Mary Jo Kaska

Mary Jo Kaska is the new director of programming for Hope 4 Peace and Justice. Kaska is described as a passionate advocate with impressive credentials in ministry, social justice, intercultural travel and education.

Kaska expects to complete her doctorate in biblical interpretation at Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University in December. She holds a master’s in religious education from Loyola Institute for Ministry in New Orleans, and a bachelor’s in religious studies from Loyola University of New Orleans, where she graduated summa cum laude.

Kaska has been honored with the Nokia Research Award from the Texas Christian University Institute on Women and Gender in 2007, and recognized as the Nolan Catholic High School Teacher of the Year in 1993-94.

The Rev. Michael Piazza, who moved to Atlanta earlier this year, remains president of H4PJ, the organization that was created by Cathedral of Hope in 2004. Kaska will be the local program director. Before he left, Piazza said he expected the organization’s events to continue to be Dallas-based.

“Hope for Peace & Justice was founded to be a prophetic voice for inclusion, justice, and peace, so it is fitting to have a Hebrew scholar who is familiar with the tradition of the ancient prophets as its new program director,” Piazza said in a press release.