John Collins, C.Ss.R.

Father John Collins, C.Ss.R., was born in Boston and raised in a Redemptorist parish, the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (“The Mission Church”). Fr. Collins professed his first vows in 1979 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1987. He has most recently served as the Director of San Alfonso Retreat House in Long Branch, New Jersey, while also ministering as a member of the retreat team since July 2015.

He has previously served as Chaplain and Campus Minister at Gwynedd Mercy University from 2001 through 2015. His prior ministerial background also includes parish ministry, retreat programs and workshops, spiritual direction, pastoral counseling, and psychotherapy.  Fr. Collins obtained master’s degrees in Religious Education (MRE) and Divinity (M.Div.) during seminary studies and completed a master’s program in Clinical Social Work (MSW) after ordination.