For Mr. Anthony Cannatella, the subject of Theology is a way of life. In large part inspired by his own Theology teachers at his high school in New York state, Mr. Cannatella began to view Theology as the art of seeking happiness in his formative days. Preforming well in all his high school Theology courses, the idea of no right answer in the realm of Theology spoke volumes to Mr. Cannatella. Later at St. John’s College in Queens, Mr. Cannatella double-majored in the subjects of Philosophy and Theology—his two favorite subjects.
After graduating from St. John’s, Mr. Cannatella headed south to Washington DC where he earned a master’s degree in theology from the Catholic University of America. Following his time in the nation’s capital, he returned his home state to teach at St. Mary’s High School in Manhasset, New York. During his 4-year tenure, he taught both Junior and Senior Theology as well as serving as the Theology department chair. While at St. Mary’s he concurrently taught as an adjunct professor at his alma matter, St. John’s.
In the Theology and Religious studies department at St. John’s he taught courses at both the 100 and 200 levels. During all of this — while teaching at both St. Mary’s High School and St. John’s University — he began working on a Licentiate in Canon Law at the Catholic University of America. The program stretched 4 years from 2020 to 2024, with Mr. Cannatella graduating just this August. With this degree, Mr. Cannatella is able to practice canon law in the Roman Catholic Church. According to the Catholic Bishop’s of America website, Canon law in the Catholic Church is a system of laws and principles that govern the church’s internal administration and hierarchy, as well as the activities of Catholics. It’s the oldest continuously functioning legal system in the West and was the first modern Western legal system.
Mr. Cannatella has done work with the Archdiocese of Milwaukee where he is friends with several clergy man. He described his work as mostly advising the archdiocese, for example advising on what to do with land where a defunct church or Catholic school stands. After getting married in November of 2023, Mr. Cannatella and his wife moved to Florham Park in August of this year. He’s still involved in the world of higher academia, serving as an adjunct professor at Seton Hall University in South Orange starting either this winter or spring.
Although only a mere month and a half into the new school year, Mr. Cannatella has brought something new to not only the Theology department, but the whole school body and administration. In his own humble terms, he believes he brings a fun and new perspective on Theology. He also brings with him a youth the Theology department was missing (Sorry Mr. Alexander ‘77 & company). To Mr. Cannatella, the “older folks” in the Theology department have been invaluable resources so far, aiding him whenever a problem arises.
Despite coming from a similar academic setting, the intensity of academics stands out to Mr. Cannatella. Teaching two sections of Christology and Moral Theology as well as 2 sections of Sacred Scripture, he notes the maturity of the boys as an impressive surprise. Although morality and ethics reign supreme in Mr. Cannatella’s list of his favorite subjects, he’s enjoyed teaching Christology and Scripture. Mostly teaching in the basement, or floor zero according to Theology department advocates, Mr. Cannatella can be found in the Campus Ministry office as well, helping fellow first year faculty Mr. Ferrari ‘00 where he can.
When winter rolls around, catch Mr. Cannatella beside new SHP swim coach Mr. Boyle ’13 as his assistant coach. Swimming in high school and serving as an assistant swim coach at Kellenberg High School in New York, Mr. Cannatella has been involved with swimming for most of his life.
The desire for truth is something prevalent in every young man, and Mr. Cannatella helps to guide the young men of Seton Hall Prep along their journey of truth and salvation.