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A Newsletter for Seminary Alumni & Friends | Spring 2012, Volume XVI, No. 2 | www.msmary.edu/seminary

Seminary News

Cardinal-designate O’Brien assigned to The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of JerusalemBy Mark Cusick, Third Theology, Archdiocese of Washington, D.C.

An organization with the name The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem may evoke inquisitive thoughts such as “Who’s that?” — or “What’s that?” — or perhaps even, “Translation please!” The Order with the long name actually represents 23,000 Catholic priests and laity committed to supporting and defending the Christians and Holy Shrines of the Holy Land.

Recently, our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, appointed Cardinal-designate Edwin O’Brien as the Pro-Grand Master in charge of this Order. Prior to his selection, Cardinal-designate O’Brien served as Archbishop of Baltimore since July 2007. He succeeds the late Cardinal John P. Foley, who held the position until his retirement last year.

Assuredly, Cardinal-designate Obrien’s appointment as Grand Master came as a surprise to him. In a conference last August regarding the new role O’Brien conveyed: “News of this appointment came as a shock to me and I am still adjusting to the reality that effective today I am no longer the Archbishop of Baltimore.” Although his appointment was effective immediately, his work as apostolic administrator for the Archdiocese of Baltimore continues until the Holy Father appoints a new Ordinary for

Baltimore. Cardinal-designate O’Brien remains busy while he accomplishes both the daily duties of the Archdiocese and settles into his new role as head of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.

So just what does the Order do? Perhaps a brief look at the Order’s history will help.

Its origin is thought to go back to the time of the First Crusade. The Crusader leader named Godfrey de Bouillon sought to reorganize the religious, military, and public bodies in the area and founded the Order of Canons of the Holy Sepulcher. The Order’s members included not only the Regular Canons, but also Secular Canons and Sergentes. Sergentes were armed knights who made monastic vows and undertook the defense of the Holy Sepulcher and other holy places.

Although the Order ceased to exist in Jerusalem in the 13th century, its ideals of defending the Catholic faith, protecting the weak and performing charity toward others were preserved in Europe. In 1847, Pope Pius IX declared that the Order would be placed under the direct protection of the Holy See and he initiated the Order’s goal

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of upholding the works of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Later, popes reorganized and coordinated the Order’s efforts to make their works more effective.

Today, many shocking statistics from the Holy Land indicate an overall exodus of Christians from the Holy Land. The proportion of Christians now varies from two to four percent in different areas of the Holy Land and continues to decline. Bethlehem, in particular, has suffered an approximate 60 percent drop in its Christian population over the last 50 years. Most Christians still there earn their living in the Holy Land through craft sales, trade, and tourism. The Order’s commitment to preserving these Christians’ livelihood has led to a number of projects that educate the Christian work force. Since the end of the 19th century, the Order has financed the construction of 40 Patriarchate schools in Israel, Palestine, and Jordan, and it has a continuing commitment to fund at least part of their running costs. Within the schools supported by the Order, approximately 60 percent of students are Christian and 40 percent are Muslim. The goal of this classroom population is to provide students with an environment where they can learn peace and mutual respect. There is hope these values will become an enduring characteristic of tomorrow’s professionals and leaders in the Holy Land.

Support of the Order’s projects comes primarily through the charity of its members. The Order is organized into geographical regions called Lieutenancies and these are further divided into Sections. Of the Order’s 52 Lieutenancies, 15 of them are located in the United States and Canada. Potential members are recruited when existing members of the Order recognize a Catholic with a generous record of charity in a local parish church. In the United States, there is usually one annual investiture for new members.

A recent article featured on the Mount St. Mary’s website congratulated Cardinal-designate O’Brien on his new position and thanked him for his dedicated service to the Mount. University President Thomas Powell said: “We are particularly proud as he has been the Chancellor of our Seminary and a member of the Board of Trustees. He has been very helpful during my presidency, and has played an active role in helping us maintain our Catholic identity.” Mount St. Mary’s Seminary also offers its sincere congratulations and prayers to Cardinal-designate O’Brien as he continues to serve Holy Mother Church in his new post.

SeminarianS participate in the marine corpS marathonTom Otto, Third Theology, Diocese of Peoria

On October 30, 2011, the 36th running of the annual United States Marine Corps Marathon was held in Washington, D.C., and Arlington, VA, and Mount St. Mary’s Seminary was there!

The Mount was represented by four seminarians, Jason Burchell, Third Theolgy (Arlington), Shaun Foggo, Third Theology (Washington), Chase Hilgenbrinck, Second Theology (Peoria), and Tom Otto, Third Theology (Peoria), all of whom completed the marathon while numerous other seminarians ran in the concurrent 10k race.

The four marathoners joined more than 30,000 other runners who were cheered on by approximately 150,000 spectators — including many seminarians, priests, and lay faithful waving “Arlington runs for vocations” and “D.C Vocations” signs and banners! The event was not only a great athletic achievement for the men, but also a powerful witness to the joy of discerning the Catholic priesthood.

Seminarian runners from L-r: Jason Burchell, third theology (arlington), tom otto, third theology (peoria) and chase hilgenbrinck, Second theology (peoria)

BiShop WiLLiam e. Lori WiLL Be homecoming maSS ceLeBrant

The Most Rev. William E. Lori, Bishop of Bridgeport and member of the Seminary Class of 1977, will be the celebrant at the Homecoming Mass during the annual fall Seminary Alumni Reunion. The traditional Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 2, 2012, in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception.

In making the announcement, Seminary Rector Msgr. Steven P. Rohlfs, S.T.D., S’76, stated: “It is indeed an honor to have Bishop Lori return to the Mount and preside at the Homecoming Mass, when he and his classmates will mark the 35th anniversary of their ordination to the Holy Priesthood.” Also featured during the reunion will be the presentation of the 37th Annual John Cardinal McCloskey Award at the Reunion Dinner, and Mass at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes on Wednesday morning.

A block of rooms for the Reunion has been reserved at the Sleep Inn-Emmitsburg, located off US 15, a mile north of the Mount. For reservations and a special Mount rate, alumni should call 301-447-0044 and be sure to mention the Seminary Reunion. For more information about reunion activities, please contact Phil McGlade, Director of Seminary Development and Alumni Relations (301-447-5017 or [email protected]).

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Family Weekend at the SeminarySeminary Rector Msgr. Steven P. Rohlfs, S.T.D., and the Seminary community welcomed 147 family members of 50 seminarians to the Mount for the annual Family Weekend, October 21-23, 2011. Nineteen dioceses and 17 states were represented, including: Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Ohio, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota.

Next year’s Family Weekend will be held October 19-21, 2012. The Seminary has reserved a block of 25 rooms at the Sleep Inn-Emmitsburg (301-447-0044), located a mile north of the Mount on U.S.15. When making reservations, family members should inform the motel representative that they are with the Seminary. For more information about the schedule of events, please contact Phil McGlade at 301-447-5017 or [email protected].

Left-right - Jeff Warchal, First pre-theology (Scranton), parents, christine and paul and Jason Burchell, third theology (arlington) and parents, Jay and Joanne.

Br. pascal Yohe, mFVa, third theology and parents, Samuel and Katherine.

David Violi, Second pre-theology (Fort Wayne-South Bend) and parents, mike and mary, brother, mikey, and sister Jen.

tony Visintainer, Second pre-theology (Savannah) and parents, Bob and Kathy,

sister, tessa, and grandparents, robert and Beatrice.

John hamm, third theology (Worcester) and parents, John, Sr. and Katy, and

sister, Julie.


The deacon class spent most of Christmas break on pilgrimage in the Holy Land, visiting the major sites associated with Christ’s life and public ministry, making their canonically required priesthood retreat, and learning more about ancient and modern Jewish, Muslim, and Arab Christian culture.

This is the third consecutive year Mount seminarians have traveled to the Holy Land, but the first trip exclusively for the deacon class. Plans have already been made for future deacon classes to do the same, a signature trip for their last year of formation.

“Remarkable,” said Deacon Greg Haman of the Diocese of Fargo. “Visiting all of these places that I have heard about since I was a boy was almost like being able to go home. My heart has been there for a long time, and finally the rest of me was able to join it there.”

The deacons visited Nazareth, Cana, Capernaum, Mts. Tabor and Carmel, and Caesarea Philippi in the region of Galilee; Haifa and Caesarea on the Mediterranean coast; and in Judea, Jericho, Bethany, Ein Karem, Jerusalem, and the Jordan Valley, including Qumran, Masada, and a quick dip in the Dead Sea.

Other highlights included a visit to a Crusader fortress near the Golan Heights, a wade through the millennia-old Hezekiah’s tunnel in Jerusalem, a private tour of a first-century A.D. synagogue in

Magdala (currently under archaeological excavation), and a private tour of the Shroud of Turin Museum in Jerusalem. All pilgrims spent a holy hour in the Garden of Gethsemane and many also chose to spend an optional overnight in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre with 15 minutes of private prayer in the tomb of Jesus.

Midway through the pilgrimage, the deacons made a five-day retreat at the Pilgerhaus, located on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. The retreat was led by Rev. Eamon Kelly, LC, Vice Chancellor of the Pontifical Institute of Notre Dame in Jerusalem. The deacons had ample time to explore the surrounding countryside, site of many New Testament events, such as the Sermon on the Mount, the calling of the fishermen Apostles and the first miracle of the multiplication.

Warm weather accompanied the pilgrims for most of their retreat, but they were treated on their last day to a rare event in the arid Jordan Valley — rain. Magnificent flash floods crashed down the mountains overlooking the Dead Sea, as rainwater rushed from the heights of distant Jerusalem down to the lowest point on earth. As the deacons make their final preparations for priestly ordination in the spring, it was an appropriate reminder of the New Evangelization’s call to bring the Living Water of Christ to a world equally in need of nourishment.

Deacon Class Makes Pilgrimage to Holy Landby John Williams, Coordinator of Pastoral Activity

For in their hearts doth Nature stir them so Then people long on pilgrimage to go

And palmers to be seeking foreign strands To distant shrines renowned in sundry lands.

—Geoffrey Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales


Dr. Carol Houghton came to Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in January 1985, under former Rector, the late Msgr. Richard M. McGuiness, as a member of the faculty teaching Canon Law and Scripture. While at the Mount, she lived in Dubois Hall on the Terrace. In 1990, Dr. Houghton, a canon lawyer, accepted a position with the Diocese of Harrisburg and presently serves as its Chancellor. In 1992, she returned to the Seminary on a part-time basis to teach Canon Law.

“I have seen many changes,” says Dr. Houghton, “including the physical building, the academic program and the people who have served at the Seminary. The Mount is richer for having had them, and I will never forget them or what they have given … those who are still living and those who are now with God.”

A constant source of edification for her has been the commitment of the Rectors and the faculty to teaching, formation and to the spirit of the Mount’s founders. She is also strengthened by the faith and joy of the seminarians: “They give me hope and keep me young!”

As a member of the faculty, she has helped seminarians appreciate and understand the role of canon law in the life of the Church as they seek to assist those in need and act with both charity and justice in specific circumstances. “I am truly blessed to have been a part of the Mount’s Seminary community and family for these 25 years, and I am deeply grateful to all who have, in any way, touched my life on this special mountain. May we continue to work together for the glory of God and the good of His people,” she added.

Daniel F. Curtin, chair of the Rector’s Council, received the Benemerenti Medal conferred by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in recognition of his meritorious service to the Holy See. Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, made the presentation on October 3, 2011, at the Seton Awards Dinner in Washington, D.C., sponsored annually by the National Catholic Educational Association.

Since his graduation from the Mount in 1964, Dan has devoted his entire career to Catholic education — serving in the Archdiocese of Washington as teacher, Vice Principal and Principal of Mackin Catholic High School and also Secretary to the Cardinal for Catholic Education. Until his recent retirement, he was Executive Director of the NCEA’s Department of Chief Administrators of Catholic Education for the past 12 years. In addition to Dan’s service to the Mount as Chair of the Rector’s Council, he has been Chair of the Seminary Gifts Committee for the Bicentennial Generations Campaign, member of the National

Alumni Council, Vice President and President of the National Alumni Association and past Chair of the Board of Trustees. Currently, he is a member of the Trustees’ Seminary Committee.

Seminary Rector Msgr. Steven P. Rohlfs, S.T.D., said: “Dan has been tireless and unwavering in his commitment to Catholic education and his service to the Mount. This honor is truly well deserved and our Seminary community extends to him our most sincere and heartfelt congratulations.”

The Benemerenti Medal was created in 1832 by Pope Gregory XVI to recognize outstanding service to the Church.

Join US For the 2012 piLgrimage to romeA pilgrimage to Rome, October 6-14, 2012, with Fr. Leo Patalinghug, assistant professor of pastoral theology and homiletics, is being offered during the Fall Break. The pilgrimage will include a day in Orvieto, two days in Assisi, and five days in Rome. The cost is $2,000 per person and includes airfare, hotel, transportation, breakfast and visiting the beautiful and historic sights. Alumni priests who are interested in the pilgrimage should contact seminarian Bob Garrow at [email protected].

Dr. caroL hoUghton ceLeBrateS 25 YearS oF SerVice to the moUntRicardo Izquierdo, First Theology, Diocese of Lincoln

Curtin Honored By Pope Benedict XVI


BiShop Lori iLLUmineS roSarY For SeminarianSJanuary retreat drew inspiration from Luminous mysteries

by Tim S. Hickey, Third Theology, Archdiocese of Hartford

Bishop William E. Lori (S’77) wears many hats in addition to the zucchetto that distinguishes him as the Bishop of Bridgeport. He sits on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Doctrine, its Committee on Pro-Life Activities and its ad-hoc committee for the Defense of Marriage. He is also the ad-hoc Chair of the Bishops’ Committee on Religious Liberty, and the Supreme Chaplain of the 1.8 million member Knights of Columbus.

Any one of those assignments would be enough for one man, but above all Bishop Lori is a faithful priest of Jesus Christ and a loyal son of the Mount. It was those two callings above all that were in evidence during the five-day retreat he preached for seminarians January 9-13.

Bishop Lori focused his twice-a-day reflections on the Luminous Mysteries given to the Church by Blessed Pope John Paul II in his 2002 apostolic letter, Rosarium Virginis Mariae (On the Most Holy Rosary). All of the mysteries, he said, “invite us into the maternal memory of Mary” where the faithful are “led to encounter Christ, the light of the world, through his public ministry.” The Blessed Mother’s memory, he said, is not a “static photo album” of Jesus’ life and ministry. “Her memory is how the Church remembers; it is a living memory that calls us to belief.”

Though Mary’s actual presence may not be recorded in Scripture in the events that comprise the Luminous Mysteries, aside from the wedding feast at Cana, Mary was an eyewitness to Jesus’ public life. “Mary affirms history and lends interpretation,” Bishop Lori

said. “She integrates all of the events of Jesus’ life and shows us how they are interconnected. In the light of pastoral faith she came to understand these events.”

One of the goals of seminary formation, Bishop Lori told the retreatants, is to form priests as public persons. For priests especially, he said, their lives must “radiate Christ” in order to show the attractiveness of the faith to both nonbelievers and those who have fallen away from the Church. “There must be a growing luminosity in our lives,” he said.

He also cautioned against the darker or unknown aspects of mystery, especially for a seminarian for a priest. “When a priest’s life becomes a mystery of darkness, he covers over the person of Jesus Christ,” he said. “If his life is given over to privacy and secrecy, he leads people into darkness, into the mysteries of ignominy. The priest cannot compartmentalize worship from right action.” He also urged seminarians to grow in “supernatural luminosity” through the grace of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and reconciliation.

a neW ShepherD at the grottoCraig Borchard Second Pre-Theology Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend

Visitors to the Mount will notice a change at the Grotto this academic year. No, it’s not just the construction of the Visitor Center complete with a panoramic view of the entire Mount campus. Rather, the Grotto has received a new shepherd.

Fr. Thomas J. Smith returned to the Mount in August to serve as the Interim Chaplain of the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes. A priest of the Diocese of Norwich, Fr. Thomas graduated from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary with his Master

of Divinity Degree in 1982. He went on to serve the Church in numerous capacities, including parochial vicar, high school principal, prison chaplain, and pastor. Since his arrival at the Mount this year, Fr. Thomas has ministered to the spiritual needs of Grotto pilgrims as well as Mount students and seminarians as confessor and spiritual director.

Fr. Thomas’ time at the Mount as a seminarian helped him grow in his love to Our Blessed Mother. He first encountered the Mount’s great devotion to Our Lady when he met former Rector and Archbishop Emeritus Harry J. Flynn. Fr. Thomas recounts: “I immediately observed that the Blessed Mother was at the heart of

the Mount. After meeting Fr. Flynn, it did not take long to be deeply influenced by this extraordinary holy mountain and its exceptional staff and students.”

From mount seminarian to mount priest, Fr. thomas Smith continues to shepherd others into mary’s loving care on her holy mountain.


V. Rev. Timothy F. Whalen, S’78, Diocese of Pittsburgh, was recently named the new Rector of St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, PA. On his appointment, Fr. Whalen stated he is “very excited and feels very honored to be with young men who want to dedicate their lives to the new evangelization,” spoken by Blessed John Paul II. Previously, Fr. Whalen served as Chancellor of the Orchard Lake Schools in Orchard Lake, MI since 2000. The Most Rev. David Zubik, Bishop of Pittsburgh, noted, “I have known Fr. Whalen for nearly 40 years and know how gifted his is, how enthused he is about priestly formation and how well versed he is in it.” Fr. Whalen assumed his assignment on December 12, 2011.

Fr. Thomas E. Boyle, C’52, S’56, Diocese of Phoenix, visited the Seminary on October 28, 2011. He was thrilled to return to the Mount to mark his fifty-fifth anniversary of ordination to the holy priesthood. Fr. Boyle resides in Phoenix, AZ.

Two seminary alumni from the Diocese of Peoria were recently appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as Chaplains to His Holiness with the title monsignor. The two Mountaineer priests are Msgr. Philip D. Halfacre, S’91, and Msgr. Brian K. Brownsey, S’96. Msgr. Halfacre is currently pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Streator, IL, vicar of the Ottawa vicariate and a faculty member at Marquette

Academy. Msgr. Brownsey serves as pastor of St. Mark’s Parish in Peoria, and is also diocesan Director of Vocations and chaplain and director of St. Joseph’s Newman Center at Bradley University.

Fr. Joseph Peek, S’02, Archdiocese of Atlanta, was featured in the November 6, 2011, issue of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution with the headlines, “Ill, He Answers the Call to Heal.” Here’s his inspiring story. While a seminarian at the Mount, and just a few months prior to his ordination to the holy priesthood, Fr. Peek was diagnosed with life-threatening leukemia. During his treatment, he received a bone marrow transplant from his sister, Kathleen. The good news for Fr. Peek was the doctors were confident his disease was in remission. The bad news was that he now suffered from the graft-versus-host-disease that ravaged his body. The disease proved to be very painful and scarred 70 percent of his body with open wounds.

In spite of his illness, Fr. Peek steadfastly continued his ministry, focusing his energies on administering to the sick. He has become a very popular spiritual adviser at Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University, and also in the archdiocesan community. In October 2011, Fr. Peek walked three miles to raise funds for the fight against cancer. His resolve to participate was not a surprise to many of his friends. Before beginning his studies for the priesthood at

the Mount, Fr. Peek, served in the U.S. Navy as a rescue swimmer. The Mountaineer priest also received more good news. Recently, he began his new assignment as assistant pastor at All Saints Church in Dunwoody, GA. It’s also interesting to note that his brother, Fr. Kevin Peek, S’98, is Chaplain at the Georgia Tech Catholic Center.

Fr. Greg Markey, S’99, Diocese of Bridgeport, has authored his first book, Discovering the Camino De Santiago, a Priest’s Journey to the Tomb of St. James (BooksforCatholics.com). The book is an account of his 2009 pilgrimage to the tomb of St. James in Spain while walking the 500 mile ancient trail over the Pyrenees Mountains. In dealing with the physical demands, Fr. Markey found joy in the many graces of his journey. Fr. Markey is pastor of St. Mary Parish in Norwalk, CT and a columnist with the Fairfield County Catholic, the diocesan newspaper.

Fr. Hector Mateus-Ariza, S’09, was featured recently in the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s newspaper, the Catholic Review, cooking at the home of parishioners. Before entering the Mount to study for the priesthood, Fr. Hector was the executive chef for the President of Colombia. Presently, he is ministering at St. Ignatius Parish in Forest Hill, MD.

parentS’ WaLKWaY UpDateThe information brochure about the Parents’ Walkway was mailed to all seminary alumni in January. Construction begins in the spring 2012. The Walkway, to be located near the fountain area outside the O’Donnell Lecture Hall, will be a tribute to the parents, grandparents and loved ones of Seminary alumni and members of the Seminary community. Naming gift granite bricks and benches are available. Fr. C. Douglas Kenney, C’95, S’99, and Fr. Robert F. Oravetz, S’97, members of the Rector’s Council, are serving as co-chairs.

For more information about the Walkway, please contact the Office of Seminary Development and Alumni Relations (301-447-5017 or [email protected]).

in memoriamFr. Brian C. Fawcett

Seminary Class of 1997 Diocese of Rapid City

October 9, 2011

Fr. Julian A. Karczewski, Jr. Seminary Class of 1974

Diocese of Camden January 25, 2012

Fr. Theodore J. LeTure College Class of 1945

Seminary Class of 1949 Diocese of Rockville Centre

July 3, 2011

May they rest in peace.

Alumni News


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Fr. Brett A. Brannen will return to the Mount and serve as Retreat Master for

the annual Seminary Alumni Retreat, June 18-22, 2012. Fr. Brannen, Seminary Class of 1991 and a member of the Diocese of Savannah, is the author of To Save a Thousand Souls: A Guide for Discerning a Vocation to the Diocesan Priesthood. He served as Vice Rector of the Mount Seminary from 2005-2011 and is currently pastor of St. Matthew Parish in Statesboro, GA, and chaplain at Georgia Southern University. Seminary Rector Msgr. Steven P. Rohlfs,

S.T.D., Rector, noted in his announcement at the Seminary Alumni Reunion Dinner on October 4, 2011, that “Father Brannen is a highly respected retreat master who has directed many retreats for priests, religious and seminarians throughout the nation. It will be wonderful to have him back at the Mount.”For more information or to make reservations, alumni priests should contact Phil McGlade, Director of Seminary Development and Alumni Relations (301-447-5017 or [email protected]).

Upcoming SeminarY eVentS Lector mass - Friday, april 27, 2012 Presiding – Most Reverend, Daniel Jenky, Bishop of Peoria

acolyte mass - april 28, 2012 Presiding – Most Reverend Daniel Jenky, Bishop of Peoria

Deacon night and graduation - may 4, 2012

Seminary alumni Summer retreat – June 18-22, 2012, Retreat Master: Fr. Brett A. Brannen, S’91, (Savannah), author of, To Save a Thousand Souls: A Guide for Discerning a Vocation to the Diocesan Priesthood and former Vice Rector of the Seminary

Seminary alumni reunion – october 2-3, 2012 Homecoming Mass - Most Rev. William E. Lori, S’77, Bishop of Bridgeport, celebrant

Seminary Family Weekend – october 19-21, 2012

Father Brett Brannen to SerVe aS retreat maSter

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