven. Charlotte: St. Benedict Press, 2017
  • Received an “Honorable Mention,” Gabriel Awards, 2018
• Co-Instructor. Luke: The Gospel of Mercy. Charlotte: Catholic Scripture Study International, 2016
  • Received Third Place “Excellence in Catholic Publishing Award,” Association of Catholic Publishers, 2017
• Host, “Doors of Mercy.” Charlotte: St. Benedict Press, 2016
  • Received First Place “Excellence in Catholic Publishing Award,” Association of Catholic Publishers, 2017
• Professor, “The Spiritual Life.” Charlotte: Catholic Courses, 2014
• Professor, “A Tour of St. Peter’s Square and Basilica.” Charlotte: Catholic Courses, 2013

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:

• Lancaster Chamber of Commerce. Member. June, 2019 – Present
• Catholic Press Association, At-Large Member. August, 2016- Present
• Catholic Academy of Communication Professionals, April, 2015 – Present
• Catholic Speakers Association, October, 2014 – Present
• Catholic Medical Association, Affiliate Member, July, 2014 – Present
• Catholic Writers Guild, June, 2014 – Present
• American Philosophical Society, Colleague, Feb 2014 – Present
• Fellowship of Catholic Scholars, Associate Member, October, 2007 – Present
• Society of Catholic Social Scientists, October, 2007 – Present
• Bernardin Committee of the University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, January, 2008 – Present

CERTIFICATIONS, RESEARCH AND CONFERENCES:

• Certified as a Life Coach, Loyola Marymount University Extension Programs, 2024.
• Completed nine hours of graduate level courses in Educational Administration at the Citadel: The Military College of South Carolina, 2011- 2013
• Attended School Pastors’ Institute, Notre Dame University, July, 2012
• Attended the Institute on Interreligious Leadership, Chicago, Illinois, July, 2008
• Attended the Acton University, Grand Rapids, Michigan, June, 2007
• Lived in Perugia (Umbria) with an Italian family for language studies, Comitato Linguistico, July-August, 2003
• Attended the Tertio Millennio Seminar on Free Society, Krakow, Poland, June, 2003
• Traveled through Turkey, Greece, Egypt, and Western Europe to study the role of religion on civilizations, the influence of monasticism, the history and effects of Islam, and the attempts at religious co-existence in these areas, Summer, 2001
• Lived in Bethlehem with a Christian Palestinian family while researching the influence of religion on culture and the attempts at religious pluralism in the region, Summer, 2000
• Lived in West Germany while father served in the US Military, 1986-1989

TALKS AND LECTURES:

• Guest Chaplain, Office of the Chaplain, United States House of Representatives, Washington, DC, 28 January 2020
• Chaplain, 9/11 Memorial Service, City of Waxhaw, Waxhaw, North Carolina, 11 September 2018; Chaplain, Veterans Day Prayer Service, City of Waxhaw, Waxhaw, North Carolina, 11 November 2017
• Paper, “Veiled Spiritual Lessons in the Secular City,” Society of Catholic Social Scientists Annual Conference, Steubenville, Ohio, 28 October, 2017
• Workshop, “St. Peter’s Basilics as a Model and Inspiration for Worship,” Mid-Atlantic Congress, Baltimore, MD, February, 2015
• Presentation, “Vocation Clubs Promote Vocations,” Catholic Education Association Annual Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, April, 2014

HONORS AND AWARDS:

• Appointed, “Papal Missionary of Mercy” by Pope Francis, 2 April, 2020.
• Recipient, “2018 State Honoree,” South Carolina Knights of Columbus, Columbia, SC, 28 April, 2018.
• Recipient, “Bishop John King Mussio Award for Faithful Service to the Church” Alumni Award, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, Ohio, 27 October, 2017
• Recipient, First and Third Place, “Excellence in Catholic Publishing Awards,” Mercy Category, Association of Catholic Publishers, 2017
• Recipient, First Place “Book Award,” Mercy Category, Catholic Press Association, 2017
• Recipient, “Shining Diamonds” Alumni Award, Lower Richland High School, Hopkins, SC, 4 April,  2017
• Recipient, Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s Highest Civilian Honor, Columbia, SC, 11 October, 2016
• Inducted, Papal Knight, Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, April, 2012
• Recipient, Beacon of Light Award, Diocese of Charleston, 2015, “Companions on Journey” award of the National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry, Diocese of Charleston, May, 2011
• Recipient, Saint George Emblem, Boy Scouts of America, March, 2009
• Recipient, National Eagle Scout Award, May, 1993

INTERESTS AND HOBBIES:

• Traveled across the Atlantic Ocean aboard the Queen Mary 2, September, 2009, and June, 2010
• Completed the Rome Marathon, March, 2007, and March, 2010