Leaven Fall 2008

Fall 2008, Volume 17, Number 1

Leaven Fall 2008, Volume 17, Number 1

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PublisherArchabbot Douglas R.

Nowicki, O.S.B.

RectorVery Rev. Justin M.

Matro, O.S.B.

Vice Rector Dean of Human Formation

Director of Pastoral FormationRev. David T. Brzoska

Interim Academic DeanDr. Michel Therrien

Director of Spiritual FormationRev. Lester Knoll, O.F.M. Cap.

Director of Seminary Development

Paul R. Whiteside

Director of Seminary Public Relations

Kimberley A. Metzgar

Public Relations AssociateElizabeth Cousins

Director for Alumni AffairsBr. Elliott Maloney, O.S.B.

Consultant for Alumni AffairsRev. Gilbert Burke, O.S.B.

Contributors to this issue:Ariel Byers

Zheilla CorderoElizabeth CousinsRob Fleckenstein

Annette HartBr. Andre Melli, O.S.B.

Martin Pitstick

On the cover:Eleven seminarians and graduates of Saint Vincent Seminary attended World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia, this summer. See story starting on page 3. Photos by Rob Fleckenstein and Father Philip Kanfush, O.S.B..

300 Fraser Purchase RoadLatrobe, Pennsylvania

15650Phone: 724-537-4592

Fax: 724-532-5052www.saintvincentseminary.edu

Dear Friends of Saint Vincent Seminary,

In a few weeks we will be entering the Season of Advent, and once again our liturgies will direct our attention to the full revelation of Christ and the unfolding of the Church as the New Jerusalem. Indeed, just as his first coming was modest and hidden, a poor child to humble parents, when he comes again, “every eye will see him” (Rev. 1:7).

However, we also know and believe that when that day comes we will only see more clearly what has already been achieved by Christ. It is not as if his glory does not already surround us. It surely does! However, our senses are still dulled and, until that great day comes, we only realize in part the immensity of his love which comes to us in a hidden manner, even as it exalts us to the heights of heaven and reshapes the whole of human destiny.

It is this for the sake of that kingdom that our Seminary exists. Our training of futures priests is ultimately geared

toward producing heralds of a glory that already exists and in which the Church already shares. Even while values of fallen humanity endure, the Roman Catholic priesthood exists as a counter sign to a world which has confused fulfillment with self-indulgence. By the same token, the priest also strives to lead others who are often more deeply aware of God’s glory, His love and mercy, than even the priest is himself. This balancing act depends on the grace of the Holy Spirit.

And so dear friends of Saint Vincent Seminary as we approach the end of the liturgical year, the season of Advent, and the great solemnity of Christmas, please know that we keep you all in our thoughts and prayers. It is through your generous support, in prayer and by sharing of your own resources, that we are able to form men as heralds of future glory, even as they live as signs of Christ’s victory.

May the Lord reign in the hidden recesses of your heart and be revealed to the entire world through your love. I remain,

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Father Justin Seminary Rector

Rector’s Column Forming Heralds Of A Future Glory

Father Justin M. Matro, O.S.B.

Dr. John C. Marous, Jr.Most Rev. Lawrence E. BrandtMost Rev. Rogert J. CarlsonMost Rev. R. Daniel ConlonMost Rev. Roger J. FoysMost Rev. Wilton D. GregoryMost Rev. Kevin C. RhoadesMost Rev. Donald W. WuerlMost Rev. David A. ZubikArchabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B.Very Rev. Justin M. Matro, O.S.B.

Board of RegentsMs. Deborah L. AcklinMr. Frank V. CahouetRev. Msgr. George R. CoyneMr. George DormanMarie Milie Jones, Esq.Hon. Maureen E. Lally-GreenRev. Msgr. Paul A. LenzRev. Edward M. LohseDr. James V. MaherRev. Msgr. Robert J. SiffrinMr. L. Richard Zappone

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At top is The Most Rev. Lawrence Brandt, Bishop of Greensburg, with Father Timothy Kruthaupt (back row) and the group which represented the diocese. The middle photo is of Most Rev. David Zubik, Bishop of Pittsburgh, with part of the Pittsburgh delegation. Seminarian Rob Fleckenstein is at left in that photo and in the bottom photo as well.

Seminarians, Recent Graduates

Attend WorldYouth DayIn Australia

By Ariel Byers“…Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I can hear

you calling in the night.”Hundreds of thousands of Catholic youths

are called to join the Holy Father for World Youth Day, an event held internationally every two to three years in various countries around the globe. This year, dozens of area youths from the Diocese of Greensburg, along with their adult chaperones, traveled halfway around the world to Sydney, Australia, for the five-day event in July.

Recent Seminary graduate Father Timothy J. Kruthaupt, S’07, and seminarian Robert Fleckenstein of the Diocese of Pittsburgh were among those attending.

Father Tim, parochial vicar of Holy Family Parish in Latrobe, noted that “World Youth Day was started in 1981 by Pope John Paul II and since then it has grown immensely. However, Australia is geographically isolated from the rest of the world, so there was not nearly the number of people there as there was in Germany.” The last World Youth Day was held in Cologne, Germany in 2005.

Australia used its location to its advantage, drawing in groups from surrounding countries. “Australia worked hard to attract the people from the Philippines and the west coast of Africa who normally wouldn’t be able to attend,” explained Father Tim. “There were also a lot of people from China and Japan in attendance.” In total, 170 nations were represented.

Once the fundraisers for the trip were held and the bags were packed, it was time for the arduous trek to Sydney. A five hour flight to Los Angeles, followed by 14 hours spent airborne, is a true test of stamina. They even crossed several time zones resulting in the loss of an entire calendar day! However, talk to any attendee and they will tell you it was well worth it.

“Everyone that attends this pilgrimage is dramatically impacted,” said Father Tim. “They seem to have one particular

(Continued on Page 6)


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Opening Day MassIn the top photo, Deacon Matt

Cushing of the Diocese of Covington, served at the Seminary’s Opening Day Mass for the 2008-2009 academic year. At right is Deacon Joseph Adams, O.S.B. reading the Gospel. In the photo at bottom right, Father Anthony Carbone takes the Seminary’s oath of fidelity during the Opening Day Mass. Father Carbone, a priest of the Diocese of Greensburg, has joined the Seminary faculty as a lecturer.

Seminarian SummersBy Zheilla Cordero

Over the summer months, many seminarians spent their time dedicated to their assignments at parishes within their dioceses, as well as other endeavors such as military service and attending spiritual formation programs.

Larry Schaeper, a deacon studying for the Diocese of Covington, Kentucky, was stationed at Saint Henry Parish in Elsmere. He took part in services such as preaching, performing baptisms, attending weekly meetings for the Immaculate Heart of Mary Group and Bible Study Group, as well as preparing the altar for services. He assisted at funeral and wedding liturgies and visited patients in the hospital. A highlight was working the parish festival over Father’s Day weekend.

“It was a great summer; I learned a lot from the pastor and the parishioners were wonderful!” he added.

Kevin Kayda of the Diocese of Harrisburg attended the Institute for Priestly Formation at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.

The program aids in the spiritual formation of diocesan priests within the church.

“It really was a wonderful program for people to encounter Christ and to grow closer to him,” Kayda said.

John Michniuk of the Diocese of Covington, spent eight weeks at Saint Joseph Church. Citing Pope John Paul II’s 1992 apolostic letter, “Pastores Dabo Vobis” about the four pillars of formation, Human, Intellectural, Spiritual and Pastoral, Michniuk said, “a good and effective priest will be one who has learned to integrate and balance each of these four pillars into life.” He attended and served at daily Mass, participated as an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, attended wedding rehearsals, weddings, bereavement support planning meetings, funerals, learned the parish recordkeeping system and made homebound Holy Communion trips.

Second Lieutenant Nicholas Passero spent part of his time in a parish before heading off to the Army. In June, Passero’s


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By Liz CousinsBrother Elliott Maloney, O.S.B., Professor

of New Testament Studies and Biblical Languages, first visited Nigeria, Uganda, and Kenya in 2004 to study folklore, African proverbs and language. The trip was funded by a grant, and was part of his research work on a graduate seminar on the parables of Jesus.

Before he arrived in Africa, Brother Elliott communicated with a group of Dominicans in Nigeria, and was invited to visit with them during his trip. During his visit, he spoke to them about his then-new book Jesus’ Urgent Message for Today: The Kingdom of God in Mark’s Gospel. Impressed by his book and lecture, the Academic Dean and Director of Education at The Dominican Institute in Ibadan invited him to visit and teach a course there.

In May 2006, Brother Elliott journeyed to Ibadan, located near Lagos in western Nigeria, where he conducted a 2-credit intensive course “Introduction to Scripture”. Pleased with the course, the Academic Dean invited him to return to teach other courses. Instead, Brother Elliott served as the test subject for a new undertaking at the Seminary to create video courses, and his fall 2007 “Writings of Saint Paul” graduate-level course was videotaped. The video footage was edited and transferred to DVDs, which were shipped to The Dominican Institute for use in the Spring 2008 semester by Brother Elliott’s long-distance students. Through the DVDs and email and online interaction with these students using the Blackboard® online teaching program, Brother Elliott was able to teach the “Writings of Saint Paul” to the students in Africa from his office in Latrobe. The students completed the course with a two-week intensive session in Ibadan by Brother Elliott where he taught them in person, corrected their term papers, and administered and corrected the final exam.

“It was a wonderful experience” Brother Elliott said. “I had 15 graduate students in the equivalent of our third and fourth theology levels. They were excellent students, and I will be directing one student’s masters’ thesis via email.”

In addition to spending two weeks at The Dominican Institute, Brother Elliott journeyed to eastern Nigeria to visit with Father Emmanuel Afunugo in his home village in Nigeria. Brother Elliott had hoped to attend Father Emmanuel’s 25th jubilee

celebration, but went instead to visit before the ceremonies. (For a photo from Father Emmanuel’s jubilee, please see page 22 in this issue of Leaven.)

Brother Elliott also journeyed to the Mafoluku Dominican Grammar School in Lagos to personally present a donation of funds and a very large number of children’s books from students at Christ the Divine Teacher School in Latrobe.

“When I returned from Nigeria in 2006, I was invited to speak at Christ the Divine Teacher about my experiences,” Brother Elliott said. “The children there, with Mrs. Carol Kish, raised $1610 for the students at the grammar school, in addition to collecting three large boxes of children’s books.”

While he is not planning a trip to Nigeria in 2009, Brother Elliott is open to the possibility. His course on Synoptic Gospels has been filmed, and he is considering offering that course to The Dominican Institute’s students in spring 2009.

Brother Elliott is currently researching the contextual approach to the theology of Saint Paul. The project is background for a new book on the theology of Saint Paul that he will write during 2009. Through a research grant, he will travel to São Paulo, Brazil, to study scripture as part of his research for the book, and he has been invited to present a Bible workshop in three sections over ten days at Saint Gabriel’s Center in Mandeville, Jamaica. He is on sabbatical during the fall semester to give him the opportunity to complete as much research as possible before he resumes teaching in the spring of 2009.

Brother Elliott Teaches In Nigeria

Brother Elliott Maloney, O.S.B, in the back row, middle, with grammar school students on his Nigerian trip this summer.

Brother Elliott’s Jesus’ Urgent Message for Today has been translated into Portugese this year, and published in São Paulo, Brazil, by Paulinas publishers as Mensagem urgente de Jesus para hoje. In addition, this Spring his 1981 dissertation “Semitic Interference in Marcan Syntax” was reprinted by the Society of Biblical Literature’s prestigious Dissertation Series. Brother Elliott has an article “How Can We Really Be Free? Redemptive Liberation according to St. Paul” upcoming in the British Pastoral Review, and an article “He Is Going before You to Galilee: Discipleship in Mark” in The Bible Today, in the January 2009 issues.


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Seminarians, Recent Graduates Attend World Youth Day In Australia

(Continued from Page 3)

At its June 26, 2008 session, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education voted to reaffirm accreditation for Saint Vincent College and Seminary.

The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) Commission on Accrediting has reaffirmed the accreditation of Saint Vincent Seminary for another ten years.

“The ATS/ Middle States Reaccredition was a major accomplishment,” said Rector Father Justin Matro, O.S.B. “I would especially like to thank Dr. Kathleen Borres for her effort in coordinating the Seminary’s self-study.”

Review team members included Very Rev. Peter J. Uglietto, S.T.L., S.T.D., Chairman, and Rector of Blessed John XXIII National Seminary, Weston, Massachusetts; Dr. Lynn A. Feider, Director of the Library and Professor of Bibliography, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, S.C.; Rev. J. Daniel Mindling, O.F.M., Cap., S.T.L., S.T.D., Academic Dean, Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md.; Dr. Helen M. Blier, Director of Student Information and Organizational Evaluation, Association of Theological Schools, Pittsburgh and Very Rev. Msgr. Jeremiah J. McCarthy, Ph.D., Director of Accreditation and Institutional Evaluation and Secretary of ATS, Pittsburgh.

Specific targets to maintain and enhance the Seminary’s strengths and areas for future growth were given in the Board’s report. Strengths, as noted in the reaccreditation letter, included:

• “The distinctive charism and ethos of

the Benedictine spiritual and intellectual tradition that informs and shapes the mission of the Seminary to train priests, permanent deacons, and lay persons for ministry in the church.

• “The dedicated and committed faculty and staff whose hard work sustains and energizes the realization of the Seminary’s mission.

• “The highly dedicated and capable Board of Regents who provide exemplary oversight and fiduciary care for both present needs and emerging needs of the Seminary and its stakeholders.

• “The careful attention to positioning the Seminary to address the improvement of homiletic skills of future priests, the cultivation of leadership skills to serve a growing, multi-cultural church and the demands of integral priestly formation called for by the U.S. Bishops’ document, The Program of Priestly Formation.

“Mission statements and program goals must be adjusted to reflect clearly the curricular changes in order to ensure effective identification and assessment of desired goals and outcomes,” the letter stated, noting the Seminary should clarify its “governance documents to ensure that clear job descriptions and lines of communication and accountability are defined for key administrators.”

Connecting such structural issues with strategies to ensure comprehensive

Seminary Reaccreditation Approved


The distinctive charism and ethos of the

Benedictine spiritual and intellectual tradition that informs and shapes

the mission of the Seminary to train priests,

permanent deacons, and lay persons for

ministry in the church.—Association of

Theological Schools


experience that captures their heart, whether it’s the variety of venues like Saint Mary’s Cathedral or the different programs, conferences, and unique workshops.” With so many options to choose from, every individual found something to inspire them.

“The experience of World Youth Day strengthens your faith in ways you never expect,” said Father Tim. The theme of this year was the First Chapter of Acts when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you receive power. This passage occurs after the resurrection of Christ and represents the beginning of the Church.

One of the most memorable events of the trip was the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI. “The Holy Father arrived in Sydney Harbor with hundreds of thousands there to great him. You could just feel the excitement in the air,” said Father Tim. “When he spoke, there was such inspiration in the words he shared.”

These thoughts were shared by Fleckenstein, who traveled to Sydney with Bishop David Zubik and other parishioners from the diocese of Pittsburgh. The trip was funded by the Knights of Columbus.

“I was part of the group that played

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By Zheilla CorderoSaint Vincent Seminary was highlighted in

the Summer 2008 issue of In Trust Magazine, an aerial photo of the campus gracing its cover.

Titled “Location, location, location,” the article noted that “real estate agents aren’t the only ones focused on location. Semin ary administration and boards wrestle with moves and the meaning of physical space.... Nestled in the foothills of the Alleghenies of western Pennsylvania, Saint Vincent Seminary is a picturesque, nearly movie-set-perfect depiction of theological education.”

The article depicted the Seminary and its location as being a setting that is essential to the Saint Vincent identity, history, and mission. Its traditional brick buildings, some originating from the pioneer monks that founded the seminary in 1846 and other structures added on after the 1960s fire, are all part of the picturesque setting.

“It’s important for our students to share in our sense of Benedictine life and mission,” said Father Justin Matro, O.S.B., the rector of the seminary. “...they often attend daily (monastic) prayer, and share weekly prayer together.”

The western Pennsylvania location also gives the people of Saint Vincent the best of both worlds—access to a college and nearby Pittsburgh with enough insulation to provide a contemplative and reflective atmosphere. Father Justin added, “We do believe that it’s good for seminarians to have the space for a period of intense reflection to consider their vocation. Yet it’s also a life for service and ministry to the community.”

Maureen Lally-Green, a board member and Superior Court judge in Pennsylvania added, “This sense of hospitality, of prayer, of hard work is over all we do. When you walk on the campus, you feel the spirituality that’s there.”

Mentioning the Seminary’s Pastoral Stewardship program, the article describes how the program speaks to the seminarians on topics such as employment law and how to lead and inspire people. “The goal is to best prepare them to be effective leaders in their communities,” added Lally-Green, “since Jesus was a leader in his community.”

Seminary Makes Cover Of In Trust Magazine

Seminary Reaccreditation Approved(Continued from Page 6)

institututional assessment, such goals should help with an “ongoing and sustainable plan of assessment,” one of the ATS Commission standards.

As it develops, the Commission noted that “the Seminary should give particular attention to a clarification of the parameters, purposes, and goals of its promising new initiative, the Pope Benedict XVI Chair of Biblical Theology and Liturgical Proclamation.” By doing so, measurable assessment of learning outcomes in this initiative can be developed, much as they are in other Seminary programs.

Encouragement was also given to the Seminary’s efforts to strengthen its Hispanic Ministry Program and to integrate support for the program in its strategic plan.

The visitation team for the Middle States

Commission on Higher Education included Dr. Thomas H. Powell, president, Mount Saint Mary’s University; Dr. Cary M. Anderson, Vice President for Student Life, Saint Joseph’s University; Dr. Elizabeth B. Chang, Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science, Hood College; Dr. Claire M. Lavin, Professor of Psychology—GRS, The College of New Rochelle; Mr. John W. McGinty, Director of the Library, Loyola/Notre Dame Library, College of Notre Dame of Maryland; Dr. Christopher J. Van Wyk, Associate Vice President of Finance and Director of Institutional Research, Drew University; Mr. William T. Waller, Professor of Economics, Hobart & William Smith Colleges; Mrs. Agata K. Wolfe, Director, Institutional Research and Assessment, Caldwell College; Ms. Elizabeth Kitchin, Assistant to Dr. Powell.


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Ernie Darby, Jr.

Tri John-Bosco Nguyen

Thomas Trofino

Charles Affholter

William Appel Harry Settle, Jr. Ryan Stenger Brandon Kleckner

Seminary Welcomes 24 New Students

Saint Vincent Seminary welcomed twenty-four new students for the 2008-2009 fall term. The students are from the Abbey of the Genesee, Piffard, New York; the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown; the Archdiocese of Atlanta, Georgia; the Diocese of Birmingham, Alabama; the Diocese of Covington, Kentucky; the Diocese of Erie; the Diocese of Harrisburg; Marmion Abbey, Aurora, Illinois; Mary Mother of the Church Abbey, Richmond, Virginia; the Diocese of Pittsburgh; the Diocese of Saginaw, Michigan; Saint Vincent Archabbey; the Diocese of Savannah, Georgia; the Diocese of Steubenville, Ohio; and the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia.

ARCHIDIOCESE OF ATLANTAErnie Wright Darby, Jr. is the son of Ernie

and Maryann Darby of Covington, Georgia. He is a 2003 graduate of Eastside High School in Covington. He graduated in December 2007 from the University of Georgia with a bachelor of arts degree in French.

Tri John-Bosco Nguyen, a native of Saigon, Vietnam, is the son of Thao and Trong Nguyen of Rex, Georgia. He is a 1993 graduate of Hoang Hoa Tham High School in Saigon. He graduated in 2001 from Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey, with a bachelor of science degree in secondary education and Catholic theology. In 2006, he received a master of arts degree in applied linguistics and in teaching English as a second language from Georgia State University.

DIOCESE OF ALTOONA-JOHNSTOWNThomas Walter Trofino is the son of Ralph

and Rita Trofino of Johnstown. He is a 2004 graduate of Bishop McCort High School. He graduated from Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus, Ohio, in 2008 with a bachelor of arts in philosophy and literature.

DIOCESE OF BIRMINGHAMCharles Edward Affholter is the son of

Jan Affholter of Jackson, Alabama and the late Joseph Affholter. He is a 1999 graduate of Jackson High School in Jackson. He graduated from the University of Mobile, Saraland, in May of 2003 with a bachelor of arts degree in music composition.

DIOCESE OF COVINGTONWilliam Albert Appel of Surf City, North

Carolina, is the son of Gerald A. and Sheila Plunkett Appel of Glendale, Arizona. He is a 1994 graduate of Dallas Senior High School in Dallas, Pennsylvania, and earned a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Penn State University in 2000.

Harry Allan Settle, Jr. is the son of Harry Allen Settle, Sr. and Mary Lou Settle of Fort Wright, Kentucky. He is a 2004 graduate of Covington Catholic High School in Park Hills, Kentucky. He graduated from Thomas More College in Crestview Hills, Kentucky, in May 2008 with a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy.

Ryan Lee Stenger of Union, Kentucky, is the son of Nick L. Stenger of Burlington, Kentucky, and Joanne L. Kenner of Union. He is a 2006 graduate of Covington Latin School in Kentucky. He has studied philosophy and theology at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio.

DIOCESE OF ERIEBrandon Matthew Kleckner is the son of

Neal and Cathy Kleckner of Erie. He is a 2004 graduate of Villa Maria Academy in Erie, and earned a bachelor of arts in philosophy from Gannon University, Erie, in 2008.

DIOCESE OF HARRISBURGKevin Joseph Coyle is the son of Beth

and Joseph Coyle Jr. of Coopersburg. He is a 2004 graduate of Cherokee High School,

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Malton, New Jersey. In 2008, he received a bachelor of arts degree in anthropology from Bloomsburg University.

Kyle Steven Sahd of Mountville, Pennsylvania, is the son of Ronald and Karen Sahd of Columbia, Pennsylvania. He is a 1997 graduate of Lancaster Catholic High School and earned his bachelor of science in education from Bloomsburg University in 2001.

DIOCESE OF PITTSBURGHKevin Christopher Fazio is the son of

Donald and Bernadette Fazio of Gibsonia. He is a 1990 graduate of Hampton High School in Allison Park. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in English from John Carroll University in 1994, a master of business administration degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 2002, and a master of arts degree in philosophy from Duquesne University in May 2008.

DIOCESE OF SAGINAWGabriel Barrera of Ave Maria, Florida,

is the son of Julian and Sara Barrera of Vineland, New Jersey. He is a 1999 graduate of Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolas de Hidalgo in Uruapan, Michoacana, Mexico. He graduated in May 2008 from Ave Maria University, Florida, with a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy.

Fabian Moncada, a native of Bogota, Colombia, is the son of Fernando Moncada Diaz and Maria Francisca Benevides de Moncada of Bogota. A seminarian from the Diocese of Saginaw, he is a 1997 graduate of Universidad Santo Tomas, Bogota, where he received a bachelor of philosophy degree. In 2006, he graduated with a degree in psychology from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana.

Jose G. Parra Murcia of Saginaw, Michigan, is the son of Evangelina Murcia of Chiquinquira, Boyaca, Colombia and the

late Jose G. Parra. He is a 1994 graduate of Industrial Technical Institute of Chiquinquira and earned a degree in philosophy from Seminario Conciliar in Tunja, Boyaca, Colombia, in 2002.

DIOCESE OF SAVANNAHStephen F. Hotard is the son of Foster

Albert Hotard Jr. and Margie Lee Hotard of Savannah, Georgia. He is a 2001 graduate of Benedictine Military School in Savannah. In 2006, he graduated from Armstrong Atlantic State University with a bachelor of science degree in middle grades education.

DIOCESE OF STEUBENVILLERigo Manuel Ochoa of Steubenville,

Ohio, is the son of Manuel and Rosi Ochoa of Plano, Texas. He is a 1996 graduate of Central Union High School, El Centro, California. He attended Sacramento City College, California and studied counseling psychology and biblical studies at Christian Heritage College.

DIOCESE OF WHEELING-CHARLESTONCody Christopher Ford of Wheeling, West

Virginia, is the son of Tony R. Ford of Grayville, Illinois, and the late Linda E. Ford. He is a 2000 graduate of Poca High School in Poca, West Virginia, and earned bachelor of arts degrees in English and history from West Virginia University in 2005. He studied philosophy at Wheeling Jesuit University.

ABBEY OF THE GENESEEBrother Isaac Douglas Slater, O.C.S.O. of

Piffard, New York, is the son of Doug Slater of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and Susan Elsworth of Hamilton, Ontario. Brother Isaac is a 1989 graduate of Unionville High School in Ontario. He graduated in 1997 from Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, with a bachelor of arts in classical studies. He also studied philosophy at the State University of New York

Kevin Coyle Kyle Sahd Kevin Fazio Gabriel Barrera Fabian Moncada

Jose G. Parra Murcia

Stephen F. Hotard

Rigo Manuel Ochoa



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at Genesee.MARMION ABBEY

Brother Marcos Rivas-Tamayo, O.S.B. of Aurora, Illinois, is the son of Enrique Rivas and Oliva Tamayo, Envigado, Colombia. Brother Marcos is a 1993 graduate of IDEM Granada in Antioquia. He received a psychology degree from San Buenaventura University in Medellîn in 2002.

MARY MOTHER OF THE CHURCH ABBEYBrother John Mary Lugemwa, O.S.B., of

Richmond, Virginia, is the son of Jane Fracis Nakiboneka of Masaka, Uganda and the late Charles Waliggo. He is a 1998 graduate of Central Academy Mengo, Kampala, Uganda. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in computer science and philosophy from Saint John’s University College of Saint Benedict, Collegeville, Minnesota in 2007.

SAINT VINCENT ARCHABBEYBrother Michael Anfio Antonacci, O.S.B.

is the son of Jerome and Sheila Antonacci of Jeannette. He is a 2003 graduate of Hempfield High School, and earned bachelor of science degrees in mathematics and physics, with highest honors, from Saint Vincent College in 2007. He entered the novitiate in July 2007.

Brother Gabriel Myriam Kurzawski, O.S.B. is the son of Dennis and Mary Kurzawski of Carnegie. He is a 2003 graduate of Carlynton Junior-Senior High School, Carnegie. He graduated from Saint John’s University in Queens, New York, in May of 2007 with a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy.

Brother Jeremiah Lange, O.S.B. is the son of George L. Lange of Murrysville, and the late Margaret Meixelsberger. He is a 1974 graduate of Plum Senior High School and earned a bachelor of arts degree in history from Slippery Rock University in 1996, a master of arts degree in secondary education in

counseling from the University of South Carolina in 2001, and a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Florida in 2005. He was employed as a district counselor of secondary education in the Osceola City School District; Park Place Behavioral Center, Kissimmee, as a drug and alcohol abuse counselor; a doctoral fellow at the University of Florida, and a psychometrist at the Counseling and Human Development Center of the University of South Carolina.

Brother Maximilian Maxwell, O.S.B. is the son of the late Robert Luke and Susan Maxwell. He is a 1992 graduate of West Philadelphia Catholic High School and earned a bachelor of arts in communication and a degree in religious studies from Saint Vincent College in 2007. Prior to entering the monastery he worked as an account manager for Kevin Kelly in Philadelphia.

Brother Agostinho da Silva, O.S.B. from Goiás, Brazil, is the son of the late Oscar Faleiro Silva and Euna Machado Silva. He attended Colégio Salesiano São José, and is a 1987 graduate of Lyceu de Goiânia School. He graduated from Pontifîcia Universidade Católica in 2005, earning a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy. He made simple profession of monastic vows on May 10, 1998 and solemn profession of vows on April 18, 2004 in Vinhedo. Since his profession in Vinhedo he has served as cantor (2001-2007), guest master (2002-2004), socius of novices (2003-2007) and librarian (2006-2007).

Maximilian Maxwell, O.S.B.Cody Ford

Isaac Slater, O.C.S.O.

Marcos Rivas-Tamayo, O.S.B.

John Mary Lugemwa, O.S.B.

Michael Antonacci, O.S.B. Gabriel Kurzawski, O.S.B. Jeremiah Lange, O.S.B.

Agostinho Da Silva, O.S.B.


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Red Mass SpeakerArchbishop John Myers of Newark, N.J., was the keynote speaker at

the 41st annual Red Mass, held Sept. 16 at the Bishop William. G. Connare Center. Sponsored by the Diocese of Greensburg and Saint Vincent Archabbey, College and Seminary, the Red Mass is celebrated widely to invoke God’s blessings on members of the bench, bar, and those who administer the law. The Mass dates to the 13th century, when it marked the official opening of the new term for courts in most European countries.

Archbishop Myers was appointed fifth archbishop of Newark on July 24, 2001, and was installed on Oct. 9. He was coadjutor Bishop of Peoria, Illinois, from 1987 to 1990 and Bishop of Peoria from 1990-2001. He has a licentiate in sacred theology from the North American College, Gregorian University, Rome, and a doctorate in canon law from The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.

Archbishop Myers is pictured in the top photo. At bottom, in the procession, are, from left, Monsignor Lawrence T. Persico, S’77, Vicar General of the Diocese of Greensburg, and Father Timothy Kruthaupt, S’07, a parochial vicar at Holy Family Parish, Latrobe. Father Tim graduated from Saint Vincent Seminary. He also has a juris doctor degree from Salmon P. Chase College of Law.

Seminarians, Recent Graduates

Attend WorldYouth DayIn Australia

(Continued from Page 6)music,” said Fleckenstein. “It was exciting to play for hundreds of people from around the world.”

This was Fleckenstein’s third trip to World Youth Day. “You never know who you’ll bump into or have a chance to talk to,” explained Fleckenstein. “You have the chance to have conversations with people from different cultures and experience the wisdom of the Holy Father together.”

One of the most memorable events for Fleckenstein was the Stations of the Cross on July 18. “The passion of Christ was shown dramatically through a live performance that spanned across Sydney. It began at Saint Mary’s Cathedral and ended at the Harbor,” recalled Fleckenstein. “The music and actors are very moving and create a chance to reflect upon Christ’s actions.”

Fleckenstein also found inspiration in the trip. “The experience made me more secure in my vocation to the priesthood,” he said. “It reconfirmed what I believe God is leading me to do. The experience is for the pilgrimage. I allow myself to be a pilgrim and celebrate my faith with the Holy Father.”

The diversity of the pilgrims also allows one to experience other ways of celebrating faith. “Different groups stayed up after the Evening Vigil with Pope Benedict XVI,” explained Fleckenstein. “At midnight, groups were dancing in the streets, celebrating their pilgrimage to Sydney.”

World Youth Day is truly an event unlike any other. “The event illustrated the universal church in relation to the different nationalities and races,” said Father Tim. “The rainbow of colors as the Holy Father arrived reflected the broad array of Catholics around the world.”

The next World Youth Day will be held in 2011 in Madrid.

Other seminarians and seminary graduates attending included Deacons Michael Zavage and Daniel Langa, Father Tom Sparacino and Father William Lechnar, Michael Peck, Kevin Fazio, Ryan Stichweh, Ernie Darby and Stephen Hotard.


12

(This article appeared in the Sunday edition of the Tribune-Review, under the headline “Increasingly, U.S. parish priests are from other countries.” Permission was given to reprint it as it appeared in the May 25, 2008 issue.)

By Jennifer ReegerTribune-Review

Juan Francisco Anzora heard God’s call as a teenager in his farming village in El Salvador.

But he will answer that call by becoming a priest in Atlanta, something he didn’t expect when he first visited a Catholic mission for Hispanics there.

“They were telling me their stories of how they crossed the border—very, very hard stories,” said Anzora, 31. “I realized how lonely they feel because their families are in Mexico or Guatemala. I could see how they needed people just to talk to. That’s when I realized that maybe God was calling me to be a priest here in Atlanta.”

Anzora, who graduated this month [in May] from Saint Vincent Seminary near Latrobe, is joining the growing ranks of foreign-born men who are becoming priests in the United States.

Nearly one-third of the priests being ordained this year in the United States were born in other countries, according to a survey of the ordination class of 2008 conducted on behalf of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Of the 335 ordinands who responded to the survey, 32 percent indicated they were born in other countries, up from 31 percent last year and 22 percent in 1999.

On average, they have lived in the United States for 13 years. Mexico and Vietnam are the two most common countries of origin, according to the report.

Monsignor Edward J. Burns, of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the rise in international priests in the United States reflects both the shortage of priests and immigration trends.

“The United States has experienced foreign-born priests in the past, and the influx of men from other countries entering into the seminary and being ordained in our country shows that the Catholic church is a universal church,” Burns said.

Seminary Graduates, Rector Interviewed for News Feature

Foreign-born seminariansAt Saint Vincent Seminary, Anzora was

among four foreign-born seminarians in a graduating class of nine who will be ordained this spring. A fifth returned to Brazil to be ordained.

They include a Nigerian being ordained in Paterson, N.J.; a Polish seminarian headed to Youngstown, Ohio; a Haitian headed to Atlanta, as well as Anzora.

About 25 percent of the seminarians at Saint Vincent hail from other countries, said the Rev. Justin Matro, the seminary’s rector.

When Matro arrived at the seminary in 1993, not a single international student attended. But after 1996, when the first international student arrived, the pace steadily picked up.

“That’s interesting that American seminaries suddenly found themselves being international melting pots,” Matro said. “It happened very quickly, and it happened all over.”

Matro said the influx of international seminarians reflects a time when priests from Ireland, Italy, Germany and Poland came to America to serve their people.

“Most (foreign-born seminarians) are very interested in service and in helping their compatriots, which wouldn’t be unlike the immigration period that really increased the Catholic population in this country 100 years ago,” he said.

While Saint Vincent has an international

Juan Anzora, ordained this summer for the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

UNIVERSAL CHURCHThe number of

foreign-born priests ordained in the United States has increased 10 percentage points since 1999. Mexico and Vietnam lead the list of countries of birth for new priests in 2008. The 2008 breakdown:

United States: ...........68%Mexico: ......................7%Vietnam: ....................6%Poland: .......................4%Philippines: ................3%Colombia: .................2%Other: .......................10%

Source: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops


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Increasingly, U.S. Parish Priests are from Other Countries

flair, ordination of foreign-born priests is rare in both the Greensburg and Pittsburgh dioceses.

The last foreign-born priest ordained in Greensburg was the Rev. Andrew Kawecki, a native of Poland, who took his vows in 1980, spokesman Jerry Zufelt said.

For Pittsburgh, the Rev. Dam Nguyen’s ordination in 1993 marks the last time a man born outside the United States was ordained.

“I think the reality is that in some of these places when you look at the immigration, when you look at some of the multiculturalism that exists, priests begin reflecting those realities,” said the Rev. James Wehner, rector of Saint Paul Seminary and director of vocations for the Pittsburgh diocese. “Pittsburgh, we don’t have that type of experience yet.”

Zufelt agreed.“The reality is our people are getting

older, and we have more leaving than coming in,” he said.

Not in PittsburghWehner said that while Pittsburgh does

have Latino and Asian population, it is negligible compared to other dioceses, where priests are being recruited from other countries.

The Pittsburgh diocese is making sure priests know some Spanish. Some seminarians have been sent to Colombia for study.

But there are some foreign priests in the diocese. Some African priests are studying at Duquesne University, and a Korean priest leads a Mass in his native tongue.

Another priest, ordained in Poland, petitioned the diocese to move here.

And then there is Nguyen, a Vietnamese refugee who boarded a boat on Christmas 1981 with 60 others fleeing the Communist regime. He survived two weeks on the high seas and three years in refugee camps in Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore before he came to Pittsburgh, sponsored by the Catholic Diocese.

Nguyen, who was raised Catholic, always had an interest in the priesthood in Vietnam. But in a new country, learning a new language, he wasn’t so sure.

He’d stop by Saint Paul Seminary on weekends while studying at Duquesne University “to learn more about the vocation, about the faith of people in this country. And

once I understand it, I felt comfortable and confident in it.”

Nguyen, 50, said he’s received a lot of support from the church and the parishioners at Saint Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin in Whitehall, Allegheny County.

“I think by being humble, by being open to each other, we can learn a lot,” he said.

While Pittsburgh and Greensburg aren’t Atlanta and Chicago, another Pennsylvania diocese has become home to international priests.

The Altoona-Johnstown Diocese has gained three Slovak priests and one Nigerian priest in the last 10 years. Another Nigerian—currently a seminarian at Saint Vincent—is set to be ordained a deacon this weekend, the last step to becoming a priest.

“With a lot of it, it’s a personal connection somehow with somebody in the diocese,” said the Rev. Brian Saylor, vocations director for Altoona-Johnstown. “We do have a fair number of inquiries from other countries, and that’s pretty much standard for every vocation director I’ve talked to, but we kind of look for a connection so we kind of have an idea about the person before we bring them.”

A call to priesthoodAnzora’s connection to Atlanta came

through employees of Delta Airlines he met while studying in Guatemala.

In 1995, fresh out of high school, Anzora said, he felt the calling to become a priest. He was inspired by Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador, who was shot by the military in 1980 while celebrating Mass because he spoke out in favor of civil rights.

Anzora felt compelled to follow that path because of “the idea that you can be a follower of Christ and you can do something for others, especially for those who suffer, for those who feel abandoned.”

He spent three years living in a religious community and another three years studying at a university in Guatemala. The Delta employees invited him to visit them in Atlanta, where his calling has taken him.

“I don’t think I decided to be a martyr (like Romero), but the idea is at least to risk as much as you can for Christ,” he said.

He misses his family and friends in El Salvador. “You lose things in order to gain other things for Christ. In that sense, I think I’m really doing what I have to do,” Anzora said.

(Continued from Page 12)


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Contact Dr. Michel Therrien for more information: [email protected], 724-805-2324.

While the conference is limited to priests, deacons and seminarians, a ten-DVD set featuring all of the lectures is available to all interested persons. Cost is $40 plus $5 postage and handling. The DVD for the Pope Benedict XVI Lecture “The Person and Prayer of Jesus,” by Dr. Hahn, is available for $10 plus $5 postage and handling. Orders can be sent to Archabbey Publications, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650-2690.

Dr. Brant Pitre, Dr. Scott Hahn and Dr. John Bergsma will return for the 2009 conference for priests, deacons and seminarians, scheduled for June 15-19, 2009 in the new Fred Rogers Center at Saint Vincent College.

Annual Summer Conference Enters Fourth Year“Romans: The Gospel According to

Saint Paul,” will be the theme of the 2009 annual conference for priests, deacons and seminarians on the Saint Vincent campus. Dr. Scott Hahn, Dr. Brant Pitre and Dr. John Bergsma will all return for the conference, scheduled for June 15-19. The event will take place in a new venue, the newly-dedicated Fred M. Rogers Center, a $14 million building which houses the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media, and a large conference and event meeting space.

Best selling author Dr. Scott Hahn is the Pope Benedict XVI Chair of Biblical Theology and Liturgical Proclamation at Saint Vincent Seminary. Dr. John Bergsma, a Senior Fellow of The Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology, is Assistant Professor of Theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville. Also a Senior Fellow of The Saint Paul Center, Dr. Pitre is Donum Dei Professor of Word and Sacrament at Our Lady of Holy Cross College in New Orleans,

“I believe watching the fraternity amongst the priests, deacons and seminarians was amazing,” one attendee commented about last year’s conference.

“Great program and great, loving speakers,” another person said.

Full registration fee of $525 includes meals and lodging. The rate for seminarians is $250.

This year an optional day focusing on homiletics will be offered on the last day of the conference.

Fourth AnnualConference for Priests, Deacons and Seminarians

Romans: The Gospel According to Saint Paul

Saint Vincent Seminary, Latrobe, Pennsylvania June 15-19, 2009

Dr. Scott Hahn

Photo by Kim Metzgar Image of Saint Paul by Grisha Dotzenko, woodcut on paper, 1963, Saint Vincent College Collection.

Dr. Scott HahnBest selling author Dr. Scott Hahn is

the Pope Benedict XVI Chair of Biblical Theology and Liturgical Proclamation at Saint Vincent Seminary. A native of Pittsburgh, Dr. Hahn served as a visiting professor at Saint Vincent Seminary in 2000. He has also served as a Professor of Theology and Scripture at Francis-can University of Steubenville since 1990. He is the founder and president of The Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology. His latest book is Reasons to Believe: How to Understand, Explain, and Defend the Catholic Faith (Doubleday, 2007). Previous works include Letter & Spirit: From Written Text to Living Word in the Lit-urgy (2005); Swear to God: The Promise and Power of the Sacraments, (Doubleday, 2004). Other books from Dr. Hahn include Scripture Matters: Essays on Reading the Bible from the Heart of the Church (Emmaus Road, 2003); Lord, Have Mercy: The Healing Power of Confession (Doubleday, 2003); First Comes Love: Finding Your Family in the Church and the Trinity (Doubleday, 2002); Hail Holy Queen: The Mother of God in the Word of God (Doubleday, 2001); The Lamb’s Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth (1999); A Father Who Keeps His Promises (Servant Publications, 1997). In addition, he served as coauthor (along with his wife, Kimberly) of Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism (Ignatius Press, 1993).

Priests, deacons and seminarians are invited to spend four days reflecting on “Romans: The Gospel According to Saint Paul,” with noted theologian Dr. Scott Hahn, June 15-19, 2009 on the grounds of Saint Vincent Archabbey and Seminary in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Hahn will be joined by other noted scholars, including Dr. Brant Pitre of Our Lady of Holy Cross College and Dr. John Bergsma of Franciscan University of Steubenville. Dr. Hahn will address the Church in the Pauline writings. Dr. Pitre will speak on the Church in the Synoptic Gospels. Dr. Bergsma will address the Church in the Johannine writings.

The days will be filled with discovery, in a leisurely, but stimulating environment. It’s an opportunity for clergy to contemplate the Scriptures more deeply—for prayer, for preaching, and for understanding.

Dr. John BergsmaDr. John Bergsma, a Senior Fellow of The Saint Paul

Center for Biblical Theology, is Assistant Professor of Theology at Franciscan University of Steuebenville.

Dr. Bergsma holds a B.A. in Classical Languages, an M.Div., and a Th.M. in Old Testament from Calvin College and Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He earned his Ph.D. in Theology with a focus on Scripture (primarily Old Testament) at the University of Notre Dame.

A member of the Society for Biblical Literature (SBL) and the Catholic Biblical Association, he has published scholarly articles in Biblica, the Journal of Biblical Literature, Vetus Testamentum, Sacred Architecture, and the Calvin Theological Journal, in addition to presenting papers at the Midwest and Eastern Great Lakes regional SBL conferences.

Dr. Brant Pitre Donum Dei Professor of Word and

Sacrament at Our Lady of Holy Cross College in New Orleans, Dr. Pitre previously taught theology at Loyola Institute for Ministry at Loyola University of New Orleans. He is also a Senior Fellow of The Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology. He has a Ph.D. in Theology from the University of Notre

Dame with a specialization in the study of the New Testament and Second Temple Judaism. He holds an M.T.S. degree in biblical studies and theology from Vanderbilt Divinity School. His book is Jesus, the Tribulation, and the End of the Exile.

Romans: The Gospel According to Saint PaulA Conference for Priests, Deacons, and Seminarians

ScheduleMONDAY, JUNE 15, 2009

2:00-7:00 Registration (Carey Student Center)5:00-6:00 Dinner7:45 Welcome Conference Social to follow

TUESDAY-THURSDAY, JUNE 16-18, 2009Morning Session

7:30-8:30 Breakfast8:30 Morning Prayer8:45-9:45 Conference (Session I)9:45-10:15 Coffee Break10:15-11:15 Conference (Session II)11:45 Mass (Archabbey Basilica)12:45-1:30 Lunch

Afternoon Session3:00 Holy Hour: Scriptural Reflection, Eucharistic Exposition and Benediction5:00 Evening Prayer5:30 Dinner

Evening Session7:15 Conference (Session III) Social to follow

OPTIONAL EXTRA HOMILETICS WORKSHOPFATHER JOSEPH MELE, FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2009

7:30-8:30 Breakfast8:30 Morning Prayer8:45-10:00 Workshop One: Preaching In This Historical Moment10:15-11:30 Workshop Two: Ten Principles for Liturgical Preaching11:45 Mass12:45-1:45 Lunch2:00-3:15 Workshop Three: Paul: Thundering at the Chair of Truth (in honor of the Jubilee Year)3:15-3:30 Closing Remarks

REGISTRATION FORM

Name:

Address:

City:

State, Zip:

(Arch)Diocese/Community:

Phone:

Email:

I have enclosed:

Full registration fee, $525 (includes meals, lodging)*

Seminarian rate is $250 with student ID.

Non-refundable deposit, $75

(Balance due by May 25, 2009)

Optional one-day homiletics conference, $100

Cardholder Number:

Expiration Date:

Contact Dr. Michel Therrien for more information: [email protected], 724-805-2324.Special needs requests:

Wheelchair-accessible room

Vegetarian

Other

For special needs or reservation questions, please contact the Saint Vincent College Office of Event and Conference Services, [email protected], Phone: 724-805-2177. Airport shuttle available from Arnold Palmer Regional Airport, Latrobe ($10 roundtrip) or Pittsburgh International Airport ($30 roundtrip). Please contact Event and Conference Services with flight information.

Please mail reservations to:Event and Conference Services

Saint Vincent College300 Fraser Purchase Road

Latrobe, PA 15650-2690Phone: 724-805-2177

Registration Deadline May 25, 2009Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

I cannot attend, but please inform me of future

events. Email:

Previous Participants: • “John Bergsma was a wonderful presenter.”

• “I believe watching the fraternity amongst the priests, deacons and seminarians was amazing.”

• “Thanks for a beautiful week!”

• “A fresh look at Sacred Scripture with time away from the parish....”

• “I encourage, applaud, thank and pray for you.”

• “Great program and great, loving speakers.”

Saint Vincent CampusNestled in the foothills of Chestnut Ridge near Latrobe, Pennsylvania, Saint

Vincent Archabbey, College, Parish and Seminary are shaped by the 1,500-year-old Benedictine heritage of liturgical prayer, study, hospitality and community. The fourth oldest Roman Catholic Seminary in the United States, Saint Vincent has prepared over 2,500 diocesan and religious priests for the service of God and His Church. The Archabbey was founded by Bavarian monk Boniface Wimmer, who established Benedictine monasticism in America in 1846. The campus features the 100-year-old Rheinish Romanesque Basilica designed by William Schickel, facilities for swimming, a fitness center and walking trails as well as a number of chapels and gardens for quiet meditation. This year’s conference will be held in the newly-constructed Fred M. Rogers Center, pictured at left and below.

Saint Vincent is within convenient driving distance of two airports. The Arnold Palmer Regional Airport, located in Latrobe, is about one-fourth mile east of the campus on U.S. Route 30 and provides scheduled commuter air service throughout the day to Detroit Metropolitan Airport via Northwest Airlines. The Greater Pittsburgh International Airport is located 60 miles west of campus.

Romans: The Gospel According to Saint PaulJune 15-19, 2009 • Saint Vincent Seminary • Latrobe, Pennsylvania

Fourth Annual Conference for Priests, Deacons and Seminarians

Above: 2008 Conference Attendees

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Saint Vincent Seminary 2008-2009Front, from left, Michael Marcelli, Diocese of Youngstown; Jose Parra-Murcia, Diocese of Saginaw; Stephen Kelley,

Diocese of Harrisburg; Brother John Mary Lugemwa, O.S.B., Mary Mother of the Church Abbey; Luis Fonseca, Diocese of Savannah; Father Patrick Cronauer, O.S.B., seminary faculty; Father Justin Matro, O.S.B., Rector; Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., Chancellor; Dr. Michel Therrien, interim Academic Dean; Father David Brzoska, Vice Rector; Father Lester Knoll, O.F.M. Cap., Director of Spiritual Formation; Michael Gossett, Diocese of Steubenville; Brother Jacob Amos, O.S.B, Saint Bernard Abbey; Jorge Bedoya, Diocese of Savannah; Thang Pham, Archdiocese of Atlanta; José Manuel Escalante, Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.

Second row, from left, Bradley Greer, Diocese of Steubenville; Brother Isaac Slater, O.C.S.O., Abbey of the Genessee; Kevin Coyle, Diocese of Harrisburg; Brother Gregory Dulmes, O.S.B., Saint Benedict’s Abbey; Brother Benet Watt, O.S.B., Downside Abbey; Matthew Larlick, Diocese of Harrisburg; Dominic Tran, Archdiocese of Atlanta; Carlos Vargas, Archdiocese of Atlanta; Vernon Knight, Diocese of Savannah; Cong Nguyen, Archdiocese of Atlanta; Fabian Moncada, Diocese of Saginaw; Tri Nguyen, Archdiocese of Atlanta; Brother Michael Antonacci, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Archabbey; Brother Maximilian Maxwell, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Archabbey.

Third row, from left, Christopher Barnes, Diocese of Erie; Brother Marcos Sergio Rivas-Tamayo, Marmion Abbey; Harry Settle, Jr., Diocese of Covington; Brother Jeremy Heppler, O.S.B., Saint Benedict Abbey; Robert Fleckenstein, Diocese of Pittsburgh; Brian Crouch, Diocese of Steubenville; Luis Alvarez, Archdiocese of Atlanta; Ernesto Rodriguez, Diocese of Saint Thomas; Matthew Baum, Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown; John Michniuk, Diocese of Covington; Michael Zavage, Diocese of Pittsburgh; Gabriel Barrera, Diocese of Saginaw; Ernie Darby, Archdiocese of Atlanta; Cody Ford, Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston; Brother Agostinho Da Silva, Saint Vincent Archabbey.

Fourth row, from left, Michael Peck, Diocese of Pittsburgh; Matthew Cushing, Diocese of Covington; Daniel Langa, Diocese of Pittsburgh; Charles Affholter, Diocese of Birmingham; Brandon Kleckner, Diocese of Erie; Brother Francis Dankoski, O.S.I.H.J.M., Diocese of Steubenville; Brian Warchola, Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown; Stephen McGinnis, Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston; Michael Zabrecky, Diocese of Youngstown; Nicholas Passero, Diocese of Savannah; Kyle Sahd, Diocese of Harrisburg; Kevin Fazio, Diocese of Pittsburgh; Brother Joseph Adams, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Archabbey.

Fifth row, from left, Edwin Rodrigo Rojas-Florian, Diocese of Savannah; William Appel, Diocese of Covington; Michael Polinek, Diocese of Erie; Rigo Ochoa, Diocese of Steubenville; Brother Gabriel Kurzawski, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Archabbey; Salomon Garcia-Cortes, Archdiocese of Atlanta; Brother Francis Ehnat, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Archabbey; Ryan Stichweh, Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston; Jose Alexandre Missio, Archdiocese of Campinas, Brazil; Thomas Trofino, Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown; Stephen Hotard, Diocese of Savannah; Kevin Kayda, Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston; Brother Elijah Cirigliano, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Archabbey; Larry Schaeper, Diocese of Covington; Brother Bonaventure Curtis, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Archabbey; Brother Finbar Ramsak, O.S.B., Saint Andrew Abbey; Joseph Hadler, Diocese of Covington; Brother Jeremiah Lange, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Archabbey; Ryan Stenger, Diocese of Covington; Brother Nathanael Polinski, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Archabbey.


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Listen carefully, my child, to the master’s instructions,and attend to them with the ear of your heart.

—Prologue, The Rule of Saint Benedict

Saint Vincent Seminary2008-2010

The new Saint Vincent Seminary academic catalogue for 2008-2010 has just been published. The 84-page full color catalogue provides the latest information on the Program of Priestly Formation, course listings, faculty, staff and administration, as well as listings and photographs of members of the Board of Regents and parish practicum supervisors and others involved with the Seminary. Current listings of courses, scholarships and other information about the Seminary is also provided.

Persons interested in obtaining a current copy of the catalogue should contact the office of the Academic Dean, Saint Vincent Seminary, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650.

2008-2010 Seminary Catalogue Completed

The Gospel According

to JohnLeonardo Defilippis performed his

one-man production of “The Gospel According to John,” a two-hour tour-de-force performance of the entire gospel, for seminarians and members of the general public. Produced in the colorful and symbolic style of a Byzantine icon, the production featured a celestial musical score, costumes based on ancient sacred images, and had a beautiful icon as its backdrop. In the top photo, Seminarians attending the show pose with Leonardo before volunteering to help tear down the set.

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Seminary Donors Provide Assistance to Seminarians

Mario Ferretti

George and Eileen Dorman

Diocese of Savannah assigned him to the Holy Spirit Parish in Macon, Georgia. The Army Chaplain candidate, then spent six weeks in Fort Jackson, South Carolina for training at the Chaplain Basic Officer Leadership Course. The chaplains in training began their days with physical training before showering and reporting to church. Other activities included marching, field training, combat training, watching presentations about Army structure, and rapelling down Victory Tower.

Christopher Barnes spent ten weeks at Saint James Roman Catholic Church in Erie under the supervision of an alumnus of the Seminary, Father James McCormick. Barnes learned how to keep sacramental

records, give homilies at daily mass, serve weekend liturgies, and make communion calls. He worked at a food pantry, visited nursing homes and got the chance to work with Erie area youths. One of the favorite parts of his summer was spending time with Saint James Catholic School students, from kindergarten to eighth grade. Finally, he made a pilgrimage to the 49th International Eucharistic Congress in Quebec City.

“My experience was a grace-filled chance to meet the faithful parishioners of Saint James and see the ins and outs of the busy, but happy life of the parish priest,” Barnes said, “I was so very blessed this summer and grew deeper in my faith as a Catholic seminarian studying for priesthood.”

Seminarian Summers(Continued from Page 4)

By Liz Cousins

“[The priest] learns with gratitude how, through his ministry, people discover the glory of God. He learns how, through him, God does great things, and he is full of joy to know that to be a priest is at once the greatest demand and the greatest gift.” —Pope Benedict XVI

Three of the 60 scholarships available to seminarians are profiled here.

THE DIPADOVA FAMILY TRUSTAmil and MaryAnn DiPadova have been

associated with Saint Vincent Seminary for many years. At the passing of their son Jim, they wanted to keep his memory alive and decided that a scholarship fund for the priesthood would accomplish that.

“Jim was extensively involved in academia, attaining a doctorate in psychology from the University of Pittsburgh,” Amil DiPadova said. “The Trust established in his name will be a continuing reminder of Jim’s fondness for education.”

He added, “The Trust will also provide an indication of our support for the Seminary and perhaps encourage others to consider making a similar decision.

THE GEORGE AND EILEEN DORMAN FUNDGeorge and Eileen Dorman have long

been interested in Catholic education. They support Pittsburgh-area Catholic grade schools, but concluded several years ago that they also wanted to help with the education of men having a vocation to the priesthood. So they turned to Saint Vincent Seminary, where they founded the George and Eileen Dorman Fund in 2001.

“Helping to educate and train priests is very important to us, “George Dorman said.

“Because of the shortage of priests, and because we want to help support men who might not otherwise be able to follow their vocations to the priesthood.”

Letters from seminarians that their scholarship has helped to support provide a great emotional lift, he added. “As these young men become priests, it is wonderful to see them go out and be able to do the Church’s work.”

“We are life-long Catholics,” Eileen Dorman said, “and doing something, even in a small way, to support the Church is very, very satisfying.”THE MARIO J. FERRETTI MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

When her husband, Mario, passed away on September 26, 2007, there was no doubt in Orlie Ferretti’s mind. She requested memorial contributions be made to Saint Vincent, and the Saint Vincent Seminary was chosen.

“Saint Vincent is our parish,” she said. “The seminarians and priests give so much of their lives to helping others, we wanted to give to them in some way.”

The Mario J. Ferretti Memorial Scholarship provides assistance for priesthood students who are in financial need. Mario served as an adjunct at the College for 18 years, teaching business courses around his schedule as the owner of an insurance agency. Proudly, Mario chaired the capital campaign for the Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica Parish in 1995. One of their three daughters is an alumnae of Saint Vincent College, while their third is currently a freshman. Saint Vincent has always had a special place in their hearts.

“The priests that Saint Vincent educate devote their whole lives to the Church,” Orlie added. “This scholarship is just our way of saying thank you to them.”


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Brother Bruno D. Heisey, O. S. B., has published two articles, one online, the other in print. “Praising the Classical Legacy of Leon Fitts” is a retirement tribute to the Dickinson College archaeologist who taught Brother Bruno ancient history. The tribute appears on the Dickinson Magazine

page of the Dickinson College web site. “Meditations of a Post-Merton Monk” appears in the spring, 2008, issue of Seminary Journal.

* * * * * Father Thomas P. Acklin, O.S.B., gave

retreats to the priests of Gaylord, Michigan; to the Carmelite Nuns in Georgetown, California; to the Apostles of the Sacred Heart in Hampton, Connecticut; to the monks of Saint Leo Abbey, Florida; and to the Benedictine sisters at Saint Emma’s in Greensburg. He has appeared regularly on

“The Inner Life”, a talk show on the national

Catholic Radio Network, Relevant Radio. Father Thomas is currently on sabbatical

and may be contacted at: [email protected].

* * * * *Juan Pedro Reyna has

been appointed full time assistant to the director of Hispanic Ministries. He has been with the Seminary since 2006.

* * * * *Archabbot Douglas,

O.S.B., as chancellor of Saint Vincent Seminary, has appointed Dr. Michel Therrien, S.T.D., as interim academic dean of Saint Vincent Seminary for the 2008-2009 academic year.

Dr. Therrien joined the Seminary community as a full time faculty member in 2005. He completed his doctoral dissertation at the University of Fribourg in May 2007. He received his B.A. in theology from Gonzaga University; his master of arts degree in theology and

Christian ministry from Franciscan University of Steubenville; his licentiate in Sacred Theology from The International Theological Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family, in Gaming, Austria. Dr. Therrien and his wife, Lynn, have four children.

Dr. Therrien was a presenter at two parishes in Seattle this past July. He spoke on the topic of “Our Life in Christ.” He recently began a course for adults on the Catholic faith at Saint Cecelia’s Parish, Whitney. The course is called “Ad Fontes” and is open to anyone in the diocese. The group meets from 9 to 9:50 a.m. on Sundays.

Dr. Therrien, assistant professor of moral theology, was also mentioned in an article in The Latrobe Bulletin on end of life issues. He participated in a symposium conducted at the Bishop William G. Connare Center

in the Diocese of Greensburg, which featured Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt as keynote speaker.

Faculty News

Father Emmanuel Afunugo, Assistant Professor of Moral Theology, celebrated 25 years in the priesthood this past summer. A celebration in Washington, DC, took place on the 24th of May 2008 at Holy Family Catholic Church Hillcrest Heights Maryland . A second celebration took place in his home village at St Gabriel’s Catholic Church, Umunnachi, Onitsha Nigeria, on the 28th July 2008.

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Memorial, Tribute GiftsIN HONOR OF:

REV. THOMAS P. ACKLIN, O.S.B.Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence BarbiauxMs. Elizabeth M. Gallagher

REV. PATRICK CRONAUER, O.S.B.Mrs. Marion Cronauer

MR. LARRY CURRANRev. Gerald S. Mikonis

REV. DAVID L. HUFFMANMrs. Jennifer L. Barden

BR. GABRIEL MYRIAM KURZAWSKI, O.S.B.Mrs. Agnes Babich

REV. STANLEY T. MARKIEWICZ, O.S.B.Mr. and Mrs. Gerald J. Yanity

MRS. BERNADETTE PEVARNIKSr. Cecilia Murphy, R.S.M.Mr. Joseph C. PevarnikMark PevarnikMatt and Sandy PevarnikStephen and Florence Pevarnik

MR. JOSEPH C. PEVARNIKMr. and Mrs. Clement F. Gross, IISr. Cecilia Murphy, R.S.M.Joe and Judy PevarnikStephen and Florence Pevarnik

TO HONOR ALL SEMINARIANS,ESPECIALLY THOSE FROM SLOVAKIA

Mr. and Mrs. Emerick A. KravecADRIAN WILL

Ms. Trudy NovakIN MEMORY OF:

+CARMEN ALEPRETEMrs. Audrey Aleprete

+THERESA JACKAMONIS BENTZMr. Robert R. Jackamonis

+REV. ALBERT C. BICKERSTAFF, O.S.B.Mr. and Mrs. William W. Shearouse, Jr.

+CLYDE AND MILDRED BREDELGary and Mary Ann Bredel

+REV. BONIFACE BUERKLE, O.S.B.Mr. Robert F. Seiler

DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE CARROLL FAMILYMiss Kathryn P. Carroll

DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE CHURMAN AND KIJANKA FAMILIES

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Churman+CHARLES CRONAUER FAMILY

Mrs. Marion Cronauer+MRS. MARY FOLBY

Ms. Gloria Aniebo-Williams and Vance AnieboRobert Lau and E. M. AveryJudy and Barry BermudezRev. Robert J. BoyleMr. John R. BrownCarl and Charlotte BurlasDodo and Shirley CaternaCollege of Arts and Sciences Educational Technology, University at BuffaloAnn and Ray DeCesarisMr. and Mrs. Robert J. DePasqualeElizabeth and Richard DesJardinsMrs. Romayne DoddsTerry and Sylvia FitzmauriceMrs. Mary Lou Flavin-StumpfDuane, Eileen and Jimmy Flynn

Gene and Margaret GoerssJohn and Christine GrecoMr. Larry HawkThe David Korman FamilyMr. and Mrs. Zoltan J. KristofMs. Suzanne LoveDr. and Mrs. Philip X. MasciantonioRoxann Mullen DonahueMrs. Joan PaciniMaj. Steve Pacini, USMC Ret.Mr. and Mrs. Bernard J. PetersonBarbara and Louis PiconiSharon and A. J. QuayMr. and Mrs. Robert A. SeabolMr. Larry ValerioMr. and Mrs. Lynn WaterstratMr. Don YearsleyPartners in the Bankruptcy and Restructuring Department of Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor

+REV. CLAIR F. GANNON, O.S.B.Ms. Margaret M. Gannon

+LAWRENCE AND KATHERINE KOSSMs. Carol A. Koss

+REV. THOMAS J. KRAMMrs. Patricia M. Coghlan

+JAMES LATTERNERMr. and Mrs. Albert J. Novak, Jr.

+REV. GERMAIN L. LIEB, O.S.B.Mr. Joseph M. Smith

+JOHN AND LOUISE LONGMrs. Louise D. Paul

+JANET M. LOSTENMrs. Jennie D. Losten

+STEVEN LOSTENMrs. Jennie D. Losten

+ROBERT MCCARTNEY FAMILYMrs. Marion Cronauer

+HARRY F. MURRAYMrs. Elizabeth Murray

+ROBERTA MUSILLOMr. James R. Musillo, Jr.

+MARGARET K. NICHOLSMrs. Juliana N. Beal

+ANTHONY J. PESAVENTOMs. Dolores BaroliMr. and Mrs. Joseph E. BissMr. and Mrs. Chester M. BrighentiMr. and Mrs. James S. Gibson, Jr.Mr. William P. HendricksMr. and Mrs. Thomas M. KissellMr. and Mrs. Eusebio S. Lavin, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. John F. SchanoMr. and Mrs. Edward F. SobotaGary, Stephanie and Kasey StarrMs. Isabel Terrini

+MR. AND MRS. JOHN L. RUSSMAN, JR.Mr. and Mrs. Jack G. Russman

+WILLIAM W. SHEAROUSE, SR.Mr. and Mrs. William W. Shearouse, Jr.

+REV. SIMON J. TOTH, O.S.B.Bill and Dorothy KotsenasMr. Joseph M. Smith

+ROBERT UNITESMrs. Imelda M. Unites

To give a tribute or memorial gift please

make a donation to Saint Vincent Seminary in honor

of a friend, colleague or family member.

Donations should be mailed to Mr. Paul R.

Whiteside in the Seminary Development Office, 300

Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, Pa., 15650-2690, telephone 724-532-6740. Donors from April 1, 2008,

to September 30, 2008, are included on this

page.

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Msgr. George R. Coyne, an active member of the Seminary Board of

Regents for many years, has retired from active ministry in the Diocese of Steubenville after 49 years of service.

In an article appearing in The Steubenville Register, Msgr. Coyne noted that he was influenced by his family, as well

as priests and nuns who served in his grade

school, to enter the

priesthood. Following his ordination in 1959, Msgr. Coyne taught at Saint John Vianney Seminary and served as principal until 1967, when he assisted with the seminary’s merger with Saint Joseph Seminary in Vienna, West Virginia. He became principal at Saint Mary Central High School, Marietta, and then at Seton Central High School, Lafferty, while serving as an assistant and administrator in several diocesan parishes. In 1972 he became pastor of Saint Mary Church, Saint Clairsville.

He has been involved with a program called Ministry to Priests, served as chaplain to the Knights of Columbus, and in addition to his service to Saint Vincent Seminary, he has been active on the Priests’ Personnel Board, Priests’ Retirement Board, Presbyteral Council, College of Consultors, deanery council and the liturgical commission in his diocese.

“Ministry is not just to the local church,” he told the newspaper. “I am grateful to the Lord for the many blessings of my life as a priest for the past 49 years.”

Msgr. Coyne will remain on the Seminary Board of Regents.

* * * * *In the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston,

Bishop Michael J. Bransfield has made the following appointment:

Father Christopher M. Turner was named administrator of Our Lady of Peace Parish in Wheeling and to liturgical and sacramental ministry as part of the Catholic campus ministry program at Bethany College and West Liberty State College, effective June 18.

* * * * *Father Alan N. Polczynski, S’07, recently

ordained in the Diocese of Greensburg, is a welcome addition to the staff of Greensburg Central Catholic High School, according to a recent article in The Catholic Accent.

CONDOLENCES ARE OFFERED TO:

Rev. Francis P. Balestino, C’56, S’60, on the death of his brother William J. Balestino on October 3, 2008.

Rev. Frederick C. Byrne, O.S.B., S’82, on the death of his father Frederick P. Byrne on August 30, 2008.

Rev. Robert R. Byrnes, S’67, on the death of his mother C. Aileen Byrnes on May 5, 2008.

Retired Archabbot Paul R. Maher, P’43, C’51, S 54, on the death of his sister, Sister Rita Maher, R.S.M. on July 16, 2008.

Rev. David J. Nazimek, S’93, on the death of his uncle, Rev. Francis A. Nazimek, S’48, on July 30, 2008.

Rev. Justin L. Nolan, O.S.B., P’47, C’52, S55, on the death of his brother, Kevin Nolan, on May 17, 2008.

Br. Tobias D. Yott, O.S.B., S84, on the death of his father, Lee Yott, on June 15, 2008.

“His presence here invigorates our Catholic culture and identity,” Principal Don Favero told the newspaper.

Father Polczynski is providing classroom instruction in religion while dditionally serving as parochial vicar of Saint Bruno Parish, Greensburg.

Father Robert Lubic, S’95, is chaplain at Geibel Catholic in the same diocese. Pastor of Saint John the Baptist Parish in Perryopolis, Father Lubic attended Geibel, graduating in 1984.

“He has the ability to integrate himself across the board,” Principal Vincent Mascia said of Lubic. “As an alumnus, he knows the atmosphere and what the school is all about, as well as the challenges and ups and downs.”

* * * * *Seminarian Bradley Greer’s account of

his trip to see Pope Benedict XVI in New York (see the last issue of Leaven) was mentioned in The Steubenville Register, his diocesan newspaper, which did a feature on Ohioans who made the trip last spring. Greer and Brother Francis Dankoski, O.S.I.H.J.M., were ordained to the diaconate in the Diocese of Steubenville on March 27 at Holy Name Cathedral by Bishop R. Daniel Conlon.

Pictured in the summary of the diocesan trip were Father Wayne E. Morris, a recent seminary graduate and Father John J McCoy, S’93.

* * * * *In the Archdiocese of Atlanta,

Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory has announced the following assignments:

Father Theodore Book, S02 director of the Office of Divine Worship and part-time teacher at Southern Catholic College, Dawsonville, has been given the additional assignment to serve as vice rector of Saint Charles Borromeo House of Formation, where he will reside. He is also parochial vicar of Most Blessed Sacrament Church, Atlanta.

Father Neil J. Herlihy, S’04, has been assigned to his first pastorate as pastor of Saint Peter the Rock Church, effective June 19. He previously served as parochial vicar at Saint Thomas More Church, Decatur.

Father Mark N. Van Alstine, S’04, has been appointed parochial vicar of Saint Mary on the Hill Church, Augusta, effective July 2.

Father Juan Anzora, S’08 has been named parochial vicar at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Atlanta, effective June 19.

Father Gilbert Exumé, S’08, has been named parochial vicar of Saint Brigid Church, Alpharetta, effective June 19.

Salomón Garcia Cortés, and Dominic

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Haiti OrdinationGilbert Exumé, who first entered seminary in his native Haiti, was

ordained by Archbishop Wilton Gregory of the Archdiocese of Atlanta in May. Father Exumé is a parochial vicar at Saint Brigid Church, Alpharetta. He celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving in Haiti following his ordination. The son of Aubert Exumé and Cadina Affricot of Jacmel, Haiti, he is a 1996 graduate of Petit Seminaire College St. Martial/Mazenod in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. He studied theology at Grand Seminaire Notre Dame, Turgeau in 1999 and 2000, and philosophy and liberal arts at St. Joseph Seminary College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2003. He earned a Master of Arts degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2007 and the Master of Divinity degree in 2008. He received the Sacred Scripture Award given to the graduating student who has demonstrated excellence in the study of Sacred Scripture. (Martin Pitstick photos)

Tran were ordained to the transitional diaconate May 24.

Father Cyril Soo-Gil Chae, S’03, has been named parochial vicar at Saint Patrick Church, Norcross, and will serve as spiritual director of the new North Atlanta Curia of the Legion of Mary, effective June 18.

* * * * * In the Diocese of Charleston, Msgr.

Martin T. Laughlin, administrator has made the following appointment:

Father Gregory B. Wilson, S’00, was named administrator of the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, Charleston, effective April 8.

* * * * *Bishop David A. Zubik of the Diocese of

Pittsburgh, Auxiliary Bishop William J. Winter, C’52, S56, and Auxiliary Bishop Paul J. Bradley ordained Michael Zavage and Daniel Langa, seminarians, to the diaconate on May 31 at Saint Paul Cathedral, Pittsburgh. The men will be ordained to the priesthood next year. Deacon Langa serves at Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Hopewell Township, while Deacon Zavage is at Saint Anne Parish, Castle Shannon, effective June 16.

* * * * *Father Peter J. Kuligowski, S’96, of Palm

Coast, Florida is presently serving in the Diocese of Saint Augustine. On July 1, he was appointed by Bishop Victor Galeone as parochial vicar of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish.

* * * * *In the Diocese of Steubenville, Monsignor

James A. Boehm, C’51, celebrated fifty years in the priesthood.

* * * * *Cody Ford of the Diocese of Wheeling-

Charleston was pictured in the Sept. 13 edition of The Catholic Spirit speaking to young men and boys at a vocation camp called Fishers of Men. The camp was held at Saint James Parish, Charles Town, WV.

* * * * *Father Thomas A. Sparacino, S’97, is

one of two priests overseeing three parishes in the Diocese of Pittsburgh in a team ministry program. He and Father Carmen D’Amico will lead Saint Benedict the Moor in the Hill District, Epiphany in the Uptown neighborhood and Saint Mary of Mercy in downtown Pittsburgh.

A feature in Pittsburgh Catholic explaining the concept noted that it is an approved model of ministry. Father Sparacino will also oversee campus ministry at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Point Park University and the downtown campus of Robert Morris

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Leaven Fall 2008, Volume 17, Number 1S

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* * * * *“Experience Lourdes,” a virtual Lourdes

pilgrimage experience, was presented this spring by Brother Jeremy Heppler, O.S.B., and Father Lester Knoll, O.F.M., Cap., on the Seminary campus.

* * * * *In the Diocese of Savannah: Luis Fonseca was ordained a transitional

deacon May 24 at Sacred Heart Church, Warner Robins, by Bishop J. Kevin Boland. A native of Bogota, Colombia, Deacon Fonseca noted that “I have learned many things in the five years since I joined the diocese. I have had wonderful experiences in the summers. I’ve had the opportunity to share in different parishes, and I have seen wonderful examples of pastoral ministry with the pastors I have shared.... My heart is filled with joy and my thoughts with gratitude, for it has been the prayers of so many people that have kept me and supported me during those dark and cold days of winter.”

* * * * * In the Diocese of Harrisburg: Father Lawrence J. McNeil, C’69, S’73

and Father Thomas A. Scala, S’72, S’73, celebrated 35 years in the priesthood. Father Michael E. Messner, S’97, celebrated ten years in the priesthood. Marking the fifth year of their ordinations were Father Paul M. Clark, S’03 and Father Steven W. Fauser, S’03.

* * * * *In the Diocese of Tulsa, Bishop Edward J.

Slattery announced:Father Carl A. Kerkemeyer, S’01, pastor

of Saint Thomas More Parish in Tulsa, will have additional assignments at Sacred Heart Church in Miami and Saint Ann Church in Welch.

Father Matt La Chance, recently associate pastor of Holy Family Cathedral in Tulsa, will become pastor of Saints Peter and Paul in Cushing, Saint Mary in Drumright and Saint John in Pawnee, effective July 15.

* * * * *In the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Bishop

David A. Zubik has made the following appointments:

Father Frank A. Mitolo, C’64, S’68, has been named to a second six-year term as pastor of Resurrection Parish, Brookline, effective Oct. 21.

Father Joseph J. Kleppner, S’68, has been appointed to a third six-year term as pastor of Saint Frances Cabrini Parish, Center Township.

Father Thomas J. Burke, S’00, has been named pastor of Good Shepherd Parish, Braddock, for a term of six years, effective May 12.

Ordained to PriesthoodRev. Martin J. Pitstick of the Diocese of Covington was ordained to

the priesthood on May 16 by Bishop Roger Foys. Father Pitstick, the son of Paul M. and Mary F. Pitstick of Fairborn, Ohio is a 1977 graduate of Carroll High School, Dayton, Ohio. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from Franciscan University of Steubenville in French and theology in 1981, and also studied at the University of Dayton before earning a Master of Divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2008. He also received the Diakonia Award, for service to community by upbuilding morale and spirit, leadership and creative outreach. He is now parochial vicar at Saint Joseph Church, Cold Spring.

(Photos submitted by Martin Pitstick)

University. * * * * *

In the Diocese of Saint Thomas, the Virgin Islands, Ernesto Rodriguez

was ordained to the diaconate. His ordination, on Aug. 23, was held at Santa Rosa de Lima, Campbell, Diocese of Youngstown by Bishop George Murry, S.J. Deacon Rodriguez assisted at the parish during Holy Week 2008. He will be

ordained to the priesthood in the Virgin Islands.

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Ordained to DiaconateMichal Zabrecky was ordained to the diaconate at St. Louis Catholic

Church in Louisville July 26 by the Most Rev. George V. Murry, Bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown. Deacon Zabrecky completed a pastoral year at St. Louis and is completing his formation for diocesan priesthood at Saint Vincent Seminary this year. (Martin Pitstick photo)

Attend OrdinationAttending the July 26 ordination of Michal Zabrecky (third from left)

to the diaconate were, from left, Rev. Rafael Carballo, Archdiocese of Atlanta; Rev. Martin Pitstick, Diocese of Covington; Brian Cline, Diocese of Youngstown; Very Rev. Justin M. Matro, O.S.B., Seminary Rector; Michael Marcelli, Diocese of Youngstown, and Rev. Matthew Albright, Diocese of Youngstown. All pictured are either alumni or current students at Saint Vincent Seminary. (Martin Pitstick photo)

Father Thomas E. Kredel, C’68, S’72, has been named to replacement ministry, pro tem, with residence at Saint Athanasius Parish, West View, effective July 28.

Father Alvin J. Adams, C’63, S’67, has been named pastor, Ascension Parish, Ingram, for a six-year term, effective July 7. He maintains his responsibilities as chaplain at Bishop Canevin Catholic High School.

Father Dennis J. Bradley, S’76, has been named pastor of Saints Simon and Jude Parish, Scott Township, for a six-year term, effective July 7.

Father Richard J. Thompson, S’96, has been named pastor of Saint Ann Parish, Waynesburg, for a six-year term, effective July 7. He is also responsible for the Catholic students at Waynesburg University and the Catholic inmates at the Waynesburg County Jail.

Father Richard E. Ward, C’65, S65, has been named pastor of Saint Barbara Parish, Bridgeville, for a six-year term, effective July 7.

Father Kenneth R. White, S’68, has been named pastor of Saint Scholastica Parish, Aspinwall, for a six-year term, effective July 7.

Father Harry R. Bielewicz, V.F., S’86, has been appointed to a second six-year term as pastor of Saint Paul Parish, Butler, effective May 28. He maintains his responsibilities as pastor of Saint Wendelin Parish, Carbon Center, and dean of the Butler County Deanery.

Father Regis M. Farmer, C’68, S’73, has been appointed to a third six-year term as pastor of Saint Catherine of Sweden Parish, Hamptown Township/Wildwood, effective Wednesday, May 28.

Father William P. Feeney, V.F., C’68, S’72, has been appointed to a second six-year term as pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Washington, effective May 28. He maintains his responsibilities as dean of the Washington County West Deanery.

Father John M. Jordan, S’83, has been appointed to a second six-year term as pastor of Saint Blaise Parish, Midland, effective May 28.

Father James F. Murphy, C’66, S’70, has been appointed to a third six-year term as pastor of Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen Parish, Lyndora/Meridian, effective May 28.

Father Rudolph F. Smoley, S’69, has been appointed to a second six-year term as pastor of Saint Michael Parish, Elizabeth, effective May 28.

Father Garrett D. Dorsey, S’59, has retired as pastor of Saint Ursula Parish, Allison Park, in accordance with the provisions of canon law. He was appointed as administrator of

the same parish.Father John A. Geinzer, C’64, S68, has been

named parochial vicar of Saint John the Baptist Parish, Unity, effective July 7.

Father Joseph E. Sioli, C.O., S’96, has been appointed parochial vicar of Saint Frances Cabrini Parish, Center Township, effective July 7.

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Father Kenneth A. Sparks, S’93, has been appointed parochial vicar

at Saint Teresa of Avila Parish, Perrysville, effective July 7.

Father E. Daniel Sweeney, S’82, has been named parochial vicar of Saint Therese of Lisieux Parish, Munhall, and parochial vicar, Saint Maximilian Kolbe Parish, Homestead/Munhall, effective

July 28.Father Barry P. O’Leary,

S’07, has been named assistant chaplain to the Catholic inmates

and staff at the State Correctional Institution in Pittsburgh, effective July 7. He

maintains his responsibilities as parochial vicar at Saint Bernard Parish, Mount Lebanon.

Father Robert G. Duch, C’61, S’64, has retired. He most recently served as pastor of Saint Scholastica Parish, Aspinwall.

Father Thaddeus S. Maida, C’56, S’58, has retired. He most recently served as parochial vicar with the designation of senior priest at Holy Child Parish, Bridgeville.

* * * * *Msgr. John L. Conway, S’56, a retired

priest of the Diocese of Greensburg, received the Sampson Philanthropist of the Year Award from the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County in June. He was honored for his contributions to Mary Queen of Apostles School, New Kensington, and to the Bishop Anthony G. Bosco Center and Queen of Angels Catholic School, both in North Huntingdon.

* * * * *Deacon Daniel Langa of the Diocese of

Pittsburgh was among those who spoke to vocation candidates during an event held at Saint Paul Seminary, Crafton.

The biggest challenge he faced, he told Pittsburgh Catholic, was to be open to what God wants to do in our lives. “I trust this is where God is leading me. I have to be faithful in accepting that call.”

* * * * *Father Christopher Henyk, S’08, is the

newest priest in the Diocese of Youngstown. Bishop George Murry, S.J., ordained him to the priesthood on May 31. A native of Poland, Father Henyk arrived in the United States in 1994 knowing little English. Speaking German, Polish and Russian, he learned English within a few months.

He told The Catholic Exponent that the seeds of his vocation were planted very long ago in Poland. He remembered serving Mass as a young boy.

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“I liked how (priests) helped people and prayed with people. I saw how they were human beings, with other things to do besides celebrating Mass.” He felt called to serve in the United States where he was aware of the shortage of vocations. His diocese in Poland has 150 seminarians, and an average parish there has between five and six priests. “I’m not sure the priesthood itself would vary that much,” he explained when comparing the ministry in each country. “The biggest difference would not be ministerial or practical, but numbers.”

His parents and aunt traveled from Poland for his ordination.

Father Henyk will serve as parochial vicar at Saint Paul Parish, North Canton, effective Aug. 4.

* * * * *In the Diocese of Youngstown, Bishop

George V. Murry, S.J., has announced the following assignments:

Father Martin Celuch, S’02, associate pastor at Saint Nicholas Parish, Struthers, has been assigned to canon law studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Father Robert M. Miller, S’80, has been made parochial vicar of Saint Mary Parish, Massillon, effective Aug. 4.

* * * * *In the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown,

Bishop Joseph V. Adamec has made the following appointments:

Deacon Joseph Adams, O.S.B., of Saint Vincent Archabbey, to diaconal service at Saint Benedict Parish, Carrolltown, effective August 14.

Deacon Raphael Chinemere Onyeocha, S’08, was ordained to the diaconate on May 31 at The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona. He was ordained to the priesthood in October of 2008. A native of Nigeria, he has two uncles who are priests. He has been serving for the past year and a half at Saint Agnes Parish, Lock Haven, under the direction of Father Jozef Kovacik, S’97, pastor. He was appointed to diaconal service at the Cathedral Parish of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona, effective July 2.

Father Frantisek A. Halka, S’97, Army chaplain for the Military Archdiocese, has been granted indefinite leave to serve the spiritual needs of those in the armed forces.

Father Richard B. Tomkosky, S’98, parochial vicar at Saint Benedict Parish, Johnstown, was appointed parochial administrator of Immaculate Conception Parish in Lock Haven, as well as sacramental minister to Saint Joseph Parish in Renovo

RECENT DEATHS:

The following deaths were reported:

Rev. Thomas W. Devereux, O.S.B., P’50, C’55, S’59, on June 21, 2008.

Rev. Msgr. David L. Fisher, C’48, S’56, on June 13, 2008.

Rev. Msgr. Robert P. Garland, S’53, on June 26, 2008.

Rev. Robert A. Kohuch, C’62, S’66 on July 1, 2008.

Rev. Joseph C. Linck, S’94, on August 29, 2008.

Rev. Robert L. Mellott, S’63, on May 16, 2008.

Callistus W. Milan, P’46, C’51, S’54 on May 2, 2008.

Rev. Francis A. Nazimek, S’48, on July 30, 2008.

Rev. William P. O’Malley, C’66, S’70, on April 27, 2008.

Rev. Harry F. Petrie, C’42, S’45, on September 24, 2008.

Rev. Louis S. Sedlacko, P’35, C’40, S’, on September 24, 2008.

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Brazil OrdinationFather Alexandre Souza Silva de Moura a native of São Paulo, Brazil, was ordained to the priesthood for the

Archdiocese of Campinas on June 7 by Archbishop Bruno Gamberini. Attending the ordination from Saint Vincent Archabbey were (top left photo) Father Earl Henry, O.S.B., Prior, pictured with Archbishop Gamberini; and Rev. Aaron Buzzelli, O.S.B., assistant director of the Saint Vincent Archabbey Foreign Mission Office (seen with Father de Moura in the top right photo). At bottom, right, are current Saint Vincent Seminary students Jose Alexandre Missio, Archdiocese of Campinas; and Carlos Vargas, Archdiocese of Atlanta. In the bottom left photo, Father de Moura is pictured at left. He was one of four men ordained that day. Father de Moura received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Pontifical Catholic University at Campinas, São Paulo, in 2002. He earned both the Master of Divinity and Bachelor of Sacred Theology degrees from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2008. He also received the Honorable Judge Bernard F. Scherer Award, which is given to the student who exemplifies the qualitites evident in the life of Judge Scherer: breadth of learning, knowledge which allows one to integrate theology and the life of the People of God with academic areas; wisdom and the ability to see the interconnectedness of all life; the practice of corporal works of mercy; witness to faith and a hope-filled attitude.

(Photos by Brother Andre Melli, O.S.B.)

and the Catholic Community of Lock Haven University, effective July 2.

Monsignor Samuel J. Tomaselli, C55, S’59, has been granted retirement with senior priest status. He most recently served as pastor of Saint Peter Parish, Somerset.

* * * * *In the Diocese of Greensburg, Bishop

Lawrence E. Brandt, J.C.D., Ph.D., has made the following appointments:

Jerry Blair of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

Parish, Indiana; Daniel Frescura of Saint John Baptist de La Salle Parish, Delmont; and William Hisker of Our Lady of Grace Parish, Greensburg, were accepted to candidacy for the permanent diaconate on Aug. 24.

* * * * *In the Diocese of Erie, Bishop Donald

W. Trautman has made the following appointments:

Father John J. Detisch, V.F., S’87, reappointed pastor of Sacred Heart Parish,

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Erie, for a term of six years.Father Larry R. Richards, S’88,

reappointed pastor of Saint Joseph Parish/Bread of Life Community, Erie, for a term of six years.

Father Matthew J. Kujawinski, S’02, has been named pastor of Saint Bartholomew Parish, Sharpsville, for a six-year term, effective June 20.

Father Regis J. Meenihan, S’91, was appointed pastor of Saint

Columbkille Parish, Stoneboro, for a six-year term, effective June 13.

* * * * * Jubililarian alumni in the Diocese of

Pittsburgh marking fifty years in priesthood included Father Charles B. Bergman, C’54, S’58; Father William G. Blough, C’54, S’58; Father Richard J. Czapinski, C’54, S58; Father Joseph J. Dascenzo, C’54, S 58; Father Robert W. Herrmann, C’54, S 58 and Father Michael J. Polak, C’54 S 58.

Celebrating 25 years in the priesthood were Father John M. Bachkay, S’83; Father John M. Jordan, S’83; Father Thomas A. Wagner, S’83; Father Donald R. Bischof, S’83 and Father Gary W. Oehmler, S’83.

* * * * *Richard Robert Rossi, C’84, S’91, director

of orchestral and choral activities at Eastern Illinois University, received his Doctorate in Music from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign in conducting on May, 11, 2008.

* * * * *Ximena DeBroeck has joined the

Seminary staff as an academic tutor. She and her husband, Michael, reside in Greensburg. They are the parents of four children.

* * * * *Jason J. Keefer of Uniontown has joined

Campus Ministry of Saint Vincent College and the Seminary staff as coordinator of music and principal organist.

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Two Benedictines Ordained To Diaconate By Bishop BrandtTwo monks of Saint Vincent Archabbey were ordained to the diaconate on Saturday, August 9, by The Most Rev.

Lawrence E. Brandt, J.C.D., Ph.D., Bishop of Greensburg. Brother Benoit Alloggia, O.S.B., who is currently completing priesthood studies in Rome, and Brother Joseph Adams, O.S.B., who is studying at Saint Vincent Seminary, are from Noiseau, France, and Lusby, Maryland, respectively.

Brother Benoit is a 1986 graduate of St. Jean Baptiste de le Salle High School in France. He earned a degree in philosophy from Saint Thomas Pontifical University in Rome in 1991 and a degree in nursing in 1995 from the school of nursing in Rieti, Italy. He began graduate studies at Middlebury College in Vermont in 2003. He has also studied at Saint Vincent Seminary and currently attends The Angelicum, Saint Thomas University, Rome.

Brother Joseph attended Saint Catherine Laboure Parochial School in Wheaton, Maryland, and is a 1982 graduate of Wheaton High School. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in history from Saint Vincent College in 2001. In 2002 he began emergency medical technician and licensed practical nurse training at Bowman Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas. In 2003 he began studies in facilities management and electronics at Triangle Tech, Pittsburgh. He began studies at Saint Vincent Seminary in 2005. (Photos by Liz Cousins)

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Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

In this past fiscal year of 2007-08, Saint Vincent Seminary received a record amount of Planned Gifts from our donors. Planned Gifts, also called “Estate Gifts,” are built into a person’s estate plans so that he or she may leave a living legacy to a charity such as Saint Vincent. Thanks to the thoughtful generosity of several life-long friends this year, Saint Vincent Seminary was able to make several significant improvements to our dormitory space and our dining room.

In Leander Hall, our primary dormitory building for the seminarians, we were able to upgrade the heating system, repair the roof and gutters, and improve the outdoor space by re-pointing the bricks and re-surfacing the front steps and porch. The dining room also was improved with a new floor, ceiling, furniture and fresh paint. Both Leander Hall and the dining room were overdue for these necessary upgrades, and we are grateful to our planned givers for these improvements.

When you become a planned giver to Saint Vincent Seminary, you are automatically enrolled in the “Guardian Society.” We recognize our Guardian Society members in several ways including name recognition in this publication, an annual Mass and theatre event, and a special gift at Christmas. These are very small tokens of our sincere gratitude for helping us to make major improvements to the seminary.

If you are considering planned giving, please keep in mind that there are several alternatives from which to choose so that you and your family are protected from excess taxation. Saint Vincent Seminary can assist you in your estate planning process as we have a network of professionals with whom we can arrange a meeting for you and/or your family members.

Planned gifts can be a part of your will, but also may include charitable gift annuities, life insurance, 401k plans or other financial instruments. Gifts may take the form of cash, stock, real estate, art, however, the

latter gift categories should be reviewed by an appraiser to ensure that your tax benefit is maximized.

Saint Vincent Seminary is making tremendous strides; not only with our physical plant space, but also with our formation program, our recruiting of new vocations and our ability to assist the dioceses and abbeys that we serve through scholarship aid.

None of this would be possible without your contributions. As Churchill said, through your generosity, you are indeed “making a life.”

For further information about planned giving, you may contact Paul Whiteside at [email protected] or by calling (724) 532-6740. I will be pleased to explain the process and answer any questions you may have.

Planned Giving: A Gift Of a Lifetime

Paul R. WhitesideDirector of Development

Leander Hall RenovationsThe 2008-2009 Seminarian class expresses its gratitude for the generous

contributions of donors to the Leander Hall Campaign.

Special End OfYear Giving Opportunity!

As part of the recent Bailout Package signed into Law by President Bush last month, your ability to make charitable contributions from your retirement account has been extended.

Specifically, if you own an IRA or a 401K account, and you are age 70.5 or older, then you may contribute up to $100,000 from these accounts with absolutely no tax consequence. Under the previous regulation, you would have been required to withdraw the funds, (pay taxes on those funds), and then make the donation which you could claim as a deduction. With the new regulation, you simply make the contribution directly from your retirement account with no tax penalty, and you avoid the paperwork of tax deductions also. The new law has been extended through tax year 2009.

Saint Vincent Seminary300 Fraser Purchase Road

Latrobe, Pennsylvania 15650-2690

Address Service Requested

http://www.saintvincentseminary.edu724-537-4592

NON-PROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT NO. 110

Alumni Day 2008The 2008 Seminary Alumni Day Mass celebrant and homilist (top right photo and

below) was Msgr. Frederick P. Annie, V.E., Episcopal Vicar for Clergy and Religious for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia. At the banquet, held for the first time in the newly-dedicated Fred M. Rogers Center, Father Justin M. Matro, O.S.B., (at right in top photo), recognized alumni celebrating graduation anniversaries: Father Charles Bergman S’58, Father Joseph Dascenzo S’58, Father Robert Herrmann S58, Father Michael Polak S58, Father John Jordan S’83, Father Donald Bischof S’83 and Father Demetrius Dumm, O.S.B. S’48. Not pictured are Father Donald Raila, O.S.B. S’83, and Father Athanasius Cherry, O.S.B. S’68, At bottom right photo is Bishop Roger J. Foys of the Diocese of Covington, addressing those attending the banquet.

Documents

Leaven Fall 2008