Roman Echoes 2013 - Issue 5

The Pontifical North American College

2013 • ISSUE 5

EDITORIAL STAFF Editor in Chief Geoffrey A. Brooke Jr. ‘15 Diocese of Jefferson City Layout & Design Manager Anthony Klimko ‘15 Diocese of Greensburg Managing Editor Kevin Staley-Joyce ‘16 Archdiocese of Boston Assistant Editors Paul Haverstock ‘16 Archdiocese of Minneapolis-St. Paul & Donato Infante III ‘15 Diocese of Worcester & Zac Povis ‘15 Archdiocese of St. Louis & Ruben Villareal ‘15 Diocese of Lake Charles Layout & Design Editors Nicholas Fleming ‘15 Diocese of Providence & Corey Tufford ‘16 Diocese of San Diego Photographers Michael Rubeling ‘15 Archdiocese of Baltimore & Kyle Manglona ‘16 Archdiocese of Seattle & Michael Lund ‘16 Diocese of Pembroke

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FRONT COVER The entire Pontifical North American College students and faculty with (in the front and center from left) Rev. Msgr. Michael Farmer ‘95, Vice Rector for Administration, Rev. Msgr. James Checchio ‘92, C‘97, Rector of the College, Rev. Timothy McKeown ‘97, C‘04 Vice Rector for Seminary Life.

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Features/Contents

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ector’s Corner R Rev. Msgr. James Checchio ‘92, C’97

W MEN ORIENTATION NE Anthony Hollowell ‘16

A NEW MAN’S PERSPECTIVE Michael Zimmerman ‘17

EACE VIGIL WITH POPE FRANCIS P Jack Berard ‘17

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Summ er Abroad Jim Morin ‘16

Life at the College

New Faculty Sean Grismer ‘16

WORLD YOUTH DAY Lewi Barakat ‘15

SACRED ARCHITECTURE PRESENTATION

LIFE AT THE CASA SANTA MARIA Rev. John Mitchell ‘13, C‘15

ICTE EXPERIENCE Monsignor. Michael Rose

Annual Profile

Alumni Focus Paul Haverstock ‘16

VAL J PETER SCHOLARSHIPS Zac Povis ‘15

Institutional Advancement Mark Randall, CFRE

ALL WORKSHOPS F Alec Scott ‘15

Diaconate Ordination Daniel Sedlacek ‘16

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OPENING BANQUETS Rev. John P. Cush, ‘98, C‘15 Richard Miserendino ‘15

Economo’s Corner Rev. Msgr. Michael Farmer ‘95 2013 • Issue 5

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Board of Governors of the Pontifical North American College Chairman Most Rev. John J. Myers ‘67 Archbishop of Newark Vice Chairman Most Rev. John C. Nienstedt ‘73, C‘84 Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis Treasurer Most Rev. Frank J. Dewane ‘88, C‘89 Bishop of Venice

A view of the fountain in the Cortile of the College during the Diaconate Reception.

Secretary Most Rev. Patrick J. Zurek ‘75 Bishop of Amarillo

Rector Rev. Msgr. James F. Checchio ‘92, C‘97 Vice Rector for Administration Rev. Msgr. Michael Farmer ‘95 Vice Rector of Seminary Life Rev. Timothy McKeown ‘97, C‘04 Interim Superior, Casa Santa Maria Rev. Msgr. Michael Osborn ‘92, C‘99 Director, Institute For Continuing Theological Education Rev. Msgr. Anthony J. Figueiredo C‘00 Executive Director, Institutional Advancement Mark Randall, CFRE

Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl ‘67 Archbishop of Washington Most Rev. Robert J. Carlson Archbishop of St. Louis Most Rev. Salvatore Cordileone ‘82, C‘89 Archbishop of San Francisco Most Rev. Gerald N. Dino C‘72 Byzantine Catholic Bishop of Phoenix Most Rev. Robert C. Evans ‘73, C‘89 Auxiliary Bishop of Providence Most Rev. Jeffrey Monforton ‘93, C‘02 Bishop of Steubenville Most Rev. Wiliam F. Murphy ‘65 C‘74 Bishop of Rockville Centre Most Rev. Glen J. Provost ‘75 Bishop of Lake Charles Most Rev. Michael J. Sheehan ‘65, C‘71 Archbishop of Santa Fe Most Rev. Joseph Siegel ‘88 Auxiliary Bishop of Joliet Most Rev. John Vlazny ‘62 Archbishop Emeritus of Portland

Rector’s Corner

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s we celebrate Thanksgiving, a time for reflection on God’s blessings in our lives, I am certainly including in my prayer of thanks our many supporters who are so faithful in generously providing for the North American College so that our Church can have the future priests she needs to fulfill her mission. God has blessed us with a wonderful community of friends and alumni who help us in our mission of priestly formation here at the College and I am so impressed by your sacrificial and consistent generosity in supporting us. Thanksgiving certainly gives us here at the College a wonderful reminder to say some extra prayers for you.

The College has much to be thankful for this year as we continue to offer the best possible formation program to the 250 students currently enrolled at the Seminary, 69 priests in residence at the Casa Santa Maria, and the full capacity enrollment at the Institute for Continuing Theological Education (ICTE). It is only with the support and encouragement of friends like you that we are able to accomplish such great works. And they are great works. What better way to strengthen the Catholic Church in America than to prepare priests who are firmly grounded in prayer, whose hearts burn with pastoral charity, and with intellects well prepared for sharing the Good News. It is truly beautiful to see their love for our Holy Father grow more firm, as we witness up close his extraordinary spirit of self-sacrifice and love reaching out to all, and to see so many faithful coming weekly in greater numbers than ever to hear him and receive his blessing. I also thank God for the top-notch faculty of the College, the largest resident priest faculty in our history, who give of themselves so generously day in and day out. I am confident that our seminarians and priests will be wonderful witnesses and shepherds when they return home. Perhaps you will meet them one day and hear for yourself how the College changed them and enriched their priestly life and ministry.

Please remember to keep all of our seminarians and priests at the College in your prayers, as I am sure you will be remembered in their prayers. Once again, I thank you for your faithful support as you share with us in preparing faithful and holy priests for pastoral ministry in the United States. Enjoy this issue of Roman Echoes which highlights the arrival of our new men this year, 64 seminarians, our diaconate ordination at St. Peter’s, the beginning of the year at the Casa Santa Maria and the Fall ICTE program, along with our fall workshops and retreats and so much more. I hope it provides you a window into our life which I am so privileged to see each day!

May you have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving and Advent Season! Know of my prayers of gratitude for you, and we count on, and need, your continued prayers and generosity.

Thank you again!

Rev. Msgr. James Checchio ‘92, C‘97 Diocese of Camden Rector

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NEW MEN ORIENTATION

The One Thing Needed for Orientation Anthony Hollowell ‘16, Archdiocese of Indianapolis

New Men gather with the faculty for dinner on the fifth-floor terrace.

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s an orientation team, it was important for us to reflect on what are the essential traditions to pass on to the new men, and this lead to the question: What makes for greatness at the Pontifical North American College?

Greatness has always been and will forever be determined by one thing: love of God and neighbor, reflected in humble service to those in need.

“Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” To love others—to serve them and not seek to be served—has always been the standard of true greatness. This great tradition of the Catholic Church worth carrying on, and it was our hope to keep it at the heart of every tradition we passed on to the new men.

Seminarians have achieved greatness here in Rome only to the extent that they have infused their hearts, minds, and souls with the standard of greatness that shines forth from the crucified body of Jesus Christ. Pope Benedict said something similar: “We must never forget—as priests—that the only legitimate ascent to the ministry of the pastor is not that of success, but of the Cross.” It was crucial for us as an orientation team to share such a standard and to elevate it as something we all strive for as seminarians.

Anthony Hollowell ‘16, chair for orientation, welcomes the new men to Rome.

In the quest to be good servants, we spent much time planning orientation, seeking to make it smooth and efficient, but it would have been in vain if we had forgotten the few essentials. “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful.” We were cautious to guard this one thing, this love of Jesus Christ, at all costs.

I would rather have burnt pasta with people who love me than perfect pasta with people who re-sent me. I would rather miss a tour of Saint Peter’s Basilica with a group of friends than see the finest Rome has to offer with a group of cold, self-centered people.

I would rather misspell a nametag than misunderstand a personality.

Scripture tells us, “Martha was distracted with much serving.” She lost her focus on Jesus because she was anxious and troubled in her service.

It was our goal as an orientation

team not to lose sight of our love for Jesus Christ, the one whom we are following and trying to serve. One thing is necessary, and as future priests, we must be vigilant in guarding this one thing at all times and in all that we do. It truly is the better part, and it will not be taken from us.

Due to the generous service of so many staff and seminarians, all sixty-four new men arrived safely and smoothly.

The College has been blessed with the arrival of these men, who seem anxious to hold fast to the one thing necessary, possessing a love for Jesus Christ and His priesthood. They too know the voice of the Good Shepherd, and they have chosen to follow Him. He has led them here to Rome. I am thankful to them for following that voice. They may be new to Rome, but they are not new to love. We need leaders who can show us how to love, and our new seminarians can be those men.

Our Facebook page now has nearly 1500 friends! Join the crowd at: www.facebook.com/PontificalNorthAmericanCollege 2013 • Issue 5

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A NEW MAN’S PERSPECTIVE

The New Man Class of 2017 gathers in front of St. Peter’s Basilica before Mass at the tomb of St. Peter during orientation.

Learning in the Desert Michael Zimmerman ‘17, Archdiocese of Boston

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or the new men, our time so far in Rome has been something like Jesus’ time in the desert.

Like Jesus, our preparation for public ministry leaves us hungry. We experience this hunger in different ways: hunger for our friends, for family, a sense of control, a sense of belonging, for speaking English (after eight weeks of Italian study), an American education system (after registering for classes at the Gregorian), or for good old American food and football. Ultimately, these things weren’t enough to satisfy our hungers back home, and they wouldn’t be enough to satisfy us here either. Our hunger is for Jesus Christ.

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In the desert, He’ll lead us to fresh water and green pastures day by day.

During orientation, we’ve already seen glimpses of the many gifts God has in store for us. We’ve prayed at the tombs of Saints Peter, Paul, and a litany of others. We soon found out that a ten-minute walk is all that separates us from praying the Sunday Angelus with Pope Francis, who always wishes us a “Buon Pranzo” as he bids farewell. We’ve already experienced the strong formation program and the fraternity at the North American College. We’ve seen God’s face in the poor and needy of Rome, and we’ve experienced the Church universal in our travels along

with our theology lectures every day.

God has been good to us; it is right to praise Him, and He’s got so much more to offer us as long as we stay hungry.

Being hungry in the desert is at times neither fun nor easy (except for a metaphorical oasis—like beating the second-year seminarians at softball).

But we go to the desert nonetheless to learn how to lead others through the deserts of their own lives, that we may all arrive together one day in the Promised Land. For us, that’s reason enough to let ourselves be driven here by the Spirit.

PEACE VIGIL WITH POPE FRANCIS

Witnessing Pope Francis’ Call for Peace

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Jack Berard ‘16, Archdiocese of Washington

n September 7, I had the amazing opportunity to serve the Prayer Vigil for Peace in Saint Peter’s Square led by Pope Francis. I was one of ten seminarians from the College to serve that night, and was lucky enough to be chosen to hold the microphone for our Holy Father. Any opportunity to pray with the pope is special, but to stand so close to him is something I will never forget.

Two specific moments stand out in my experience that night. First was my surprise to see Saint Peter’s Square filled with people for a vigil.

Of course, Pope Francis always draws large crowds, but every last part of the Square was filled with faithful praying for peace. That alone spoke volumes, but the truly amazing part was witnessing how many people remained from start to finish, leaving the Square full at the end of four hours of prayer. It was a graced event.

The second moment I will forever remember was being able to be so close to our Holy Father. I was less than an arm’s length away, and so was able to see the emotions on his face throughout the night. At the beginning of the night he seemed burdened—in a way that showed me he understands his role as spiritual head of all Catholics—and of the world. His call to prayer that night wasn’t just a nice gesture, but what

TOP: Tens of Thousands gathered into St. Peter’s Square in response to Pope Francis’ call for a prayer vigil for peace.

LEFT: North American College seminarians in attendance for the Prayer Vigil for Peace.

he saw to be his Christian duty. At the end of the night, as I held the microphone for him again, I didn’t see the same burdened face. It was a face relieved and at peace. I could

see that he knew he had done his duty by calling millions to pray for peace.

Although I knew that night would be an incredible experience, I never expected I would learn so much about the power of prayer.

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FALL WORKSHOPS

Silent Contemplation and Formation to Start the NAC Year Alec Scott ‘15, Archdiocese of Washington

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ach year, as the heat and humidity of the Roman summer begin to give way to the first hints of autumn, the North American College once again fills. The new men, under the watchful eyes of their brothers in second theology, complete the final days of their orientation as the men of third and fourth theology return from their respective home dioceses in the United States. With the rigors of classes, banquets, and the ordination of deacons still weeks away, the seminary collectively undergoes a privileged period of formation, fraternity, and spiritual renewal in preparation for the unique joys and challenges of the coming year.

For the men of first theology, September is a month of intensive Italian courses partnered with the constant task of integration into a new way of life in Rome. Arrival at the College marks the first time living overseas for many, and all must face the challenge of coming to know each of the three hundred men with whom they now live. With the difficulties, however, comes the distinct grace of encountering and exploring Rome, the heart of the Church, and its many resident saints and martyrs whom they now count as neighbors.

After a fruitful summer of apostolic or academic work in Europe, Asia, or Africa, the men of second theology return to cast off their former identities as new men and begin formation for the quickly approaching reality of Holy Orders. Visiting former 10 The Pontifical North American College

faculty member Rev. David Songy, OFM Cap., along with house spiritual director Rev. Austin Vetter ‘93, taught the men of second theology courses in priestly identity. Sean O’Brien ‘16 (Oklahoma City) felt that the “opportunity to sit and pray with different aspects of priestly ministry served as a potent reminder that one day we will wake up and no longer be in seminary.” The class was also the blessed recipient of homiletic wisdom imparted by the returning Carl J. Peter Chair of Homiletics, Rev. James Quigley, O.P. Those courses, along with practical preaching exercises, helped to remind the men more clearly of the reality of the vocation each one pursues.

The third-year men, refreshed after their first summer home in two years, sat for courses on pastoral counseling taught by house psychologist Rev. Robert Blyman and Dr. Thomas Finn of the Franciscan Life Center in Meriden, Connecticut. They were also treated to homiletics courses by visiting college alumnus Rev. William Byrne ‘93 of the Archdiocese of Washington—a class favorite. Of his courses, Richard Miserendino ‘15 (Arlington) remarked, “It was one of those rare moments in life where we got to learn from and work with not just an old pro, but a bona fide craftsman,” and also added, “it was an excellent formation opportunity.”

TOP: Most. Rev. Octavio Cisneros, Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn, poses for a final picture with the third year men during their fall workshops concerning hispanic ministry.

BOTTOM: Most. Rev. Octavio Cisneros, Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn, speaks to the third year men about hispanic ministry.

In addition to formation workshops, each class spent one week on silent retreat, allowing the seminarians to refresh themselves in the love of Jesus Christ before the true rigors of the year began. This retreat was particularly welcome for the men of the fourth theology class who were preparing to lay down their lives in service to the Church at the coming diaconate ordination. Newly ordained deacon Paul Buchanan ‘14 (Charlotte) remarked, “The silence was a real gift, as I was able to take

some time out from my hectic preordination planning to spend with the Lord Jesus—the same Lord to whom I was preparing to give my entire life at the ordination the following week.” As a fitting end to four years of the formation and spiritual renewal that comes each September at the North American College, he added, “I have been grateful for all of the retreats that we’ve been able to make together, but this one was by far the most powerful.”

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DIACONATE ORDINATION

“Worthy Servants” Daniel Sedlacek ‘16, Diocese of La Crosse

Rev. Mr. John S. Gibson ‘14 (Milwaukee) distributes Holy Communion.

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n the morning of October 3, forty-one seminarians from the Pontifical North American College processed to the Altar of the Chair in Saint Peter’s Basilica. Shortly thereafter, His Eminence, James Cardinal Harvey ‘75, Archpriest of the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls and native of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, ordained them to the order of deacon.

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Among those in attendance were Edwin Cardinal O’Brien C‘76 and Bernard Cardinal Law, along with approximately 2,400 pilgrims made up of the families, friends, and parishioners of the newly ordained deacons.

The Rite of Ordination began with the calling of each candidate by name, each responding, “Present.” Cardinal Harvey continued the ordination

rite, asking the rector of the North American College, Monsignor James Checchio ‘92, C‘97, “Do you know them to be worthy?”

The question was the central focus of Cardinal Harvey’s homily. “No one is worthy of Holy Orders. God accepts His ministers as worthy only because God makes them worthy.

God’s call cleanses. His grace and strength supply what a human being

called to His ministry cannot offer.

The one called by God only need respond as did the prophets of old when invited to prophesy. Isaiah said, ‘Here I am! Send me.’” The true cause for the day’s celebration, Cardinal Harvey explained, was neither the deacons’ suitability or preparation for diaconal duties, nor an initiation into a “club,” but that “God has once again manifested His might through His goodness” by dedicating, calling, and choosing them “before they were born.” Cardinal Harvey then reminded the candidates, “God first loved you, and in His inscrutable design of providence, you respond to that love by answering His call to selfless giving in fidelity to Him and His Church.”

The diaconate class of 2013 gathers for a final picture with ordaining prelate James Cardinal Harvey ‘75 and their Eminences Bernard Cardinal Law and Edwin Cardinal O’Brien C‘76.

The deacon candidates lay prostrate during the chanting of the litany of the saints, symbolizing this selfless giving. This act, Cardinal Harvey explained, prepares them to embrace willingly the Cross, whose beams are the promises of celibate chastity and obedience. Carrying the Cross “is the final assurance of the tender embrace of Christ who reminds you in the gospel, ‘It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you, and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will last.’”

Responding in sacrifice to God’s love for them, the newly ordained deacons are to bear fruit in service: service of the word, service of the altar, and service through pastoral charity. Cardinal Harvey concluded his remarks, affirming the deacons’ worthiness for Holy Orders and praying, as they came to the altar of God, that He would give them a joy to keep their hearts young. “Yes, these men are worthy to receive the unmerited gift of holy orders.

The deacon candidates at prayer.

God makes them worthy, since the ministry of Jesus Christ and the Church is not the work of man. It is the work of God; God, who gives abundant joy to those who serve Him.” The priests, seminarians, and staff of the North American College

congratulate these forty-one new deacons along with their twelve classmates who were ordained during the summer. We are humbled by their courageous response to the call of God, who makes them worthy to go out to all the world and “bear fruit that will last.”

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OPENING BANQUETS

Kicking Off the Semester at the Casa Santa Maria Rev. John P. Cush ‘98, C‘15, Diocese of Brooklyn

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his academic year at the Casa Santa Maria began with much gratitude to God and much hopeful expectation. In June, Monsignor Michael Osborn ‘92, C‘99 began his generous service to our community of priests as our interim superior, ably assisted by Monsignor Cornelius McCrae, spiritual director of the Casa alongside his duties at the Janiculum. Joining the Casa’s community of priests this year were twenty-nine new priests, some newly ordained fifth-year priests from the North American College and some veterans, all beginning or continuing studies on the graduate level at the various pontifical universities. The total number of priests at the Casa Santa Maria this year is close to seventy, making it one of the largest communities of diocesan priests in the world. The largest single field of study for priests at the Casa this year is canon law, followed by studies in dogmatic theology, sacred scripture, and the rest of the theological disciplines.

On Saturday, October 12, we began the academic year with our annual house meeting. We were welcomed

by Monsignor James Checchio ‘92, C‘97, Rector of the North American College, and were given orientation

by Monsignor Michael Farmer ‘95, Vice-Rector and Economo, along with Monsignor McRae and Monsignor Osborn. Following the meeting, Archbishop J. Augustine DiNoia O.P.,

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secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, was the principal celebrant of the anticipatory Sunday Mass, and was joined in concelebration by Bishop Robert Morlino, C‘90 and the priests of the Casa.

Following Mass was a reception in the Casa’s Red Room, along with a wonderful banquet for which we were joined by Monsignor Roger Roensch ‘57, Monsignor Robert Trisco ‘55, our long-time supporter Mr. Jack Ball, the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan who staff the Visitors’ Office, and the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist who staff our Library. The Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate and the dedicated personale who staff the Casa Santa

Maria were recognized at the banquet in a special way for their loving care and service to all of our priests.

Under the leadership of Monsignor Osborn, we look forward to many blessings this semester at the Casa.

Please pray for the student priests of this house, all studying for their licenses and doctorates, our staff priests, Monsignor Osborn and Monsignor McRae, and our dedicated religious sisters and personale, who make our lives so much easier each day. Pray that we may, under the patronage of Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom, grow in our knowledge of the faith, and, in this Year of Faith with its call for the New Evangelization, be able to express that faith to all those to whom we minister.

From left to right: Rev. Msgr Michael A.Osborn ‘92 C‘99 (interim Superior of the Casa Santa Maria) Rev. Msgr. Connie McRae (Spiritual Director at the Casa), Archbishop Augustine DiNoia, OP, Bishop Robert C. Morlino, Rev. Msgr. James Checchio ‘92 C‘97, and Rev. Msgr. Michael Farmer ’95.

OPENING BANQUETS

Setting a Tone at the NAC Opening Banquet Richard Miserendino ‘15, Diocese of Arlington

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hough nestled between the celebratory fanfare of diaconate ordinations and the hubbub of the first weeks of class, the College’s Opening Banquet is no mere blip on the NAC seminarian’s radar. Meek as it might appear in comparison to the month’s other events, the banquet is an important moment in seminary life as it provides the setting for two elected students to address the community on behalf of their class, setting the tone for the year.

This year’s first speech gave the New Man class—fresh from settling into Rome and finishing Italian lessons—a chance to take a breath and introduce themselves to the house. The second address, given by a newly ordained deacon, gives the house an opportunity to reflect on the graces the deacons have just received through orders, along with the wisdom they’ve received along the way. Speaking on behalf of the new men this year was Justin Conover ‘17 (Fort Worth), with the Deacon class represented by Rev. Mr. Matthew Dalrymple ‘14 (Atlanta).

Both delivered with verve and aplomb.

While Mr. Conover highlighted his class’ unity and Deacon Dalrymple his class’ personality, both drew attention to a key aspect of their confreres’ motives for discerning the priesthood: joy in loving and serving Christ and his Church.

Msgr. Checchio ‘92 C‘97, Rector, poses with Mr. Jack Ball during the Opening Banquet 2013.

From left to right: Rev. Mr. Jon Ficara ‘14, Rev. Mr. Andrew Vill ‘14, Rev. Mr. Mark Murphy ‘14, Rev. Mr. Kyle Sahd ‘14, Rev. Mr. Adam Hofer ‘14 and Rev. Mr. Juan Luxama ‘14.

Joy. It is joy in Christ that strengthens and unites the new man class, joy that spurs them on to further discernment.

It is joy in Christ that shows on the faces of all the recently ordained deacons as they make their final preparations for priesthood. There is joy in welcoming and getting to know the new Holy Father—especially in our

troubling times. This was the message that resonated from both the new men and the old, setting the tone for the opening of the new year. Though challenges will certainly accompany the new year, the NAC community is ready and willing to continue to meet them, proceeding always in the joy of Christ.

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SUMMER ABROAD

Indian Summer Jim Morin ‘16, Diocese of Lincoln

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’d like to tell you about Calcutta, India. There’s a reason, but I’ll get to that later.

For many Westerners, the name Calcutta evokes an image of a short nun in a blue and white religious habit—Mother Teresa—who, out of love for Christ, gave herself to the poorest of the poor. This summer, David Tomaszycki ‘16 (Detroit), Hans Mueller ‘16 (Portland in Oregon), and I travelled to the city where it all began, hoping in some small way to continue her work by volunteering with her order, the Missionaries of Charity (MCs).

There are two ways I could talk about our experience. The first way would be to bombard you with descriptions of what we encountered. I would tell you about crowded city streets lined with fruit vendors, about wandering stray dogs, about the noise of thousands of taxi cabs and buses and cars untiringly honking their horns as they weaved their way through frenetic traffic. I would tell you about the horrid smell of trash mixed with the delicious aroma of chai tea sold on the street. I would describe the sound of crowded mosques during Ramadan and the clamor made by packs of Indian boys as they wildly ran through the city carrying incense bowls for Kālī, a local goddess. I would tell you about old, barefoot men pulling rickshaws. I would try to explain how heavy the air felt because of the humidity.

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After this would be a description of Nirmal Hriday, the MC home for the dying. Eighty men and women, all of whom have been taken from Calcutta’s streets, live there, where they are clothed, fed, and cared for by the sisters. I would explain to you how I felt helpless as I sat with them in a stark room with “MORTUARY” printed above the door. They spoke no English (and we no Bengali), so we gave them all we could—a smile, a handshake, and some of our time.

Then I would tell you about Daya Dan, an orphanage for children with mental disabilities. I might tell you about a boy named Justice, who loved to sing (John Denver, especially) or maybe about Bernard—who could barely move his arms—and his untiring smile. And of course there was three-year-old Prince, who knew exactly how to get what he wanted from volunteers. I would tell you about struggling to teach them basic counting, or the colors, or the alphabet. I definitely wouldn’t leave out what happened on Sundays, when all the students came to Mass.

They sang (some nearly yelling) the responses perfectly and behaved (almost) perfectly. And, of course, I would explain to you that these brief descriptions are just the beginning.

It was a new experience for this kid from America’s Midwest.

Second-year man David Tomaszycki ‘13 (Detroit) poses for a picture during his summer abroad in India with the Missionaries of Charity.

That would be one way to tell you about Calcutta. But I don’t think it’s the best way. It tells of the experience, but misses the meaning.

Instead, it would be better to take you to a large, simple, concrete room.

Amid the confusion of Calcutta, it is uncharacteristically silent. Every day, early in the morning, for an hour, nearly one hundred women come to kneel on the hard floor before a golden tabernacle. They do not say anything, but they listen. They listen to Him who loves them, who died out of love for them, out of love for Prince, Justice, and Bernard—and for you and me. They listen silently in order that they too might love like Him, and smile like Him, for a day. Whatever else I might say about Calcutta, it’s in that quiet room where I discovered its truest meaning—it is Christ’s beloved city.

CARDINAL DOLAN LUNCHEON

College thanks Cardinal Dolan for service as USCCB President

TOP: Cardinal Dolan ‘76 gathers with other American prelates stationed in Rome or visiting, Archbishop Vigano, Nuncio to the US, and Msgr. James Checchio ‘92 C‘97 LEFT: Cardinal Dolan ‘76, speaks with Most. Rev. William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore.

The College was honored to host a farewell luncheon thanking His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan ’76, Archbishop of New York for his hard work and service as President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. His Eminence previously served as rector of the North American College from 1994-2001. He was elected to a three year term as president of the USCCB by his brother bishops in 2010. His leadership of Catholics throughout the United States during these past years is greatly appreciated and provides a wonderful example of leadership for the men currently studying at the College. The college wishes him well as he continues to serve the Church in his roles as Cardinal and Archbishop of New York.

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Life at the College

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5 1. Scott Valentyn ‘16 and Tobias Letak ‘16 enjoying themselves at this years Oktoberfest.

2. Jeff Dole ‘14, Mark Murphy ‘14, and Kyle Diggman ‘14 before the Diaconate Ordination at St. Peter’s Basilica.

3. Matthew Dalrymple ‘14, Michael Conway ‘14, and David Rider ‘14 praying before their ordination to the diaconate.

4. Matt Tucci ‘16 giving two thumbs up to Brunch during Orientation.

5. The softball teams of the classes of ‘16 and ‘17 take time after the game to pray together over the Labor Day weekend.

6. Conrad Murphy ‘15 at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica preparing for the Deaconate Ordination.

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7. Alexander Padilla ‘16, Clark Sample ‘16, and Matthew Prochilo ‘16 call the softball game over the Labor Day weekend.

8. The class of 2017 up to bat during their game with the class of 2016.

9. New man, Byran Kuhr ‘17, up at bat and ready to swing at the pitch.

10. Robert Adams ‘16 grilling some brats for the Labor Day festivities.

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11. Aleksandr Schrenk ‘17 and Nicholas Hagen ‘17 cheering on their classmates during the softball game.

12. Darin Schmidt ‘15, Jesus Ledexma ‘16, and Clark Sample ‘16 at the vigil the night before the deaconate ordinations.

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NEW FACULTY

Welcoming the North American College’s New Faculty Sean Grismer ‘16, Diocese of Rockford

Rev. Jame Quigley, O.P. (faculty), Carl J. Peter Chairman of Homiletics.

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he College is happy to welcome back Fr. James Quigley, O.P., who is grateful to return and reclaim the Carl J. Peter Chair of Homiletics, which he held from 2005 to 2011. Fr. Quigley is a member of the St. Joseph Providence of the Order of Preachers and for the past two years has worked with alumni at Providence College in Rhode Island. During his previous term with us, Fr. Quigley not only instructed seminarians in homiletics but also taught a course in Americn Church history for students studying at the Angelicum and the Gregorian. He is excited to be back

20 The Pontifical North American College

and sees it as a great gift to “work with seminarians who are on in their final years of formation and on the brink of the priesthood.”

Sr. Maximilian Marie, O.P. first found her way to Rome in 2000.

After spending two years as a youth minister, she discerned that God was calling her to enter religious life with the Dominican Sisters of Mary.

Coming from World Youth Day 2000 in Rome, she said that “through the preaching of our chaplain, Monsignor John Cihak ‘98, C ‘07, I heard the nature of a religious calling, that is,

Rev. Peter Harman ‘99 (faculty).

spiritual motherhood.” Sister says that she desired all her life to be a wife and mother but “had no idea that religious life comprised both spousal relationship and maternity.” After joining the Dominican sisters, she worked as a school principal for five years in Sacramento, California and spent a year in the Order’s Mission Advancement Office before being asked by Mother Assumpta Long to come to the North American College.

Sister said that she is excited to live, work, and pray in an environment of seminarians and priests as her order “has a special devotion to the

Motherhood of Mary; it encourages us and reinforces our identity.”

Leaving her pursuit of aerospace engineering, Sr. Mary Cecilia, O.P. entered the Order on September 1, 2002 and joins the College’s library staff. After taking final vows in 2010, she taught in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Austin, Texas, and Hilton Head, South Carolina. Owing to her vow of obedience, Sister sees that “the beauty of Religious Life is to go where you are sent and to know that is where God is challenging you to be a saint.” Since entering the Order she has received a bachelor’s degree in education, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, and is currently working on a master’s degree in theology through St. Paul’s Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

She is overjoyed to work with seminarians and priests in Rome, where we are “connected to the universality of the Church in time and space.”

Not unfamiliar to the North American College, Mr. Leon Griesbach joins the community as choir director. His brother, Fr. Seamus Griesbach ‘07, is a NAC alumnus. Mr. Griesbach comes to the College with his wife, Cassie, and their two daughters, Emma and Stella. He began his singing career in a boy’s choir at seven and was cantoring at his parish church by age twelve. He received a bachelor’s degree in sacred music, with a focus in organ performance, from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. In June 2008, Mr. Griesbach was hired as the organist of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception while also directing a boy’s choir. He is excited to be part of the NAC community, and especially “to see how the choir grows and to see where the men end up after they leave from here in ten or fifteen years.”

Fr. Peter Harman ‘99 is excited to return to the College as part of the formation faculty. Fr. Harman is a priest of the Diocese of Springfield, Illinois and most recently was rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception during its restoration.

After his ordination from the NAC in 1999, he received his S.T.L. in moral theology from the Alphonsianum and subsequently returned to his diocese to teach in a high school and minister as an associate pastor of the same cathedral. He later received his S.T.D. in moral theology from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Fr. Harman loved his time in Rome as a student, and when he received the call asking him to return as a faculty member his response was simple: “I would never say no to the NAC because of what it did for my vocation.”

News from rome never traveled so fast The latest news, photos and stories from our campuses in Rome, delivered monthly to your Inbox for free! Sign up today at, http://onlinegiving.pnac.org

2013 • Issue 5

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WORLD YOUTH DAY

“Go, do not be afraid, and serve” Lewi Barakat ‘15, Archdiocese of Sydney, Australia

Seminarians Lewi Barakat (Sydney) ‘15 and Joseph Hamilton (Sydney) ‘16 in Rio de Janeiro.

22 The Pontifical North American College

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hese were the three key ideas preached by Pope Francis to over 3.5 million Catholics at the final Mass of World Youth Day 2013, in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

What should I do? “Go”—It‘s a direction to get moving, a reminder that we are pilgrims on earth—by going, I would open myself to the possibilities of discovery and growth in the Lord along the way.

The other important aspect of the experience was to “serve”—not only was I called to serve those in my group, but together with them, we were sent to serve a community in Pamplona, a shanty town in Lima, Peru. Though we were confronted with a material poverty unseen in Australia, it was an honor to meet our brothers and sisters in Christ whose daily life revealed the Cross of Christ.

We continued forward then to Rio, when the millions of young people gathered together on Copacabana beach from over 175 different countries we knew you were witnessing the beauty of the Catholic Church—truly universal. I can remember quite vividly, picturing what Pope Francis would himself observe on his arrival: “looking out to the sea, the beach, and all of you gathered here, I am reminded of the moment when Jesus called the first disciples to follow him by the shores of Lake Tiberias”.

Pope Francis’ arrival on Copacabana beach could be compared with how a good father would come to check on his children. Though the pilgrims were all enjoying each other’s company, discovering how much they share in common with people they have never met before—essentially a true faith in Jesus Christ—when the Pope arrived, like a good family, the

Rev. Daniel McCaughan ‘13 (Sydney) and Mr. Lewi Barakat ‘15 (Sydney) during their pilgrimage to Rio de Janeiro for World Youth Day.

pilgrims wanted to gather around and hear what the Holy Father had to say to them.

who had brought us all together in Rio, and filled us with His peace and joy.

The memory that will remain with me always of that most holy moment in the Mass, when Pope Francis prayed the words of consecration. Over 3.5 million people on a beach in Rio, completely silent in prayer, in holy awe and reverence of the Christ, who is present in a real way on the holy altar. I have heard of other large gatherings of peoples before and perhaps even been a part of some— but none like this. Only God is able to silence that many people—not out of fear or manipulation, like others in history have attempted—but out of sheer love and awe for the true God,

The experience of being a pastoral leader for World Youth Day 2013, fed me with the spiritual food to grow in my desire to be a servant of the people of God. To share in the spiritual journey of that small group was a privilege, and a foretaste of priestly ministry. As a third year theologian in Rome, preparing for holy orders, the words of Pope Francis continue to echo within me—“Go, do not be afraid, serve.”

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SACRED ARCHITECTURE PRESENTATION

Renowned Architect Addresses Practical Tips for Building Beautiful Churches College

Seminarians listen to a lecture on art and architecture, given by Prof. Duncan Stroik.

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he College was recently treated to a presentation on church architecture given by Mr. Duncan Stroik. Mr. Stroik currently serves as a Professor of Architecture at the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture. Additionally, he is the founding editor of the Sacred Architecture Journal. His most recognizable work is the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, Wis. The presentation proved to be very practical in giving advice to future pastors on how to make decisions when it comes to renovating and building new churches. Mr. Stroik spoke of the importance for churches

24 The Pontifical North American College

Robert Boxie ‘16 (left) speaks with Prof. Duncan Stroik (right) following the conference on art and architecture in the church.

to be beautiful houses of worship, worthy of the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy. At the same time he also gave specific advice for how to plan a major building project. The

seminarians were grateful for the presentation which helped them to prepare for yet another of the many pastoral situations they will encounter upon their return to the United States.

LIFE AT THE CASA SANTA MARIA

Growing in the priesthood through fraternity Rev. John Mitchell ‘13, C‘15

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Hot off the press and being put back in the oven.” That was the boiled-down tagline I used this summer to explain my current status to parishioners at Holy Family Catholic Community—the cluster parish I served in Fond du Lac, Wis. Having been ordained in May, I was only to be with them for three short months before returning to Rome to finish a license in biblical theology.

The life of a diocesan priest at the Casa Santa Maria is in many ways unusual. He is a fish out of water.

Because he studies for the sake of those he will serve in the future and in a far away land (namely, the United States of America, for most of us) his flock is distant, both geographically and temporally. Opportunities arise to serve more local flocks, such as pilgrims passing through the Eternal City, or groups of study-abroad students, or the various communities of religious sisters who live, work, and study in Rome; but on the whole, he is a shepherd without any sheep.

This time away provided for him to dig deep into the spiritual and intellectual mines of the Church’s patrimony while residing at the heart of the universal Church is equally unusual.

Perhaps never again will his “work day” consist of spending long hours reading, learning foreign languages, and writing in such depth on a single chosen topic.

But what is, perhaps, most unique in a priest’s daily experience here, is the immersion in priestly fraternity that he receives during these few short years.

At Holy Family, I had what today is the rare grace of living in a rectory with three other priests—four on the weekend. We worked as an “In Solidum” team of pastors for the six merged parishes from the surrounding area. As a newly ordained, this fraternal life was a great gift, as it posed regular opportunities to bounce experiences off more seasoned priests, brainstorm homily ideas and themes, and go for occasional runs, walks, or bike rides with fellow laborers in the vineyard. We even managed to align the stars for a weekly communal meal in the midst of a great variety of daily schedules.

Rare as that was, multiply this experience by fifteen, and you begin to get an idea of just how extraordinary life at the Casa really is. We live at what is, for all intents and purposes, the largest rectory in which we will ever reside. We share up to three communal meals every day, and there have the opportunity to bounce experiences off of fellow priests from all over the United States, England, and Australia. Whether conferring on the latest interpretation of a marriage canon or exchanging analysis of the latest Packers game (and quarterback

Aaron Rodger’s collar bone!), these meals provide a daily experience of priestly communion very unlike any we will have for a sustained period of time in the future.

The opportunity to celebrate Mass regularly, adore the Eucharist, and pray the Liturgy of the Hours together with brother priests provides a deeper level of fraternal communion that again is quite unique to Casa life. And, particularly for the newly ordained, we have not one but two “pastors” to consult when deeper fraternal wisdom or advice is needed—our inhouse spiritual director, Monsignor Cornelius McRae, and our Interim Superior, Monsignor Michael Osborn ‘92 C ‘99.

The oven is warm, and I am baking well. Though I will be excited to complete my time here and go out to “feed the 5,000,” in the meantime, I feel very blessed to be a part of such an extraordinary house of fraternity as I embark on the path of priesthood.

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ICTE EXPERIENCE

ICTE class of Fall ‘13 poses in front of the cross of San Damiano in Assisi, Italy.

Renewing America’s Priests Monsignor Michael Rose, Diocese of Worcester

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fter thirty-two years of priesthood in the Diocese of Worcester, I longed for the day when I would be able to take a sabbatical. When the opportunity to spend a sabbatical semester at the Institute for Continuing Theological Education (ICTE) presented itself this past year, I eagerly began making preparations to spend to the fall of 2013 at the North American College. I had hopes that the program would not

26 The Pontifical North American College

only provide me with an opportunity to step away from active parish ministry for a “sabbath rest” and reflection, but also provide time for me to be renewed in my personal faith and vocation to the priesthood.

I left for Rome remembering the words of St. Paul to Timothy, “I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you”(2 Timothy 1:6). I had the desire to do just that, and I

prayed that God would stir the fiery embers of the gift He had given me.

Going on sabbatical during the Year of Faith gave me further incentive to deepen my faith and renew my personal relationship with the Risen Christ.

Greeted by the warmth of the September Roman sun, we made our first climb up the Jainiculum Hill to the Casa O’Toole. One by one

we were welcomed just as warmly

by Monsignor Anthony Figueiredo, director of ICTE. Over the course of the next few days the thirty-four priests from the United States, Canada, Australia, England, and the Philippines got to know each other along with many of the faculty and seminarians at the Pontifical North American College. Freed from the daily pressures of our ministries, we set aside pastoral problems and worries and opened ourselves to the beginnings of new friendships and opportunities for prayer, study, travel, and learning.

Rome would be our home for the next three months, serving as both our classroom and teacher. Settling into the Casa O’Toole, we shared meals and stories and laughs. We looked forward daily to our time

together in our chapel, becoming a praying community centered on the Eucharist. With guides sharing their expertise, our minds expanded with new insights and appreciation for all that the Church’s seat at Saint Peter’s means to us as Catholic priests. From a tour of the Vatican Necropolis and Roman catacombs to the beauty of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, each experience spoke powerfully to our faith and called us into a deeper experience of God. The varied classes with distinguished professors helped us reinforce what we had learned through the years as priests, and recall our training back in our seminary days. The classes also offered us updates and insights to reflect upon and take back home with us. Being in Rome during the first exciting months of Pope Francis’

papacy proved to be an added blessing as we heard his words from daily homilies and audiences.

Throughout these weeks, we have spent time in prayer at the tombs of the apostles Peter and Paul, along with many other saints laid to rest in Rome. We look back fondly to our first week with ICTE, when we celebrated Mass at the tomb of St. Francis while on retreat in Assisi. Many among us later took part in a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, where we recall praying at the church over the empty tomb of the Risen Lord.

Our time with ICTE in Rome both affirmed and challenged us in our priestly lives. As we return to our ministries in the United States, we are encouraged and lifted up as we begin anew.

“Good priests... that’s what the Institute does! It makes them better priests.” With these words, Reverend Timothy Hoag, a priest of the Diocese of Rapid City, sums up his recent sabbatical experience at the Institute for Continuing Theological Education. The words are used in the title of a new film—“Good Priests… Better Priests,” produced under the expert and tireless direction of Mr. Jack Ball, a longtime friend of the College.

Through testimonies of participants and on site shooting, the short film traces how opportunities offered by the Institute for continuing human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral formation, as well as communal prayer and cultural visits in and beyond Rome, marked by an The Cover for the new ICTE Promotional DVD. atmosphere of priestly fraternity, all combine to make good priests into even better priests. Participants speak of their experience nurturing a “newness of life in Christ” (Rom 6:4), helped also by the unmatched environment of Rome—the heart of the Catholic Church—residence at the newly refurbished Casa O’Toole, a home dedicated to and designed exclusively for priests, and the positive spirit and extensive facilities provided by the Pontifical North American College.

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Note: Graphic of U.S. Dioceses attributed to WikiCommons.

Dioceses sponsoring seminarians at the Pontifical North American College Canadian Dioceses Represented Diocese of Pembroke

Colorado Archdiocese of Denver Diocese of Colorado Springs

Indiana Archdiocese of Indianapolis Diocese of Fort Wayne - South Bend

American Dioceses Represented

Connecticut Archdiocese of Hartford Diocese of Bridgeport Diocese of Norwich

Iowa Archdiocese of Dubuque Diocese of Des Moines

Alabama Diocese of Birmingham Arizona Diocese of Phoenix Arkansas Diocese of Little Rock California Diocese of Oakland Diocese of Orange Diocese of Sacramento Diocese of San Diego

28 The Pontifical North American College

Florida Diocese of St. Augustine Diocese of St. Petersburg Diocese of Venice Georgia Archdiocese of Atlanta Diocese of Savannah Illinois Archdiocese of Chicago Diocese of Joliet in Illinois Diocese of Rockford Diocese of Springfield

Kansas Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas Kentucky Archdiocese of Louisville Diocese of Covington Diocese of Lexington Louisiana Diocese of Alexandria Diocese of Lafayette Diocese of Lake Charles Maryland Archdiocese of Baltimore

Massachusetts Archdiocese of Boston Diocese of Fall River Diocese of Worcester Michigan Archdiocese of Detroit Diocese of Gaylord Diocese of Lansing Minnesota Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis Diocese of New Ulm Diocese of St. Cloud Missouri Archdiocese of St. Louis Diocese of Jefferson City Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph

New Mexico Archdiocese of Santa Fe New York Archdiocese of New York Diocese of Brooklyn Diocese of Rochester Diocese of Rockville Centre North Carolina Diocese of Charlotte Diocese of Raleigh North Dakota Diocese of Bismarck Diocese of Fargo Ohio Diocese of Steubenville Diocese of Toledo

Tennessee Diocese of Nashville Diocese of Knoxville Texas Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Diocese of Austin Diocese of Corpus Christi Diocese of Dallas Diocese of Fort Worth Diocese of Tyler Utah Diocese of Salt Lake City Vermont Diocese of Burlington Virginia Diocese of Arlington

Montana Diocese of Great Falls-Billings Diocese of Helena

Oklahoma Archdiocese of Oklahoma City Diocese of Tulsa

Washington Archdiocese of Seattle Diocese of Spokane

Nebraska Archdiocese of Omaha Diocese of Grand Island Diocese of Lincoln

Oregon Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon

Washington (D.C.) Archdiocese of Washington

Pennsylvania Diocese of Greensburg Diocese of Harrisburg Diocese of Pittsburgh

West Virginia Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston

Nevada Diocese of Las Vegas New Jersey Archdiocese of Newark Diocese of Camden Diocese of Paterson

Rhode Island Diocese of Providence South Dakota Diocese of Rapid City Diocese of Sioux Falls

Wisconsin Archdiocese of Milwaukee Diocese of Green Bay Diocese of La Crosse Diocese of Madison Wyoming Diocese of Cheyenne

Australian Dioceses Represented Archdiocese of Melbourne Archdiocese of Perth Archdiocese of Sydney Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn

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Alumni Focus

At The Helm: Fr. EfrAIn Bautista ‘10 Paul Haverstock ‘16, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Rev. Efrain Bautista ‘10 celebrates the Easter Vigil.

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he Reverend Efrain Bautista ‘10 (San Diego) was ordained to the priesthood three years ago.

After serving for just under two years as an associate, he was named pastor of one of the largest parishes in his diocese.

space is a constant issue. The parish is currently running a capital campaign to build larger facilities to accommodate the life of its flourishing community.

Located in the city of Vista, about an hour north of the Mexican border, Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church is a vibrant, multicultural parish. Mass is offered in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese, and the parish also boasts large Italian and Filipino communities. Two associate priests and five permanent deacons assist Fr. Bautista with the demanding liturgical schedule: two vigil Masses on Saturdays (one in Spanish) and seven Sunday Masses (three in Spanish, one in Vietnamese).

“Our church seats 1,000 people, and because we are so full we are required to have overflow at some of our weekend Masses in our parish hall,” Fr. Bautista observed.

Manning the helm of this massive ship is a daunting prospect for a priest ordained just three years ago. Fr. Bautista acknowledges the importance of his time in formation at the North American College in preparing him to take on so many responsibilities. “There was always so much which needed to be done—Rector’s conferences, studying, going to school, formation evenings. It forced me (and, I think, all seminarians) to manage our schedules as best we could. There was a need to include all these things, in addition to prayer, which is of the utmost importance. This has allowed me to balance my schedule in such a busy parish, making sure that I work on everything that I need to get done on a daily basis.”

Liturgical duties are not all that occupy Fr. Bautista and his associates. “In addition to our Mass schedule, we offer many different ministries, including Bible studies, Word and Worship, girl scout and boy scout groups, a Knights of Columbus council, ministries to the homebound, a sack lunch ministry that provides an average of 100 lunches Monday through Saturday to those in need, a soup kitchen, and a women’s guild, to name just a few.” The parish also has a school, providing a Catholic education from preschool through eighth grade. With so many things going on and so many parishioners,

During his time at the North American College, Fr. Bautista completed his first-cycle studies at the Gregorian University, followed by a master’s degree in dogma at the Angelicum.

In addition to classroom learning, Rome itself provided an important experience of the universal Church for Fr. Bautista: “Studying in Rome allowed me to see the Church universal—people from every part of the world—and to see how much the Church is alive. While there was much to learn from each of the classes we attended, walking in the city and encountering and speaking to people is something that I still miss today.

Rev. Efrain Bautista ‘10, Diocese of San Diego is a recent alumnus of the North American College as is currently serving as pastor of St. Francis Catholic Church in Vista, Calif.

Also, our closeness to the Successor of Peter—being present and listening to our Holy Father—is an experience that can never be forgotten or replaced.”

To current seminarians in Rome, Fr. Bautista offered the following advice: “Remain steadfast in prayer and studies, because the Church in the United States needs holy priests to serve those who thirst and hunger for God. Try to absorb as much you can in Rome, because everything you receive there will come in handy when you return home to minister in your diocese.”

To learn more about Saint Francis Catholic Church, check out their website, at http://stfrancis-vista.org.

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VAL J PETER SCHOLARSHIPS

Two New Seminarians Awarded the Val J. Peter Scholarship Zac Povis ‘15, Archdiocese of St. Louis

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en seminarians at the Pontifical North American College received scholarships this year through the Val J. Peter Scholars Fund. Established in the name of Fr. Valentine J. Peter ‘60, C‘68, Executive Director Emeritus of Father Flanagan’s Boys’ Home in Omaha, Nebraska, the Fund grants scholarships each year to seminarians at the North American College to assist them and their dioceses in meeting the financial needs associated with priestly formation.

John Souder ‘17 (Lake Charles) is one of two members of the class of new men to receive the scholarship this year. One of six children, John graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2009 with a degree in chemical engineering. It was in the midst working in his professional field that he discerned that God was calling him to enter the seminary.

He joins the community at the North American College after two years of pre-theology studies at St. Joseph College Seminary in Covington, La. John is joined by his classmate Matthew Nash ‘17, who comes to the College from the Diocese of Grand Island, Nebraska. Matthew spent four years at Conception Seminary in Conception, Mo. 32 The Pontifical North American College

(From left to right): Austin Gilstrap ‘15 (Nashville), Rev. Mr. Robert Rodgers ‘14 (Cheyenne), Tyler Bischoff ‘15 (Gaylord), Mark Horn ‘15 (Rapid City), Matthew Nash ‘17 (Grand Island), John Souder ‘17 (Lake Charles), George Elliott ‘15 (Tyler), and Steven Gadberry ‘16 (Little Rock).

Not pictured are Joshua Neu ‘15 (Tyler) and Rev. Mr. John Henao López ‘14 (Tyler).

Among the students who have been awarded the scholarship in previous years are Rev. Mr. John Henao ‘14 (Tyler), Rev. Mr. Robert Rodgers ‘14 (Cheyenne), Mark Horn ‘15 (Rapid City), Joshua Neu ‘15 (Tyler), G.T. Elliot ‘15 (Tyler), Tyler Bischoff ‘15 (Gaylord), Austin Gilstrap ‘15

(Nashville), and Stephen Gadberry ‘16 (Little Rock). Rev. Mr. Henao was ordained a deacon over the summer back in his diocese. Rev. Mr. Rodgers was one of the forty-one men ordained to the diaconate in Saint Peter’s Basilica this October.

Institutional Advancement

An Evening With the Nuncio Mark Randall, CFRE Executive Director, Institutional Advancement

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3 1. Msgr. James Checchio ‘92 C‘97 (Rector), Most Rev. Carlo Vigano (Papal Nuncio), Most Rev. John Myers ‘67 (Archdiocese of Newark), Rev. Msgr. Stuart Swetland 2. Mark Randall, CFRE (Executive Director), Greg Jewell 3. Mary Jo Kelly, David Mullins, Most Rev. Patrick Zurek ‘75 (Diocese of Amarillo) 4. Rev. William Byrne ’93 (Archdiocese of Washington), Mrs. Mary Byrne, Msgr. James Checchio, Patrick and Denise Byrne

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early 200 alumni, staff, and friends of the Pontifical North American College gathered last month at the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, DC for a social reception. Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Carlo Vigano was a gracious host, welcoming everyone upon arrival.

In addition to the College’s episcopal board of governors, several other bishops, and His Eminence, Cardinal Timothy Dolan ‘76, distinguished guests included three former Vatican Ambassadors: The Honorable Jim Nicholson, The Honorable Thomas Melady and The Honorable Francis Rooney.

The reception took the place of the 2013 Umilta Awards (historically held the day before the USCCB Fall Assembly in Baltimore) which have been moved to coincide with the Bishops’ Spring meeting instead. It was still our desire, however, to hold a gathering for local friends and supporters. A loyal host committee and long slate of generous sponsors helped make the evening a financial success.

The highlight of the reception was the warm remarks offered by both the Nuncio and Cardinal Dolan. Archbishop

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5

6 5. From left: The Honorable Jim Nicholson (former Vatican Ambassador), Most Rev. Carlo Vigano (Papal Nuncio), His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan ’76 (Archdiocese of New York) 6. From left: Most Rev. Robert Gruss ‘94 (Rapid City), Most Rev. Paul Etienne ’92 C’95 (Diocese of Cheyenne), Most Rev. Richard Pates ’69 (Diocese of Des Moines) 7. Cardinal Dolan ‘76 offering remarks with Msgr. James Checchio ‘92 C‘97

7

8

8. Josh Laws ‘15 (Archdiocese of Baltimore) reflects on being a NAC seminarian

Vigano spoke of his fondness of the College, and also stressed that, being members of a larger family, we are all welcome at the Holy Father’s house. Cardinal Dolan also referenced the NAC family – from the Holy Father to the men studying there now to the thousands of alumni around the country. He reflected on his time as Rector of the College, and the importance of the mission of the NAC today, 154 years after her founding.

You too, dear reader, are a treasured member of the College family. We remain grateful for your past support of our mission, and offer our sincere thanks in advance for remembering us in your year-end giving.

Make plans now to join us June 10, 2014 in New Orleans for our next “Umilta” event: food, fellowship, and a celebration of the North American College mission!

34 The Pontifical North American College

Economo’s Corner

BUILDING ON A GOOD FOUNDATION Monsignor Michael Farmer ‘95, Archdiocese of Mobile

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y early September most of the seminarians had returned to the College to begin a new formation year in the heart of the Church. Indeed, September was filled with beneficial pastoral formation workshops (as described in this issue) and a weeklong retreat for each formation class. By early October came the joy of witnessing the fourthyear theologians’ ordination to the diaconate at the Altar of the Chair in Saint Peter’s Basilica, where so many others have been ordained throughout the years. What a wonderful foundation of formation is already taking shape this year, with each young man engaged in formation adding to the strong foundation of formation evident at the College each day.

All of this is made possible through the generosity of the seminarians’ bishops, family members, and our strong and active benefactors who give of their financial resources throughout the year, ensuring the strong foundation of formation continues at the College, and continues so near the successor of Saint Peter.

It was also interesting in the late summer and early fall to hear the positive comments of our seminarians concerning the ongoing work on the new classroom tower, which began in late June with initial preparation work, and by September had been transformed into a space active with machinery, construction workers, and—yes—some noise while constructing a retaining wall around the site and placement of the new tower’s foundation pillars. Of course, such a massive hole is not always the nicest thing to look at, but it is necessary to insure a firm foundation for an edifice that by next fall will ensure a new chapter of the wonderful and unique pillars of formation that take place at the North American College.

The new classrooms, technology, practica chapels and the Blessed Sacrament chapel that will be part of the new edifice will enhance the formation program and ensure an even stronger foundation of preparation for priestly ministry. We will continue to keep our readers informed of the progress of the building in each Roman Echoes issue. This foundation and upcoming new addition to the College is possible because of firm and generous support from the Mulva Family Foundation, continuing the wonderful story of generosity and support the North American College has depended upon throughout its history of serving the Church in the United States by forming men in the heart of the Church in Rome. We give thanks each day for such generous men being formed here and for the extraordinary generosity of so many friends and benefactors who ensure we are able to continue to build on a good foundation.

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The Pontifical North American College Office of Institutional Advancement 3211 Fourth Street, NE Washington, D.C. 20017-1194

NON-PROFIT ORG. US. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 144 WALDORF, MD

For more information about the Pontifical North American College, subscription questions, or to learn about ways you can financially support “America’s Seminary in Rome”, please contact Mark Randall, CFRE, Executive Director, Institutional Advancement.

Tel: (202) 541-5411 / Fax: (202) 722-8804 Email: pnacdc@pnac.org website: www.pnac.org

Join us for the 22nd Annual Rector’s Dinner on Wednesday, April 30, 2014 in Rome. Among this year’s honorees will be His Eminence James Cardinal Harvey.

For more information, please contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at 202-541-5411