Our Faculty

Ms. Jenna Vona joined the Xaverian faculty in the 2009-2010 school year. She has a Master of Arts in Theology and a Master of Arts in Mental Health from Boston College. Prior to working at Xaverian, she was a behavior therapist in an elementary school. Ms. Vona is the co-moderator of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and Without Xception.

Mrs. Lauren Bjork joined the Xaverian faculty in the 2015-2016 school year. Prior to Xaverian, Mrs. Bjork taught at St. Anna Catholic School in Leominster and Fundación Nuevo Mundo in Guayaquil, Ecuador. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Mount St. Mary’s University and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry with a concentration in religious education from Anna Maria College. She holds licensure in middle school humanities from the Massachusetts Department of Education. In addition to teaching theology, Mrs. Bjork serves as moderator for student council. 

Mr. James Conley joined Xaverian in the 1994-1995 school year as a teacher in the theology and English departments. In 1997, he joined the campus ministry team and was named Director of Campus Ministry in 2000. Mr. Conley earned an undergraduate degree in theology from Providence College. He also holds a Master of Arts in Theology from Providence College. Prior to joining Xaverian, Mr. Conley taught at the junior high level and then worked for the Archdiocese of Boston Family Life Apostolate.

Ms. Catherine Goldberg joined the faculty in the 2022-2023 school year. She has a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Education from Providence College. Prior to Xaverian, Ms. Goldberg taught theology at Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick, RI. 

Mr. Matthew Greeley is a graduate of the Class of 2015. He joined the campus ministry team in the 2022-2023 school year. Prior to Xaverian, he served two years as a high school campus minister in the Diocese of Gary, Indiana, and one year as a middle and high school theology teacher in Boston. He has a B.A. from Boston College, where he double majored in theology as well as applied psychology and human development. After his graduation from Boston College, he earned an M.A. in theology from the University of Notre Dame.

Mr. Christopher Gruslin joined Xaverian in the 2018-2019 school year. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Arts in Theology and a minor in medieval studies. He earned a Master of Divinity, also from the University of Notre Dame. Besides teaching theology, Mr. Gruslin serves as the head coach for the JV ultimate disc team.

Mr. David Palmieri ’93, P ’23 joined Xaverian in the 1999-2000 school year. He graduated from Colby College in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and a minor in Business Administration. He earned a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School and also earned a Master of Education from Boston College. Besides teaching theology, Mr. Palmieri is a coach for both cross country and track and field.

Mr. Joseph Sotelo joined the theology faculty in the 2009-2010 school year. Previously, he taught theology and served as a director of religious education in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona. He graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies. He earned a joint Master of Education from Boston College Lynch School of Education and School of Theology and Ministry. He has also earned a Master of Arts in Theology from Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. He holds licensure in education administration from the Massachusetts Department of Education. Besides teaching, Mr. Sotelo serves as moderator for the Xaverian car club.

Mr. Peter Welch joined Xaverian’s theology department and the campus ministry team in the 2022-2023 school year. Prior to Xaverian, Mr. Welch taught at Saint Peter’s Prep in Jersey City, NJ, and served as a campus minister at Emmanuel College in Boston. He has a B.A. in philosophy and theology from Fordham University, and a Master of Ministry and Theology from Villanova University.