Padraic O'Hare

Padraic O’Hare received a B.A. History from Saint Francis College, Brooklyn, NY (1965) Masters in Political Science, Fordham University, (1969), Masters in Religious Studies, Manhattan College (1971), Doctorate - D.Ed. – in Theology and Education from Teachers’ College, Columbia University and Union Theological Seminary, (1974). Prior to service at Merrimack College, (1988-2018), O’Hare worked as Consultant for Educational Planning for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, NY, Associate (Academic) Director & Associate Professor of the (then) Institute of Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry at Boston College (1976-86), And Academic Dean of Anna Maria College in Paxton , MA (1986 -88). During 30 year at Merrimack College he founded (1993) and for 18 years directed the Center for the Study of Jewish- Christian Relations, leading its expansion in 2008 to embrace Islam and Muslim people as the Center for the Study of Jewish - Christian - Muslim Relations.

O’Hare is the author and editor of eight (8) books; they deal with Contemplation education, Jewish-Christian Relations, Social Justice and Religious education. He has published two books on Contemplation education: Busy Life Peaceful Center A Book of Meditating, (Thomas More Press, 1995), and The Way of Faithfulness Contemplation and Formation in the Church, (Trinity Press International, 1993, national first prize winner for best book in Catholic education, Catholic Press Association, 1995). And, he has written two books on inter-religious relations, especially between Jews and Christians: The Enduring Covenant The Education of Christians and the End of Antisemitism, (Trinity Press International,1997) and Spiritual Companions; Jews, Christians and Inter-religious Relations. (Twenty Third Publication, 23rd, 2006). Pending publication is An Invincible Summer Within; Contemplation Practice.

O’Hare’s essays and book reviews, (c. 60), appear in journals such as Cross Currents, the Journal of Christian-Jewish Relations, The Merton Seasonal, The Merton Annual, Religious Education, The Living Light and Momentum, in several anthologies and newspapers such as The Providence Journal and the blog of the Washington Post. O’Hare led The Association of Professors and Researchers in Religious Education (APPRE) and The Catholic-Jewish Committee of Metro Boston for several years and served for c. 20 years as editor of the journal Professional Approaches for Christian Educators (PACE). He is the recipient of the Leonard Zakim Award of the North Shore (Massachusetts) Jewish Center, “Healer of the World Award” of the Holocaust Center Boston North, and the Krister and Brita Stendahl, “Holy Envy Ward” from Merrimack College.

O’Hare has conducted contemplation (meditation) practice and taught undergraduate and graduate courses in the practice and in the history and theology of Jewish-Christian Relations since 1988. Graduate programs which have had him conduct courses on contemplation practice include Loyola University, Chicago Saint Michael’s College, VT., and Boston College.

O’Hare is a native of New York City, married to Margaret C. O’Hare, son and daughter in law, Bucky and Meghan O’Hare, grandson, Sammy O’Hare.

Fall, 2020 CE