May 2023
From August’s move-in day and orientation to the Advent and Christmas concerts, and from New Year's Day, to the Pastoral assignments of the Paschal Triduum and Easter, everything we do at St. Joseph’s Seminary (SJS) culminates in May.
Over the last few months, we’ve tried to share with you the richness of life at the Seminary. There is, as you have noticed by now, very little “down time”. Week after week is filled with activity and reason for reflection and celebration, and nothing characterizes our seminarians, faculty, and staff here more than “joy”. There is joy in every accomplishment, every paper turned in, and every test taken. There is joy each time a visitor leaves our grounds remarking how wonderful their time spent here was. There is joy each time we see seminarians from distant corners of the earth share a table, a meal, and a laugh. And there is true Joy when it is all tied together in the Eucharist. Why? Because it is all for der Herrlichkeit – the glory of the Lord.
With all of this, from visits by representatives at the highest levels of the Church’s hierarchy, accomplished theologians, and humble healers, to visits by the youngest discerners - arguably our most important visitors – everything culminates in May.
It seems fitting that we chose to write about the end of the 2022-2023 Academic Year during the last weekend of May. This was the weekend we experienced the joy of the Ordination of four of our men, the Feast of Pentecost, and Memorial Day. These three events are the ribbons that tie everything together in a magnificent bow of new beginnings, spiritual gifts, and respect for the sacrifices of the past.
It was a tremendous year.
On to May!
The End of Term Mass, Profession of Faith, and Oath of Fidelity
Friday, May 4, 2023
Paul Zwolak crowns the statue of the Blessed Mother.
What better way to begin the month of endings, than with a penultimate promise and the Crowning of Our Blessed Mother. On May 4, the SJS community gathered for the End of Semester Mass, Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity by the Ordinandi. At the end of the Mass was the May Crowning.
The SJS community joined together that afternoon to watch the soon-to-be-ordained gather one final time to Profess the Faith, and to declare their loyalty to Mother Church. Two by two the Ordinandi approached the altar to sign their names to their oaths one final time, with a thought to their imminent Ordinations.
Then, as the Mass ended, Seminarian Paul Zwolak climbed a ladder in his cassock and surplice, no easy feat made all the more precarious as he cradled a small and fragile crown of blossoms in one hand. Yet climb the ladder he did, and reaching up placed the diminutive crown on the head of Our Blessed Mother's statue, and a collective sigh of relief was palpable from Paul’s new fans that day.
Following the Mass everyone gathered in the Refectory for a lunchtime celebration of the end of classes, of our Ordinandi, and of Paul’s successful coronation of Our Lady. It was curious that just two days later the world would witness the coronation of the new King of England, yet with all its pageantry and finery, the Imperial State Crown did not shine brighter upon King Charles’ head, than the tiny wreath of baby’s breath which was placed on the head of the statue of the Blessed Mother in our chapel.
To view more images of the day, visit: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjACr7m
Commencement 2023
Friday, May 12, 2023
Speaking of pageantry, an explosion of color and music lent a practically medieval air to the SJS halls for this year’s Commencement Exercises. To the keen-eyed, the colors and crests of the robes, chevrons on the sleeves, and trim of the gowns, revealed the alma maters, degrees, and fields of study of the faculty members, and one could not help but feel proud of our world-class professors.
The graduates processed into the chapel to Elgar’s familiar “Pomp and Circumstance”, and were greeted by His Excellency, Bishop James Massa, Rector, who opened the graduation with a blessing. Rev. Matthew Ernest, Academic Dean, welcomed everyone and shared remarks and observations. Finally, the Commencement Address was delivered by Monsignor Joseph LaMorte, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of New York. Following this, diplomas were distributed.
This year’s graduating class numbered fifty-two (52), which was much celebrated. Among them was our very own Mrs. Joan Brisson, Coordinator of Operations for the Academic Dean’s Office. The graduation ceremony was live streamed by the great staff at CFN and can be viewed online on YouTube by clicking here:
https://www.youtube.com/live/2VrVF769XjM?feature=share
https://www.youtube.com/live/2VrVF769XjM?feature=share
The recipients of this year's academic awards were:
- The St. Charles Borromeo Award: Fr. Miguel Betancur Lenis and Fr. Matthew Loman.
- The Pope Benedict XVI Award for Academic Excellence: Fr. Férry Galbert.
- The Elizabeth Ann Seton Award for the MA in Theology: Joan Brisson and Bridget Jordan.
- The St. Thomas Aquinas Award for the MACPS: Br. Francois Fontanie, CFR and Bruce Dexter, III.
Following the graduation, a celebration was held in the cloister which was decorated with candles, hanging lanterns, and café lights, a sophisticated surrounding worthy of our sophists. Our cloister, the opening topic of last month’s newsletter, was certainly put to great use this month. Congratulations to all our graduates.
To view more images of the graduation and celebration, visit: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAE5Wi
In Gratitude
Mr. Samuel Romanzo
In addition to our cloister, last month’s newsletter also mentioned the work of our Garden Club. Our volunteer garden projects were developed by Ms. Danielle Pizzola, Assistant Operations Manager to the Rector and Vice Rector, under the leadership of Msgr. Peter I. Vaccari in 2014, and with the collaboration of the Seminary community.
One of the greatest supporters of our seminary’s gardens and grounds also happens to be a member of our Board of Trustees – Mr. Samuel Romanzo. Sam, as he is affectionately called, has indeed become a member of the SJS family. He attends almost every event, large Mass, and the majority of our ceremonies. He has picked up a shovel or shears more than once to help with the gardening work around SJS. In fact, it was Sam who donated our fig trees. If you look carefully through our albums, you will always catch a glimpse of him sitting in the pews, and the expression on his and his wife Nancy’s faces display the affection they feel for SJS.
Thank you, Sam, for all you do for us. We appreciate it more than you know.
Visitors and Events
Each month we are graced by parishes and organizations who select SJS from above countless other venues, to celebrate their events. This month we were pleased to host visiting clergy from around the US and the world who gathered in advance of the Ordination of their protégés.
Similarly, this month we welcomed and hosted the students of Cathedral Prep who participated in retreats, prayer services, and joined us as we traveled to the ADNY Ordinations to the Priesthood at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It was a blessing to watch this wonderful group of young men lend a hand at the Cathedral early that morning.
Finally, on Sunday, May 21, we were happy to host the Immaculate Conception Church (ICC) of Irvington Altar and Rosary Society (A & R), which held its Annual Communion Brunch at SJS. This was a special one for the ICC A & R, as ICC will celebrate its 150th Anniversary on December 8 of this year. Fr. William Cleary, Vice Rector, who is well familiar with ICC, greeted the group calling them members of the SJS family, and Fr. Robert Ashman, Pastor of ICC, alumnus of SJS, and member of the 1986 Ordination class, shared stories of his time here. May God continue to bless ICC, its Priests, and its parishioners, and may He continue to call the ICC faithful forward in service and in love.
For more images of the ICC A & R Brunch visit: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAF3Em
Speaking of Alumni
As we mentioned earlier, fifty-two (52) brand new alumni have now joined the ranks of our countless others. Many of you reading this are among them.
Being an alumnus is not, and should not be, an ending. Being an alumnus is a beginning. Our alumni are now presented with tremendous opportunities to become involved in campus affairs, and to support the seminary that provided them with their greater understanding of the Faith, and greater love of God. With no more papers to write, or exams for which to study, you have some extra free time now. Become involved. Over the next few weeks and months, you will receive information about upcoming events. Remain current, and volunteer to help. You now know more than most how important service is.
To our Priest alumni we ask that you remember the “joy” we wrote of at the beginning of our newsletter. Come visit us. Participate in the Days of Recollection, attend the seminars, bring your parishes here for their own events, and keep in touch. SJS needs you as much as now as it ever has. Our next Priest Alumni Reunion will take place on Thursday, November 9, 2023. Save the date! It is going to be a great day.
The Ordination of Fr. Abner Gonzalez, Sch. P.
Friday, May 26, 2023
Two of our seminarians were Ordained to the Priesthood earlier than the rest. We already shared the news of the joyful Ordination of Fr. Christian Santiago, Sch. P. This month, Fr. Abner Gonzalez Bonilla, Sch. P., Fr. Christian’s brother Piarist, joined the priesthood as well. Fr. Gonzalez was ordained by His Excellency, Bishop Félix Lázaro Martínez, Sch. P., Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Ponce, Puerto Rico. There were few dry eyes in the house as the congregation witnessed his love of the Lord, and of his parents. In fact, even a few faculty members shed a tear or two. Congratulations and Ad Multos Annos!
The Ordinations of the Diocese of Bridgeport, and the Archdiocese of New York
The two days could not have been more different. The first was framed with streams of rain, while the second was wrapped in resplendent sun. Yet, as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow might have argued, both were beautiful as both carried with them the promises of nourishment and flowering. They were equally beautiful, not because of the weather, but because of the Sacrament, and because of the love and support that reverberated in the naves of the tremendous Church of St. Theresa, of Trumbull, CT, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, in NY.
His Eminence, Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan, ordained the men of New York, and His Excellency, Bishop Frank J. Caggiano, ordained the men of Bridgeport. You may view both at the links below. Congratulations to all our newly ordained priests.
Diocese of Bridgeport:
Saturday, May 20, 2023
Saturday, May 20, 2023
Fr. Miguel Betancur Lenis
Fr. Ricardo Comim
Fr. Férry Galbert
Fr. Andrew Lafleur
Fr. Matthew Loman
Archdiocese of New York:
Saturday, May 27, 2023
Fr. Zachary Alspaugh
Fr. Collins Ashu
Fr. Carlos Germosen
Fr. Steven Neier, C. O.
The 2023 Diocese of Bridgeport Ordination
The 2023 Archdiocese of New York Ordination
Final Thoughts
There are still a few Ordinations remaining this year - those of the Diocese of Brooklyn and the Diocese of Rockville Centre. We promise to feature these, and hope to add more photos of the rest, in next month’s newsletter.
Until then, please keep these good and holy men in your prayers, and please continue to pray for our seminarians, for the new seminarians that will join us in August, and for the young discerners who are finding their way. Pray that they all may continue to hear their Father’s call and feel it in their hearts.
If you ever wanted to study the Faith...
If you are a qualifying full time diocesan, parish, or Catholic School employee of the Archdiocese of New York, Diocese of Brooklyn, Diocese of Rockville Centre, or Saint Cecilia Academy, you are now eligible for a 50% discount on SJS classes.
In addition to this, alumni are eligible to receive a 50% discount on course audits, and new students can receive a 50% discount on their first class!
SJS is pleased to announce this wonderful opportunity for anyone who has ever felt the call to study the Faith but has been hesitant to do so for financial considerations. Here is your chance. Register now!
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