Donna Eschenauer

Dr. Eschenauer is the Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology at St. Joseph’s Seminary. In her position she assists the Academic Dean in directing all academic programs and teaches courses that are reflective of theology and practice, particularly in the area of Christian Initiation, liturgy, catechesis, and ministry. Dr. Eschenauer has also been a liturgy and catechetical consultant for William H. Sadlier Publishing Company and served as a contributor for their newest sacramental programs, Believe, Celebrate, Live. She is currently a part of the Catechumenate Team for Liturgy Training Publications in Chicago who work to promote the Church’s vision for the implementation of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults in the United States. She has been a major presenter at the National Gathering on Christian Initiation.

Her pastoral experience is reflective of her over twenty-two years of work in the Diocese of Rockville Centre at the Cathedral Parish of St. Agnes where she served as a religious educator, liturgist, and catechumenate director.

Dr. Eschenauer lives on Long Island with her husband Paul, a long-time pastoral musician. She has three grown children and two granddaughters.

Books

• Recruiting and Forming Your Parish Initiation Team. Chicago, IL: Liturgy
• Training Publications, forthcoming.
• A Journey Through the Three Days: Theological Reflections on the Paschal
• Triduum. Chicago, IL: Liturgy Training Publications, 2019.
• The Role of the Coordinator of Christian Initiation: A Pastoral and Practical
• Guide. Chicago, IL: Liturgy Training Publications, 2017.
• First Communion Liturgies: Preparing First-Class First Sacraments.
• Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, August 2014.
• How to Lead Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Chicago, IL: Liturgy Training
• Publications. Co-author with Pat Fosarelli, May 2014.
• The Easter Triduum: A Ritual Pilgrimage. San Jose, CA: Resource
• Publications, March 2013.
• Reflection on Renewal: Lay Ecclesial Ministry in the Church.
• Donna Eschenauer and Harold D. Horell, eds. Liturgical Press,
• Collegeville, MN: 2011.
• “Introduction: The Fordham University Convocation.” In Reflection and
• Renewal: Lay Ecclesial Ministry in the Church. Donna Eschenauer and
• Harold D. Horell, eds. Liturgical Press, Collegeville: 2011.
• “The Sacraments of Initiation: A Guiding Theme for Lay Ecclesial Ministry.” In
• Reflection and Renewal: Lay Ecclesial Ministry in the Church. Donna
• Eschenauer and Harold D. Horell, eds. Liturgical Press, Collegeville:
• 2011.