On Saturday, September 12th, the Order of Malta, American Association’s Scranton Area will hold its Annual Retreat at St. Paul’s in Scranton, PA. This year, we are delighted to welcome Father Thomas Looney, the President of King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, PA, as our retreat director. King’s College is a private Catholic institution of higher education guided by the Congregation of Holy Cross.
Currently, Fr. Looney serves as the 10th President of King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He previously served as the associate vice president for academic success and director of Campus Ministry at King’s. He was the Provincial Superior of the Eastern Province of Priests and Brothers of the Congregation of Holy Cross prior to its merger with the Indiana Province. Fr. Looney served as the vice president for Mission at Stonehill College, associate vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty, and as an associate professor and chair of the Department of Theology at King’s College.
Fr. Looney is a member of the board of directors of the University of Notre Dame; the Father Peyton Centre in Attymass, County Mayo, Ireland; Renew International; Stonehill College; and Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania(AICUP).
Fr. Looney was awarded a B.A. in psychology from Stonehill College, an M.Div. from the University of St. Michael’s College, and a Ph.D. in systematic theology from The Catholic University of America. Fr. Looney made his final profession of vows in 1986 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1987. In addition to assisting in local parishes, a State Correctional Facility, and leading retreats, he celebrates liturgy in the Maronite Rite.
The Scranton Area retreat will begin at 9:00AM with Fr. Looney concelebrating Mass with our local Order of Malta Chaplain Monsignor Neil van Loon at St. Paul’s in Scranton, PA. Following Mass, the retreat will be held in St. Paul’s Rectory, located next to the Church. A light lunch will be served. This event is open to members in all Areas. If you are interested in attending, please click here to contact Dennis Dawgert by September 1st, 2026.
