Rev. William Shawn McKnight, S.T.D. 

Personal
W. Shawn McKnight was born in Wichita, Kansas on June 26, 1968, to Mary Elizabeth (O'Reilly) and the late William Thomas McKnight. He is the oldest of eight siblings (he has six half-brothers and one half-sister). He spent his early life in west Wichita attending elementary school at Christ the King parish, and high school while a parishioner at St. Francis of Assisi parish.
Upon graduation from Bishop Carroll Catholic High School in 1986, he attended the University of Dallas. He served as a resident assistant (1988-1989) and hall director (1989-1990) at an all-male dormitory on campus. He began studies for the priesthood upon completion of the Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry in 1990. He earned the Master of Arts degree in theology in 1993 and the Master of Divinity degree in 1994 at the Pontifical College Josephinum. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Wichita in 1994.

After serving for three years as associate pastor of Blessed Sacrament parish in east Wichita, Fr. McKnight began doctoral studies in theology. He earned the License in Sacred Theology in 1999 and the Doctorate in Sacred Theology in 2001 from the Pontifical Athenaeum of St. Anselm, with a specialization in sacramental theology.

In July 2000, he was appointed pastor of St. Mark parish near Colwich, Kansas, chaplain and visiting scholar at Newman University, and Director of the Office of Worship for the Diocese. During his tenure at St. Mark, he initiated a review of parish needs and established increased structures for lay participation in the mission and governance of the parish (parish council, finance council, building commission, religious education advisory board, stewardship committee, RCIA, youth choir and CYO). After leading an extensive consultation and needs assessment, he directed the execution of plans for an expanded campus for the parish. These plans included parish offices, classroom additions, social facilities, and an expanded parking lot. Fr. McKnight successfully directed a campaign to cover the cost of the project, which exceeded two million dollars, by increasing donations from parishioners and securing a $100,000 gift from Legacy Bank, N.A.

During his appointment to the faculty of the Pontifical College Josephinum, he taught graduate courses on sacraments, liturgy and homiletics. He also served in the administrative positions of Director of Liturgy, Dean of Students, and Director of Formation in the school of theology, and held the position of Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations.
Fr. McKnight currently serves as pastor of Blessed Sacrament parish in Wichita, KS, and gives retreats and lectures regularly to laity and clergy on themes concerning sacramental theology, liturgy, preaching, and the permanent diaconate.

Education
2001
S.T.D. Summa cum laude, Pontifical Athenaeum of St. Anselm, Rome
1999
S.T.L. Summa cum laude, Pontifical Athenaeum of St. Anselm, Rome
1994
M.Div., Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus, OH
1993
M.A. Magna cum laude, Theology, Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus, OH
1990
B.S. Magna cum laude, Biochemistry, University of Dallas, Irving, TX
 

Academic & Professional Positions
Vice President for Development & Alumni Relations, Pontifical College Josephinum (July 2007 – May 2008)
Assistant Professor of Theology, Pontifical College Josephinum
Graduate School of Theology (July 2003 – May 2008)
Director of Liturgy, Pontifical College Josephinum
College of Liberal Arts & Graduate School of Theology (2003 – 2007)
Director of Formation, Pontifical College Josephinum
Graduate School of Theology (July 2006 – June 2007)
Dean of Students,Pontifical College Josephinum
Graduate School of Theology (July 2004 – June 2006)
Faculty, St. Meinrad Permanent Deacon Formation Program (2005-Present)
Director, Office of Worship, Diocese of Wichita (July 2000 – June 2005)
Lecturer, Religious Studies Program, Spiritual Life Center, Diocese of Wichita (September 2000 – June 2003)

Adjunct Professor of Theology & Visiting Scholar,
Bishop Gerber Institute of Catholic
Studies, Newman University, Wichita, KS (August 2000 – June 2001)

Pastoral Ministry
Pastor, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Wichita, KS (May 2008 – present)

Priestly Service
St. Mary's in Delaware, OH (September 2003 – present)
Presbyteral Council & Diocesan Consultor (July 2000 – June 2005)
Pastor, St. Mark the Evangelist, Colwich, KS (July 2000 – June 2003)
Chaplain, Newman University, Wichita, KS (August 2000 – June 2001)
Pastoral Administrator, St. Patrick Parish, Chanute, KS (June – September 1999)
Associate Pastor, Blessed Sacrament, Wichita, KS (June 1994 – June 1997)

Professional & Academic Society Memberships
Phi Beta Kappa (Inducted March 30, 1990)
The Society for Catholic Liturgy (2002 – Present)
Attended annual conferences 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007

Assignments at the Josephinum
Advancement Committee of the Board of Trustees (fall 2007 – present)
Buildings & Grounds Advisory Committee of the Board of Trustees (July 2007 – present)
Development & Planned Giving Council (August 2007 – present)
Chaplain, Friends of the Josephinum (fall 2007 – present)
Administrative Cabinet (fall 2007 – present)
Faculty Advisory Board (fall 2005 – present)
Student Life Committee of the Board of Trustees (fall 2004 – spring 2007)
Liturgy Committee (fall 2003 – spring 2007)
Formation Cabinet (fall 2003 – spring 2007)
Theology Academic Committee (fall 2004 – spring 2005)
Formation Advisor (college, 2003-2004; theology 2004-2007)
Spiritual Director (theology, 2003-2004)

Professional Publications
"The Diaconate as Medius Ordo: Service in Promotion of Lay Participation," in The Deacon Reader, James Keating (ed.), New York/Mahwah, N.J.: Paulist Press, 2006, 78-98.
"Ritual and the Call to Service: How the Eucharist Promotes the Practice of Social Justice," Newman Review2 (2001): 79-96.

Other Publications
"Becoming a Bridge to Christ—Human Formation and the Fifth Edition of the Program of Priestly Formation," Josephinum Times, Spring 2007.
"The Year of the Eucharist at the Josephinum," Josephinum Times, Winter 2005.

Dissertation
The Latin Rite Deacon: Symbol of Communitas and Social Intermediary among the People of God, Pontifical Athenaeum of St. Anselm, Rome (May 2001). Moderator: Rev. James Puglisi, S.A.; Readers: Rev. Patrick Lyons, O.S.B., Rev. Jeremy Driscoll, O.S.B.

Courses Taught
Pontifical College Josephinum
LI 532 Introduction to the Liturgy (fall 2003 – spring 2008)
LI 634 Liturgy of Initiation and Eucharist (fall 2003 – spring 2007)
PA 541 Introduction to Homiletics (spring 2005 – fall 2007)
PA 621 Preaching I: Seasons & Feasts (spring 2005 – spring 2007)
PA 722 Preaching II: Special Occasions (spring 2005 – spring 2007)
PA 858 Confession Practicum (fall 2004 – fall 2005)
LI 720 Rites I: Practicum in Infant Baptism, Marriage, Funeral Rites, Anointing of the Sick, and
Benediction (fall 2003 – fall 2007)
LI 822 Rites II: Eucharist Practicum (spring 2004 – spring 2008)
DO 964 The Latin Rite Deacon (spring 2005)
UTHE 250 Liturgy Sacraments and Prayer (fall 2003)
UTHE 498DS Liturgy and the Catechism (spring 2004)
St. Meinrad Deacon Formation
Theology of the Deacon (2005 – present)
Newman University
THEO 2023 Theology of the Church (fall 2000)
THEO 4000 The Anthropology & Sociology of Catholic Worship (spring 2001)
THEO 4053 The Creeds and Faith (spring 2002)

Professional Conferences & Presentations
"The Post Modern Catholic Congregation," a presentation at the Institute for the Formation and Ministry of the Permanent Diaconate Summer Workshop, Pontifical College Josephinum, July 23-26, 2008.
"The Theology of Diaconal Ministry," a three-session seminar for the continuing education of the permanent deacons of West Virginia, Paul VI Pastoral Center, Wheeling, WV, May 3-4, 2008.
"Benedict the XVI & the Liturgy," a presentation to the Legatus Chapter of Columbus, OH, April 17, 2008.
"Developing Successful Strategies for the Diaconate in Our Day," a three-session seminar on the permanent diaconate for the clergy of the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indian, April 15, 2008.
"Diaconal Preaching," a two-weekend course on homiletics for the permanent deacons and candidates for the Diocese of Phoenix, February 29-March 1 & April 4-5, 2008.
"The Diaconal Academy—Formed in Christ," a presentation at the National Association of Deacon Directors' (NADD) New Directors' Institute, June 2007.
"The Gift of the Holy Spirit," parish mission, St. Francis Parish in St. Paul, KS, Holy Week 2007.
"Deacons as Unique Ministers of Charity: Building Bridges of Communion and Solidarity," paper delivered at a plenary session of the National Diaconate Institute for Continuing Education (NDICE) annual convention, July 2005.
"The Deacon: A Gift of the Holy Spirit," 3-day retreat for deacons and their wives, Archdiocese of Houston, TX, June 9-11, 2006.
"The Unique Ministry of Deacons," 3-day continuing education conference for deacons, Diocese of Ogdensburg, NY, March 5-8, 2005.
"Living Eucharist Today: Gratitude in Action," conference to principals and teachers of the Catholic school system of the Diocese of Phoenix, September 23, 2005.
"Eucharist and the Life of Gratitude: Personal Conversion and Building a Culture of Gratitude," conference to the principals of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Denver, August 5, 2005.
"The General Instruction of the Roman Missal and Redemptionis Sacramentum," workshop for the clergy of the Diocese of Charleston, SC at their annual clergy conference, January 18-20, 2005.
"The Eucharist and a Life of Gratitude," Advent day of recollection presented to the diocesan staff of the Diocese of Phoenix, December 3, 2004.
"Liturgical Formation in Seminaries," presentation to the clergy of the Diocese of Columbus at their annual conference, September 21, 2004.
"The Work of Christ in the Eucharist," four-session course on the encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia of Pope John Paul II at the summer theology institute of the Spiritual Life Center, Wichita, KS, July 23-24, 2004.
"The History and Development of Eucharistic Adoration," keynote address at the summer theology institute of the Spiritual Life Center, Wichita, KS, July 22, 2004.
"The Roman Catholic Position on the Sacrament of Order," ecumenical consortium panel presentation and discussion at the United Methodist Seminary in Delaware, OH, March 30, 2004.
"The Mass Today: The New Roman Missal and the Prayer of the Church," keynote address of the annual liturgical formation conference for the Diocese of Wichita, January 16, 2004.
"Marriage Preparation and the Marriage Ritual," presentation to the clergy of the Diocese of Wichita, Spiritual Life Center, October 2003.
"The New General Instructions of the Roman Missal," presentation to the clergy of the Diocese of Wichita at their annual conference, October 2003.
"The Mystery of the Deacon: Discerning the Unique Ministry of the Deacon among the People of God,"conference for permanent deacons and the permanent diaconate board for the Diocese of Dodge City, July 13-14, 2001.
"Synod – An Experience of Church," Gerber Chair Public Lecture, Newman University, Wichita, KS, April 24, 2001.