Paving the Way: Chaminade Alumni

in Catholic Leadership

Bishop Richard Henning ’82

As a prominent member of the Rockville Centre community, Bishop Henning held various roles including professor of sacred scripture and formator at Seminary of the Immaculate Conception and episcopal vicar for the diocese.

Bishop Henning's exceptional academic record and contributions to the Catholic community did not go unnoticed. On June 8, 2018, Pope Francis appointed him as auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Bishop John Barres consecrated him as bishop on July 24, 2018.

In a recent development, on November 23, 2022, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Henning as coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Providence.

Jonathan Pham is a seminarian studying for the Diocese of Rockville Centre. The dynamic faith life at Chaminade nurtured his vocation to the priesthood where he entered the seminary directly after high school. As part of the seminary formation, he has a pastoral internship year, and he has been blessed to be a part of St. Dominic High School, where he served as a theology teacher and worked in campus ministry.

“The proper teaching of right, moral living is necessary for students today as they navigate through the flux and trends of modernity. The impact of the Marianists' education has left a treasured imprint on my vocational discernment towards the priesthood and allows me to pass on the torch to the next generation.”

Dr. William Mattison ’89

Dr. Mattison, a prominent scholar and theologian, completed his doctoral studies at the University of Notre Dame. During his years at the university, he focused on Thomistic moral theology under the guidance of Dr. Jean Porter and embarked on a Fulbright Fellowship in Fribourg, Switzerland, for his dissertation research, where he had the opportunity to learn from Fr. Servais Pinckaers, O.P.

In recognition of his exceptional scholarship and leadership, Prof. Mattison returned to the University of Notre Dame in 2016. He currently holds a joint appointment as a Wilsey Family Associate Professor in the Department of Theology and Senior Advisor for Theological Formation in the Alliance for Catholic Education, where he helps prepare Catholic school teachers.

Deacon Frank Kurre’s journey to becoming a clergyman began in 2009 when he entered the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception to begin his studies for the diaconate. Deacon Frank was ordained a deacon for the Diocese of Rockville Centre in 2013 and assigned to Notre Dame Parish.

Deacon Frank is a distinguished alumnus of Notre Dame School, Chaminade High School, St. John’s University, and the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception. He holds several leadership positions, including serving as chairman of the Board of Advisors of the Tobin College of Business, St. John’s University, on the Finance and Audit Committees of Catholic Health, on the Board of Advisors of Chaminade High School, and vice chairman of the Board of Directors of the Institute for Catholic Schools. Frank was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies.

“The Marianist priests and brothers have always been role models and heroes to me. They’ve taught me and thousands of others of how to live lives of service and faith."

Archbishop Christopher Cardone's journey began with his ordination as a Dominican priest on May 30, 1986. Following this, he spent two years as a parish priest at St. Gertrude Parish in Madeira, Ohio. In 1988, he moved to the Dominican vicariate in the Solomon Islands, where he held various positions.

Pope John Paul II appointed Cardone titular bishop of Thuburnica and auxiliary bishop to the Diocese of Gizo on March 27, 2001. Later, on October 19, 2004, Pope John Paul II appointed him bishop of the Diocese of Auki. On June 22, 2016, Pope Francis appointed Cardone as the archbishop of the Archdiocese of Honiara, and he was installed on September 10, 2016.

“Chaminade was a wonderful experience learning about our Catholic faith from memorable priests and brothers and meeting people who have become lifelong friends.”

John Schoenig is a prominent figure in the world of education and policy, serving as the senior director of teacher formation and education policy at the University of Notre Dame's Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE). Schoenig's leadership role in the ACE Teaching Fellows Program, the largest provider of Catholic school teaching talent in the United States, has made him a respected advocate for educational reform. He also over sees the Program for Educational Access (PEA), an enterprise that helps develop and implement policy that expands financial access to faith-based schools.

As a faculty member and Fellow of Notre Dame's Institute for Educational Initiatives (IEI), Schoenig has lent his expertise to the academic community. Schoenig earned his BA and M.Ed from the University of Notre Dame and his JD from the Notre Dame Law School.

“Although I didn't realize it as a student, Chaminade forged in me two dispositions that are at the heart of my life as a husband, father, and professional. The first is a passion for Catholic schools. The second is the willingness to accept the reality that I am not the center of the universe.”