Meet the Theology Department
Mr. Brian Mathews - Department Head
Brian Mathews has an M.A. in Apologetics and an M.A. in Biblical Studies and was a teaching assistant for one year during his graduate studies. At Charlotte Catholic High School, he has taught all grade levels, and at Belmont Abbey College, he has taught Introduction to Theology, Introduction to Scripture, and Catholic Apologetics. You can read about his conversion to Catholicism in the chapter that he contributed – “A Story of Conversion: Trusting in the Authority of Christ” – in the book, Evangelical Exodus: Evangelical Seminarians and Their Paths to Rome. Mr. Mathews sings with the Carolina Catholic Chorale.
Email: bdmathews@charlottecatholic.org
Mr. Mark Dorsett
Mr. Dorsett is a member of the Theology Department. He teaches Mystery of the Redemption and Sacraments and Liturgy
Email: madorsett@charlottecatholic.org
Mrs. Monica Friedman
Mrs. Friedman is a member of the Theology Department. She teaches Vocations and The Sacrements classes
Email: mcfriedman@charlottecatholic.org
Mr. Zachary Goodier
Zachary Goodier is in his 6th year at Charlotte Catholic and his 10th year in education. He has taught 7 years at Catholic high schools, in both the diocese of Manchester, New Hampshire and Charlotte, North Carolina. He has also taught one year at a classical high school, Holy Cross Academy, in Oneida, New York as well as a career counselor at a classical Catholic college in New Hampshire, Magdalen College of the Liberal Arts, for 2 years. Mr. Goodier received an Associates of Arts in Liberal Arts from SUNY (State University of New York) Delhi, a Bachelor of Arts in History from SUNY Cortland, a Master of Arts in Theology, with a minor in western philosophy, from St. Mary’s Seminary and University, and a Master of Science in Human Services from New England College. Mr. Goodier values the intellectual life and aspires to cultivate this same appreciation for learning, for the sake of learning, to his students. He aims to show his students the inherent connection between the truths discovered, in the world and in our classrooms, with Truth Incarnate, Jesus Christ.
Mr. Arnoldo Gbenyon
Mr. Gbenyon is a member of the Theology Department. He teaches The Mystery of the Redemption and The Sacraments classes.
Email: axgbenyon@charlottecatholic.org
Mr. Brian Kennelly
Brian Kennelly graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 2005. After a brief stint in the world of banking, he went to work as an editor at TAN Books, one of the nation's largest Catholic book publishers. He has also authored several novels and non-fiction works. After almost fifteen years in the publishing world, he came to work at CCHS in the Theology Department beginning in 2022. He is currently seeking his Masters in Theology from Holy Apostles College and Seminary.
Email: bfkennelly@charlottecatholic.org
Mrs. Susan Montague
Theology Teacher, Susan Montague, is in her 16th year of teaching at Charlotte Catholic High School. She earned her Bachelor Degree from Queens University in Psychology. She completed her Master's Degree through Loyola of New Orleans in Religious Education. It is a blessing to instruct our students in their faith.
Email: slmontague@charlottecatholic.org
Mr. Vincent Pham
Mr. Pham was born in Charlotte, NC, attended MACS TK-12, and graduated with CCHS Class of '16. In his first year of teaching, Mr. Pham primarily taught Photography, alongside a section of Sophomore Theology and Introduction to Computer Science. Mr. Pham is now in his second year as a teacher, and currently teaches Freshmen and Sophomore Theology. Mr. Pham also serves his parish as a youth leader/minister for the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement, a non-profit organization under the leadership of the Catholic Church. Its aim is to teach the youth to be virtuous people and good Christians. Mr. Pham has also served as a volunteer Faith Formation teacher for the past 11 years, and currently teaches Confirmation.
Email: vpham@charlottecatholic.org
Ms. Elizabeth Waid
Ms. Waid teaches Faith & Revelation and The Blessed Trinity & Our Christian Vocation for freshmen and The Sacraments and The Moral Life in Christ for juniors. Ms. Waid attended Wake Forest University, after which she spent a year as a Fulbright scholar teaching English in Austria. She volunteers at St. Ann Catholic Church and attends St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.
Email: ecwaid@charlottecatholic.org