The Very Reverend Joseph P. Calise, a Cathedral Prep graduate of the class of 1972, received a Bachelors Degree in English and Comparative Literature from Cathedral College, Douglaston and an STB from the Gregorian University in Rome. He was ordained for the Diocese of Brooklyn on June 28,1980 and served in several parishes in the diocese until being appointed to the faculty of Cathedral Prep in September, 1995. Msgr. Calise taught English, Religion and Film; moderated the Columbian Squires and The Current; and served as Assistant Principal for Development until being appointed Rector by Bishop Daily in September, 1998. In addition to his duties as Rector, Msgr. Calise teaches Fourth Year Religion and moderates the Mission Club.

Fr. John Cush, a Cathedral Alumnus ('90), was ordained a priest in 1998, following studies at Cathedral Seminary Residence, Douglaston, NY and the North American College, Vatican City State. He holds a BA in English and Philosophy from St. John's University, Jamaica, NY and an STB and STL from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. At Cathedral Prep, Fr. Cush teaches Humanities and Theology and serves as Director of Formation. He moderates the Chapel and its liturgies and the Fr. Troike Leadership Program.

Mr. De Nardo is an alumnus of Cathedral Preparatory Seminary. He has taught for four years, and is currently pursuing his Master's Degree in History. He has an avid interest in sports and historical trivia.

Mr. Diaz teaches all levels of Sophomore and Junior English, and Senior English 'B' at Cathedral, and he is the English Department Coordinator. Prior to Cathedral, he taught at Herricks Middle and High schools in Long Island. Mr. Diaz received his B.A. degree from Hofstra University with a major in American/British Literature and a minor in Secondary Education. Mr. Diaz continued in his studies to graduate from Queens College with his Master's Degree, majoring in English. In addition to teaching duties, he serves as the coordinator of the Visitation Day Program, moderator of the school Literary Journal, and Head Coach of the Crusaders Cross Country and Indoor Track Teams.

Mr. Dibs, a graduate of Cathedral, previously worked at the now defunct Niehaus, Ryan and Wong, a leader in high-tech public relations. He teaches Freshmen Latin and Junior Religion (Church History). Mr. Dibs has received his BA and MA in Twentieth Century History from St. John's University (NY) with minors in Philosophy, Theology, and Classical Studies. A Youth Minister at St. Rose of Lima in Rockaway Beach, he is currently pursuing his Education certification for New York State.

Jim Dilg is a graduate of Manhattan Prep High Schol and received his B.S. from Manhattan College and his M.A. from New York University. He started teaching at Cathedral Prep in 1964 (part-time) and will be completing his 39th year at the Prep in June. Jim is presently the Physical Education Chairman, but has also taught Health and Environmental Biology. He has served as Athletic Director and coached the Varsity Basketball, Baseball and Track teams. Currently, he serves as Alumni Director, intramural director, and coordinates the Booster Club Phoneathon. He has been the Treasurer of the Brooklyn-Queens Catholic High School Athletic Association for over 25 years. Jim and his wife Kathleen reside in Hicksville, and they have three children: Maureen, Matthew and Patricia. The Dilges have been involved in church and parish ministries over the years. Jim enjoys gardening and rooting for his Jaspers, and, of course, the Crusaders.

Mr. McCleary

Mr. O’Brien graduated from Cathedral in 2001. Currently, he teaches both sections of Freshmen Global Studies, the “B” section of Sophomore Global Studies, Senior World War II History, as well as the “A” section of Freshmen English. In addition to teaching, Mr. O’Brien is the Junior Varsity baseball coach. He received his B.S. in Adolescent Education from St. John’s University in 2005 and is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in Literacy Education at St. John’s.

Mr. O'Keefe has been at Cathedral Preparatory Seminary since 1992. He graduated from Cathedral College of the Immaculate Conception in 1987 where he earned a BA in English Literature. He earned a Master's Degree in Religious Studies from St. Joseph's Seminary in 1993. Dan has worked in several schools in New York State, from the South Bronx to upstate. He has taught French, English, Religion and History at the Prep. He has previously served as Prefect of Students from1994 until 1999. Currently, Dan is Vice Principal and Academic Dean at Cathedral.

Mr. Payne teaches Math, Science and English. He received a BS in Mathematics from Fordham University, an MS in Education from Fordham University and graduate credits from various institutions in Physics, Chemistry, Drama, Computers, etc. He is presently teaching Physics, Chemistry, Regents English and AP English. Mr. Payne is also the Director of the Cathedral Players, the Cathedral drama group. He also serves as advisor to the Michael Passarelli Chapter of the National Honor Society at Cathedral Preparatory Seminary.

Ms. Raschella is a graduate of St. John's University, where she earned a B.A. in Spanish. She began her teaching career at Brooklyn College Academy and also taught at Fontbonne Hall Academy. Prior to coming to Cathedral, she attended the University of Puerto Rico, studying secondary education. She teaches all levels of Spanish, and during the summer, she teaches reading comprehension to students of the Father Troike Summer Leadership program.

Mrs. Rosa has been a teacher of Modern and Classical Languages in secondary schools since 1960. She has a BA in French from Hunter College and has earned 30+ MasterÕs credits in French and Education. She has been elected to WhoÕs Who in American Teachers. Mrs. Rosa taught in Newtown High School for the first seven years of her career. Then she spent several years on maternity leave raising her three children. She returned to teaching on a part-time basis at MaryÕs Nativity School in Flushing where she implemented a French program beginning in Grade 5 and eventually culminating in Grade 8. Mrs. Rosa has been teaching Latin, Spanish and French at Cathedral Preparatory Seminary since September, 1992. It has been here personal goal throughout her teaching career to make the study of a foreign language a successful as well as an enjoyable experience for her students.

Mr. Joseph F. Russo, a graduate of Cathedral Prep and St. John's University, has been teaching at his alma mater since the fall of 1990. Before that he taught at St. Anthony-St. Alphonsus Elementary School in Brooklyn. Presently, Joe is Prefect of Students and the History Department Chairperson. He is also the coach of Cathedral's successful Speech and Debate team. He teaches AP courses in Global Studies, U.S. History and U.S. Government. Joe is an avid MEt, Giant and Islander fan. In addition, he is an enthusiastic supporter of America's space program.

Mr. Santos has been teaching Science for six years at the secondary school level. His teaching career began in the CUNY system as a Mathematics teaching assistant. He has taught Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Environmental Biology, Spanish, Sequential Math I, and DriverÕs Education at several Catholic high schools. Mr. Santos is a graduate of Pace University where he earned a BS degree in Biology. In addition he is pursuing a MS degree in Chemistry. At Cathedral Preparatory Seminary, his teaching assignment includes Regents Chemistry, The Living Environment and a senior elective in Environmental Biology. He enjoys teaching at Cathedral because of its unique spirit and warm environment.

Mr. Scharen knows the importance of receiving a Catholic education. He and his 4 brothers and sisters attended St. Anthony's High School in South Huntington (Long Island, NY) over the course of 18 consecutive years. After graduation, he received his associate's degree from Nassau Community College and then went on to Molloy College to receive his bachelor's degree. In both high school and college, he played lacrosse. He is looking forward to introducing the sport to the students at Cathedral Prep as an intramural. Mr. Scharen is currently pursuing his master's degree.

Sister Mary Ann Tirelli, an Amityville Dominican, received her BBA from St. Francis College in the field of Business Management and her MA from Hunter College in the field of Education. Sister has Permanent State Certification in both the field of Business Education and Economics. During a period of thirty years as a teacher at Dominican Commercial, Sister held the positions of Business Teacher, Business Department Head and Job Placement Director. During that same period, she also taught night classes at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, and worked summers as a legal secretary in a firm in Manhattan. She also created, as well as taught, business refresher courses for both legal and brokerage firms. She has been a member of the faculty at Cathedral Preparatory Seminary for the past three years and presently teaches Business Management and Economics. She is also currently the Director of Development.