leaven fall 2004

Chair of Biblical Theology and Liturgical Proclamation Established

Teaching Chapel Part of $1.5 Million RenovationThe John H. and Annette C.

Brownfield Center

Honoring Bishop Dattilo

Scott Hahn

Dattilo Family Tribute

Fall 2004

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Leaven Fall 2004 Volume 13, Number 1

is published by Saint Vincent Seminary, 300 Fraser Purchase Road

Latrobe, Pennsylvania 15650-2690724-537-4592, Fax: 724-532-5052

http://benedictine.stvincent.edu/seminary/

PublisherArchabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B.

RectorVery Rev. Kurt Belsole, O.S.B.

Vice Rector, Dean of Human Formation

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

Academic DeanRev. Cyprian G. Constantine, O.S.B.

Director of Spiritual FormationRev. Charles A. Byrd, Jr.

Director of Pastoral FormationRev. David T. Brzoska

Director of DevelopmentWilliam P. Malloy

Director of Seminary Public RelationsKimberley A. Metzgar

Alumni DirectorRev. Gilbert J. Burke, O.S.B.

Contributors:Chuck McGinnis

Sarah Yaple

Seminary Board of RegentsVery Rev. Kurt Belsole, O.S.B.Most Rev. Lawrence E. Brandt

Mr. Frank V. CahouetMost Rev. R. Daniel ConlonRev. Msgr. George R. CoyneRev. Msgr. Raymond G. East

Most Rev. Roger J. FoysRev. Thomas J. Kram

Hon. Maureen E. Lally-GreenRev. Msgr. Paul A. LenzDr. James V. Maher, Jr.Dr. John C. Marous, Jr.

Mr. Harry F. MurrayRt. Rev. Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B.

Most Rev. Bernard W. SchmittRev. Msgr. Robert J. SiffrinMost Rev. Donald W. Wuerl

Dear Friends, The 2004-2005 academic year opened with 21 new seminarians, three new

Master of Arts students, each of them unique in his/her response to God’s call in their life. Upon arrival, the new seminarians were greeted by an energetic and motivated orientation team, under the capable direction of Bill Barron, a seminarian of the Diocese of Erie and President of the Resident Forum.

The new life of the Seminary is also evident in a number of projects that the seminary has been planning for years and is now coming to fruition. First of all, the Pastoral Stewardship Program is well underway and has established itself as a solid component of our seminary formation. Secondly, the Chair of the Biblical Theology and Liturgical proclamation has been fully funded by the kind generosity of the Donahue and Magovern families, and Dr. Scott Hahn has been appointed to the Chair. Finally, the classroom building has been fully renovated and equipped with the most modern instructional technology.

We thank God, and we thank you for your sacrifi ces and generosity that have made all this possible.

Reward with Eternal Life, O Lord, all those who for your sake do good to us. Sincerely yours in Christ,

Very Rev. Kurt Belsole, O.S.B.Rector

Rector’s ColumnA New Year, New Blessings

Summer/Fall 2004 Volume 13, Number 1

On The Cover:Top left: Bishop Nicholas C. Dattilo’s brother and sisters join Archabbot Douglas in a trib-

ute honoring the late Bishop of Harrisburg, who was vice chairman of the Seminary Board of Regents. They are, from left, Rev. Lowell and Mrs. Leah (Dattilo) Meak, Mrs. Marge and Mr. Frank Dattilo, Mrs. Anita (Dattilo) D’Eramo, Mrs. Cornelia Dattilo and Mrs. Jacqueline Conti.

Middle left: Most Rev. Lawrence E. Brandt, Bishop of Greensburg; Mrs. Lucine Marous; Dr. John C. Marous, Jr., Chairman, Board of Regents; Kimberly Hahn; Dr. Scott Hahn; Mrs. Magovern; Dr. George Magovern, Sr., and Archabbot Douglas. The Magoverns and Mr. and Mrs. John F. Donahue (not pictured) continued their longstanding commitment to the forma-tion of priests with their donations to establish the Chair of Biblical Theology and Liturgical Proclamation at Saint Vincent Seminary.

Bottom left: Mrs. Annette C. Brownfi eld, a faithful supporter of the Seminary. The reno-vated Seminary classroom building will be renamed for Mrs. Brownfi eld and her husband, the late John H. Brownfi eld. A generous donation from Mrs. Brownfi eld helped fund the $1.5 million renovation.

Top right: A Memorial Scholarship was announced in memory of the late Bishop Nicholas C. Dattilo.

Middle right: Dr. Scott Hahn was named the inaugural chair of Biblical Theology and Litur-gical Proclamation.

Bottom right: Archabbot Douglas, Dr. Marous, Father Kurt and Dr. James Maher of the Seminary Board of Regents, which met in the new teaching chapel in The Brownfi eld Center.

Very Rev. Kurt Belsole, O.S.B.

Rector’s ColumnRector’s Column

Summer/Fall 2004 Volume 13, Number 1Summer/Fall 2004 Volume 13, Number 1

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Leaven, Fall 2004 Volume 13, Number 1

In This Issue . . . Alumni Day ............................... 18-19Commencement ..................... 20-21Degrees Awarded .................... 21-24Rev. Frank Pavone ........................ 25New Bishops ................................. 26Visiting the Sick ............................ 26Faculty News ................................ 27Seminary News & Notes ......... 28-32Medal ............................................. 30Hospital Chaplains ....................... 31Opening Day Mass ....................... 33Tribute Gifts .................................. 34Gift Annuities ................................ 35Pastoral Stewardship ................... 36

Rectorʼs Column ............................. 2Dr. Scott Hahn ................................. 3Seminary Wired ........................... 4-7New Students ............................... 8-9Answering the Call .................. 10-11Scholarship Dinner.......................11Farewell .................................... 12-14Fourth Year Mass .......................... 13Pastoral Formation ....................... 14Academic Dean ............................. 15Dr. Borres ................................. 15-16Seminary 2004-2005 ..................... 16Bishop Dattilo ............................... 17

Dr. Scott Hahn Appointed as the Inaugural Chair of Biblical Theology and Liturgical Proclamation

Saint Vincent Seminary has announced the appointment of noted author, speaker and professor, Dr. Scott Hahn, as the inau-gural Chair of Biblical Theology and Liturgi-cal Proclamation at Saint Vincent Seminary.

“One of the great needs in the Church today is effective preaching of the Word of God,” said Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., Chancellor. “To meet this need, this chair was established as a critical compo-nent of our Expanding the Vision Capital Campaign.

“Thanks to generous donations from Mr. and Mrs. John F. Donahue and Dr. and Mrs. George Magovern, Sr., the Chair of Bibli-cal Theology and Liturgical Proclamation at Saint Vincent Seminary has been estab-lished,” Archabbot Douglas said. “The Saint Vincent Seminary community expresses sincere gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Donahue and Dr. and Mrs. Magovern for their leader-ship within the Catholic Church and for their longstanding commitment to the formation of priests. Generations to come will benefit from their generosity.”

“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Hahn to our Seminary,” Board of Regents Chairman John C. Marous, Jr., said. “As anyone who has ever heard him speak or has read his many books or listened to one of his hun-dreds of tapes can tell you, Dr. Hahn has been blessed with the gift of bringing to life the teachings of our Catholic faith and how that faith is rooted in Sacred Scripture. We are grateful that he will be involved in help-ing future generations of priests to become more effective in preaching and teaching the Good News as a member of the faculty of Saint Vincent Seminary.”

“Dr. Hahn has a remarkable ability to draw from the Old and New Testaments and the Catholic theological and liturgical traditions, and communicate these in an integrated way to everyone who seeks to live the life of grace in all its fullness,” commented Very Rev. Kurt Belsole, O.S.B., Seminary Rector. Dr. Hahn’s appointment will be effective in 2005.

Dr. Hahn is a former Presbyterian minister and former Professor of Theology at Chesa-peake Theological Seminary. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree with a triple major in Theology, Philosophy and Economics from Grove City College in 1979, his Master of Divinity degree from Gordon-Conwell Theo-logical Seminary in 1982, and his Ph.D. in Biblical Theology from Marquette University in 1995. His intense study of scripture led to

his conversion to the Catholic faith in 1986.A native of Pittsburgh, Dr. Hahn serves

as a Professor of Theology and Scripture at Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he has taught since 1990. He also served as a visiting professor at Saint Vincent Semi-nary in 2000. He is the founder and director of the Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology. His latest book, Swear to God: The Promise and Power of the Sacraments was published by Doubleday in May 2004. A best selling author, other books from Dr. Hahn include Scripture Matters: Essays on Reading the Bible from the Heart of the Church (Emmaus Road, November 2003); Lord, Have Mercy: The Healing Power of Confession (Double-day, March 2003); First Comes Love: Find-ing your Family in the Church and the Trinity (Doubleday, May 2002); Hail Holy Queen: The Mother of God in the Word of God (Dou-bleday, April 2001); The Lamb’s Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth (November, 1999); A Father Who Keeps His Promises (Servant Publications, August 1997). In addition, he served as co- author (along with his wife, Kimberly) of Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism (Ignatius Press, 1993) and co-editor of Catholic for a Reason: Scripture and the Mystery of the Family of God (Emmaus Road, January 1998). Dr. Hahn has also written numerous articles and is editor of “Scripture Matters” as it appears in Envoy Magazine. An exceptionally popu-lar speaker and teacher, more than 500 of Dr. Hahn’s talks have been produced on audio and video tapes by St. Joseph Com-munications.

Other books from Dr. Hahn include Under-standing Our Father: Biblical Reflections on the Lord’s Prayer, 2002; Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: The Gospel of Luke, with Curtis Mitch, 2001; Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: The Gospel of Mark, with Curtis Mitch, 2001; Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: The Gospel of Matthew, with Curtis Mitch, 2000; and “Kin-ship by Covenant: A Biblical Theological Analysis of Covenant Types and Texts in the Old and New Testaments,” Ph.D. Diss, Mar-quette Univ., 1995.

Dr. Hahn is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature; Catholic Biblical Asso-ciation; Catholic Theological Society of America; Fellowship of Catholic Scholars; North American Patristic Society; Society of Catholic Social Scientists; and the Society of Christian Ethics. He and his wife Kimberly have six children.

Dr. Scott Hahn

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Extensive Renovation and Addition of Seminary Classroom BuildingCompleted Through the Generosity of Mrs. Annette Brownfield

While Mrs. Annette Brownfield’s gen-erosity toward Saint Vincent goes back several years, her relationship with Saint Vincent goes back much further. As a young girl, she would attend 5 a.m. Mass in the Basilica with her father. More recently, Annette and her late husband, John H. Brownfield, were parishioners of Saint Vincent and established close friendships with Archabbot Douglas, Father Martin Bartel, and many of the other monks. In addition to their interest in outdoor sports, Mr. and Mrs. Brownfield enjoyed attending events at Saint Vincent. They also shared a strong sense of community and a belief in the importance of education.

While Mr. Brownfield passed away seven years ago, Mrs. Brownfield contin-ues to pay tribute to her “wonderful hus-band” and the ideals that were important to both of them. Mrs. Brownfield was a generous contributor to the renovation of the Archabbey Basilica and has estab-lished a scholarship at Saint Vincent Col-lege.

Saint Vincent Seminary expresses sin-cere gratitude to Mrs. Brownfield for her faithful support and for her great love of the priesthood. The improvements made to the seminary classroom build-

ing, renamed the John and Annette Brownfield Center, will be a lasting tribute to the core ideals of Mr. and Mrs. Brownfield — Faith, Education and Com-munity.

Mrs. Annette and the late John Brownfield.

New Brownfield Center Wired with State-of-the-Art Technology

Technology has changed how many people do their jobs. Priests are no exception. When the men studying for the priest-hood arrived at Saint Vincent Seminary for the Fall 2004 semester, they found that the Seminary classroom building had undergone a dramatic transformation, including the addition of state of the art technology.

During the summer, the former Aquinas Hall underwent a sub-stantial renovation. If the renovation only included the new carpet and paint, the classroom reconfiguration, new electric and heat-ing, the addition of air conditioning, and wireless Internet access, the improvements would have been dramatic. But in addition to everything mentioned above, each classroom was also equipped with cutting edge technology that will facilitate teaching and learn-ing utilizing the most effective tools available today.

The centerpiece of the renovation was the construction of a teaching chapel. This hybrid of a classroom and a chapel includes a sanctuary, altar, presider’s chair and pulpit much like a typical chapel. It also includes desks and chairs like a typical classroom. In addition to the state of the art technology like the other classrooms, the new teaching chapel contains video equip-

Seminary classrooms are now wired for technology, with wire-less Internet access, and a technology closet where instructors can use computer, VHS, DVD and audio equipment situated in each room.

(Continued on Page 7)

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Seminary Welcomes 24 New Students Saint Vincent Seminary welcomed 20

new seminarians for the fall semester and one this past spring. They represent eight dioceses and archdioceses, two abbeys, one archabbey and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. There are also three new students in the master of arts program. The students are from many parts of the world, including the United States, Puerto Rico, Haiti, San Salvador, Poland, Slovakia, Brazil, France, Israel and India.

ARCHDIOCESE OF ATLANTARev. Mr. Rafael Carballo is the

son of Rafael Carballo of Caguas, Puerto Rico and María Arroyo. He is a 1980 graduate of Colegio Espíritu Santo, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. He earned a bachelor of science degree in agriculture from Kansas State Uni-versity, Manhattan, Kansas, in 1985. He was ordained as a permanent deacon, Feb-ruary 2, 2002.

Gilbert Exumé is 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, Tur-geau in 1999 and 2000, and philoso-phy and liberal arts at St. Joseph Semi-nary College, where

he earned a bachelor of arts degree in 2003.

Edgar Otero-Ruiz is the son of Ramonita Ruiz-Vargas of Barcelo-neta, Puerto Rico, and the late Sixto Otero. He graduated from Hogar Colegio La Milagrosa, Are-cibo, in 1996. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in liberal arts from Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Arecibo, and has studied the-ology at Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary.

Juan Francisco Anzora Rodas is the son of Juan Francisco Anzora San-

doval and Sonia Rodas de Anzora of Tonacafepeque, San Salvador. He is a 1994 graduate of Instituto Nacional de San Martin in San Salvador. He earned a degree from Saint Joseph Seminary College, Saint Bene-

dict, Louisiana, in fine arts and philosophy in 2004. ARCHDIOCESE OF CAMPINASAlexandre Moura is the son of Marcos

Augosto de Moura and Maria Terez-inha Souza E. Silva de Moura. He is a graduate of EEPSG Sud Mennucci High School in Piraci-caba, São Paulo, Brazil. He received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Pontifical Catholic University at Campinas, São Paulo, in 2002.

CONCEPTION ABBEYBr. Frowin W. Reed, O.S.B., is a

monk of Conception Abbey, Conception, MIssouri. He is the son of William R. Reed of Knoxville, Tennessee and the late Elizabeth L. Reed. He is a 1993 graduate of Farragut High School, Knox-ville. He earned a

bachelor of arts degree in liberal arts from Conception Seminary College, Missouri, in 2000 and a master of arts degree in theol-ogy in 2003 from St. John’s School of The-ology.DIOCESE OFALTOONA-

JOHNSTOWNMatthew B.

Baum is the son of James T. and Donna M. Baum of Altoona. He is a 2000 graduate of Bellwood-Antis

High School and earned a bachelor of arts degree in 2004 in philosophy and reli-gious studies from Saint Francis University, Loretto.

Slawomir Bystrzykowski is the son of Kazimierz and Wieslawa Bystrzykowski

of Rozalin, Poland. He studied philoso-phy and theology at the Major Seminary at Czestochowa, Poland, from 1996 to 2000. He also stud-ied systematic the-ology at Seton Hall University from 2002 to 2004.

DIOCESE OF ERIEJohn Paul

Kuzma is the son of Michael J. and Linda L. Kuzma of Erie. He is a 2000 graduate of Cathedral Prepa-ratory School, Erie, and earned a bach-elor of arts degree in philosophy from Gannon University in 2004.

ARCHDIOCESE OF ONITSHAJohn Mary U. Odinigwe is the son

of Julius O. and Maria E. Odinigwe of Enugwu-Ukwu, Anambra, Nigeria. He attended Holy Ghost Juniorate, Ihiala, Anambra, Nigeria, from 1990 to 1992 and gradu-ated from St. Mary’s

High School, Ifite-Dunu, Anambra, in 1995. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in phi-losophy from Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu, Nigeria, in 2003.

Hilary C. Okolo is the son of Michael and Benedeth Okolo of Ahor, Anambra, Nigeria. He is a 1997 graduate of All Hallows Seminary, Onitsha, Anambra, Nigeria. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy in 2003 from Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu, Nigeria.

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DIOCESE OF SAVANNAHNicholas C. Passero is the son of

Col. Stephen P. and Catherine E. Pas-sero of Clifton, Vir-ginia. He is a 1998 graduate of Alex-ander Patch Ameri-can High School, Stuttgart, Germany. He earned a bach-elor of arts degree in anthropology from

Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, in 2002.

DIOCESE OF STEUBENVILLEBradley W. Greer is the son of Larry

W. Greer of Lenoir, North Carolina, and Claudette I. Triplette of Simpsonville, South Carolina. He is a 1996 graduate of South Caldwell High School, Hudson, North Carolina. He studied English and history from both Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina, and North Carolina State University, Raleigh. He began at the seminary in the Spring 2004 semester.

Brian J. Engo is the son of Henry P. Engo of Shirley, New York and Ann Engo of Middle Vil-lage, New York. He is a 1989 graduate of William Floyd High School, Mastic Beach, New York. He earned a bach-elor of arts degree in philosophy from Franciscan Univer-

sity of Steubenville in 1998.DIOCESE OF YOUNGSTOWNChristopher Henyk is the son of

Edward and Janina Henyk of Trzcianka, Poland. He is a 1992 graduate of Stani-slaw Staszic High School, Trzcianka. He earned a bach-elor of arts degree in philosophy from Pontifical Theo-logical Academy, Krakow, in 1994,

and a master of arts degree in systematic theology from SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary.

M a t t h e w Imrich is the son of Peter and Anna Imrich of Presov, Slovakia. He is a 2001 graduate of

Gymnázium Sv. Moniky, Presov.

M i c h a e l Zábrecky is the son of Frantisek and Magdaléna Zábrecky of Siroké, Presov, Slovakia. He is a 2001 gradu-ate of Gymnázium Krompachy, Krom-pachy, Slovakia.

HAGIA MARIA SION ABBEYFather Johannes M. Oravecz,

O.S.B., is the son of Margita Oravcová of Tesmak, Sahy, Slo-vakia, and the late Ladislav Oravecz. He is a 1989 gradu-ate of Sou-E, Trnava High Scool, Trnava, Slovakia. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy in 2002 from Pon-tificio Ateneo Sant’

Anselmo, Rome, Italy.LATIN PATRIARCHATE OF

JERUSALEMSébastien H.

Renault is the son of Hubert H. Renault of Rennes, France and Daniéle B. Stoffels of Evreux, France. He is a 1996 graduate of Centre National d’Enseignement a Distance, Rennes, and has studied philosophy at Ecole Cathédrale de Paris.SAINT VINCENT ARCHABBEYBrother Linus T. Klucsarits, O.S.B.,

is the son of William and Alice Klucsarits of Allentown. He is a 1983 graduate of Allen-town Central Catholic. He earned a bach-elor of arts degree in philosophy from Saint Charles Seminary in 1987 and a master of

arts degree in sign language interpret-ing from Gallaudet University in 1990. He is certified with the Registry of Inter-preters for the Deaf.

Brother Mat-thias Martinez, O.S.B., is the son of Edelmiro Mar-

tinez, Jr., and Lynda C. Martinez of Ber-nardston, Massachusetts. He is a 1993 graduate of North-field Mt. Hermon High School. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy in 1999 from Saint John Seminary College, and has also stud-ied at Babson Col-lege and Saint John Seminary, Boston.

MASTER OF ARTS PROGRAMMaria T. Buoni is the daughter of Wil-

liam G. and Theresa M. Buoni of Columbus, Ohio. She is a 2000 graduate of Bishop Watterson High School, Columbus, and earned a bachelor of arts degree in English and theology from Saint Vincent College in 2004.

Sr. Jessiamma George is from the Sisters of Mary Immaculate, Greensburg, and a native of India. She is a 1980 gradu-ate of St. George’s High School, K u l a t h u v a y a l , Kerala, India. She earned a bachelor’s degree in 1986 from the University of Calicut, Tenjipalam, Kerala, India, and a diploma in theology from Scuola di Teologia, Udine, in 1997.

Katrina M. Wojtunik is a 2000 gradu-ate of Seton La Salle High School, Pitts-burgh, and a 2004 graduate of Saint Vincent

College, Latrobe, where she studied religious educa-tion and Catholic theology. She is an assistant in campus ministry at Saint Vin-cent College.

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By Chuck MoodyPittsburgh Catholic

As a volunteer firefighter, Stephen Kresak answered numerous calls to battle blazes and help people in his home community of Stowe Township in suburban Pittsburgh.

Kresak decided to answer a higher calling when he entered the seminary to become a priest.

“I guess having been a firefighter for over 15 years, hearing the call of the siren at anytime day or night, and responding without knowing what I was getting into, may have been part of God’s plan for me,” Kresak said. “After a while you learn to trust your life with the firefighters you work and train with, and you build the courage to do the very thing you are called out to do, pro-tect the lives and property of people in my community.

“In a unique way my experience as a firefighter has enabled me to respond to a higher call, the call of God. I train with my brother seminarians, trusting my life to the church in hopes to someday soon serve the people in the local church community of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.”

Kresak, 35, is a member of St. John of God Parish in McKees Rocks. He gradu-ated from Duquesne University/St. Paul Seminary, and he is in his fourth year of theology studies at Saint Vincent Semi-nary in Latrobe. Kresak is scheduled to be ordained to the priesthood in 2005.

“I have always admired firefighters for the selfless risks they take in order to help their fellow citizens,” he said. “As a child, I was frightened of the local fire siren, but as I got older I learned what it meant and I would say a prayer for the firefighters that left their homes to fight the fires.”

As a teenager, Kresak said he had two local “heroes” he would always watch at fires.

“I was at a fire two buildings away from my own home watching them when I thought, ‘When I’m old enough, I want to be like them,’” he said. “They are Martin Jacobs, the chief of the West Park Volunteer Co., and Joe Girimonti, one of the firefighters.

“When I turned 18, my brother-in-law, also a firefighter, invited me to help out at the fire company’s street fair, and I was hooked.”

Kresak has been an active member since

1988, and he continues to answer fire calls when he is home or in town.

“I have held a variety of positions in the company such as secretary of the Stowe Township Firefighter’s Relief Association, secretary of the West Park Independent Fire Co., assistant engineer, chief engineer and lieutenant up until I entered the semi-nary,” he said. “I am currently the chaplain and (an) active firefighter.”

In addition to fighting fires and respond-ing to vehicle accidents for rescue proce-dures, the West Park Volunteer Fire Co. is also called to serve the community in times of severe weather by pumping water from flooded basements, cutting and moving fallen trees, and occasionally even rescuing pets that have gotten themselves in precari-ous situations.

“As a firefighter you hear the call of the siren and you respond,” Kresak said. “You go without question, not knowing what lies ahead when you get there. You hear the call and you go trusting that God will pro-tect you.” Kresak remembers the “feeling of terror” he had the evening he was to tell the members of his fire department he was stepping down as an officer because he was entering the seminary.

“For some reason, I expected a great deal of heckling and snide comments, but much to my surprise there was not a single

negative comment,” he said. “Everyone was very supportive and interested in what I was doing. A few of the guys even commented that my decision didn’t surprise them.

“From that night on the members of the department have been, and continue to be, supportive, curious, but, most importantly, themselves. When I respond to a fire call, my brother firefighters still treat me as one of the guys, something that is important to me. I have learned a lot from so many of them because of their willingness to share their lives with me in both good times and tough times.”

Kresak’s parents, Andrew and Marie, have been married 56 years. He is the youngest of five children, with three sisters and a deceased brother. Kresak held a vari-ety of jobs before he entered the seminary, including in the health insurance business, which he feels helped to prepare him for the seminary.

“I worked on medical claims of the people who worked for the Pepsi Corp. all over the world and spoke to many of them over the telephone,” he said. “I got to know many of them in a very special way because I would try to help them during some of their most difficult times of life, dealing with cata-strophic illnesses and the medical claims that accompany them. I feel I was blessed in a special way by having opportunities to listen to so many personal struggles with health care issues. Their stories helped me to see life issues in a whole different way.”

Kresak used to think playing priest as a child was “neat” and “cool.” “I used to sit at Mass and think about how cool it would be to be like Father at the altar with those cool colored ‘capes,’ almost like Batman’s cool cape,” he said. “Fortunately, I grew out of that but never gave the idea of priesthood much more thought until the mid-’90s.”

Kresak is a product of a reorganized parish that went from six parishes into one.

“The parish struggled a lot in the beginning, and I was approached to help teach cate-chism classes,” he said. “When I accepted, I found myself getting more and more involved in the new parish and liking it.

“I began to do a lot of work at St. Mary’s Church building in the parish and spent

Answering The Call More Than Just A Vocation For Firefighting Seminarian

Stephen A. KresakDiocese of Pittsburgh


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many late hours there in the silence. I even sat in the tower clock on occasion until three and four in the morning trying to figure out how the clock’s mechanism was supposed to work so I could fix it. Eventually, I did and the clock is still keeping time.

“My mother always reminds me of the night I arrived home late after working at the church. When I sat down, she said to me in a joking kind of way, ‘You better watch, you’ve been spending so much time in the church the priests are going to try and get you to become a priest.’ My immediate response to her was, ‘No way will that ever happen.’ Well, here I am in fourth (year) theology, called to the order of deacon.”

As he spent more time in the parish and the church, Kresak began to meet and make friends with people from his hometown who he didn’t know before the parishes came together.

“Seeing how so many of them began working together as a new parish and on occasion having some of them ask me

Answering The Call (Continued from Page 10)

about the priesthood is what inspired me the most,” he said. “My time spent in the silence of the church while working on dif-ferent things is what enabled me to listen to and hear what God was asking of me.

“My desire to want to help others the way I did in my job and in my parish greatly influ-enced my decision to leave my career and enter the seminary. I enjoy helping others and working to better the community.”

Kresak said there are many aspects of the priesthood that appeal to him and to which he looks forward.

“The one I feel will be the most significant blessing and privilege is when I will be able to offer the holy sacrifice of the Mass for the people of God in the Diocese of Pittsburgh,” he said. “I also look forward to having the privilege of bringing people to the sacra-ments and the sacraments to the people.”

Kresak joined the volunteer fire depart-ment at Saint Vincent during his first year at the seminary.

“I’m not as active as I would like to be

because of my responsibilities as a semi-narian, but I am always ready to help with any real fires should they occur.”

Kresak’s interning assignment pastor, Father Bob Miller, “has been a blessing to me because he is so easy to talk to about anything that is on my mind.”

“Father Bob is not afraid to let me know when I am wrong or off the mark, and I appreciate his honesty,” he said. “I spent my first summer with him in New Castle (Neshannock Township) at St. Camillus Parish and, when he transferred at the end of the summer, I moved with him. I am cur-rently doing my internship with him at St. Pius X in Brookline.

“The transition has been a good experi-ence for me because I was blessed to be a part of two different parishes with such a great mentor.

“I realize that the priesthood is a lot like fire-fighting — when you get the call you just go. You respond, trusting that God will take care of you.”

Scholarship Dinner SpeakerVery Rev. Donald P. Breier, Rector of Saint Paul Cathedral and Pastor of the Cathedral Parish, served as the speaker and honoree

at the annual Saint Vincent Seminary Scholarship Fund Dinner at the Churchill Valley Country Club in April. A 1968 graduate of Saint Vincent Seminary, he was ordained by Cardinal Wright in 1969. He served at St. George in Pittsburgh, St. Michael in Pittsburgh and St. Anne’s in Castle Shannon, before beginning his present assignment. In addition to his parish work, Father Breier has also served as the Director of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Pittsburgh, a professor at the Duquesne University Graduate School of Religious Education, an active supporter of the youth and family counseling work of the Whale’s Tale, and as a mission representative to the Archdiocese of Cape Town in South Africa.

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Sr. Cecilia Murphy, R.S.M., who served as Academic Dean and Director of Field Edu-cation for the Seminary, was recognized for her contributions at the Seminary’s annual Alumni Day Mass and Banquet on October 5. Presenting Sr. Cecilia with an honorary doctorate were Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., Chancellor; Father Cyprian G. Constantine, O.S.B., Academic Dean; and Very Rev. Kurt Belsole, O.S.B., Rector.

Seminary Bids Farewell To Sr. Cecilia Murphy

Very Rev. Kurt Belsole, O.S.B., and Sr. Cecilia, admire the plaque given to Sr. Cecilia by the Saint Vincent Seminary Student Association during a farewell party held in Placid Hall. Her new address is Convent of Mercy, 3333 Fifth Avenue, Pitts-burgh, PA 15213. Her e-mail is [email protected].

Sr. Cecilia Murphy, R.S.M., who served as Academic Dean and Director of Field Educa-tion for the Seminary over a span of 20 years, visited with Father Paulinus J. Selle, O.S.B., who taught at the Seminary for 57 consecutive years, during one of several farewell par-ties held on campus for her.

When the Fall 2004 semester started, returning students missed the presence of Sister Cecilia Murphy, R.S.M., who served the Seminary for more than 20 years as both Academic Dean and Director of Field Educa-tion. In the spring Sister Cecilia was elected Vice President of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Pittsburgh Regional Community, and has moved to Pittsburgh, where the Community’s Motherhouse is located.

As vice president of her community, she will work closely with many of its members, and will be heavily involved in the initial for-mation process. She will serve as a board member at Carlow University in Pittsburgh, as well as Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lau-derdale, Florida.

Sister Cecilia is a member of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Pittsburgh Regional Community. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in history from Carlow College, and master of arts degree in Religious Studies from Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart and a doctor-ate in Historical Theology from Saint Louis University. She also studied at The Catholic University of Louvain and The Catholic Uni-versity of America. In addition to teaching at the elementary, secondary and college levels, Sister Cecilia served as President of the Pittsburgh Sisters of Mercy from 1974-1982 and also worked in the formation pro-grams of her community for several years. She has been a member of the boards of

Mercy Hospital, Carlow University in Pitts-burgh and Holy Cross Hospital and has also served on the executive committees of these institutions.

Sister Cecilia began her work at Saint

Vincent Seminary in 1982 and was Academic Dean there from 1982 to 1985. She subse-quently engaged in an internship in spiritual


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Fourth Year MassRev. Mr. Sean Francis, a seminarian from the Diocese of Pittsburgh, assisted Very Rev.

Kurt Belsole, O.S.B., as Deacon during the Fourth Year Recognition Mass and Dinner held this spring. Father William J. Fay, a Pittsburgh diocesan priest who served as an associate professor in the Seminary, was the homilist.

direction and worked in the Jesuit Retreat Center in Wernersville, Pennsylvania, and the Bon Secours Spiritual Center in Mar-riottsville, Maryland. Sister Cecilia returned to Saint Vincent in 1987 to become Director of Field Education, an office which she held for seven years until her appointment as Academic Dean in 1994, serving in that role until June of 2004. In 1993, she received the Nova et Vetera Award from Saint Vincent Seminary in recognition of her outstand-ing and creative service to the Seminary. Sister Cecilia has chaired two self-studies for Saint Vincent Seminary, was a member of five Association of Theological Schools (ATS) visiting committees and has chaired two accreditation visits for the Pennsylvania Department of Education. In May of 2002, she was elected to a two-year term as Vice Chairperson of the Commission on Accred-iting for the ATS of the United States and Canada. In June of 2004, she was elected Chairperson of the same Commission.

Sister Cecilia has also received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Award through the Diocese of Greensburg in recognition of her

service to the Church and the papacy and the Carlow College Distinguished Alumna Award in 1981 for service to the Church and in 1995 for service to education.

Over the years she has seen many changes, from location moves to societal trends.

When she began the Seminary offices were housed in Wimmer Hall. The offices then moved to the third floor of the Elizabeth J. Roderick Center when the college needed Wimmer Hall when it became coeducational in 1983. Construction and renovation of the Roderick Center was completed in 1996, when the administrative offices moved to the first floor.

In 1995 the admissions committee began accepting international students, and now students from all over the world attend Saint Vincent Seminary, including students from Israel, Poland, Slovakia, Nigeria, Vietnam and Central and South America this year.

Another change has been second career vocations, she noted.

“In the last two years, there has also been a growing population of lay people interested

in the master of arts program, and that’s a trend I believe will continue,” she said. One of the best parts of working with students has been “seeing them grow and mature, gain in self-confidence and become more and more oriented to serving the church,” Sister Cecilia said.

“One of the greatest contributions of Sister Cecilia to our Seminary has been her strong womanly presence and silent, firm faith,” said Father Thomas P. Acklin, O.S.B., Professor of Theology and a former Rector of the Seminary. “During my years as rector, she was my closest and most trusted col-laborator. She always had her eyes on the details, but in a way that kept everything in perspective. She did her best to keep me on time, and on schedule. I spontaneously con-fided everything to her, and always trusted her judgment.”

“I would like to express my heartfelt grati-tude to Sister Cecilia, who has served the Seminary so faithfully and so well for 20 years in her service as Academic Dean and Director of Field Education,” said Father Kurt Belsole, O.S.B., Seminary Rector.

Seminary Bids Farewell To Sister Cecilia Murphy(Continued from Page 12)


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She also has strong ties to the Latrobe area. Although her family belonged to Holy Family Parish, which is in downtown Latrobe, she has many ties to Saint Vincent. Her mother was baptized in the old Archabbey Church in 1895, and made her first commu-nion and confirmation in the present Basilica in 1908. Two brothers graduated from Saint Vincent Preparatory School, and one from the College. Her late sister, Sister Perpetua Murphy, S.C., served as financial analyst for the Seminary, a brother and sister are members of Saint Vincent Parish, and her parents are buried at Saint Vincent.

“I will miss this place and its people,” she said during one of several end-of-year events honoring her service.

Sister Cecilia’s role will be capably filled by Father Cyprian G. Constantine, O.S.B., who served as Acting Academic Dean during Sister’s sabbatical in 2001. He said he hopes to build on his past experience teaching in both the Seminary and College, and working in the College administration. “The Dean’s job is to be part of the team which helps prepare students for the ministry as priests. That is what I enjoy the most — helping them

in various aspects of that preparation.”And, he added, “following someone who

has been doing such a phenomenal job is an honor.”

In other administrative changes, Father William J. Fay, Associate Professor of Sacred Scripture and a former Vice Rector of the Seminary; and Father Kevin Dominik, Dean

Farewell, Other Administrative Changes(Continued from Page 13)

Father Kevin J. Dominik

of Students, ended their terms of service. Both Pittsburgh diocesan priests have been appointed pastors within the diocese. Father Fay, C’61, S’65, is pastor of Saint Germaine Parish, Bethel Park, while Father Dominik, S’88, is pastor of Saint Winifred Parish, Mount Lebanon.

“Father Fay displays a genuine love of the Scriptures,” said longtime colleague Father Demetrius Dumm, O.S.B. “He seems to be enchanted by the biblical story and he has delighted in leading his students into that world of both serious challenge and joyful discovery. His influence on his students will certainly be both profound and enduring.”

“As I have traveled around the country speaking to groups of priests and offering retreats to them, I have reached the con-clusion that Father Fay has taught almost every priest in the United States,” Father Tom Acklin stated. “And they all have the same comment, ‘He is the best teacher I have ever had.’”

Father Kurt commented, “The Seminary is grateful to have benefited from the time and talents of Father Fay and Father Dominik during their tenures at the Seminary, and we wish them well in their new assignments.”

J.C.D., Bishop of Charlotte, NC, Father David Brzoska has been named Director of Pastoral Formation and Director of Hispanic Ministries at Saint Vincent Seminary.

Father Brzoska had been the pastor of two western North Carolina parishes, Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish in Mars Hill and Sacred Heart Church in Burnsville. Both parishes included significant Hispanic communities. He was ordained on June 3, 2000, after earning a master of arts degree in theology with a concentration in Sacred Scripture in 1999 and a master of divinity degree in 2000 from Saint Vincent Semi-nary. He was a recipient of the Honorable Judge Bernard F. Scherer Award from the Seminary in 1999. In 1983 he received a bachelor of science degree in biochemistry from Penn State. He is a 1980 graduate of Spring Ford Senior High School.

Father Brzoska said he is ”excited to join

the staff at Saint Vincent Seminary and to be directly involved in the priestly formation of the seminarians. I had a very enriching seminary experience at Saint Vincent and hope to contribute to the similar experience of those currently in formation. I believe that an important role in the formation of future priests is their gaining practical pas-toral experience and their implementing this along with their learning into their priestly and pastoral identity. Many dioceses such as Charlotte, are experiencing rapid growth in Hispanic Catholics which poses a great pastoral challenge. One challenge is to be able to minister to their particular needs and situation and find ways to integrate this community into the existing communities. Therefore, Pastoral Formation in Hispanic Ministry is a great necessity.“

He is the son of Alice and Bernard Brzoska of Phoenixville, Pa.

Rev. David Brzoska

Pastoral Formation, Hispanic Ministries Director NamedHaving been released to serve at Saint

Vincent Seminary by Bishop Peter Jugis,

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Father Cyprian G. Constantine, O.S.B., chairman of the Fine Arts Department at Saint Vincent College, has been named Academic Dean of Saint Vincent Seminary. He previously served as acting Academic Dean in 2001, and continues as choir direc-tor for the Seminary, a position he has held since 2003.

He is a native of Boulder, Colorado, where he began the study of piano and violin at an early age.

Father Cyprian earned the bachelor of music education degree in 1971 at the Uni-versity of Colorado, where he studied violin with Oswald Lehnert and organ with Don Vollstedt. He then entered Saint Vincent Archabbey, where he professed his final vows as a Benedictine in 1975. He earned the master of divinity degree from Saint Vin-cent Seminary in 1976 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1977. Father Cyprian received the master of music degree from Northwestern University in 1979, where he studied organ with Wolfgang Rübsam. Later, he returned to the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he received the doctor of musical arts degree in organ in 1992. While a doctoral student at Colorado University, Father Cyprian was organist/director of music at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Denver, and served as organist/choirmas-ter and parochial vicar for Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Boulder.

He has served in a variety of posts: Direc-tor of Music for Blessed Sacrament Cathe-dral in Greensburg; instructor in music for Saint Vincent College and Seminary; Asso-ciate Director of Admissions and Financial Aid and Assistant Director of the Opportu-nity Program at Saint Vincent College. He directed the Saint Vincent Camerata for six years. The Camerata is a group specializing in the performance of Medieval and Renais-sance vocal and instrumental music.

In 1982 he was chosen by the Benedictine Musicians of the Americas to participate in a study-tour of current liturgical music prac-tices in European Benedictine houses. In 1985 he received a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities for summer research in Gregorian chant at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. The result of his study was Matins at Cluny for the Feast of Saint Peter in Chains, a reconstruction of the service from an 11th century Cluniac manuscript. This reconstruction was pub-lished by the Plainsong and Medieval Soci-

of the local chapter of the National Associa-tion of Pastoral Musicians (NPM). He also served as an organizer and clinician at the national conventions of the NPM and the American Guild of Organists in Denver.

Father Cyprian has appeared many times as organ recitalist in the Saint Vin-cent College concert series, and in other series around the country: Trinity Episco-pal Cathedral, Pittsburgh; Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Harrisburg; the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washing-ton, D.C.; Whatley Chapel at the Univer-sity of Denver; St. Paul’s and Our Savior’s Lutheran churches; Trinity Methodist and First Baptist churches in Denver; as dedi-catory recitalist in Covington, Kentucky, and Baltimore, Maryland. In the summer of 2000 he returned to Rome, Italy to per-form in a concert series in the Basilica at Sant’ Anselmo. He has remained active as an organ recitalist, performing again at the Cathedral-Basilica in Denver, at Saint Benedict’s Church in Baltimore, and at Trin-ity Lutheran Church in Latrobe.

Having returned to Saint Vincent Arch-abbey in 1998, Father Cyprian was named principal organist, director of the Archabbey Schola, monastery Choirmaster and instruc-tor in music for the monastery novices, and Assistant Professor of Fine Arts.

ety of London.In 1990 Father Cyprian was invited to

serve as Secretary to the Abbot Primate of the Benedictine Order, headquartered at the Collegio di Sant’ Anselmo, Rome, Italy. He was on loan to the Archdiocese of Denver from 1993 to 1998. There he was principal organist and associate director of music of the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, chaplain of the Benedictine Abbey of Saint Walburga, and director of liturgy for the Archdiocese of Denver. He also served on the Music Commission of the Archdiocese and was one of the organizers

Father Cyprian Constantine Appointed Academic Dean

Rev. Cyprian G. Constantine, O.S.B.

Dr. Kathleen Borres Appointed To Regular Faculty

Dr. Kathleen P. Borres of Pittsburgh, a member of the adjunct faculty at Saint Vincent Seminary since 2002, has been appointed to the regular faculty and in the fall semester will be teaching Biblical Christology and a Master of Arts Seminar in Sacred Scripture entitled “Suffering, Rec-onciliation, and Forgiveness.”

Dr. Borres earned her doctorate in sys-tematic theology from Duquesne Univer-sity, Pittsburgh, in 2000. In her dissertation, “Hope, Hermeneutics and the Christian Experience of Death: Illustrations from a History of Exegesis,” she surveyed the homiletic, pastoral and pedagogical works of eleven pastors and theologians of differ-ent periods, cultures and denominations.

Dr. Kathleen P. Borres(Continued on Page 16)

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Saint Vincent Seminary 2004-2005Seminarians represent fifteen archdioceses and dioceses and ten monasteries. Front, from left, Father David Brzoska, Director of

Pastoral Formation and Hispanic Ministries; Father Justin Matro, O.S.B., Vice Rector; Father Kurt Belsole, O.S.B., Rector; Father Cyprian Constantine, O.S.B., Academic Dean; Father Charles Byrd, Director of Spiritual Formation.

Seocnd row, from left, Br. Michael Gabler, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Archabbey; John Paul Kuzma, Diocese of Erie; Bradley Greer, Diocese of Steubenville; Matthew McTeague, Diocese of Steubenville; Br. Frowin Reed, O.S.B., Conception Abbey; Stephen McGinnis, Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston; Mark Van Alstine, Diocese of Savannah; Christopher Turner, Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston; Charles Ugo, Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown; Joe Carr, Diocese of Pittsburgh; Br. Peter Rayappan, O.S.B., Asirvanam Monastery.

Third row, from left, Br. Maurus Mount, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Archabbey; Alejandro Ayala, Diocese of Charlotte; Aron Maghsoudi, Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown; Joseph Dougherty, Diocese of Erie; Br. Fernando Lanas, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Archabbey; Luis Fon-seca, Diocese of Savannah; Timothy Marcoe, Diocese of Harrisburg; Steven Neff, Diocese of Pittsburgh; Father Anthony Pham; Father Johannes Oravecz, O.S.B., Dormition Abbey; Gilbert Exume, Archdiocese of Atlanta.

Fourth row, from left, Br. Stephen Patrizio, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Archabbey; Rafael Carballo, Archdiocese of Atlanta; Fredy Angel, Dio-cese of Savannah; Neil Herlihy, Archdiocese of Atlanta; Slawomir Bystrzykowski, Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown; Matthew Baum, Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown; Br. Mark Purcell, O.S.B., Mary Mother of the Church Abbey; Alan Polczynski, Diocese of Greensburg; Charles McGinnis, Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston; Alexandre Moura, Archdiocese of Campinas; Matthew Imrich, Diocese of Youngstown; Barry O’Leary, Diocese of Pittsburgh.

Fifth row, from left, Br. Shawn Anderson, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Archabbey; Seth Wymer, Diocese of Steubenville; Br. Juan Ortiz, C.O., The Pharr Oratory; William Barron, Diocese of Erie; Stephen Pontzer, Diocese of Savannah; John Mulcahy, Diocese of Wheel-ing-Charleston; Brian Engo, Diocese of Steubenville; Chidi Osondu, Diocese of Savannah; Michael Zabrecky, Diocese of Youngstown; Matthew Albright, Diocese of Youngstown.

Sixth row, from left, James Campbell, Diocese of Erie; Douglas Ondeck, Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston; William Dorner, Diocese of Pittsburgh; Stephen Kresak, Diocese of Pittsburgh; Br. Patrick Egan, Saint Bernard Abbey; Mark Gallipeau, Diocese of Wheeling-Charles-ton; John Mary Odinigwe, Diocese of Onitsha; Edgar Otero, Archdiocese of Atlanta; Timothy Kruthaupt, Diocese of Greensburg; Martin Pitstick, Diocese of Covington; Hilary Okolo, Diocese of Onitsha; Br. Matthias Martinez, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Archabbey; Sébastien Renault, Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem; Juan Anzora, Archdiocese of Atlanta; Br. Marion Charboneau, O.S.B., Saint Benedict Abbey; Christopher Henyk, Diocese of Youngstown; Br. Paul Paproski, O.S.B., Saint Peter’s Abbey; Nicholas Passero, Diocese of Savannah; Br. Linus Klucsarits, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Archabbey.

from Plymouth State College, Plymouth, New Hampshire, in 1987; and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of Massachusetts, in 1980. Her work experience included fifteen years in the computer and publishing industries, eleven of which were with Digital Equip-ment Corporation where she was involved in sales and marketing, writing, editing and publishing, and teaching.

She sought to learn what these authors of the Patristic, Medieval, Reformation and Post-reformation eras can contribute to our contemporary understanding of certain bib-lical texts, specifically, Luke 16:19-31, John 11:1-44 and 1 Cor. 3:10-15.

In addition to this work, she has published sermon reviews and other biblical reflec-tions in Lectionary Homiletics and Preach-ing Great Texts and has written a number

Dr. Borres Appointed To Regular Faculty(Continued from Page 15) of reflections for her parish, Saint John

Neumann, Pittsburgh. She has also served her parish as a cantor, teacher and Eucha-ristic minister and has taught at Duquesne University (1999-2004) and Mount Aloysius College (2001-2002).

Prior to moving to Pittsburgh for her doc-toral work, Dr. Borres had earned a Master of Arts in Religious Studies from Ashland Theological Seminary, Ashland, Ohio, in 1993; a Master of Business Administration

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Saint Vincent Seminary announced the establishment of a scholarship in honor of the late Bishop Nicholas C. Dattilo of the Diocese of Harrisburg on October 5, 2004. The Seminary initiated the funding with a commitment of $25,000.

Most Reverend Nicholas C. Dattilo, Eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Harris-burg, died March 5, 2004. Bishop Dattilo was a dear friend and strong supporter of Saint Vincent Seminary. He was a member of the Seminary’s Board of Regents for a decade, serving as its vice chairman since 1998. “He was a good, holy man, a com-passionate man, a kind man,” said Most Rev. Anthony G. Bosco, Bishop Emeritus of Greensburg. Bishop Bosco, who had known Bishop Dattilo since they were seminarians and worked with him for many years in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, was the homilist at the funeral mass.

Bishop Dattilo was a 1954 graduate of Saint Vincent College and attended Saint Vincent Seminary before completing his studies for ordination to the priesthood at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Phil-adelphia. He played an active role on the Board of Regents and was vice chairman of the Seminary’s current Expanding the Vision Capital Campaign. He was the hom-ilist and keynote speaker at the Seminary’s Annual Alumni Day Mass and Banquet in 1999, and a frequent visitor to the Archab-bey, College and Seminary.

Bishop Dattilo was the spiritual leader of 235,000 Catholics in the Diocese of Harris-burg for fourteen years. As bishop he over-saw 89 parishes and 135 active priests. He loved the people and priests of the Diocese

Scholarship To Honor Bishop Nicholas C. Dattilo

Archabbot Douglas, Bishop Dattilo and Board of Regents Chairman John Marous, 1997

of Harrisburg and felt deeply honored to serve them as their Bishop. He was presi-dent of the Pennsylvania Catholic Confer-ence and a member of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Priestly Formation Committee.

Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt of Greens-burg worked closely with Bishop Dattilo on the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, the

bishops’ public affairs arm. “He was beloved as a pastor and a bishop

and he was a wonderful influence on the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference,” Bishop Brandt said.

According to the Most Reverend Donald W. Wuerl, Bishop of Pittsburgh, “Bishop Dattilo served the Diocese of Pittsburgh faithfully in various parishes and adminis-trative positions from his ordination in 1958 until his appointment as Bishop of Harris-burg in 1989. His outstanding pastoral and administrative skills were exceeded only by his great love of God and the Church. “

Bishop Dattilo’s family joined in the Sem-inary’s tribute to his life and his service to the Church. Family was a core value in the Bishop’s life. He frequently acknowledged the great blessing he experienced as the son of wonderful parents, Frank and Emma Dattilo, and as a sibling to his brother Frank Dattilo and to his sisters, Anita D’Eramo, Jacqueline Conti, Cornelia Dattilo and Leah Meek. The bishop also enjoyed a wonderful relationship and played an important role in the lives of his nieces and nephews.

For more information on the scholarship contact Bill Malloy in the Seminary Devel-opment office, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650-2690, 724-532-6740 or [email protected].

Bishop Dattilo in Rome with Bishop Donald W. Wuerl of Pittsburgh and His Holiness Pope John Paul II.

Alumni Day Mass and Banquet 2004

Clockwise, from top left: Very Rev. Kurt Belsole, O.S.B., reads the citation honoring Sr. Cecilia Murphy during the annual Alumni Day Mass and Banquet; members of the Dattilo family who attended the banquet; Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt of the Diocese of Greensburg reads the homily written by William Cardinal Keeler reflecting on the life of Bishop Dattilo; Bishop Joseph V. Adamec of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown gave the invocation; Bishop R. Daniel Conlon of the Diocese of Steubenville gave the Benediction; Dr. Scott Hahn accepts his appointment to the Chair of Biblical Theology and Liturgical Proclamation; Bishop Brandt, Dr. and Mrs. Marous, Dr. and Mrs. Hahn, Dr. and Mrs. Magovern and Archabbot Douglas; Kimberly and Scott Hahn listen to the tribute to Bishop Nicholas C. Dattilo during the Alumni Day Banquet; members of the Dattilo family present the gifts to Bishop Lawrence Brandt during the Liturgy of the Eucharist at the Mass.

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By Jerry Zufelt Managing EditorThe Catholic Accent

A White House official urged graduates of Saint Vincent Seminary to use the exam-ple of Blessed Mother Teresa to guide their lives.

Jim Towey, director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Ini-tiatives and a deputy assistant to President George W. Bush, told graduates at their May commencement ceremony in Saint Vincent Basilica, Latrobe, to be people of prayer, to spend time with the poor and to “hold tight to the Blessed Mother’s hand” as Mother Teresa did.

Towey, who received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from the semi-nary, said he was “grateful to be standing in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament” at the ceremony.

The Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard once said, “An intellectually honest person must live with a newspaper under one arm and a Bible under the other,” Towey noted.

“One tabulates the hopelessness in life, the other is a source of hope,” Towey said.

The movement in the United States to sanitize the public square of religion has led to cloning, abortion, gay marriage and euthanasia, he said.

“Jesus says, ‘Apart from me you can do nothing.’ The secular say to God, ‘Apart from you, I can do anything,’” Towey said.

“While it may appear to be hopeless, we know differently. You are messengers of hope, as this abbey and this institution have been.”

Towey congratulated the graduates who are candidates for the priesthood and said priests had helped him in his life “through the power of their love.”

He said Mother Teresa had been a pow-

erful influence in his life.“Prayer came first for Mother Teresa and

because of this, the Eucharist fed her,” he said. “She taught the world the poor are powerful people who have the power to unleash in us love and mercy.”

Because she embraced Mary, Mother Teresa saw herself as a lowly servant, Towey added.

Admitting in an earlier interview he was once a “lukewarm Catholic,” Towey credits Mother Teresa with strengthening his faith. He met her through former Oregon Senator Mark Hatfield.

Towey spent two years working in Mis-sionaries of Charity facilities: in Tijuana, Mexico, and at an AIDS home in Washing-ton, D.C.

He spent one week in Calcutta, but Mother Teresa told him to go back to Wash-ington, D.C., where she felt he could be more effective.

Towey was legal counsel for Mother Teresa from 1985 to 1998. Her example continues to inspire him.

His work is a way “to pay back some of my debt to God for using her to change my life.”

Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt, offering com-ments at the close of the commencement, told the graduates, “You are being called to continue the dialogue of faith with the world around us.”

The bishop said not to be discouraged by

Seminary Grads Told To Follow Mother Teresa’s Example

Jim Towey, White House Director of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, during his commencement talk.

Presenting Jim Towey with his honorary doctorate during the Seminary’s May com-mencement were Very Rev. Kurt Belsole, O.S.B., Rector; Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., Chancellor and Sr. Cecilia Murphy, R.S.M., Academic Dean.


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the culture war raging today and reminded them that St. Peter’s Basilica is built on the ruins of a pagan culture. Two men, St. Peter and St. Paul, were primary forces in making that possible, he reminded them.

“Don’t feel overwhelmed, be overjoyed,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Towey talked about his work with the White House and said there has been progress in the two-plus years he has held the position.

The lifelong Catholic and father of five children who attends Mass daily says his job is to advise the president on church-state matters and to help level the federal-grants playing field for faith-based and community groups serving the poor. He also works with Congress to fund initiatives that help people in need.

He notes that last year, HUD (U.S. Depart-ment of Housing and Urban Development) doubled the amount of grant money it gave to faith-based groups from the previous year to $113 million. Also, 40 percent of Health and Human Services grants were awarded to faith-based groups.

“The greatest part of this job is I get to see programs all over America that are helping

Rector Father Kurt Belsole, O.S.B., reads the citation prior to presentation of Jim Tow-ey’s honorary doctorate.

people,” he said, noting he was planning to travel to Los Angeles to attend a Salvation Army dinner.

Despite the job demands, Towey keeps his family first on the priority list. He doesn’t work weekends, makes sure he’s home by 7 p.m. on weekdays and limits his travel to five nights a month.

The entire Towey family made the trip to Saint Vincent for the seminary graduation: his wife, Mary, and their children Jamie,

Seminary Graduation(Continued from Page 20)

11; Joseph, 9; Maximilian, 7; John, 4; and Marie Therese, 1.

Towey says the government is limited in its ability to help those in need.

“The government touches surface issues such as shelter and food. The poor also need love, which the government can’t do,” he said.

“Loneliness is a pervasive disease for the homeless, the addict,” he said. “Faith com-munities help the poor see they are a gift from God, not a burden on the community.”

Twenty-Nine Degrees Awarded At CommencementTwenty-nine degrees were awarded at

Saint Vincent Seminary’s annual com-mencement held on Friday, May 7. Mr. Jim Towey, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, received an honorary Doctor of Human Let-ters degree.

Eighteen students received the Master of Divinity degree: Alex Andrua, Diocese of Arua, Uganda; Fredy Angel, Diocese of Savannah; Arthur Bufogle, Jr., Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston; Joseph Dough-erty, Diocese of Erie; Eric Filmer, Diocese of Savannah; Neil Herlihy, Archdiocese of Atlanta; Br. Boniface P. Hicks, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Archabbey; Stephen Kresak, Dio-cese of Pittsburgh; Br. Gabriel D. Landis, O.S.B., St. Benedict’s Abbey, Atchison, Kansas; Steven Neff, Diocese of Pittsburgh; Mary Ann Nicholls of Westmoreland City; Samuel Odeh, Via Christi Society, Diocese of Makurdi, Nigeria; John-Paul Otanwa, Via

Christi Society, Diocese of Makurdi, Nigeria; Br. Anthony Pham; Michael Rothan, Dio-cese of Harrisburg; Christopher Turner, Dio-cese of Wheeling-Charleston; Mark Weiss, Diocese of Harrisburg and David Vogel.

Nine students received the Master of Arts degree: Br. Mark Floreanini, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Archabbey; Paul Girardi of Manor; Keith Heise, Diocese of Columbus; Br. Bruno J. Heisey, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Arch-abbey; John Mulcahy, Diocese of Wheel-ing-Charleston; Samuel Odeh, Via Christi Society, Diocese of Makurdi, Nigeria; Chidi Osondu, Diocese of Savannah; Br. Mark A. Purcell, O.S.B., Mary, Mother of the Church Abbey, Richmond, Va.; and Mark Van Als-tine, Diocese of Savannah.

One student received the Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree: Kevin G. Poeck-ing of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

Awards were presented to four students:Mark Van Alstine of the Diocese of

Savannah received the Honorable Judge

Bernard F. Scherer Award. The award is given to the student who most exempli-fies the qualities evident in the life of Judge Scherer. Criteria include a breadth of learn-ing, knowledge which allows one to inte-grate theology and the life of the People of God with academic areas, widsom and the ability to see the interconnectedness of all life, the practice of the corporal works of mercy, witness to faith and a hope-filled attitude.

Samuel Odeh of the Via Christi Soci-ety, Diocese of Makurdi, Nigeria, received the Sacred Scripture Award. The award is given to the graduating student who has demonstrated excellence in the study of Sacred Scripture.

Steven V. Neff of the Diocese of Pitts-burgh received the Diakonia Award. Criteria for the award are academic performance, service to the community by upbuilding stu-


22


dent morale and spirit, leadership and cre-ative outreach.

Sean M. Francis of the Diocese of Pittsburgh received the Omer U. Kline, O.S.B., Homiletics Award. It is given to the fourth-year student who has most clearly demonstrated excellence in preaching during his fourth year of study.

ARCHDIOCESE OF ATLANTANeil J. Herlihy is the son of Grace

Herlihy of Bronx, New York and the late Thomas Herlihy. He is a 1969 graduate of Cardinal Spellman High School, Bronx. He earned a bachelor of business administra-tion degree in accounting from Iona Col-lege, New Rochelle, New York, in 1973. He earned a master of divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2004, with high-est honors.

DIOCESE OF ARUA, UGANDAAlex Andrua is a 1996 graduate of

Dokea Seminary, Arua, Uganda. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy in 1999 from Alokolum National Major Semi-nary, Gulu-Uganda. In 2003 he earned the master of arts degree from Saint Vincent Seminary, with honors. In 2004 he earned the master of divinity degree from the Semi-nary, with honors.

DIOCESE OF COLUMBUSKeith Heise is the son of John and

Paula Heise of Lancaster, Ohio. He is a 1998 graduate of Bloom Carroll High School, Carroll, Ohio and earned a bache-lor of arts degree in philosophy from Pontifi-cal College Josephinum in 2002. He earned a master of arts degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2004, with high honors.

DIOCESE OF ERIEJoseph V. Dougherty III is the son

of Joseph V. and Edna May Dougherty Jr. of Willow Grove. He is a 1974 graduate of Upper Moreland High School in Willow Grove and obtained a degree in business from Montgomery County Community Col-lege and Temple University in 1978. He earned a master of divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2004.

DIOCESE OF HARRISBURGMichael W. Rothan is the son of Rich-

ard and Mary Anna Rothan of Strasburg, Pennsylvania. He is a 1991 graduate of Lancaster Catholic High School and earned a bachelor of science degree in biology from Shippensburg University in 1995. He also earned a teacher certification from

Millersville University in 1996. In 2003 he received the master of arts degree from Saint Vincent Seminary, with high honors. He also received the Honorable Judge Ber-nard F. Scherer Award in 2003, given to the student who demonstrates a 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 the corporal works of mercy, witness to faith and a hope-filled attitude. In 2004, he earned the master of divinity degree from the Seminary, with high honors.

Mark Weiss is the son of Edward and Kathy Weiss of Hershey. He is a 1992 graduate of Lower Dauphin High School and received a bachelor of science degree in human development and family stud-ies from Penn State University in 1996. He earned the master of arts degree with honors from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2002. He received the master of divin-ity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2004, with honors.

DIOCESE OF PITTSBURGHSean M. Francis, who received a

master of divinity degree from the Seminary in 2003, this year received the Omer U. Kline Homiletics Award, awarded by the Rector’s Council to the fourth-year student who has most clearly demonstrated excellence in

preaching. He is the son of Paul and Ann Francis of Allison Park, Pennsylvania. He is a 1990 graduate of North Allegheny High School, Wexford. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Duquesne University in 2000.

Stephen A. Kresak is the son of Andrew F. and Marie A. Kresak of McKees Rocks. He is a 1987 graduate of Sto-Rox High School and earned a degree in com-munications and philosophy from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, in 1998. He earned a master of divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2004.

Steven V. Neff is the son of Anthony J. and Roberta K. Neff of Chicora. He is a 1984 graduate of Butler Senior High School. he earned a bachelor of arts degree in phi-losphy/priestly formation from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, in 2001. In 2004 he earned the master of divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary. He also received the Diakonia Award, a service award given by the faculty. Included in the criteria are academic performance, service to the com-munity by upbuilding student morale and spirit, leadership and creative outreach.

Kevin Poecking is the son of Gordon Poecking of Hamburg, New York and Carol Poecking of Williamsville, New York. He is a 1986 graduate of Hamburg High School, Hamburg. He earned a bachelor of science degree in math and industrial management from Carnegie Mellon University in 1990, a master of business administration degree in business from Robert Morris College in 1994 and a master of arts degree in phi-losophy from Duquesne University in 1999. He earned a master of arts degree with high honors from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2002. In 2004, he earned the bachelor of sacred theology degree from Saint Vincent Seminary, with high honors.

DIOCESE OF SAVANNAHFredy Angel is the son of Jose Alfonso

and Eva Angel of Bogota, Colombia. He is a 1992 graduate of Tecnico Salesiano de Cundinomarca High School in Bogota. He also attended the Universidad Santo Tomas de Aquino in Bogota, majoring in philoso-phy and religion. He earned the master of divinity degree in 2004 from Saint Vincent Seminary.

Eric R. Filmer is the son of Charles H.


Twenty-Nine Degrees Awarded At Commencement(Continued from Page 21)

Most Rev. Lawrence E. Brandt, Bishop of Greensburg, offered comments at the close of the commencement to the graduates.

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Filmer of Savannah, Georgia, and the late Robin L. Harrison. He is a 1984 graduate of Hershel V. Jenkins High School, Savan-nah, Georgia. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in psychology in 1997 from Arm-strong Atlantic State University. He also attended Savannah College of Art and Design. In 2003 he earned the master of arts degree from Saint Vincent Seminary, with highest honors. He also received the Sacred Scripture Award, given to the gradu-ating student who has demonstrated excel-lence in the study of Sacred Scripture. In 2004 he earned the master of divinity degree from the Seminary, with high honors.

Chidi Ezennia Osondu is the son of Luke Chijioke and Sussan Uzoamaka Osondu of Nigeria. He is a 1991 graduate of St. John of the Cross Seminary in Nige-ria. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosphy from Claretian Institute of Philos-phy in 1998. In 2004, he earned the master of arts degree from Saint Vincent Seminary, with highest honors.

Mark Van Alstine is the son of Wil-

liam L. and Marie A. Van Alstine of Augusta, Georgia. He is a 1983 graduate of Alleluia Community School, Augusta. He received a bachelor of science degree in mechani-cal engineering from Clemson University in 1987 and also attended the University of South Carolina at Aiken. In 2004, he earned the master of arts degree from Saint Vincent Seminary, with highest honors. He also received the Honorable Judge Bernard F. Scherer Award, given to the student who most exemplifies the qualities evident in the life of Judge Scherer. Criteria include a 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 intercon-nectedness of all life, the practice of corpo-ral works of mercy, witness to faith and a hope-filled attitude.

DIOCESE OF WHEELING-CHARLESTON

Arthur Bufogle, Jr., attended St. Mary’s International School in Tokyo, Japan, graduating in 1972. He studied biol-ogy at St. Bonaventure University, New

York, from 1972 to 1974. He earned a bach-elor of arts degree in biology from Walsh College, North Canton, Ohio, in 1976. He received a master of arts degree in theol-ogy in 1985 from St. Michael’s College, Winooski, Vermont; a master of science degree in soil science in 1988 from the Uni-versity of Vermont, Burlington, and a doc-torate in agronomy in 1996 from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. He earned a master of divinity degree in 2004 from Saint Vincent Seminary, with high honors.

John P. Mulcahy is the son of George and Anne-Marie Mulcahy of Pittsburgh. He is a 1989 graduate of Canevin Catholic High School, Pittsburgh. He received a bachelor of science degree in business account-ing from Saint Vincent College in 1996. In 2004 he earned the master of arts degree from Saint Vincent Seminary, with highest honors.

Christopher M. Turner is the son of David and Karen Turner of Bridgeport, West

(Continued from Page 22)

Taking part in the Seminary’s commencement on May 7 were, front, from left, Msgr. Robert J. Siffrin, Board of Regents; Sr. Cecilia Murphy, R.S.M., Academic Dean; Dr. John C. Marous, Jr., Chairman, Board of Regents; Most Rev. Lawrence E. Brandt, Bishop of Greensburg; Dr. Jim Towey, commencement speaker; Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., Chancellor; Very Rev. Kurt Belsole, O.S.B., Rector; Rev. Justin M. Matro, O.S.B., Vice Rector. In the second row, from left, are Stephen Kresak and Steven Neff, Diocese of Pitts-burgh; Fredy Angel, Diocese of Savannah; Br. Anthony Pham, O. Cist.; Br. Boniface Hicks, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Archabbey; Br. Gabriel Landis, O.S.B., St. Benedict’s Abbey. In the third row, from left are, David Vogel; Br. Bruno Heisey, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Archabbey; Mark Van Alstine, Diocese of Savannah; Neil Herlihy, Archdiocese of Atlanta; Samuel Odeh, Via Christi Society; John Mulcahy and Arthur Bufogle, Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston; Michael Rothan, Diocese of Harrisburg; Christopher Turner, Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston; Chidi Osondu, Diocese of Savannah. In the fourth row, from left, are Kevin Poecking, Diocese of Pittsburgh; John-Paul Otanwa, Via Christi Society; Mary Ann Nicholls; Br. Mark Purcell, O.S.B., Mary, Mother of the Church Abbey; Br. Mark Floreanini, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Archabbey; Joseph Dougherty, Diocese of Erie; Mark Weiss, Diocese of Harrisburg; Alex Andrua, Diocese of Arua; Paul Girardi; Keith Heise, Diocese of Columbus; Eric Filmer, Diocese of Savannah.

Twenty-Nine Degrees Awarded At Commencement


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Twenty-Nine Degrees Awarded At CommencementVirginia. He is a 1993 graduate of Bridge-port High School. He earned a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice/sociol-ogy from Fairmont State College, Fairmont, West Virginia, in 1997. In 2004 he earned the master of divinity degree from Saint Vin-cent Seminary.MARY MOTHER OF THE CHURCH

ABBEYBr. Mark A. Purcell, O.S.B., is the

son of Frank X. and Christine T. Purcell of Codville, Ohio. He is a 1989 graduate of Parkersburg High School, Parkersburg, West Virginia. He earned a bachelor of sci-ence degree in education, with a major in mathematics, from Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, in 1994. In 2004, he earned the master of arts degree from Saint Vincent Seminary, with highest honors.

SAINT BENEDICT ABBEYBr. Gabriel A. Landis, O.S.B., is the

son of Sam and Shirley Landis of Wichita, Kansas, and the late Carole Landis. He is a 1981 graduate of Wichita East High School. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in finance from Wichita State University in 1986 and a master of arts degree in man-agement from Webster University in 1994. In 2003 he received the master of arts degree from Saint Vincent Seminary, with high honors. In 2004, he earned the master of divinity degree from Saint Vincent Semi-nary, with honors.

SAINT VINCENT ARCHABBEYBr. Mark L. Floreanini, O.S.B., is

a son of the late Bruno and Betty Florean-ini. He attended St. Joseph’s Elementary School, Alliance, Ohio; and is a 1974 grad-uate of West Branch High School, Beloit, Ohio. He received an associate degree in fine art from Sinclair Community Col-lege in 1987, and a bachelor of arts from Saint Vincent College in 2001. He made his simple profession of vows on July 11, 1998, and solemn profession of vows on July 11, 2001. In 2003 he began studies at the Savannah College of Arts and Designs. In 2004, he earned the master of arts degree from Saint Vincent Seminary, with honors.

Br. Bruno D. Heisey, O.S.B., is the son of Jacob L. and Ina H. Heisey of Mechanicsburg. He is a 1984 graduate of Cumberland Valley High School. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in Latin and his-tory from Dickinson College in 1988. He entered the novitiate at Saint Vincent Arch-

abbey in July of 2001, and made his first vows on July 10, 2002. In 2004, he earned the master of arts degree from Saint Vin-cent Seminary, with highest honors.

Br. Boniface P. Hicks, O.S.B., is the son of William and Mary Hicks of Burke, Virginia, and the brother of Michael Hicks of Philadelphia. He attended Grafton Bethel Elementary School, Silvergate Elementary School and Correia Junior High School. He is a 1993 graduate of Lake Braddock Sec-ondary School, Burke, Virginia. He earned a bachelor of science degree in computer science and a master of science degree in computer science from Penn State Uni-versity in 1997. At Penn State he was a member of the Tau Beta Pi Honor Frater-nity and the Penn State Newman Club. He made simple profession of vows on July 9, 1999, and solemn profession on July 10, 2002. He earned a master of arts degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2003 and a master of divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2004, with highest honors.

VIA CHRISTI SOCIETYSamuel Odeh is the son of Justina A.

Odeh of Otukp, Nigeria and the late Boniface E. Odeh. He is a 1993 graduate of Mt. St. Gabriel Secondary School, Makurdi, Nige-ria. He earned a bacheor of arts degree in philosophy from St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary, Makurdi, in 1998. In 2004 he earned the master of divinity and master of arts degrees from Saint Vincent Seminary, with honors. He also received the Sacred Scripture Award given to the student who has demonstrated excellence in the study of Sacred Scripture.

John-Paul A. Otanwa is the son of Boniface and Patricia Otanwa of Makurdi, Nigeria. He is a 1996 graduate of Mount Saint Gabriel Secondary School, Makurdi. He has a B. Phil. from St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary in Makurdi, major seminary of the Pontifical Urbanian University in Rome. In 2003 he received the master of arts degree from Saint Vincent Seminary, with highest honors. In 2004 he earned the master of divinity degree from the Seminary, with high honors.

MASTER OF ARTSPaul Girardi is a native of Curwens-

ville, now living in Manor, with his wife Michelle and their children, Hannah Ray and Anthony. Paul is a 1987 graduate of Dubois Central Catholic High School and

earned a bachelor of arts degree in history from Saint Vincent College in 1991. He also has taken education courses at California University of Pennsylvania. Paul is a super-visor at Adelphoi Village, Latrobe. He is the son of Norma Girardi and the late Raymond A. Girardi.

MASTER OF DIVINITYMary Ann Nicholls is a 1969 gradu-

ate of Butler Area Senior High School. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in humani-ties from LaRoche College, Pittsburgh and a master of library science degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Informa-tion Science in 1987. She lives in Westmo-reland City with her husband, David. They have three daughers, Jenna, Molly and Maura Nicholls. Mary Ann has worked as a campus minister at both Saint Vincent College and Duquesne University, and as a consultant for the Diocese of Greens-burg. Many Ann is presently Director of the Spiritan Retreat Center in Bethel Park. She earned the master of divinity degree in 2004 from Saint Vincent Seminary, with high honors.

David Vogel earned the master of divinity degree.

Br. Anthony Pham, O. Cist., earned the master of divinity degree.

Dr. John C. Marous, Jr., Chairman of the Seminary Board of Regents, offered an update on the Seminary’s programs to those in attendance.

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Rev. Frank Pavone Addresses Faithful CitizenshipAs part of its Catholic Speakers’ Series,

Saint Vincent Seminary welcomed Father Frank Pavone, president of the National Pro-Life Religious Council on September 13. The Responsible Citizenship Program examines the interplay between faith, poli-tics and professional life. His talk was enti-tled “Faithful Citizenship: Catholic Social Teaching and the Political Process.”

Father Pavone was born in Port Chester, New York, and has been active in the pro-life movement since 1976. He was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of New York by Cardinal John O’Connor in 1988. He served for five years as a parish priest in Staten Island, and taught theology at St. Joseph’s Seminary and other institutions.

In 1993, with the permission of Cardinal O’Connor, he became National Director of Priests for Life. In this full time position he has traveled to all of the 50 states and to five continents, preaching and teaching against abortion and helping other priests to do the same.

He conducts seminars on pro-life strategy and is regularly invited to speak at national and international pro-life gatherings. Father Pavone is often quoted in papers such as the New York Times, the Washington Times, and other national media. He has produced television and radio programs for EWTN, The Odyssey Network, Catholic Family Radio, Vatican Radio, and other outlets. He has appeared on national broadcasts such as Hannity and Colmes and The O’Reilly Factor. His articles on pro-life issues are regularly published around the world. Under his guidance, the Priests for Life staff has grown to 45 full-time paid employees.

Father Pavone was asked by Mother Teresa to address the clergy of India on life issues. He was also asked to speak to the pro-life caucus of the United States House of Representatives.

Norma McCorvey, the “Jane Roe” of the Supreme Court’s abortion decision Roe vs. Wade, called Father Pavone “the catalyst that brought me into the Catholic Church.”

In 1997 he was asked by the Vatican to help coordinate pro-life activities through-out the world as an official of the Pontifical Council for the Family.

In 1999, the Daily Catholic named Father Pavone among the Top 100 Catholics of the Century. He serves on Dr. James Dobson’s

Focus on the Family Institute. He is the recipient, for the year 2001, of the Proudly Pro-life Award of the National Right to Life Committee. In 2002, in recognition of his pro-life work, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the Franciscan University of

Steubenville. In 2003, Father Pavone was elected to be the President of the National Pro-life Religious Council, a coalition of groups from many different denominations working to end abortion.

Father Frank Pavone, president of the National Pro-Life Religious Council, spoke to a full house in the Saint Vincent Science Center Amphitheater on September 13. His talk on Faithful Citizenship focused on Catholic social teaching and the political process.

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Learning toMinister to the Sick

As part of the Seminary’s Pastoral Formation Program, seminarians learn to address the spiri-tual needs of the sick at Latrobe Area Hospital. The class centers around the premise that every person’s life has a spiritual dimension and that times of illness and loss are accompanied by spiritual as well as physical needs. The hospital’s chaplain, Rev. Bob Shrom, arranged for the sem-inarians to hear from nurses and staff members, who shared stories of how they have responded to spiritual needs of patients, as well as their feel-ings of loneliness, guilt, despair and anticipation of death.

Many of the students were greeted enthusi-astically as they made their rounds. Sometimes they were asked to stop in and visit a par-ticular patient who seemed eager to talk. The changing role of today’s priest was exemplified through the class, as students learned how to work alongside others to heal not only the physi-cal ills of people, but the spirtual as well.

In the photos at right (top) seminarian Chuck McGinnis of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston talks with a patient; (bottom) Juan Ortiz, C.O., of the Pharr Oratory, Pharr, Texas, Hospital Chaplain Rev. Bob Shrom and Br. Maurus Mount of Saint Vincent Archabbey, in the hospital’s chapel.

Pope John Paul II Names New Bishops in Harrisburg, Columbus

Most Rev. Frederick F. Campbell

Most Rev. Kevin C. Rhoades

On October 14, 2004, His Holiness Pope John Paul II appointed new bishops to lead two dioceses that send students to Saint Vincent Seminary.

In the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio, Most Reverend Frederick F. Campbell, 61, an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of

Saint Paul and Minneapolis, was named to replace Bishop James A. Griffin, 70, who had served as bishop since 1983.

In the Diocese of Harrisburg, Very Rev-erend Kevin C. Rhoades, 46, the Rector of Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary and Vice President of Mount Saint Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland, was named to replace the late Bishop Nicholas C. Dattilo.

Bishop Campbell is Rector of the Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity of the Uni-versity of Saint Thomas. He was ordained a priest at the Saint Paul Cathedral in 1980. On May 14, 1999, he was consecrated Bishop at the Cathedral of Saint Paul. He currently serves on the Saint Paul Seminary Board of Trustees and is a director of Saint Thomas Academy and Saint Bernard School Board. In November, 2003, he was elected Chair-Elect of the U.S. Bishops’ Commit-tee on the Diaconate and will become chair of that Committee in November of 2004.

Bishop-elect Rhoades was ordained a deacon at Saint Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, in 1982 by Terence Cardinal Cooke. He was ordained a priest at Assump-tion of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Lebanon in 1983 by then Auxiliary Bishop William Keeler. He is a priest of the Diocese of Harrisburg.

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recital on Pentecost Sunday, May 30, at Saint Benedict’s Church in Balti-more, and presented another recital in conjunction with the Archabbey Schola on November 14 at Trin-ity Lutheran Church in Latrobe.

* * * * *Brother Benedict F. Janecko,

O.S.B., served as facilitator last fall at a Penn State University campus ministry workshop on “Religion and Spirituality,” conducted by Father Stephen Honey-

gosky, O.S.B., then campus minister at Penn State.

On April 3, Palm Sunday weekend, Brother Benedict gave a presentation on the “center of the Bible and of the Psalms” for Father Alfred Patter-

son, O.S.B., at Immaculate Conception Parish in New Germany.

In May, he was interviewed by The-resa Schwab of the Saint Vincent College Public Relations office for an article for Q Magazine. The topic was professors who attended Saint Vincent College and who now teach there. On July 12 he was inter-viewed by Ginny Leiner for a Saint Vin-cent College oral history project with the topic “Coal mining towns” or “patches.” Brother Benedict was born in such a town called Marguerite.

Coming up in 2005, Brother Benedict will teach a weekend of Wisdom Litera-ture to Altoona-Johnstown deacons in March, and he will conduct a retreat for the Benedictine Sisters at Perrysville in June.

* * * * *Dr. Kath-

leen P. Borres, published five Sermon Reviews for the April/May issue of Lection-ary Homiletics. In May, she gave a talk on “Moral Decision Making” to the RCIA par-ticipants at her home parish, Saint John Neumann in Pittsburgh.In June, she taught a four-day class on the Gospel of John at the Dioc-esan Institute of Harrisburg.

Faculty NewsVery Rev. Kurt Belsole, O.S.B.,

recently had an article published in Volume Eight of the 2003 Antiphon, A Journal for Liturgi-cal Renewal. Father Kurt’s article was “Stewards of the Mysteries: Training Seminarians for Litur-gical Leadership.”

His article sum-marized a study he conducted with pro-fessors and directors of liturgy at Roman Catholic major seminaries.

They were asked what issues they regard as most important in teaching of liturgy to future priests, how well seminar-ians are being prepared for the study of liturgy, how well they are p r e p a r e d for liturgical e x p e r i e n c e and sacra-mental life. Deficiencies and strengths were also dis-cussed and required elec-tive courses in liturgy were also studied. Father Kurt’s analysis then explored the results of his research.

* * * * *Brother Elliott C. Maloney, O.S.B.,

has completed his sabbatical semester during which he visited Brazil where his

book Jesus’ Urgent Message for Today will be translated into Por-tuguese and published by Editoras Paulinas. He studied the parables of Jesus in the library of the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome for a month before his forty-day study trip to Nigeria,

Kenya and Nairobi. In Africa Brother Elliott visited various religious institutes in order to learn about storytelling and proverbs in the African culture with a view to new insights into the Gospel parables and other sayings of Jesus. During his voyage home, Brother Elliott was able to interview noted Catholic author Michael Walsh who visited the Saint Vincent campus in 2003.

The popular periodical The Bible Today (May/June 2004) has published an article: “The Sadducees’ Trick Question and Jesus’ Surprising Response” in which Br. Elliott examines the question about the widow who married seven brothers in Mark 12:18-27.

Brother Elliott gave the Swan Lecture this year at Nebraska Wesleyan University, on October 21. The endowed lecture series has as its aim a presentation of the impact of the teaching of Jesus on today’s world, a topic at the very center of Br. Elliott’s book Jesus’ Urgent Message.

* * * * *Father Cyprian G. Constantine,

O.S.B., Academic Dean, gave an organ

Br. Elliott Maloney, O.S.B., fifth from left, with Seminary faculty member Father Emmanuel Afunugo, sixth from left, in Nigeria.

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Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop Donald Wuerl’s television program, “The Teach-ing of Christ,” won a bronze Telly Award in the 2003 competition. The show won final-ist honors for the program, “The Gospel in Stained Glass: St. Bernard Church.” The Telly Awards are for local, regional and cable television programs as well as video and film productions. The bishop’s video was among 11,000 entries. Bishop Wuerl serves on the Seminary Board of Regents.

* * * * *Most Rev. William Winter, C’52,

S56, Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh, recently marked the 15-year anniversary of his episcopal ordination. He was ordained by Bishop Donald W. Wuerl as the fifth auxiliary of the Diocese on Feb. 13, 1989. In his role as an auxiliary bishop, Bishop Winter assists Bishop Wuerl in whatever manner needed, and he serves as a liaison between the diocesan central administra-tion and clergy deanery leaders. He will mark the 50th anniversary of his priesthood ordination in 2006.

* * * * *Greensburg Bishop Emeritus

Anthony G. Bosco, C’49, S’42, D’89, received an honorary doctor of laws degree from Seton Hill University at the May 8 commencement exercises. Bishop Bosco served on the SHU Board of Directors for 17 years.

* * * * *Msgr. John L. Conway, S’56,

received the lifetime achievement award at the Communities of Salt and Light Dinner held on April 15 in the Diocese of Greens-burg. He has worked with Catholic Charities for over 20 years, first as assistant director then as director.

* * * * *Msgr. Robert J. Siffrin of the Dio-

cese of Youngstown, and a Seminary Board of Regents member, was honored recently on the occasion of his 25th anniversary as a priest. He was named a Prelate of Honor by Pope John Paul II in recognition of his special service as diocesan vicar general and moderator of the curia. The “prelate of honor” constitutes the higher rank of mon-signor.

* * * * *The following appointments have been

announced By Bishop Donald W. Wuerl in the Diocese of Pittsburgh recently:

Rev. James M. Bachner, S’96, from administrator, St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Beechview, to pastor, St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Beechview, for a term of six years,

effective May 22, 2004.Rev. Kevin J. Dominik, S’88, from

dean of students at Saint Vincent Seminary to pastor, St. Winifred Parish, Mount Leba-non, for a term of six years, effective July 5, 2004.

Rev. Mark A. Eckman, S’85, appointed to a second six-year term as pastor of St. Sylvester Parish, Brentwood, effective June 12, 2004.

Rev. William J. Fay, C’61, S65, from associate professor at Saint Vincent Seminary to pastor, St. Germaine Parish, Bethel Park, for a term of six years, effec-tive July 5, 2004.

Rev. Stan M. Gregorek, C’62, S’66, from pastor, Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, Natrona Heights, to pastor, St. Mary Parish, Cecil, for a term of six years, effective July 5.

Rev. Richard A. Infante, S’92, from pastor, Nativity Parish, South Park, to pastor, Our Lady of Grace Parish, Scott Township, for a term of six years, effective June 21, 2004.

Rev. Kenneth R. Keene, S’95, from parochial vicar, St. Vincent de Paul Parish, New Castle, to administrator, St. Vincent de Paul Parish, New Castle, effective March 30, 2004.

Rev. Matthew R. McClain, S’01, to part-time chaplain at Mount Alvernia High School, effective July 5. Father McClain maintains his responsibilities as parochial vicar at St. Alexis Parish, Wexford.

Rev. Peter P. Murphy, C’64, S’68, has been appointed to a second six-year term as pastor of St. Alphonsus Parish, Wexford, effective March 23, 2004.

Rev. Robert A. Norton, C’68, S’72, has been appointed to a third six-year term as pastor of St. Athanasius Parish, West View, effective June 7, 2004.

Rev. Jeremiah T. O’Shea, C’60, S’64, has been appointed parochial vicar with the designation of senior priest at St. Valentine Parish, Bethel Park, effective June 28, 2004. He had served as pastor of St. Winifred Parish, Mount Lebanon.

Rev. Michael J. Stumpf from paro-chial vicar, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the Beautiful River Parish, Bel-levue, to parochial vicar, St. Anne Parish, Castle Shannon, effective July 5.

Rev. William R. Terza, S’69, from res-idence, St. John Vianney Parish, Pittsburgh, to residence, Mary, Mother of the Church Parish, Charleroi, effective April 1, 2004. Father Terza maintains his responsibilities as facility chaplaincy program director at the State Correctional Institution, Fayette.

Rev. Robert J. Vular from parochial vicar, St. Teresa of Avila Parish, Perrysville, and part-time chaplain at North Catholic High School, to parochical vicar, Sacred Heart Parish, Shadyside, effective July 5.

Rev. Clinton P. Zadroga to part-time chaplain at North Catholic High School, effective July 5. Father Zadroga maintains his responsibilities as parochial vicar of St. Sebastian Parish, Ross Township.

* * * * *Priesthood jubiliarians recognized in the

June 11 edition of The Catholic Witness, Harrisburg diocesan newspaper, included Rev. Paul C. Helwig, S’74, pastor, Good Shepherd Parish, Camp Hill; Rev. John J. Peck, O.S.B., S’89, pastor, St. Paul the Apostle Parish, Annville; Rev. Edward J. Keating, Jr., S’94, pastor, St. Pius X Parish, Selinsgrove.

* * * * *Father Charles F. Leonardis, C’51,

S’54, celebrated 50 years in the priesthood on May 22. Prior to his retirement in 2001, he was pastor of his boyhood parish, Holy Child Jesus, Windber, for three decades.


announced by Bishop Bernard W. Schmitt in the Diocese of Wheeling-

Leaven SubmissionsSaint Vincent Seminary alumni who

want to let their classmates and friends of the Seminary keep up on their activi-ties should mail submissions to Kim Metzgar, Seminary Public Relations, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650-2690 or e-mail them to her at [email protected]


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Charleston:Rev. Benedict E. Kapa, S’98, trans-

ferred from pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Bluefield, to pastor, St. James the Apostle Parish, Clarksburg.

Rev. John Rice, S’02, is transferred from associate pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish, Parkersburg, to associate pastor of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Weirton.

* * * * *Jubilarians in the Diocese of Pittsburgh

include Father Robert L. Seeman, S’79; Msgr. Donald W. Kraus, C’51, S’54; Father Francis J.X. Lack-ner, C’40, S’44; Father John A. Palko, S’54; Father Harry R. Sangl, C’50, S’54; and Father Valentine G. Sedlak, S’44.

Father Seeman is pastor of Saint Thomas A. Becket in Jefferson Hills. Father Kraus served at Guardian Angels in Pittsburgh’s West End prior to his retirement in 1996. Father Lackner was pastor of St. Marga-ret of Scotland Parish in Greentree for two decades prior to his retirement in 1994. Father Palko was pastor of St. John in Coylesville prior to his retirement in 1994.

Father Sangl was most recently pastor at Christ the Divine Teacher in Beaver Falls from 1969 to 2003. Father Sedlak retired in 1993 after more than two decades of ser-vice at St. Rita in Whitaker.


announced by Bishop Joseph V. Adamec in the Diocese of Altoona-John-stown:

Rev. Jozef Kovacik, S’97, parochial vicar at Saint Benedict Parish in Johnstown, appointed parochial administrator of Saint Agnes Parish in Lock Haven, effective July 14.

Rev. Richard B. Tomkosky, S’98, appointed Sacramental Minister at Our Lady of the Mount Parish at Rockview State Correctional Institution in Bellefonte, con-tinuing as parochial vicar at Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Bellefonte and Blessed Kateri Tekawitha Parish in Penns Valley, effective July 14.

* * * * *Father Eugene F. Lauer, C’57, S61,

a Pittsburgh diocesan priest, was named director of the National Pastoral Life Center in New York. He was most recently co-direc-tor of the Hesburgh Center at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. The National Pastoral Life Center, in Lower Manhattan, conducts an extensive program of confer-ences and publications designed to assist

people engaged in local ministries.* * * * *

Dr. Mary Ann Getty-Sullivan, asso-ciate professor of Sacred Scripture at Saint Vincent Seminary, will present two lectures on the Gospel of Matthew at St. Ferdinand Catholic Church, Cranberry Township, Nov. 4. The lectures are part of Christian Associ-ates Second Annual Ecumenical Preaching Workshop. She is the author of “Women of the New Testament.”

* * * * *Priest jubilarians in the Diocese of Erie

included Father Thomas L. Tyler, S’79, marking 25 years in the priesthood.


announced by Archbishop John F. Donoghue in the Archdiocese of Atlanta:

Rev. Cyril Soo-Gil Chae, S’03, ordained to the priesthood June 5, has been assigned to residence at Nazareth House, effective June 17. He will attend school to learn English. For canonical status, he has been appointed a parochial vicar at Blessed Sacrament Church, Atlanta.

Rev. Kevin J. Hargaden, S’98, chaplain at Blessed Trinity High School, Roswell, has been assigned as a parochial vicar at St. Lawrence Church, Lawrence-ville, effective June 17.

* * * * *The following appointment was

announced by Bishop James A. Griffin in the Diocese of Columbus:

Rev. Jeffrey E. Tigyer, S’99, from associate pastor, St. Joan of Arc Parish, Powell, to associate pastor, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Pickerington.

* * * * *Father Kevin J. Dominik, S’88,

was pictured on the front page of Pittsburgh Catholic as he guided men and boys from St. John the Baptist Parish on a tour of the Saint Vincent Basilica. Father Kevin served as dean of students at the Seminary for the past three years. The program was part of the parish’s vocation awareness program.

Also assisting at the program was semi-narian Joseph Carr, who helps at the parish during summers.

The following clergy appointments were announced in the Diocese of Harrisburg by diocesan administrator Very Reverend James Lyon, effective June 17:

Father Donald W. Cramer, S’00, from parochial vicar, Good Shepherd


Seminary News & Notes


Thanks to the generosity of donors, Saint Vincent Seminary is able to pro-vide tuition assistance to students with financial need. Above, Rev. J. Edward McCullough, S’67, Director of the Mission Office of the Diocese of Greensburg, gives a donation to Very Rev. Kurt Belsole, O.S.B., Rector, for scholarship aid to students from missionary dioceses in Africa.

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“Chaplains anoint hospital patients with Christ’s love” was the front-page article in Pittsburgh Catholic on July 30. Two Saint Vincent Seminary graduates were among those priests featured in the story, Father Michael A. McDermott, C’58, S’66, and Father Richard L. Conboy, C’56, S’60.

Father McDermott works mainly at Presbyterian and Montefiore hospitals, but is also on call for emergencies at Magee-Womens and Children’s hospitals and Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic as well as Shadyside Hospital.

“It’s really fascinating to work with people who are very critically ill and to help to bring them to the sacraments, particularly the anointing of the sick,” Father McDermott told staff writer Chuck Moody. “I try to anoint as many people as I can within a day when I’m there. Giving them the sacrament, it helps to uplift them, and that’s a good thing.

“I like to add a little bit of humor to the visit, particularly with the patients who are able to talk,” he said. “That helps to lift them, to bring them to a different level of being in the hospital, to have some humor, just to be able to help people.”

He noted that at UPMC and Montefiore there are 150 intensive care beds, which is “an exceeding amount of critically ill people who need great comfort. Their families do, too.”

Father Conboy has been assigned to Kane Regional Nursing Center in Scott Town-ship since 1991, while also serving as chaplain to the Felician Sisters in Moon Town-ship. There are about 300 patients at the facility, two-thirds of whom are Catholic.

“There’s no emergency room, and there’s no surgeries going on, so I’m not under the gun as a typical hospital chaplain would be,” he said. “We have a large corps of volunteers who help us with escorting people to and from chapel, and we have a large corps of extraordinary ministers of Communion who carry the Eucharist to everyone who’s bedfast every day. Certainly from a pastoral point of view it’s a task that’s emi-nently worth doing. It’s rewarding.”

He added that “there is consolation of knowing that you’re working with people who are in the final stages of their lives and are, so to speak, ‘putting themselves in order for salvation.’ At the same time, there’s a dynamism among the patients that has a whole sense of camaraderie. They are at home there, which is another major differ-ence from a typical hospital.”

Hospital Chaplains Featured

Parish, Camp Hill, and chaplain, Trinity High School, to parochial vicar, St. John the Bap-tist Parish, New Freedom.

Father Steven W. Fauser, S’02, to chaplain, Delone Catholic High School, McSherrystown. Father Fauser will remain as parochial vicar, St. Joseph Parish, Hanover.

Father Norman C. Hohenwarter, Jr., S’95, to chaplain, Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School, Coal Township. He will remain as pastor, Divine Redeemer Parish, Mount Carmel.

Father Michael C. Letteer, S’95, from parochial vicar, Our Lady of Hope Parish, Coal Township, and chaplain, Our

Lady of Lourdes Regional High School, Coal Township, to parochial vicar, Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Middletown.

Father Michael E. Messner, S’97, to chaplain, Trinity High School, Camp Hill. Father Messner will remain as paro-chial vicar, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Mechanicsburg, and director of seminarian formation.

* * * * *This past spring the Saint Vincent College

Department of Fine Arts Concerts presented pianist Matthew K. McTeague, who is a seminarian from the Diocese of Steubenville, and baritone K. Leo Welsh in a Student and Guest Artist Recital. This was the debut of Matthew McTeague and K. Leo Welsh on the Department of Fine Arts Concerts.

Matthew Kent McTeague was born and raised in St. Clairsville, Ohio. At age nine he began piano studies under the direction of Millard Neal. While a junior in high school, he

was accepted into the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan. He began his collegiate studies at Ohio State University; then transferred to Ohio University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in music theory in 2001. At Ohio University, he continued his piano studies with Gail Berenson, chair of the piano department. In addition to performing and private teaching, he was accompanist and part-time faculty member at Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio, during the 2002 academic year.

The Saint Vincent College Department of Fine Arts Concerts presents some 30 per-formances of student, faculty and guest art-ists each year. Rev. Joseph P. Bronder, O.S.B., P’60, C’65, S’69, is the founder and director of the Saint Vincent College Department of Fine Arts Concerts now in its ninth season.

* * * * *Rev. Stuart Crevcoure, administra-

tor of Sacred Heart Church in Sapulpa, Diocese of Tulsa, Rev. Matt LaChance, who had been studying in Rome, and Bishop Edward J. Slattery met with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican during Bishop Slattery’s ad limina visit in May. Father Crevcoure, who also serves as chaplain at the Newman Center at the University of Tulsa, accompa-nied TU students on a trip to Rome.

* * * * *Assignments have been announced for

the newly-ordained:Rev. Alex Andrua, Diocese of Arua,

Uganda, Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Arua.

Rev. Arthur Bufogle, Jr., Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral, Charleston, WV.

Rev. Eric R. Filmer, Diocese of Savan-nah, St. Joseph Church, Macon, Ga.

Rev. H. Christopher Foxhoven, Diocese of Steubenville, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, St. Clairsville, Ohio.

Rev. Sean M. Francis, Diocese of Pittsburgh, Our Lady of Peace, Conway.

Rev. Timothy J. Kozak of the Dio-cese of Steubenville, St. Therese Parish, Piney Fork, Ohio.

Rev. Gabriel D. Landis, O.S.B., of Saint Benedict Abbey, Kansas, Ascension Church in Overland Park, Kansas.

Rev. Kevin G. Poecking, Diocese of Pittsburgh, St. Thomas More Parish, Pitts-burgh.

Rev. Michael W. Rothan, Diocese of Harrisburg, Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Camp Hill.




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Rev. Mark E. Weiss, Diocese of Har-risburg, St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus, New Cumberland.

Rev. David Young, Diocese of Colum-bus, St. Agatha Parish, Columbus.

* * * * *Seminarians ordained to the diaconate

in the Diocese of Savannah on May 29 included Fredy Angel, Chidi Osondu and Mark Van Alstine.

Ordained to the diaconate in the Diocese of Erie on May 1 was Joseph Dough-erty.

Ordained to the diaconate in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston on May 15 were Christopher Turner and John Mul-cahy.

Steven V. Neff and Stephen A. Kresak were ordained transitional dea-cons July 31 by Auxiliary Bishop William Winter at Saint Mary Help of Christians Church in McKees Rocks in the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

Neil Herlihy of the Archdiocese of Atlanta was ordained to the transitional dia-conate by Archbishop John F. Donoghue on February 27 at Holy Family Church.

* * * * *The following Saint Vincent Benedictines

have been appointed to ministry within the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown by Bishop Joseph V. Adamec:

Father Matthew T. Laffey, O.S.B., C’97, S’99, Director of Campus Ministry, Penn State Catholic Center, effective August 17, 2004.

Father David R. Griffin, O.S.B., C’71, S’76, Rector, Benedictine Com-munity at State College, effective August 17, 2004.

Father Boniface P. Hicks, O.S.B., S’03, campus ministry, Penn State Catholic Center, effective August 17, 2004.

Father Thaddeus E. Rettger, O.S.B., P’65, C’70, S’74, pastor, Saint Bernard Parish, Hastings, effective August 24, 2004.

* * * * *The following Saint Vincent Benedictine

has been appointed to ministry within the Diocese of Erie by Bishop Donald W. Traut-man:

Father John-Mary Tompkins, S’93, pastor, Queen of the World Parish, St. Marys,



effective August 17, 2004. * * * * *

The following Saint Vincent Benedictines have been appointed to ministry within the Diocese of Greensburg by Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt:

Father Meinrad J. Lawson, O.S.B., S’67, S’92, administrator, Saint Vincent Basilica Parish, effective August 17, 2004.

Father Gilbert J. Burke, O.S.B., P’53, C’58, S’62, senior priest, Saint Vincent Basilica Parish, effective August 17, 2004.

Father Chad R. Ficorilli, O.S.B., C’73, S’79, pastor, Saint Gertrude Parish, Vandergrift, effective August 24, 2004.

Father Nathan J. Munsch, O.S.B., pastor, Saint Benedict Parish, Marguerite, effective August 17, 2004.

* * * * *The following Saint Vincent Benedictines

have been appointed to ministry within the Diocese of Pittsburgh by Bishop Donald W. Wuerl:

Father Ralph Tajak, O.S.B., S’94, pastor, Saint Peter Parish, North Side, effec-tive August 17, 2004.

Father Benjamin R. Walker, O.S.B.,

P’51, C’56, S’60, senior priest, Saint Peter Parish, effective August 17, 2004.

* * * * *Among the priests installed to new pas-

torates in August by Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt in the Diocese of Greensburg were the following Seminary graduates:

Father Paul A. Lisik, S’81, pastor, Church of the Resurrection Parish, north-ern Indiana County. Father Lisik was most recently Pastor of The Epiphany of Our Lord Parish, Monessen.

Father David J. Nazimek, S’93, pastor, The Epiphany of Our Lord Parish, Monessen. Father Nazimek was most recently Pastor of SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish, Fairchance.

Father Donald B. Conroy, C’61, S65, pastor, Holy Family Parish, Latrobe. Father Conroy most recently served with the U.S. Catholic Conference as a repre-sentative of Family Life in the offices of Field Services and Information, and Department of Education, from 1975 to 2004.

* * * * *A front-page article in Pittsburgh Catholic

featured Father Thomas A. Spara-

In PrintFather Tom Burke, S’00, co-director

of vocations for the Diocese of Pittsburgh, appeared on the cover of the May 2004 edi-tion of Columbia Magazine, the publication of the Knights of Columbus, in a series of pictures in a special vocations issue. He was also featured in the July 2002 edition of the magazine in an advertisement for vocations. He was recently appointed parochial vicar at St. Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh.


32


cino, S’98, recently installed as pastor of Saint Mary of Mercy Church in downtown Pittsburgh.

“In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the corporate world and rush-hour traffic, you can come off the street and spend quiet time with the Lord,” he told staff writer John Franko. The article noted that while the number of registered parishioners is now less than 200, thousands pass through its doors each year. There are between 200 and 300 persons attending the weekday Masses. The parish’s Red Door lunch program serves 100 to 200 hungry people six times a week. Masses at the parish are televised daily through Christian Associates and WGBN-TV.

* * * * *Condolences are offered to:— Fredy Angel, a seminarian from the

Diocese of Savannah, on the recent death of his maternal grandfather, Francisco Angarita.

— Joseph A. Carr, Jr., a seminar-ian from the Diocese of Pittsburgh, on the recent death of his mother, Hilda Carr.

— Rev. Conan E. Feigh, O.S.B.,

Msgr. Charles Owen Rice HonoredMsgr. Charles Owen Rice, C’30, S’34,

C’80 D’80, was honored for his 70 years as a priest during a Mass July 11 at Saint Anne in Castle Shanon, where he resides. Bishop Donald W. Wuerl, retired Auxiliary Bishop John McDowell, three dozen brother priests, religious and labor leaders were among those who came together for the celebration.

Msgr. Rice, long known for his dedication to serving all of God’s people, but especially the working class, was known for his profound conviction to fight for the least of his neighbors, Bishop Wuerl said. “Msgr. Rice has always brought to every issue he dealt with a deep faith rooted in his conviction to the Lord Jesus.”

Bishop Wuerl noted that Msgr. Rice has articu-lated the church’s teaching well throughout his ministry and frequently took a bad situation, applied the best of church teaching, and made it better. He added that Msgr. Rice and people like him bring legitimacy to the claim that all workers have rights, and that Msgr. Rice served without ever taking the easy route.

John Franko, staff writer for Pittsburgh Catholic, wrote that Bishop Wuerl presented Msgr. Rice with a golden medallion commemorating the 250th anniversary of the first Mass in Pittsburgh.

P’48, C’53, S’57, on the death of his sister Majorie Mikula on April 19, 2004.

— Rev. Bede J. Hasso, O.S.B., C’51, S’57, on the death of his sister, Ann Hoffman on September 18, 2004.

— Rev. Clement J. Heid, O.S.B., P’34, C’41, S’44, on the death of his brother Francis Heid on April 11, 2004.

— Keith Heise, a seminarian from the Diocese of Columbus, on the recent death of his paternal grandfather, Carl Heise.

— Rev. Vernon A. Holtz, O.S.B., C58, S’62, on the death of his brother, Patrick K. Holtz on June 13, 2004.

— Rev. Joseph D. Karabin, C 69, S 74, on the death of his mother, Jennie M. Karabin on July 22, 2004.

— Rev. Gabriel D. Landis, O.S.B., S’03, a seminarian and monk from St. Benedict’s Abbey, on the recent death of his stepmother, Shirley Landis.

— Rev. Edward S. Litavec, C’56, S’60, on the death of his brother, John Lit-avec on August 23, 2004.

— Rev. John F. Murtha, O.S.B., P’48, C’53, S’57, on the death of his sister, Mary Margaret Waida on April 22, 2004.

Chaplain GivenMedal For

Military ServiceFather Michael B. Heninger,

S’99, the son of Byrne and Marian Hen-inger of St. Michael Church, Gaines-ville, Georgia, was recently awarded the Meritoroius Service Medal for his ministry as a chaplain while serving in the 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized). He is currently serving his second tour in Baghdad, Iraq, with the 1st Cavalry Division in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II.



— Steven V. Neff, a seminarian from the Diocese of Pittsburgh, on the recent death of his infant nephew, Dewitt Anthony James Schnell.

— Rev. Joseph P. Newell, C’42, S’45, on the death of his brother, John F. Newell on August 11, 2004.

— Rev. Jack J. O’Malley, S’65, on the death of his mother, Mildred U. O’Malley on May 31, 2004.

— Rev. Ernest C. Paone, C’53, S’57, on the death of his father Ernest F. Paone on July 16, 2004.

* * * * *Recent deaths have included: Rev. James L. Aaron, C’50, S’54,

on April 21, 2004.Rev. Alfred C. Cicola, C’63, S’67,

on March 5, 2004.Rev. Robert E. Feeney, S’56, on

August 28, 2004.Rev. John D. Fording, S’42, on

March 21, 2004.Rev. Gerard D. Kelly, C’46, S’49,

on February 6, 2004.Rev. Ferdinand F. Lech, S’48, on

January 29, 2004.Rev. Claude W. Pollak, O.S.B.,

P’48, C’53, S’57, on February 16, 2004.Rev. Louis R. Schmidt, S’54, on

December 3, 2003.Rev. Donald J. Sotak, C’57, S’62,

on June 1, 2004.Rev. Lee F. Trimbur, S’54, on Febru-

ary 28, 2004.Rev. John M. Unger, S’42, on Sep-

tember 19, 2004.Rev. William P. Weirauch, S’35, on

January 30, 2004.

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Opening Day Mass

The Seminary’s opening day Mass was held on Monday, August 30, in the Archabbey Basilica. Very Rev. Kurt Bel-sole, O.S.B., Rector, was the main cel-ebrant. Deacons serving at the Mass were Mark Van Alstine of the Diocese of Savannah and Steven Neff of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

During the Mass, members of the faculty and administration receiving new appointments made the Profes-sion of Faith and took the Oath of Fidel-ity. Seminarians assisted those taking the Oath of Fidelity. From left to right in the photo below are William Dorner of the Diocese of Pittsburgh; Matthew Albright of the Diocese of Youngstown; Rev. Cyprian G. Constantine, O.S.B., Seminary Academic Dean; Rev. David T. Brzoska, Director of Pastoral For-mation and Hispanic Ministries; and Dr. Kathleen P. Borres, appointed to the regular faculty and Seth Wymer of the Diocese of Steubenville. Father Cyprian is a Benedictine from Saint Vincent Archabbey. Father Brzoska is a priest of the Diocese of Charlotte. Dr. Borres has been a member of the adjunct faculty since 2002.

34


To give a tribute or memorial gift, please make a donation to Saint Vincent Seminary in honor of or in memory of a friend, colleague or family member. Donations should be mailed to Mr. Wil-liam P. Malloy in the Seminary Develop-ment Office, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, Pa., 15650-2690, telephone 724-532-6740. Donors from March 16, 2004, to August 15, 2004, include:

IN HONOR OF:ROBERT AND LOUISE FISHER

Mr. Gary T. BeukeREV. AUGUSTINE A. FLOOD, O.S.B.

Mrs. Joy JensenREV. ROBERT W. HERRMANN

Holy Trinity Parish, McKees RocksTHOMAS M. KREBS

The Children of Thomas M. KrebsSR. CECILIA MURPHY, R.S.M.

Saint Vincent Seminary 2004 GraduatesREV. JAMES R. O’BRIEN

Mrs. Margaret FortierBERNADETTE AND JOSEPH PEVARNIK

Mark, Shannon, Taylor and Chloe PevarnikMR. JOSEPH PEVARNIK

Sr. Cecilia Murphy, R.S.M. Mark, Shannon, Taylor and Chloe Pevarnik

Memorial, Tribute GiftsMr. and Mrs. Stephen P. Pevarnik

REV. PAULINUS J. SELLE, O.S.B.Mr. and Mrs. John R. GraysonMr. and Mrs. Joseph H. PontzerRev. William J. HomolakSaint Aloysius Church, Pittsburgh

MOST REV. GILBERT I. SHELDONAnonymous

FRED AND DOT SOISSONMrs. Jean Hammer

IN MEMORY OF: +ANNASTASIA AND JOSEPH, GEORGE, JOSEPH, ERNEST, VICTOR, IRENE AND MARY

Sr. Melanie, O.S.B.M.+CARMEN ALEPRETE

Anonymous+MELZI ANTONACCI

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Trentin+KENNETH L. BARNETT

Violet and Thomas Kibirsky+JOHN CALDARELLI

Rev. Dennis Riccitelli+THERESA SELIS FOSKI

Dennis and Millie Dunlap Larry and Pat DunlapPaul and Natalie DunlapPatrick and Nancy DunlapTrish Dunlap

Mr. and Mrs. William D. FoskiMrs. Josephine SmartWilma and Richard UleryMs. Elizabeth Werner

+REV. PHILIP P. GHYS, O.S.B.Phyllis and Wray Tatman

+RUTH A. GROSSThe Kibirsky Family

+BERNARD KORNIDESMr. and Mrs. Robert V. Martin

+FRANK L. KUSSMr. Thomas J. Kuss

+BLANCHE L. LEWANDOWSKIMr. Edmund S. Lewandowski

+REV. JOEL R. LIEB, O.S.B.Ms. Theresa Lieb

+MISS HELEN M. MARTINThe Brothers and Sisters of Helen Martin

+REV. JOHN T. MURRAY, JR. Mr. and Mrs. Harry F. Murray

+ELIZABETH RICHMiss Philomena T. Rich

+REV. NORBERT A. RUPPRECHT, O.S.B.

Mrs. Joy Jensen+REV. ANTHONY ST. PIERRE

Rev. James F. Bump+ANNA MAY TOOLE

Anonymous

Helping Those In Need

Many dioceses, particularly those in nations afflicted with poverty, have more seminarians than they can afford to educate. Because of this, every year Saint Vincent Seminary admits several priesthood candidates without the ability to pay. While all of our seminarians receive financial aid, several of these young men are sponsored entirely by Saint Vincent. How can we afford to do this?

It’s simple... Only because of the generosity of donors like yourself who know that, now more than ever, the world needs bright, holy young men to enter the priesthood. Please share with me the joy of bringing these young men through their long journey into the Lord’s service. With your gift, you can ensure the continued availability of financial aid for seminary students without the ability to pay.

With gratitude and prayers,

Very Rev. Kurt Belsole, O.S.B.Rector, Saint Vincent Seminary

Yes, Fr. Kurt, I want to provide assistance to seminarians who do not have the ability to pay.

Here is my tax-deductible gift of:

$20 $50

$100 $500

Name

Address

City

State

Postal Code

PhoneFor more information contact: Mr.

William P. Malloy, Seminary Devel-opment Office, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, Pa., 15650-2690, 724-532-6740, [email protected]

35


Development Corner: Charitable Gift AnnuitiesA MEANINGFUL GIFT WITH A GUARANTEED INCOME

Given recent economic uncertainties and the unstable stock market, many Saint Vincent Semi-nary supporters are looking at the guaranteed returns of a charitable gift annuity. A charitable gift annuity is a way to provide yourself with a lifetime income and a charitable tax deduction, and a way to make a meaningful gift to Saint Vincent Seminary. Charitable gift annuities enjoy a higher rate of return than most conservative investments, and are never subject to market fluctuations!

What is a charitable gift annuity? A charitable gift annuity is a contractual arrange-ment between you and Saint Vincent Seminary. You make a donation of cash or marketable securities in exchange for a fixed annual payment for the rest of your life. At your death, the

remaining value of the gift passes to Saint Vincent Seminary. The amount of the annual payment depends upon your age at the time the gift is made. The good news is that the rate is guaranteed, regardless of how long you live or what happens to the economy.

What is the minimum gift? For as little as $5,000, you can enjoy the benefits of a charitable gift annuity with Saint Vincent Seminary. There is no upper limit, and you can establish additional gift annuities whenever you wish. This way, you can take advantage of higher annuity rates as you get older. Several supporters have established multiple annuities with Saint Vincent Seminary and enjoy the convenience of receiving a single, combined payment at the period of their choosing – quarterly, semi-annually, or annually.

How do I obtain a free calculation of benefits? Please fill out and return the card below or call Bill Malloy at (724)532-6740. It takes only a few minutes to provide the information we need to prepare a personalized gift annuity proposal for you. There is no cost or obligation and your inquiry will be treated in complete confidence.

Charitable Gift Annuities Offer These Benefits• Fixed Income for Life — a charitable gift annuity provides payments on a quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis. A por-

tion of the payment is tax-free.• Guaranteed Payments — your payments are

backed by all the assets of Saint Vincent Seminary.• Federal Income Tax Charitable Deduction

— part of the fair market value of your gift is deductible if you itemize your deductions.

• Capital Gains Tax Savings — if the annuity is funded with appreciated securities, no capital gains tax is due at the time a gift annuity is established. A portion of the capital gain on gifts of long-term, appreciated securities is avoided entirely, and the reportable capital gain is spread out over the annuitant’s actual life expectancy at the time of the gift.

• Federal Estate Tax Savings — assets used to fund a one-life charitable gift annuity are removed from the donor/annuitant’s taxable estate. In a two-life annuity, only the value of the survivor annuitant’s interest is included.

• Personal Satisfaction — by making a gift of lasting significance to Saint Vincent Seminary you are providing for the education of future priests — to serve your children and your children’s children.

Name

Address

City State

Zip Phone

Birthdate of Annuitant ______ / ______ / ______

Birthdate of Second Annuitant (if any) ______ / ______ / ______

Proposed Gift Amount ($5000 Minimum)

$5,000 $10,000 $25,000 $50,000

Please Return Card To:Mr. William P. Malloy

Director of DevelopmentSaint Vincent Seminary

300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650-2690, Phone: 724-532-6740

E-mail: [email protected]

ONE LIFE (assumes annuity of $10,000) AGE RATE ANNUAL PAYMENT

60 6% $60065 6.3% $63070 6.7% $67075 7.3% $73080 8.3% $83085 9.7% $97090 11.5% $1150

TWO LIVES (assumes annuity of $10,000) AGE RATE ANNUAL PAYMENT60/60 5.6% $50065/65 5.8% $58070/70 6.1% $61075/75 6.5% $65080/80 7.1% $71085/85 8.1% $81090/90 9.5% $950

William P. MalloyDirector of Development

36


Saint Vincent Seminary300 Fraser Purchase Road

Latrobe, Pennsylvania 15650-2690

Address Service Requested

http://benedictine.stvincent.edu/seminary/724-537-4592

NON-PROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT NO. 110

Pastoral Stewardship ProgramThe Pastoral Stewardship presentation on October 2,

2004, featured the topic “Leadership: Management of the Church’s Financial Assets.” Presenters included Very Rev. Lawrence DiNardo, Episcopal Vicar for Canonical Services, Department for Canon and Civil Law Services for the Diocese of Pittsburgh; Rita Ferko Joyce, Director of the Office for Civil Legal Services for the Diocese of Pittsburgh; and Fred O’Brien, Chief Financial Officer, Diocese of Pittsburgh. Panel members included Very Rev. Paul Bradley, General Secretary and Vicar General of the Diocese of Pittsburgh; Very Rev. Roger Statnick, Vicar General and General Executive Director of the Diocese of Greensburg; Rev. Raymond Riffle, Director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Greensburg and Pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Greensburg; John M. Lally, a certified public accountant and founding member of Lally & Lally Company, LLC; Harry F. Murray, retired Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance for Westinghouse Electric Corp.

Taking part in the program were, top photo, front, Dr. John C. Marous, Jr., Chairman, Board of Regents; Hon. Maureen E. Lally-Green, Board of Regents; Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., Chancellor. In the second row, from left, are Rev. Justin M. Matro, O.S.B., Vice Rector and Dean of Human Formation; Very Rev. Kurt Belsole, O.S.B., Rector; Mr. O’Brien; Rev. Raymond Riffle; Very Rev. Lawrence DiNardo; Very Rev. Roger Statnick; Very Rev. Paul Bradley; Rita Ferko Joyce, Esq.; and John M. Lally.

Seminarians look with interest at the handouts prior to the presentations.

leaven fall 2004

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