Roman Echoes 2021 – Volume 25, Issue 4

THE PONTIFIC AL NORTH AMERIC AN COLLEGE

roman echoes SPECIAL SECTION: 2020-2021 ANNUAL REPORT

Feed My Sheep

JUNE 2021 VOLUME 25: ISSUE 4 6 "Father Brown" Play 10 Holy Week 17 2020-2021 Annual Report 36 Byzantine Catholic

Contents 10 6 Features 6 "Father Brown" Play 8 Station Church 10 Holy Week 12 Rector's Dinner Video 13 Carl J. Peter Lecture 16 Class of 2021 30 STUAC/Pastoral Council 32 Departing Faculty 33 Sr. Mary Patrice 34 Fr. Oxley 36 Byzantine Catholic 38 Fr. James Coyle

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Annual Report 17 Introduction 18 Human Formation 20 Spiritual Formation 22 Student Map 24 Academic Formation 26 Pastoral Formation

Updates 5 Rector’s Corner 14 Voices of NAC 28 Snapshots 35 ICTE 40 Casa 41 Faculty Corner 42 Office of Institutional Advancement

36 17 From the Editor Growing up, and still to this day, St. John the Apostle’s

means going to his own cross and death. As this

account of the dialogue between Jesus and Peter shortly

formation year comes to a close, I come back

after the resurrection has been one of my favorite gospel

to this passage and am reminded that we

passages. There, on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias,

are not much different than St. Peter.

Jesus poses the question to Peter three times: “Do you

Despite our inadequacies, we are being

love me?” Three times Peter responds: “Yes, Lord, you

invited to profess our love by following

know that I love you.” After professing his love, Peter is

the Good Shepherd and participating in his

given the charge to feed and tend the sheep. When I

work. In this issue, a year in review, we hope

think about this passage, I imagine the confusion and

to share with you how we have

frustration that Peter must have experienced, but also the

sought to follow the example

great persistence, patience, and love that Christ showed

of the Good Shepherd and

to Peter. What I always found most striking were the

accept his invitation to

two words that Jesus concludes the conversation with:

“Feed my sheep.”

“Follow me.” Peter, despite his failures and inadequacies, is invited to re-profess his love for the Lord; to share in the mission of Christ, the Good Shepherd; and to

Aaron Kelly ’22, Diocese of Rochester, Editor-in-Chief

recommit himself to following the Master, even if it ROMAN ECHOES 2021 • VOLUME 25: ISSUE 4

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Contributors EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Aaron Kelly '22, Diocese of Rochester

ASSISTANT EDITOR Ismael RodrÍguez Jr. '22, Diocese of Dallas ASSISTANT EDITOR Taylor Colwell '23, Archdiocese of Washington LAYOUT & DESIGN EDITOR Alexander Wyvill '22, Archdiocese of Washington ASSISTANT LAYOUT & DESIGN EDITOR Matthew Prosperie '23, Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

Administration

of The Pontifical North American College RECTOR Very Rev. Peter C. Harman ‘99 VICE RECTOR FOR ADMINISTRATION Rev. David A. Schunk ‘10 VICE RECTOR FOR SEMINARY LIFE Rev. Adam Y. Park ‘05 ACADEMIC DEAN & ROMAN ECHOES FACULTY LIAISON Rev. John P. Cush ’98, C’15 SUPERIOR, CASA SANTA MARIA Rev. James J. Conn, SJ DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE FOR CONTINUING THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION Rev. Edward Linton, OSB EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT Mark Randall, CFRE 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) 470-6211 Email: pnacdc@pnac.org Website: www.pnac.org This publication is written, edited, and photographed by the students of The Pontifical North American College.

COVER: The Good Shepherd statue on the fifth floor of the College.

THIS PAGE: Upon the walls of the sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception Chapel is painted the Good Shepherd, who stands among His sheep, and carries the weak.

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Rector’s Corner “Feed My Sheep”

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t its heart, a seminary exists to provide for the needs of the people of God—forming would-be pastors and shepherds to teach and lead God’s people, and forming them to do it with the love of Christ.

The Lord Jesus’ command to St. Peter, “Feed my sheep,” comes in conjunction with Jesus’ drawing out Peter’s love, a three-part question in response to Peter’s previous three-part denial: “Peter, do you love me? Feed my sheep!” Jesus is always drawing out of us a loving response to his own love for us!

The seminary community, then, has as the means to this formation the drawing out of the love of God which each man has already received, perfecting it, and refining it. Each man brings the love of God with which he has been blessed, and deepens it, alongside all of the other things he learns and ways in which he is formed, so as to be able to give it away to those whom he will serve. In a sense, he has to be a good sheep so as to be a good pastor of sheep.

This edition of Roman Echoes shows a little insight into the four pillars of priestly formation in which each man grows on his way to the priesthood. We have received a great response to our recent video Gratitude From the Gianicolo, which you can watch by way of our website, www.pnac.org/gratitude. So many have loved the section of the typical day of the seminarian as an insight into our work.

This season of the year is when we celebrate the ordination to the priesthood of our fourth-year seminarians. Please keep our men being ordained in your prayers, that their lives are a generous response to the Lord’s call to feed his sheep, to sustain you and me in the Church by their lives.

Thank you for your support!

Very Reverend Peter C. Harman, STD ’99 Rector

This season of the year is when we celebrate the ordination to the priesthood of our fourth-year seminarians. Please keep our men being ordained in your prayers, that their lives are a generous response to the Lord’s call to feed his sheep, to sustain you and me in the Church by their lives.

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Rev. Denis Nakkeeran '20 (Boston) and Anthony Kersting '24 (Madison) argue during a scene in Father Brown.

In Persona Sacerdotis R E V. D E N I S N A K K E E RA N ‘ 2 0, A R C H D I O C E S E O F B OSTO N

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his year, I had the honor and privilege of playing the eponymous role in the College’s production of Father Brown.

Father Brown is a character created by G.K. Chesterton, originally published as a series of short stories in which the English Catholic priest helps the police solve various crimes. As a priest, Fr. Brown has remarkable insight into human nature and sin due to the confessions that he regularly hears

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and the relationships that he builds with people. Using this knowledge, he is able to place himself in a criminal’s shoes, and determine precisely how a crime was committed, by thinking like a criminal. Yet, because he is a priest, legal reparation is not his primary goal. When he solves a crime, he aims for nothing less than the salvation of the souls involved. More than a detective, Fr. Brown is a true priest.

I was incredibly blessed to be ordained a priest just last year. While I had learned much during my time in seminary, the experience of actually being a priest introduced an entirely new dynamic into my life, a dynamic that will continue to develop as I grow in my priestly identity and experience.

Playing Fr. Brown, however, gave me a beautiful foretaste of that more experienced priestly life. It was a joy

to play a priest and do priestly things, which although fictional in origin, are very much in line with the reality of the priesthood. By helping a wayward criminal renounce his sinful life, assuring people of God’s fidelity, and demonstrating the thrilling adventure awaiting one who has faith, Fr. Brown taught me the extent to which I can give of myself as a priest and how much God can use a humble servant who simply makes himself available.

I was not simply playing a role—I was living the priesthood on stage.

Many of the men in the house felt this also, as they were able to see in the performance not only things a priest does, but an actual priest doing

those priestly things; it drew these seminarians closer to the priesthood, instructing and forming them beyond the stage.

For me, the culmination of the experience came at the very end, when after having played the fictional priest, I was able to give the audience my authentic priestly blessing. As Fr. Brown says, “There is in life an element of elfin coincidence which people may perpetually miss.” The role of Fr. Brown this year, both on the stage and beyond, is one small example of the elfin coincidence that God places in our lives to witness to his goodness, and I am happy to have been a part of it. n

The program for Father Brown.

The directors, cast, stage hands, and light crew of Father Brown gather for a photo after their performance on March 26, 2021.

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In addition to the play, on Saturday, May 1, 2021 members of the seminary community also put on a “Classical Concert” which featured some of the musicians of the community.

The concert featured the works of a number of composers such as Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy, Mozart, and Vivaldi, to name a few. Seminarians showcased their talents on piano, trumpet, violin, cello, saxophone, and guitar.

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Seminarian Station Church pilgrims ascend a steep hill at sunrise.

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The Station Church Pilgrimage Continues PAT R I C K RYA N ’ 2 3, D I O C E S E O F P R OV I D E N C E

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his past Ash Wednesday, I found myself back where I began Lent last year: the Basilica of Santa Sabina on Rome’s Aventine Hill.

I was not there for early-morning Mass, nor was there the usual crowd of some two hundred Americans ready to pray and to receive ashes on their foreheads—all that was, of course, cancelled along with all large-group gatherings this year. Instead, I was there in the quiet of the midafternoon with just a few other men from the College. We came to spend time in prayer and continue one of Rome’s great traditions, the Lenten Station Church Pilgrimage.

The Station Church Pilgrimage gives NAC seminarians the chance to visit some three or four dozen ancient churches throughout the city. In a normal year, there is Mass each day at a different church, many of which would otherwise be closed or difficult to get to on a normal school day. Since this past year was anything but normal, our continuation of the pilgrimage, however different from years past, was a cause of encouragement and

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A Roman street sign reading "Way of the Seven Churches."

hope, as well as a reminder that not every good thing was cancelled in 2020–2021.

Without the opportunity for the usual morning Mass at the churches, we organized a daily walking group to visit the churches in the afternoon. I was encouraged when many men of the College volunteered to lead this group. Men who appreciated this tradition were willing to give of their time and effort to make sure it continued in some way this year.

On some days, busy afternoons at the College meant that only the group leader went to visit the church.

Then, however, the lone person’s role became all the more important.

For one man to go meant that he was acting as the intercessor for the community that day. He would take with him the prayers of the community to offer to God at the designated church of the day when others could not join him. It was truly a spirit of pilgrimage.

My own return to Santa Sabina served as a great reminder for me that amid all the unexpected turns of the past year, God remains faithful. He brought us back to Rome to continue our formation for the priesthood and allowed us to go and visit these churches again. Santa Sabina and many other churches remain open and unshaken, and the members of our community continue in their faith, generosity, and desire to keep prayer and tradition alive. Such goodness can only come from God, and we thank him for it. n

Seminarians had the opportunity to be pilgrims by completing the Seven Church Walk, which visits the seven pilgrim churches of Rome. The tradition of visiting all seven pilgrim churches dates back to the sixteenth century and is credited to St. Philip Neri. Seminarians visited St. Mary Major, St. Lawrence Outside the Walls, Holy Cross in Jerusalem, St. John Lateran, St. Sebastian Outside the Walls, St. Paul Outside the Walls, and St. Peter’s.

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Ora et Labora

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A N D R E W K W I AT KOWS K I ‘ 2 2 , A R C H D I O C E S E O F M E L B O U R N E

very priest knows that the busiest time of year is Holy Week. There are four large, distinct liturgies that all occur within the span of a week. In a normal parish, there are many meetings between the pastor and various groups such as the choir, sacristans, and servers, and it is no different here at the College. As the Head Master of Ceremonies (MC), it was my responsibility to coordinate with Fr. Kurt Belsole, OSB, Director of Liturgy, and ensure the liturgies were executed according to plan.

I think this year’s Triduum went exceptionally well, and the liturgies were both prayerful and beautiful.

Of course, preparation requires a huge effort; various parts came together to create a reverent atmosphere and experience. All the masters of ceremonies were dedicated to their work, as were the servers, but it is also a credit to those other important contributors such as the choir (led

by Fr. Vincent Ferrer Bagan, O.P.), sacristans (led by Daniel Hammer), environmental sacristans (led by Joseph Ferme) and, of course, Fr. Belsole, who is like the pastor who fruitfully brings these groups together into harmony.

My specific role is organizing and leading each liturgy from beginning to end. Normally, this is a five-step process that includes privately studying the liturgy; meeting with Fr. Belsole to discuss the liturgy; a walkthrough that

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James Cardinal Harvey '75 celebrates the Easter Vigil.

requires physically going through the liturgy; a meeting with all the masters of ceremonies and sacristans involved; and finally, a comprehensive rehearsal.

Although these preparations can be time consuming, they mostly occur throughout Holy Week when there are no classes scheduled. In the end, this tedious process is worth it, since it allows us to help our community encounter the living God and enter more deeply into the Paschal Mystery.

In a strange twist, I was also the MC for last year’s Holy Week as all the Australian seminarians were unable to return home due to the COVID-19 restrictions in our country. The circumstances between these past two years were obviously completely different. Last year’s Holy Week was quite small, whereas this year the entire College community was present.

Looking back, I think I was more nervous last year in preparing for Holy Week for two reasons. First, I was still learning how to do the job.

Secondly, I was learning the Triduum liturgies for the first time. However, this year I felt more confident and better prepared. Of course, another significant difference is that last year I was the only MC and only had two servers, while this year I had an entire team with which to work.

Jokingly, I told Fr. Belsole that we were over-complicating it this year since we pulled it off last year with only two servers.

Holy Week 2021 was an elaborate and grand celebration, and it was done all for the greater glory of God! n

Rev. Mr. Joseph Mominee '21 (Toledo) elevates the crucifix during the Celebration of the Passion of the Lord.

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Gratitude From the Gianicolo

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R E V. M R . J OS E P H M O M I N E E ‘ 2 1 , D I O C E S E O F TO L E D O

n the evening of April 15, 2021, the student movie lounge at the College was full as seminarians and priests gathered for the showing of the virtual event that replaced the 2021 Rector’s Dinner. These thirty minutes during the showing of the video were marked by a lot of laughter and joy, reflecting the unusual experience of watching yourself and your brother seminarians and priests in a video presenting our day-to-day lives.

The video was able to take ordinary moments of our day (chanting the Regina Coeli, playing basketball, and studying, for instance) and, through them, show how God is present in our lives and our formation. The video, Gratitude From the Gianicolo, provides a great insight into what life is like here at the College.

In a typical year, the Rector’s Dinner capo would work with many other seminarians for months in preparation for welcoming our benefactors to the College to provide an evening expressing our gratitude. Three years ago, as part of my house job, I worked for the seminarian who was that year’s capo; this was the first time that I had

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is when we live as the men we are in God’s grace. This continuously came to my mind as we prepared Gratitude From the Gianicolo. The video gives, I believe, an authentic witness to this integrity by its insight into our lives. It has reminded us at the College that the parts of our day that can seem to be most ordinary, are, in fact, witnesses to the integrity of the handiwork of God.

Ben Pribbenow '23 (Green Bay) records video footage for Gratitude From the Gianicolo. You can watch the full video at www.pnac.org/gratitude.

a part in planning the annual Rector’s Dinner. The faculty member who was leading us in preparing for the dinner that year was Fr. Daniel Hanley. A few weeks before the Rector’s Dinner was to take place, during a meeting in which we went over some of the final details, Fr. Hanley said something that has stuck with me ever since. He told us that the most important witness to the integrity of our lives at the College

It was an incredible gift to help show this integrity of what God is raising up in the life of the Church in the United States. Throughout the filming of the video, I was reminded of God’s handiwork by the witness of my brothers in this house. In their generosity to use their gifts for this video, these seminarians and priests have given witness to me of the integrity of what it means to live as the men we are in God’s grace.

I pray that this video has given you an insight into what God is bringing about in our lives. If you have not seen the video, it is available for viewing at www.pnac.org/gratitude.

Please know how grateful we are for your generosity and dedication to the mission of the College. n

The idea for the Rector’s Dinner was first proposed by the Honorable Thomas Melady who served as the United States Ambassador to the Holy See from 1989–1993. It was formally initiated in 1991

by His Eminence Edwin Cardinal O’Brien, who served as rector of the College from 1990–1994.

The Rector’s Dinner is attended by various guests including alumni, members of the Diplomatic Corps, the Vatican Curia, and members of the American and European business worlds.

The Rector’s Dinner provides the opportunity to gather to celebrate the mission and promote the cause of priestly formation. Each year the Rector’s Award is given in recognition to those who have been influential in the life of the College and have helped advance its mission.

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A Focus on Christ

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T Y L E R U N D E R H I L L ’ 2 4 , D I O C E S E O F E VA N SV I L L E

his year was the twentieth anniversary of the College’s Carl J. Peter Lecture, and this being my first year at the College, I was excited to see what this event would bring. Titled “St. John Henry Newman on Preaching the Word of God,” Rev. Nicolas Steeves, S.J., of the Pontifical Gregorian University, gave a particularly inspiring talk on the importance of preaching in the thought of St. John Henry Newman.

Not being too familiar with Newman’s sermons, I was thrilled to learn what Fr. Steeves had to share with us.

What set the overall tone for me during the evening was a passage from 1 Cor 9:26, where St. Paul writes, “Thus I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadow-boxing.” Cardinal Newman’s message on preaching makes sense with this passage. The

object of his race was to bring about the spiritual good of his hearers. He understood that he was to deliver the Good News of Jesus Christ to the congregation before him.

Knowing that next year I will begin my own formation in preaching by delivering practice homilies, I took this lecture to prayer; I asked myself what preaching means to me and how I will serve as a preacher. At first, I began to grow a little weary thinking about it all, especially when comparing myself to a great preacher like Cardinal Newman. Then, I recalled a couple of things.

Earlier in the year while I was on silent retreat in Assisi, Italy, I remember our retreat director, Msgr. James McNamara, telling us a story about a time he had to preach a funeral

Rev. Nicholas Steeves, S.J., speaks to the seminarians about Newman's theology of preaching.

homily as a young priest. Being a very sensitive and difficult situation, he expressed some nervousness, but all of that went away when he heard his dad clearing his throat. Knowing that his father was there, Msgr. McNamara was able to preach the homily with a sense of comfort.

Using that story, I was able to connect the lecture to my own prayer life and gain insight into what it means to preach to the people of God. Just as the Scriptures inspire, we also draw inspiration from those we are meant to engage spiritually. Acknowledging the people before us and drawing them to Christ is an essential element in preaching, in order to bring about the spiritual good of those who hear.

Seminarians and priests gather for the Carl. J. Peter lecture.

St. John Henry Cardinal Newman, pray for us! n

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VOICES OF NAC Looking back at this year, a year different from most, what was the most formative part of this year at the College for you?

Familiarity was something largely lacking during this year for me.

As schedules, class modalities, and commitments continually changed while restrictions ebbed and flowed, I was frustrated at times with the lack of consistency in my daily routine. The formative experiences I found in the midst of these challenges were, despite my own discomfort with the exterior circumstances around me, to strive to give of myself for the sake of the other men.

Rev. Enan Zelinski ‘20 Diocese of Madison

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This year has been an opportunity to enter more deeply into prayer.

Given the circumstances, there has been more time to pray and study. This has allowed me to better understand that the Church and her members are called to be active contemplatives. Our good works are meant to flow from our prayer. Thus, the Christian seeks to find and love the Lord in whatever he does.

Rev. Mr. Gregory Zannetti ‘21 Diocese of Metuchen

I have grown in gratitude for the good things present here at the College. We have beautiful liturgies, good meals, and a peaceful campus simply provided for us with very little effort on our part. Becoming more conscious of these gifts has led me to appreciate how blessed I truly am.

Robert Kinyon ‘22 Diocese of Rapid City

“You are led by Christ into the service of God the Father and of all people, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Thus, you become more like Christ the Good Shepherd in order better to serve the Church and the world as a priest. In preparing for the priesthood we learn how to respond from the heart to Christ's basic question: 'Do you love me?' (Jn. 21:15). For the future priest the answer can only mean total self-giving."

Pastores Dabo Vobis, n. 42

The opportunity I have found in this year is its simplicity. I have learned to do the little things—serving meals, arranging flowers, practicing choir music, and organizing social events—with great love. It is good to be reminded of the simple. The Lord himself is in the habit of using simple things every day—water, bread, and wine—to do something absolutely miraculous!

Zachary Galante ‘23 Archdiocese of Milwaukee

“Come away with Me.” In Pastores Dabo Vobis, St. John Paul II calls for a seminary environment which “re-lives the experience of the group of Twelve.” The Twelve had three years to learn from Christ before they were sent out, three years to leave the world behind before returning to change it. We have been given the same. This year, we were called to step back from the world, to know Christ, and prepare for when in three years, my class too will be sent out as deacons to proclaim that very same Good News.

Matthew Harrison ‘24 Diocese of Charlotte ROMAN ECHOES 2021 • VOLUME 25: ISSUE 4

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congratulations to the

Cl ass of 2021 Rev. Mr. Paul Abbruscato, Diocese of Camden Rev. Brendan Blawie, Diocese of Bridgeport Rev. Alessandro Calderoni Ortiz, Diocese of Tulsa Rev. Maxwell Carson, Diocese of Des Moines Rev. Nicholas Case, Archdiocese of San Francisco Rev. Patrick Costello, Diocese of Green Bay Rev. Matthew Donahue, Diocese of Knoxville Rev. Matthew Duclos, Diocese of Albany Rev. Timothy Eck II, Diocese of Metuchen Rev. Michael Fitzpatrick, Diocese of Orange in California Rev. Reed Flood, Diocese of Des Moines Rev. Edward Godefroid, Archdiocese of St. Louis Rev. Madison Hayes, Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau Rev. Randy Hoang, Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon Rev. Lucas LaRoche, Diocese of Worcester Rev. Michael Ledesma, Diocese of Tyler Rev. Seth Lemaire, Diocese of Lafayette Rev. James Linkenheld, Diocese of Rockford

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Rev. Eric Mashak, Diocese of LaCrosse Rev. Patrick McCain, Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter Rev. Joseph Mominee, Diocese of Toledo Rev. Nicholas Morrison, Archdiocese of Washington Rev. John Pankratz, Diocese of Great Falls-Billings Rev. Alexander Pince, Diocese of Venice in Florida Rev. Kyle Poje, Archdiocese of Seattle Rev. Luke Powers, Diocese of Madison Rev. Timothy Reither, Diocese of LaCrosse Rev. Juan Miguel Sánchez, Diocese of Charlotte Rev. Peter Srsich, Archdiocese of Denver Rev. Joseph Townshend, Diocese of Arlingon Rev. Christopher Trummer, Diocese of Springfield in Illinois Rev. Nicholas Vetter, Diocese of Bismarck Rev. Michael Wanta, Diocese of Madison Rev. Joseph White, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Rev. Stephen Yusko, Diocese of Albany Rev. Gregory Zannetti, Diocese of Metuchen

2020–2021 Annual Report

"Seminaries are to be a continuation in the Church of the apostolic community gathered around Jesus.

This basic organizing principle means the seminary is first and foremost a learning community of the disciples of Jesus.

At the same time, the seminary is a community of charity and friendship, where fraternal bonds are anchored in genuine relationships to the Lord and his Body, the Church.

Finally, the seminary is a worshipping and praying community that finds its source and summit in the celebration of the Eucharist."

Program for Priestly Formation (Fifth Edition) 290 The external formation faculty of the College gathers for final student evaluations.

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Alex Kramer ’22 (Des Moines) prepares to toss the bocce ball as Reed Flood ’21 (Des Moines) and Zachary Jones ’22 (Sioux City) watch.

These Iowans can often be found playing bocce ball on Sundays after brunch.

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Human Formation:

Expectations Limit the Capacity for Joy Brent Durschmidt ‘23, Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon As we pulled up to the College after the long flight across the pond to return for another school year, I noticed a feeling of joy in being back with my brothers, but also of fear in what the year would look like. After leaving prematurely the previous year and returning to so much unknown back in the United States, the reality that we were not in control soon became clear. Arriving back at the College again reminded me of that fact.

The fear that I was experiencing represented what many have felt over the past year. It was a reminder that grasping for control and setting expectations for how we think things need to be ultimately limits the joy that we can receive through a situation that is given to us.

Despite the challenges, I have witnessed countless examples of the seminarians here letting go of their expectations and learning to be receptive to the Lord’s gift of the unknown.

We are fortunate here to live on a beautiful campus with plenty of space and an incredible view. It is not difficult to find a spot around the College with a clear vantage point of St. Peter’s Basilica, a constant reminder of the universal Church and the reason why we are here. The

The cooking crew stops for a photo as they prepare a BBQ lunch for the community during the annual Spaghetti Bowl football game. From left: James Morgan '22 (Washington), Jeffrey Filipski '24 (Rockford), Samuel Anderson '23 (Fort Wayne-South Bend), Daniel Scanlan '23 (Venice in Florida)

periodic lockdowns throughout the year have served as an opportunity to slow down and take in the beauty of Rome and our campus. They have also led us to spend more time with each other, on a deeper level that would be normally impossible with a busier schedule. For this reason, we have improvised with more social and sporting events that provided the gift of Christian fraternity. We may have returned to an environment with limitations, but seeing everybody meet those challenges with creativity

and receptivity gave me hope for the Church’s future.

As this year comes to a close, I can look back and see a growth in maturity. Things may not have played out as we expected, but letting go of those expectations allowed us to experience the joy Christ was offering us this year. As I take one step closer to entering full-time ministry as a priest of Jesus Christ, I am not afraid of a future that will not go as expected, and thanks be to God for that!

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Annual Report

Priest and seminarians from Minnesota walk the track of the Campo Sportivo praying the Rosary on an early-spring Sunday morning. From left: Rev. Clayton Forner '20 (St. Paul and Minneapolis), Ryan Glaser ’23 (St. Paul and Minneapolis), Daniel Hammer ’22 (Duluth), and Joseph Wappes ’24 (St. Paul and Minneapolis) 20

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Spiritual Formation: A Source of Peace Matthew Schilmoeller ‘23, Diocese of Lincoln A fruit of the spiritual dimension of seminary formation is an interior peace lived in relationship to God in his Church. This year brought much change and uncertainty that have challenged that peace. The COVID–19 pandemic has affected many lives around the world, and the members of this community are no exception.

Travel restrictions both within Italy and even in Rome itself have kept us from the typical experiences of the Eternal City. Our classes have often met online, challenging our patience and mental energy to engage in a digital classroom. The normal order of how we enjoy our meals, how we relate with one another in social engagements—all of these things have changed in some fashion, large or small. Yet, amidst this chaos, we have been invited to place our confidence in the one who is the unchanging source of our peace.

St. Augustine defines peace as “tranquility in order.” The sources of peace in the spiritual life are many and varied, with God always at the helm. Over the course of this year, he has taken us on retreat and taught us through the words of guest preachers for days of recollection. The Lord has nourished us in our daily liturgical life, through Word and Sacrament in Holy Mass and in the communal recitation

Seminarians pray before the Blessed Sacrament on Holy Thursday after the Mass of the Lord's Supper. The altar of repose was set up in the Assumption Chapel.

of the Liturgy of the Hours. God has shown himself to be a constant source of merciful love in days and nights of Eucharistic Adoration. In regular spiritual direction, he has guided us to greater freedom in prudent discernment of his priestly call. With the special announcement of the Year of St. Joseph, the Lord has placed before us an exemplary model of fatherhood and strength in the face of great adversity. Deacons have been ordained, lectors and acolytes instituted, and we all have developed our sense of ministry as his work and achievement. Truly, to God be the glory for being the protagonist of our year.

I am grateful for the many signs of growth with which God has blessed us over the past year. Despite the

many changes, the Lord has proven that he is never outdone in generosity in providing us with many occasions to remain with him. The 2016 document, The Gift of the Priestly Vocation from the Congregation for the Clergy states, “By prayer, listening to the Word, devout participation in the sacraments, in the liturgy, and in community life, the seminarian fortifies his personal union with God after the example of Christ, who had, as his program of life, to do the will of the Father (cf. Jn 4:34).” This program of life after the example of Christ is our spirituality here at the College; it is how we continue to live our motto, Firmum est Cor Meum (“My Heart is Steadfast”), consistently in the peace only God can give.

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2020-2021

Annual Report

2 0 2 0 -2 1 S T U D E N T Seattle Spokane Yakima Portland

Crookston Helena Great Falls-Billings

Baker City

Fargo

Bismarck

Boise Rapid City Sioux Falls Sioux City Santa Rosa Oakland San Francisco San Jose

Reno Sacramento Stockton Monterey

Cheyenne

Salt Lake City

Lincoln Denver

Fresno

Colorado Springs Pueblo

San Bernardino

Gallup

Orange San Diego

Oklahoma City

Phoenix

Where do our seminarians and student priests come from?

This past year, nearly 100 dioceses were represented by 209 men in formation at the Janiculum Campus, plus another 73 priests at the Casa Santa Maria for graduate studies. Their years in Rome foster a deep sense of community and embrace the diversity of experience and knowledge that each man holds. In a unique way, the College offers a broad view of the Universal Church, not only in Rome, but within the community itself.

The Pontifical North American College

Wichita Tulsa

Santa Fe Amarillo

Tuscon

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Kansas C

Salina

Dodge City

Las Vegas

Los Angeles

Omaha

Grand Island

Las Cruces El Paso

Lubbock

Dallas Fort Worth Tyler

San Angelo

San Antonio

Austin Victoria

Laredo

Corpus Christi

Brownsville

R E P R E S E N TAT I O N St. Cloud St. Paul-Minneapolis

Duluth Superior

Marquette

Shreveport

Jackson

Burlington Portland Ogdensburg Pittsburgh Gaylord Green Bay Boston Manchester Erie Springfield Youngstown Syracuse New Ulm Worcester Grand La Crosse Rochester Fall River Albany Saginaw Rapids Winona Buffalo Hartford Providence Madison Milwaukee Scranton Lansing Detroit Bridgeport AltoonaKalamazoo Dubuque Johnstown Allentown Cleveland Brooklyn Norwich Chicago Toledo Rockford Des Moines Metuchen Greensburg Ft. Wayne Gary Trenton New York Davenport Joliet Wilmington South Bend Steubenville Newark Peoria Harrisburg Lafayette Columbus Arlington Rockville Camden Kansas City Springfield Indianapolis Cincinnati Centre - St. Joseph Philadelphia Paterson St. Louis WheelingCovington City Baltimore Charleston Richmond Evansville Louisville Jefferson City Belleville Washington Owensboro Lexington Raleigh Springfield-Cape Girardeau Nashville Knoxville Charlotte • Honolulu Memphis Little Rock • Fairbanks Atlanta Charleston • Anchorage-Juneau Birmingham • Melbourne, Australia

Alexandria Lake Charles

• Sydney, Australia

Mobile Baton Rouge Biloxi Pensacola-Tallahassee New Orleans

Beaumont Houma-Thibodaux GalvestonLafayette Houston

• Perth, Australia

Savannah

St. Augustine

• Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter • St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

Orlando St. Petersburg Venice Miami

Palm Beach

KEY:

State Borders Diocesan Borders Diocese with students attending (shown in red)

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2020-2021

Annual Report

Students gather in the Corso Auditorium for a conference on preaching by Rev. Nicolas Steeves, S.J., who offered both practical tips and general principles to inform preaching.

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The Pontifical PontificalNorth NorthAmerican AmericanCollege College

Academic Formation:

Finding the Beauty of the Faith Mark Hellinger ‘22, Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend The Congregation for Clergy, in its 2016 document on priestly formation, the Ratio Fundamentalis, describes the intellectual dimension of seminarians as seeking “to enable [seminarians] to enter into fruitful dialogue with the contemporary world, and to uphold the truth of the faith by the light of reason, thereby revealing its beauty.”

This year, despite the many challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic all over the world and constantly changing restrictions here in Italy, the seminarians at the College have been able to carry on the indispensable work of intellectual formation with an eye toward revealing the beauty of the faith to a world in need of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Intellectual formation can never be separated from the other dimensions of formation, but instead is enriched by a wide experience of intimate personal prayer, a committed liturgical life, a community of fellow Christians and brothers, and the guidance of trusted and committed professors who are able to demonstrate with their own lives the compelling nature of the faith they teach. Additionally, engagement with and appreciation for the surrounding culture aids the goal of learning, because it gives us the experience necessary to proclaim the Gospel, not in the abstract, but in the real concrete situations where we find ourselves today.

friends and benefactors make possible, including attending lectures (normally at the universities) in the tower classrooms and other places on campus. The space provided much help to remain focused and committed to study during the parts of the year when we were unable to attend university lessons in-person.

Third-year men completed their STB programs at their respective universities with the submission of their final theses or comprehensive exams. Meanwhile, the fifth-year priests completed their second-cycle licentiate (STL) programs with the submission of their theses, lectio coram, and comprehensive exams.

Mark Hellinger '22 (Fort Wayne-South Bend) utilizes the study space provided by the Randal Riede, C.F.X. Library.

This year provided ample opportunity to continue our intellectual formation here at the College. The first-year students began their studies in the first cycle (STB program) at one of the three universities seminarians from the College attend: the Pontifical Gregorian University, the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (the Angelicum), and the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (Santa Croce). The students in first-cycle studies made frequent use of the facilities which our generous

Additionally, seminarians took advantage of several in-house opportunities. Language courses in Latin and Greek, seminars and reading groups in Christology, sacred art, fiction, and others were taught by our priest faculty. The universities also provided lectures and events, sometimes via livestream, in which seminarians participated. While the situation in Italy remained fluid, the seminarians of the College were able to use the resources at our disposal through the generosity of so many benefactors to make sure that they will still be well-equipped to engage, understand, and uphold the beauty and riches of the Catholic faith.

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2020-2021

Annual Report

Rev. Patrick Agustin ’20 (Washington) is assisted in the Mass by deacons Rev. Mr. Nicholas Morrison ’21 (Washington) and Rev. Mr. Patrick Costello ’21 (Green Bay) at the U.S. Naval base in Naples, Italy.

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Pastoral Formation:

Bringing Christ to the World Rev. Mr. Patrick Costello ’21, Diocese of Green Bay The Gospel of Matthew is the only Gospel that ends with the words of the Lord Jesus: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” This great commission is a call that echoes strongly in the hearts of seminarians; we desire to respond to the love of Christ for us by bringing that message of divine love to the world.

In a normal year, seminarians are busy all over Rome and beyond in living out this great commission. We are normally active in a wide variety of apostolates including evangelization of visitors to Rome and ministry to Catholic pilgrims; work with the poor, homeless, and elderly alongside religious communities like the Missionaries of Charity and the Little Sisters of the Poor; teaching catechism and sacramental preparation for children; prison ministry to English-speaking prisoners in Rome; campus ministry to the many American college students studying abroad; parish work in the city with American, Spanish, and Italian communities; and military ministry to American Catholics serving the nation at Navy and Air Force installations in Italy.

provided catechetical videos, while St. Patrick parish, Christendom College, and St. Francis International School have been able to engage in online teaching and faith-sharing ministries.

Joseph Brodeur '24 (Providence) serves a meal for his fellow seminarians in the refectory.

The restrictions of the past year have presented real challenges to our ordinary way of doing apostolic work. Since such work is crucial to the pastoral formation of future priests, we have had to be creative in finding ways to keep that apostolic spirit alive. Since the conditions have prevented most in-person ministry, some apostolates have had to shift to the work of prayer for their people.

We have always prayed before, during, and after apostolic work, but when prayer is your main work, one realizes more fully that everything depends on the Lord. In addition, the apostolates of Aviano Air Force Base and Santa Maria in Monserrato have

The apostolate working with Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples, Italy, has been blessed to complete the year with both remote and in-person ministry. The entire fall semester was carried out virtually. Ministry felt different, but we were still able to maintain relationships by teaching catechism remotely on Sundays, giving reflection talks, leading online Bible study, virtually hosting Catholic family trivia night (a big hit!), and even presenting a day-long Confirmation retreat with the students together at the base while we remained at the College. Nothing could compare with the great joy of finally returning to the base in-person in the spring semester and spending time in the presence of the Catholic community there.

Christ’s words in Matthew 28 do not admit that our great commission ceases when conditions get difficult; rather, we know that even while facing large obstacles, Christ will still be with us to the close of the age. Such obstacles this past year have reminded us of the fundamental reality that it is always his grace that brings any good apostolic work to fruition.

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Snapshots

Priests and deacons leaving the College stand at the Closing Banquet as they are commissioned and sent forth to preach the Gospel in their respective dioceses.

Peter Ludwig '22 (Lansing) and Rev. Denis Nakkeeran '20 (Boston) during a scene in Father Brown.

A small brass section adds to the choir during the Easter Triduum liturgies.

James Cardinal Harvey '75 inserts the grains of incense in the Paschal Candle during the Easter Vigil.

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Rev. Mr. Patrick Costello '21 (Green Bay), Rev. Mr. Peter Srsich '21 (Denver), and Rev. Mr. Michael Ledesma '21 (Tyler) chant the Passion during the Celebration of the Lord's Passion on Good Friday.

Concelebrants process with candles during the Easter Vigil.

Isaiah Fischer '24 (Bismarck) drives around Kelby Tingle '23 (Shreveport) during the Hall Ball tournament.

Members of the Roman Echoes editorial team gather for a celebratory Mass to mark the end of the year.

The "Dominican" table gathers for a meal.

Alexander Wyvill '22 (Washington) performs a piano piece during the classical music concert.

Members of the New Man team recover between plays during the Spaghetti Bowl.

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Rev. Mr. Reed Flood '21 (Des Moines), the chairman of the Pastoral Council, serves as the Master of Ceremonies for the annual Closing Banquet that was held on Friday, May 21, 2021.

Opportunities for Cheer as Chairman R E V. M R . R E E D F LO O D ‘ 2 1 , D I O C E S E O F D E S M O I N E S

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eeting inspiring Catholics is one opportunity we enjoy while living in Rome, but giving speeches for them is something altogether humbling!

As the chairman of the College’s Pastoral Council, I help the rector serve the seminarian community.

This usually means working with my classmates to write proposals so that Fr. Harman can respond to the numerous needs of the community.

Besides the joy of working alongside my seminarian brothers, the chairman

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has other responsibilities that can be a bit more intense. Throughout the year, the College offers several banquets for the students and English-speaking Catholic leaders in Rome, and as master of ceremonies at these banquets, I am charged with welcoming these honored guests.

This year, I spoke before the Ambassador to the Holy See, Callista Gingrich, Abbot Primate Gregory Polan O.S.B., George Cardinal Pell, and other distinguished visitors. I cannot forget joking with Cardinal Pell about Iowa butter cows and

Australian kangaroos after one of these banquets. For someone who grew up across the street from a cornfield in Iowa, these moments in Rome are special ones that will stay with me forever.

The impact of the Pastoral Council follows a wide spectrum that spans from forming a house-wide fraternal organization such as, “Men of St. Joseph,” to adding more eggs to the breakfast menu. Serving as chairman has been a great blessing for me. n

The Opportunity of Uncertainty G RA N T DVO RA K ’ 2 2 , D I O C E S E O F B I S M A R C K

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his year I have served as the Student Activities Committee Chairman (STUAC), a role affectionately referred to as “King STUAC.” STUAC is a student-run organization offering various services and activities throughout the year that seek to foster a healthy community life.

Elected representatives from each class join the managers of our student lounge, KNAC student store, student kitchen, barbershop, bike shop, and other functions to serve on the committee.

As the chairman, I have had a number of learning experiences. Many of these lessons have been practical: effectively developing, approving, and sticking to a budget; leading monthly meetings; and delegating tasks. I like that stuff. It provides a sense of completion to see the final product.

Yet, I learned that it is often in the midst of these uncertain situations that I am forced to give up any false expectation that, if I could just control the situation or know what I am supposed to do, things would be better. It is not about that. In fact, the life of every Christian is filled with unsatisfactory circumstances, and these are opportunities for conversion of heart. Jesus simply wanted me to abandon a spirit of control and to place greater trust in him.

Perhaps this unexpected lesson—the opportunity for conversion in times of uncertainty—was the most practical of them all!

The bike shop

Jesus simply wanted me to abandon a spirit of control and to place greater trust in Him. Perhaps the most important lesson, though, came as something of a surprise. I found myself in situation after situation in which seeing the fruit of my labor was just not in the cards. The question I began to ask was open-ended: “What should I do now?”

Often, there was no clear answer.

The two previous “King STUACs” Rev. Mr. Seth Lemaire ’21 (Lafayette) and Rev. Enan Zelinski '20 (Madison) pose for a photo with current leader of the Student Activities Committee Grant Dvorak ’22 (Bismarck) in the middle.

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Departing Faculty I S M A E L R O D R Í G U E Z J R . ’ 2 2 , D I O C E S E O F DA L L A S

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The faculty of The Pontifical North American College is made up of priests and religious who leave their diocese or communities for a period of time to come to Rome to aid in the work of priestly formation. Many are alumni of the College, others are not. Currently on the faculty we have priests from the (Arch)dioceses of: Springfield in Illinois, Washington, San Francisco, Houma-Thibodaux, Brooklyn, St. Petersburg, Rockville Centre, Camden, San Jose, Costa Rica, the Ruthenian Eparchy of Passaic, Birmingham, New York, Providence, and Toledo. We also have on faculty religious priests from: the Society of Jesus, St. Vincent Archabbey, St. Meinrad Archabbey, and the Order of Preachers. Finally, we are blessed to have a Religious Sister of Mercy of Alma, Michigan, as the House Counselor.

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Rev. Ronald C. Barusefski Fr. Barusefski departs the College after five years of serving as the Director of Apostolic Formation as well as a formation advisor. In addition to these two roles, Fr. Barusefski also offered Byzantine liturgies for the community throughout his time here, providing students with a greater appreciation and understanding of the Byzantine Ruthenian Catholic Church. Beginning next fall, he will transfer to the Casa Santa Maria, where he will complete his doctoral dissertation in canon law.

Rev. Walter “Tad” Oxley ’03, C’09 Fr. Oxley departs the College after serving five years as an adjunct spiritual director, while working at the Holy See’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

His new assignment consists of returning to his home Diocese of Toledo, where he will serve as Secretary for Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations along with Episcopal Vicar for Clergy.

Sr. Mary Patrice Ahearn, RSM Sr. Mary Patrice departs the College after three years of serving as the Director of Counseling Services. She joined the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan in 2003. In graduate school she served as the house counselor and consultant at St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward, Nebraska, as part of her internship. She completed her Psy.D. at the Institute for Psychological Sciences in Arlington, Virginia, in 2013. Sr. Mary Patrice also worked as a clinical psychologist at the Sacred Heart Mercy Health Care Center in Alma, Michigan. Prior to her arrival in Rome, she was a Lecturer in Applied Psychology and Counseling at the University of Notre Dame in Sydney,

Rev. Walter "Tad" Oxley '03, C'09 (Toledo), Sr. Mary Patrice Ahearn, RSM, and Rev. Ronald Barusefski C'16 (Eparchy of Passaic) gather for a photo at the end of the Closing Banquet, at which they were recognized for their service and dedication to the College.

Australia. Beginning in July she will become the local superior of their community in Washington, D.C., and will continue to serve the Church as a psychologist back in the United States.

Rev. Joseph Kelly After three years of service as the spiritual director for the Casa Santa Maria, as well as an adjunct spiritual director at the College, Fr. Joseph Kelly departs the College and will return to the Archdiocese of New York. Prior to his arrival in Rome, Fr. Kelly served as founding board member and spiritual director at the Institute for Priestly Formation at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, for over twenty-five years.

The College is grateful for the invaluable work of Fr. Barusefski, Fr. Oxley, Sr. Mary Patrice, and Fr. Kelly in helping form the next generation of priests. n

Interview with Sr. Mary Patrice Ahearn, RSM TAY LO R CO LW E L L ’ 2 3, A R C H D I O C E S E O F WA S H I N GTO N What have you enjoyed most about serving as the College’s counselor?

For me, it has been working with the seminarians. This is very meaningful and rewarding work that is also a good service to the Church. It is a privileged position to walk with these young men who are striving be good men and good priests. I love the Church and the priesthood, and to be able to serve in this way has been a gift.

I am extremely grateful for my time at the College. I will miss Rome and all of the people I have gotten to know here, but this is what you sign up for when you serve the Church—you get reassigned and you go where you are needed. I know there are always blessings in obedience, and I count on them.

What sort of growth have you tended to see among the men over the course of their time here?

What I tend to see is a growth in interior freedom, especially in areas where they struggle and want to be free to be authentically themselves. Some of the men I have worked with longest have grown more certain of themselves and of where they are headed.

What are some memories you will look back on from your time at the College?

It has been interesting to be here during the COVID-19 experience.

Especially during the initial lockdown, I was particularly grateful for our larger American community in Rome. It was nice to be part of that community

Sr. Mary Patrice Ahearn, RSM departs the College after serving for three years as counselor.

and suffer through this together. At the beginning of this academic year, I was extremely grateful that all the men were able to come back. It was a difficult time, but I’m glad I was able to come to work and be of service.

What was it like as a woman religious to work as a seminary counselor? Do you think this gave you a unique perspective?

At first, no one knew what to expect, but I can say now it has been a very positive experience. God’s providence did give me a sort of preparation because I grew up with all brothers.

Everyone has been very welcoming, and working with the faculty has been a collaborative experience.

Absolutely, it gave me a unique perspective. If you think of your family, mom and dad pick up on different things—women do pick up on a lot of

things especially in the area of interpersonal relationships, and this is an important perspective in seminary formation. Having a female counselor is a good way for women to be involved.

Could you describe your next assignment and what you are looking forward to most about it?

I am being reassigned to our community in Washington, D.C., as our local superior there. In terms of my apostolic work, I will help train Catholic psychologists and do clinical work.

Having lived outside the United States for five years, I am looking forward to going back and being with my sisters there, being closer to our mother house, and being closer to my own family. I have really loved being in Rome and being part of the College community, but it will be good to go back, too. n

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Interview with Rev. Walter “Tad” Oxley ‘03, C’09 TAY LO R CO LW E L L ’ 2 3, A R C H D I O C E S E O F WA S H I N GTO N What have you enjoyed most about your time as a spiritual director at the College?

It was a great blessing to be able to remain in seminary formation after serving in the external forum at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. I had the desire after the experience at the Josephinum to serve in the internal forum, and this has been a great grace for me. I have been blessed to see how the Holy Trinity has worked and is working so clearly in the lives of these men, and witnessing this work of grace in them has enabled me to grow in my spiritual life as a priest.

What was it like returning to the College as a faculty member after your time here as a student?

I believe that the priest always needs to be in formation. The Lord Jesus is always inviting us to give more of ourselves in complete surrender to the Father, therefore, for me, this experience was as if I were in formation again, for the first time.

What do you think makes the College a unique seminary in which to serve as a spiritual director?

The quality of the men at the College is so high. These men have strong intellectual, human, and spiritual foundations and desires before they arrive, so it is evident that you are assisting men who are going to be significant shepherds and fathers in the not-so-distant future of the Church.

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Rev. Walter "Tad" Oxley ‘03, C’09 (Toledo) poses for a photo at the College.

As an adjunct faculty member, you provided direction to seminarians while also working at the Holy See’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. What was it like fulfilling these two roles simultaneously?

It was a great gift for me to have the opportunity to be part of the College community during my years of service to the Holy See. A priest needs a community, and this community provided me, particularly in my friendships with my brother priests on faculty, a great opportunity to live the faith in fraternal communion: celebrating Mass together, praying before the Blessed Sacrament in Eucharistic Adoration together, socializing together. These have provided wonderful memories for me and made my experience of working here in Rome feel much more like home.

Most of the American priests who work at the Holy See live at the Villa Stritch, and over the years there has been at least one priest permitted at a time to live at the College. I am thankful that during these years I had this opportunity. I am grateful to Bishop James Checchio for organizing the possibility together with my bishop, Bishop Daniel E. Thomas, and to Fr. Peter Harman, under whose rectorship I have lived and served.

Could you describe your next assignment and what you are looking forward to most about it?

My next assignment is Secretary for Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations along with Episcopal Vicar for Clergy in the Diocese of Toledo, Ohio. I look forward to praying for, sacrificing for, and serving my brother priests during this upcoming assignment. n

Interview with Rev. John Thomas Braving a Sabbatical During a Pandemic I S M A E L R O D R Í G U E Z J R . ’ 2 2 , D I O C E S E O F DA L L A S Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

How has this experience shaped your priesthood and ministry back home?

I was ordained to the priesthood on May 29, 1993 for the Diocese of Owensboro, Kentucky. After almost thirty years of ministry, which included a six-year assignment as a formation advisor at St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, I am currently assigned as pastor of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Even though the whole program was modified, we still had the opportunity to pursue our continued theological formation. These sessions allowed me to return to the foundation of my priestly ministry. I also had greater time for prayer, which was enriching and strengthening. It helped me reflect on parish life and my experience and responsibilities as a pastor.

Why did you decide to take a sabbatical in Rome during a pandemic, given all the restrictions here in Italy?

In my diocese, we are always encouraged to take a sabbatical. I had planned for two years to take one and was finally scheduled to partake in the Institute for Continuing Theological Education (ICTE) program this past fall. However, with the rise of COVID-19 restrictions over the summer, I originally canceled it altogether. As the summer passed, and as we continued to gradually reopen, I had a shift of vision and was convicted that the sabbatical could in fact happen after all. I quickly rescheduled and never looked back.

I kept moving forward and did not rest until I safely went through customs in Rome!

Can you describe your experience?

When I arrived, I was quarantined at the Casa O’Toole for two weeks with two other priests who had also

Members of the ICTE sabbatical program celebrate Mass together.

decided to brave a sabbatical during a pandemic. To my surprise, the quarantine period was a fruitful and graceful time. It allowed me to reflect and process my priestly ministry in a deeper way. When we finally had the opportunity to venture out, we sought to explore those areas of the city that were open. One of the highlights was the easy access to St. Peter’s Basilica.

I often found myself praying, almost daily, at the tomb of St. John XXIII. At times I was the only visitor in the entire church! Another enriching experience was the opportunity to attend, as one out of one hundred privileged guests, Ash Wednesday, the Chrism Mass, and Easter Sunday Mass with Pope Francis.

Finally, my time at the College with the rest of the seminary community was also a highlight. In the end, the sabbatical might not have been as planned, but it proved to be a positive and enriching experience.

What advice would you give to those priests who are considering doing a sabbatical here in Rome?

When I think back at what motivated me to delay my sabbatical, two things come to mind. First, we pastors, after a while, mistakenly think that the parish always needs us. This unrealistic expectation feeds the idea that the parish cannot survive without us. But the truth is that we do not want to lose control. Of course, leaving for six months can be daunting, but perhaps letting the parish actually breathe a little bit better without us in the picture is not a bad thing after all. The sabbatical allows us priests to recharge and spend more time with the Lord and other priests.

After all, the Church calls us for ongoing formation, and the ICTE program in Rome is certainly capable of offering that experience, even during a pandemic. n

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Byzantine Catholic Presence at the College

The Preparation of the Bread and Wine.

The Great Incensation.

The Great Entrance.

Celebration of the Divine Liturgy.

Left: The Incensation of the Gifts.

Right: Rev. Ronald Barusefski C'16 distributes the Eucharist to Samuel Bass '22 (Austin).

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Interview with Rev. Ronald Barusefski C'16 E D I TO R I A L STA F F O F R O M A N EC H O E S

What do you think has been the greatest impact of the Byzantine Catholic presence at the College?

What are some of your fondest memories of services held here in the chapel?

It has always been my hope that in sharing all that is unique about the Byzantine tradition—the spiritual, liturgical, and historical dimensions of its patrimony—there can be a greater understanding and appreciation of the rich and diverse contributions that my own Byzantine Ruthenian Catholic Church sui iuris makes to the Universal Church. I also hope that it will lead to continued interest in all twenty-four individual Eastern Catholic Churches sui iuris, as most have eparchies and parishes in many areas of the United States. Some newly-ordained priests have already sought bi-ritual faculties in the Ruthenian and Melkite Catholic Churches.

Every time a student has approached me to learn how to be a server, lector, cantor, deacon, and even a priest concelebrant has been an incredibly humbling grace for me, and I express here my heartfelt gratitude to them all.

Their dedicated efforts during these last five years have made the liturgical services much more impactful. Whenever the attending seminarians begin to sing the responses, it is always an inspiring experience. One particularly memorable moment for me was in presenting the Byzantine Chapel to the Eastern Catholic bishops and clergy from the United States who stayed at the College during their 2020 ad limina visit. It warmed my heart to see their pleasantly surprised expressions when they viewed firsthand the College’s commitment to Eastern worship.

How did the North American Martyrs Chapel become the Byzantine Chapel for the College?

The North American Martyrs Chapel is ideally designed for Eastern services since it is the only small chapel where one can move around the altar. It originally served as an Eastern chapel for the College’s Ruthenian and Maronite seminarians from about 1975 to 1985. When I became a faculty member in 2016, Father Harman graciously allowed for its Eastern use once again. With the cooperative effort of the College and Bishop Kurt Burnette of the Ruthenian Eparchy of Passaic, who serves as the Eastern Catholic representative on the Board of Governors, along with the

Left to right: Samuel Bass '20 (Austin), Rev. Ronald Barusefski C'16 and Rev. Mr. Lucas LaRoche '21 (Worcester) join for a photo after a celebration of the Divine Liturgy.

carpentry skills of a then second-year theologian, Joseph Sigur, a fitting worship area for the Divine Liturgy and other services was quickly realized.

What do you think is the significance of the College having a chapel for the Divine Liturgy and other Eastern services?

The presence of the Byzantine Chapel here at the College is a powerful witness of the Eastern theological concept of “unity with diversity.” There is a very holistic approach to Eastern worship that nearly overwhelms the senses, and this necessitates a proper ecclesial setting. Between the sight of the many icons, the smell of the incense, the hearing of the singing and chanting of the distinct music, and the taste of the Eucharist in the form of leavened bread soaked in wine, the faithful are taken out of their earthly existence to experience the heavenly. Seminarians have also noted the profound benefit of praying before the icons.

What is the future of the chapel?

I am glad to report that the icon screen and the other liturgical appointments will remain a very visible part of the College as they will eventually be transferred to the Byzantine Chapel at the Casa Santa Maria. The icon screen in particular will compliment and complete the worship area there, which already has beautiful icons adorning all of its walls. n

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The front porch of Fr. Coyle's rectory

Fr. James Coyle, a College Alumnus who “Gave Till It Hurt” REV. KEVIN BAZZEL ‘01, C‘06 AND DANIEL SESSIONS ‘23, DIOCESE OF BIRMINGHAM IN ALABAMA

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his year marks the 125th anniversary of the priestly ordination of Father James Edwin Coyle, a seminarian of the College’s class of 1896. Born in Ireland on March 23, 1873, he began his preparation for the priesthood at Mungret College near Limerick and later transferred to the College to complete his priestly formation. On May 30, 1896, Fr. Coyle was ordained to the priesthood in Rome at the age of twenty-three and soon was off to what was then the Diocese of Mobile in Alabama to begin his priestly ministry.

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In 1904, Fr. Coyle was appointed pastor of Saint Paul’s parish in Birmingham, Alabama. Fr. Coyle was the most ardent defender of the Catholic faith in Birmingham. His homilies often extolled the virtue of receiving Holy Communion frequently and of fostering a devotion to the Blessed Mother. He wrote many columns for the Birmingham newspaper in attempts to dispel false understandings of the teachings of the Church.

Courthouse, old church, rectory, new church construction, circa 1891

Thousands participated in Fr. Coyle’s funeral; Fr. Michael Henry, Fr. Coyle’s childhood friend and later classmate at the College, preached the homily at the Mass on the theme, “You have not chosen me; I have chosen you.”

1896 Class Photo

In the courthouse next to Saint Paul’s served Rev. Edwin Stephenson, a Methodist minister who was the “Marrying Parson,” who performed wedding ceremonies there. His daughter Ruth was fascinated with Catholicism, and once even was caught by her father speaking with Fr. Coyle on the front porch of the rectory. When Ruth turned eighteen in the Spring of 1921, she was received into the Church to the manifest ire of her father, a member of the Ku Klux Klan.

In June 1921, Pedro Gussman, a Catholic Puerto Rican migrant, proposed to Ruth, and she accepted.

The couple had hoped to marry in secret to avoid her father’s fury.

Unable to find another priest available, however, they returned to Saint Paul’s and were married there on August 11, 1921, assisted by Fr. Coyle.

Enraged, Rev. Stephenson found Fr. Coyle sitting on the front porch of the rectory praying the Divine Office early that same evening. Rev. Stephenson walked up the steps of the porch, approached Fr. Coyle, and shot him three times. After this, Rev. Stephenson walked next door to the courthouse, where he turned himself in. Fr. Coyle was taken to nearby Saint Vincent’s Hospital, where he subsequently died, but not before receiving Last Rites.

Rev. Stephenson’s trial took place in the courthouse adjacent to the site of the crime. His attorney was Hugo Black, future U.S. senator and Supreme Court justice. Even though there were witnesses to the shooting, Stephenson was found not guilty by reason of insanity.

The argument was that the he had become temporarily insane, blaming Fr. Coyle for his daughter’s conversion to Catholicism and her marriage to the dark-skinned Gussman.

Fr. Coyle in front of his rectory

One hundred years ago this year, on August 7, 1921, the Sunday before he was killed, Fr. Coyle was making the parish announcements. His last announcement was regarding a pledge drive for the local orphanage.

He encouraged the people to give generously to this noble cause. The final words of Fr. Coyle to the parishioners that Sunday referred to the drive, but they also prophetically summarize his entire priestly life: “Give. Give till it hurts. Then and only then is there sacrifice.” n

Fr. Coyle and Fr. Henry

On Ash Wednesday of 2011, United Methodist Bishop William Willimon presided over a service of repentance at Highlands United Methodist Church in downtown Birmingham, having learned that the Methodist Church did not discipline Rev. Stephenson following the murder. Fr. Coyle’s zealous and steadfast ministry lives on through the convictions of the faithful of the city and the Diocese, and through the memory of this holy priest, a son of the College.

Fr. Coyle written announcement, August 7, 1921.

ROMAN ECHOES 2021 • VOLUME 25: ISSUE 4

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A Community of Pastors R E V. JA M E S CO N N, S. J. , S U P E R I O R O F T H E C A SA SA N TA M A R I A

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s my second year as superior at the Casa Santa Maria draws to a close, I have been asked to offer some reflections of the year in review. From the beginning of my service at the Casa I found notably challenging the integration into a happy and holy community of three identifiable groups of priests: returning residents at different ages and stages of priesthood and graduate studies; men with at least some full-time pastoral experience assigned to studies in Rome for the first time; and newly ordained alumni of the College assigned to the Casa for a year or two to complete their licentiate.

Student priests sing the Marian antiphon at the conclusion of Mass.

COVID-19, which had effectively closed the seminary and the Casa in March 2020, was ironically effective in addressing this dilemma. Last September the Casa provided a two-week quarantine for residents newly arrived or returning from the USA. The facilities of the house were divided between them and other residents who had been quarantined earlier elsewhere. Praying, eating, and

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recreating in these bubbles, new and veteran priests, unable to be out and about in Rome, came to know and enjoy the company of one another quickly and easily. Orientation took on a dynamic and spontaneous character.

Relationships forged during these early and somewhat stressful days perdured throughout the year and its various lockdowns. Natural circles of students of common academic fields and university affiliation, regional and diocesan brothers, and alumni of different seminaries found a new center in the priestly fraternity of the Casa whether at the altar, at mealtimes, at play, or in intellectual pursuits old and new.

The Christmas and Easter breaks were different from those of past years. As travel became difficult or impossible, most Casa men remained in Rome and were surprised at how much they enjoyed being together. Festive liturgical celebrations, special home-cooked meals prepared by expert resident chefs, joyful music, extended conversation, and the transformation of our workaday coffee room off the cortile into a

Rev. James Conn, S.J. holds a colloquium with residents of the Casa Santa Maria.

Members of the Casa Santa Maria make a consecration to St. Joseph.

comfortable and welcoming community space were all features of our holiday downtime that carried over into ordinary time.

I venture to say that the Casa has developed something of a new or renewed identity and character. Ever a peaceful center for study, prayer, and occasional friendship, it has become a more intentional community of priests of different ages and experiences who share responsibility for the continuing formation of each other. Through their preaching and presiding at the Eucharist and prayers, by their human and spiritual companionship and conversation, and in their intellectual encounters as maturing theologians, philosophers, and canonists, they have become more consciously men of mission and ministry.

My brother priests at the Casa have also helped me to understand my own role more clearly. I am neither a seminary rector nor a religious superior, but an elder brother and, after my many years as a teacher, for the first time a pastor, but in a very privileged way a pastor pastorum. n

The Two Tables R E V. DAV I D S C H U N K ‘ 1 0, V I C E-R EC TO R FO R A D M I N I ST RAT I O N

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faculty member taught me a great expression when I was a student at the College, one that I have never forgotten and often enjoy repeating myself, that “we are as Catholics, a people of two tables.” The tables he was referring are the two tables that our lives tend to revolve around, the table of the altar and the table where we dine.

This statement is so true.

In just about every culture, there is connected with celebrations of achievement or special significance, a meal that amplifies the event. It could be a graduation or a retirement lunch, a marriage or anniversary reception, or a banquet celebrating a religious feast day. While nothing can replace the thanksgiving and praise we offer to God at the Eucharistic table, there is something fascinating in the fact that we as Catholics want to continue the celebration around a table of a different sort. Whether it is a special table in honor of St. Joseph, the farewell banquet for our brothers who leave us to preach the Gospel in their respective home dioceses, or the festive Easter meal, our lives at the College are intricately linked to the two tables with the meals that nourish both our soul and our bodies.

In the spring of 2020, the College embarked on a renovation at the Janiculum campus of the west wing under the refectory that stretched from our business office (Economato) all the way to our mail room. The centerpiece of the project was a much-needed renovation of the seminary kitchen, where over 160,000

Rev. David Schunk '10 (San Francisco) stands in the courtyard in front of the Immaculate Conception Chapel.

meals are prepared on an annual basis.

Due to the pandemic, only a portion of the work could be completed, that being the renovation of the business office and the employee dining and break room (mensa). This spring, however, we were able to restart the renovations, which include a new layout of the kitchen spaces, taking into consideration best practices for food storage and preparation, ventilation and plumbing upgrades, and transitioning the kitchen to an all-electric cooking space by replacing the gas ranges. The project also includes the construction of new changing rooms for our domestic, kitchen, and maintenance staff so they will have professional and comfortable spaces to change into their work attire. During the time when the kitchen work is in progress, the College is engaging the services of

an outside catering company to supply us with meals for lunch and dinner.

Fortunately, we are able to undertake the majority of the work during the summer months so the impact on the community is minimized, with the project scheduled to be completed in August 2021.

When our Risen Lord speaks to Simon Peter in the Gospel of John and tells him to “feed my sheep,” we all know he was not telling them to cook up a plate of pasta. Yet, Jesus does invite the disciples to “come, have breakfast” and share a meal with him on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. The same invitation is made of us today and we respond like the disciples, gathering around the two tables of our lives to receive nourishment to go forth and feed the sheep. n

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Fed and Followed MARK RANDALL, CFRE • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

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his fourth issue of Roman Echoes in its 25th year highlights an extraordinary academic year if ever there was one.

Despite the challenges of the ongoing pandemic restrictions in Rome, the regular life of the College community pressed on these past months, as you have read in the preceding pages.

Therefore, the outstanding student editorial team of this magazine had much to share with you, our alumni and lay readers. I encourage you to fully explore each article!

stewardship devices. It is important that we share with you the fruits of your investment, and the status of your alma mater (for our alumni). Your prayers and financial support really do impact our students and mission.

The recent Gratitude From the Gianicolo video greeting in lieu of the Rector’s Dinner was another such effort to “bring Rome home” to our many stakeholders. I am pleased to report that the video was a great success. It was viewed over 30,000 times and raised approximately 66% of Although we hope all of our benefactors what would have been expected from will one day get to visit us, we the usual Rector’s Dinner. Thank you! understand travel to Rome has always been a challenge for some, even before Nothing can replace being on the pandemic. But knowing this, it’s campus for the Dinner…or meeting why we believe that this magazine and seminarians face to face…or touring other communication efforts are vital our magnificent 12-acre campus. I

nonetheless hope you enjoyed the unique scenes and stories from the video. And if you’ve not yet watched it, please do so at www.pnac.org/gratutude.

The “Good Shepherd” theme of this issue is interesting from a fundraising perspective. We regularly reach out to our alumni, benefactors, and friends, asking you to feed our mission: with your prayers, your financial support, and encouragement of others to join you. We rely on our many good benefactors to sustain us.

As we finish our 162nd year, we pray for more peaceful days ahead and look forward to welcoming you back to Rome soon. Until then, be assured of our prayers and continued gratitude for the many ways you generously feed our community! n

Ready to make a pilgrimage to Rome?

We have just the trip for you! Join us for the Diaconate Ordinations in St. Peter’s Basilica and several private events in Rome beginning on September 30, 2021. We then depart on the Seabourn cruise line for various Mediterranean sites in France, Corsica, and Malta. Daily Mass onboard the ship! The July deadline to reserve your spot is fast-approaching!

For more information see www.pnac.org/cruise

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Monte Carlo Toulon Propriano

Portovenere Rome Golfo Aranci

Trapani Valletta

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

CONGRATULATIONS

to the students, faculty, and staff on the completion on the 162nd academic year, and programs of the Seminary, Casa Santa Maria, and Institute for Continuing Theological Education.

AD MULTOS ANNOS!

The Alumni Association of the North American College

The Pontifical North American College Office of Institutional Advancement 3211 Fourth Street, NE Washington, D.C. 20017-1194 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED1

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) 470-6211 Email: pnacdc@pnac.org Website: www.pnac.org

Rev. Mr. Alessandro Calderoni Ortiz '21 (Tulsa) and Rev. Mr. Luke Powers '21 (Madison) are congratulated by members of the community at their "Clap-Out" before returning home for ordination to the priesthood.