nac magazine: fall-winter 1996

Fall/Winter 1996Enrollment rises from 128 to 148

Student Body Largest since 1987

The class of 2000, the first class of the new millennium, was warmly welcomed by the Collegecommunity in August.

The 39 "new men" bring total enrollment to 148, the largest since 1987. There were 128 men enrolledone year ago.

The new class also brings (or brings back) (Arch)diocesan representation in the College from Boise,Chicago, Colorado Springs, Davenport, Harrisburg, Helena, Lansing, Memphis, Norwich, Ogdensburg,Orlando, Providence, Rochester, Salt Lake City, Stockton, and Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles.

Three men who are part of the class of 1999, transferred from other seminaries. With these three, theCollege welcomed "new men": Luke Ballman (Atlanta), Daniel Barnett (Spokane), Victor Blazovich(Spokane), Grattan Brown (Memphis), Thomas Connolly (Spokane), Jason Crossen (Davenport),Joel Cycenas (St. Paul-Minneapolis), Michael Dodd (Tulsa) and James Faman (Pittsburgh).

Also, Francisco Flores (Boise), Dennis Garcia (Santa Fe), Joseph Giroux (Ogdensburg), WilliamHambleton (Salt Lake City), John Kimes (Eparchy Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles), Ron Kunkel(Chicago), Thomas LaHood (Washington), Derek Lappe (Seattle), Raymond LaVoie (Harrisburg) andJeffery Loseke (Omaha).

Also, Michael Lynam (Pittsburgh), Timothy MacDonald (Lansing), Patrick Martin (Tulsa), RobertMoses (Orlando), Gerard O'Connor (Fall River), Gregory Parkes (Orlando), William Rice (Erie),Ralph Segura (Bridgeport), Jose Sema (Stockton), David Shoemaker (Mobile), Lawrence Shrader(Washington) and Bryce Sibley (Lafayette).

Also Thomas Sinnott (Scranton), John Sistare (Providence), Kristian Teater (St. Louis), ScottTraynor (Sioux Falls), Alejandro Valladares (Mobile), Daniel Whalen (Pittsburgh), Robert White(Norwich) and Jeffrey Wilbom (Denver).

With these new men, the North American College continues its long tradition of wel- comingseminarians from the United States and Canada to, in the words of Pope Pius XII, "imbibe the sacredwisdom of Holy Mother Church at its very source and to be nourished at the very heart of the Catholicworld. . ." (Apostolic Letter to the American Hierarchy, Feb. 18, 1948).

Thomas LaHood 2000,Archdiocese of Washington

Last Updated on 23/01/97

Rector's Corner

One of our 39 new students remarked to me the other day, "Sure is a lot going on aroundhere!" You bet there is! The North American College is alive, growing and full ofpromise- and much of that is due to you, the good benefactors who have become a partof our hope.

We are so grateful for your recent extraordinarily generous gifts. Joseph Corso, Sr., andhis son, Joseph Jr., just pledged an increment to their original benefaction of $250,000,

allowing us to complete the auditorium;

The Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas kept up their beautiful tradition ofannual subsidies to the College, and we used the latter to help repay the loan we took for the kitchenrenovation;

The generosity of the Dan Murphy Foundation and our alumni have allowed us to install a completelynew telephone system at the seminary and the graduate house;

At Bishop Donald Wuerl's prompting, the Diocese of Pittsburgh has pledged $ 100,000 to construct aguest apartment in honor of John Cardinal Wright;

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua has given funds to buy much-needed furniture for the Cardinal CookeSuite;

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Syms from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia have provided for the renovation of thelounge and coffee room at the Casa Santa Maria;

Benefactors from the Diocese of St. Petersburg, led by Bishop Robert Lynch, Gregory Jewell, LeonToups, and Charles Behr, are raising money to give the College a new van for the seminarians' apostolicendeavors, a new computer room with new computers and printers and an exercise room for the students;

And Mrs. Michael Leo Looney from Washington, D. C. has arranged for a face-lift in the Red Roomalong with her four-year scholarship.

I could go on and on, but trust you see what I mean when I observe that our benefactors are the reasonthat "there is a lot going on around here!"

However, keep in mind that all of this physical, external renewal only exists to allow us to have thespace, facility and tools to carry out our one and only task: priestly formation! That's why you all investyour interest, prayer, and treasure in the North American College--for you love the Church and knowshe needs good, holy, happy, well-prepared priests!

This year our seminarians and priests were able to participate in the celebrations commemorating thegolden jubilee of the ordination of a man who so exemplifies what priesthood is all about, Pope JohnPaul II. For 137 years we've been forming priests, and will keep doing so because of your generosity!Thank you!


New seminarians welcomedin New York and Rome

Warm welcomes, helping hands, a view of St. Peters Basilica and the pealing of chapel bells were thesights and sounds which greeted the new students at North American College in August.

Actually, our official welcome began before we ever left American soil as a group of spirited anddedicated Knights of Columbus representatives from the New York metropolitan area and several NACseminariansand deacons greeted us at New York's Kennedy Airport in preparation for our flight toRome. We received a warm welcome, words of encouragement and advice and enjoyed a lunch buffetprovided by the Knights.

We were greeted at Leonardo Da Vinci Airport with more warm welcomes from Msgr. Timothy Dolan,Rector, and the 1996 NAC orientation committee, which provided assistance and helping hands withluggage transfer and customs.

One of the most memorable moments of the trip occurred as the bus passed via della Conciliazione, thestreet which leads directly into St. Peter's Square. As the bus turned the comer, climbed the JaniculumHill and entered the gates of the North American College, we began to hear the peel of bells comingfrom the chapel ... welcoming us to our new home.

Appropriately, our first act as new students at the College was to enter the Chapel of the ImmaculateConception to give thanks in prayer for our safe journey to Rome.

Gregory Parkes '99Diocese of Orlando


NAC students have summerapostolates in Europe, Africa

After completing the first year of priestly formation, NAC seminarians spend a summer in Europe or TheThird World --- studying and participating in apostolic work.

Following are brief reports on some of the seminarian's experiences this past summer:

Calcutta

When thinking about Calcutta, India, the first word that usually comes to mind is poverty. Calcutta,however, can be a city of joy.

Serving Jesus in the "distressing disguise of the poorest of the poor" is more than just a catch-phrase; it'sa way of life, a giving of self, and, a grace-filled privilege.

The work of the Missionaries of Charity is centered on the Eucharist. A typical day in Calcutta begins atthe Motherhouse at 5:50 am with Holy Mass and morning prayers. After a light breakfast, volunteerswork at one of several hospices. In the evening, all return to the Motherhouse for a Holy Hour withAdoration of the Blessed Sacrament, communal recitation of the Rosary and Benediction.

Fellow seminarian Robert Harris, Diocese of Atlanta, and I spent most of our summer working at Nirmal

Hriday, which means "Immaculate Heart" in the local Bengali tongue. It is Mother Teresa's first homefor dying destitutes. Generally referred to as "Kalighat" because of its proximity to the famed Hindutemple to the goddess Kali, it is in one of the most congested areas of the city.

On first entering Kalighat, one's senses are battered by the sight of emaciated bodies, the smells ofdisease and antiseptic and the sounds of people in pain. Patients are brought to Kalighat to die. Despitethese initial impressions, the presence of the joyful Missionaries of Charity creates an atmosphere of loveand comfort that strips awav the apprehension.

The work can be challenging. On my second day, I found myself holding a man while nurses cleanedlive maggots out of a gaping wound in his leg. On subsequent days I bathed, fed, carried, comforted andloved men whose bodies had been ravaged by malnutrition and disease.

I helped carry men into Kalighat from the streets and I carried their dead bodies out of Kalighat to beeither cremated or buried, depending upon their religion. And I did everything with happiness that canonly be explained as a grace from God. Since my return, people have asked whether my experience haschanged my life. It has.

The extent of the poverty, disease and malnutrition that I witnessed in Calcutta cannot be found in theUnited States. This summer I was given the opportunity to do something about it.

This summer I learned first hand what Jesus meant when He said, "Whatever you did for one of theseleast brothers of mine, you did for me." (Mt. 25:40)

Christopher Nalty '99Archdiocese of New Orleans


Ukraine

NAC Students in Ukraine with some of their Hosts

Four seminarians from the North American College were invited to Ukraine for the Lviv TheologicalAcademy Intensive English camp this past summer.

The camp consisted of 150 students, faculty members and seminarians at the Academy and the UkrainianCatholic Seminary at Rudnow. The staff, gathered from Ukraine, Canada, the United States and Rome,included NAC seminarians Brad Jones, Diocese of Charlotte; Tony Generose, Diocese of Scranton, andKeith Streifel, Diocese of Bismark.

NAC Seminarian Brad Jones, left,with a Ukranian student

The site was a camp in the Carpathian mountains, where each morning began with the Divine Liturgy ofJohn Chrysostom in English - the bare-bones version - which lasts about an hour. The seminarianstaught English through a variety of topics ranging from studies of St. John's Gospel, vocabulary relatedto the Church and practical English grammar. There also were work shops on topics such asevangelization, Franciscan spirituality and history, counseling and its relationship to church ministry.

It was necessary for students need to learn English in order to be able to read theology since little isavailable in Ukrainian because of the Soviet Govemment's repression of both the Catholic Church andthe Ukrainian language for more than 50 years.

Through this summer apostolate, the seminarians from NAC were able to contribute to the rebirth of theCatholic faith in Ukraine by preparing its young leaders for the New Evangelization and the newmillennium.

Keith Streifel, '99,Diocese of Bismarck


Tanzania

Participating in the hospitality of Tanzania wer, from the left, NAC students Mark Vander Steeg, Fr. Steve Brown, '74, and JamesCsaszar.

The Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers took the Good News to the Serengeti in the 1970's. This pastsummer, Brian Doyle, Archdiocese of Indianapolis; Mark Vander Steeg, Diocese of Des Moines, and Ispent more than a month in the parish of St. Francis in Mugumu, Tanzania.

While the parish church building is in Mugumu proper, the area of the parish covers more than 6,000square miles and includes more than thirty established outstations. The priests take turns making the slow

journeys to the outstations during the week to teach and celebrate Mass.

We were privileged to arrive during a poignantly festive time-as Fr. Steve Brown (NAC, '74,) wasfinishing his five year commitment as an Associate Maryknoll Missionary to the people of Mugumu.This provided us with a full and wonderful glance into some of the young Christian communities ofreally rural Africa.

Each village threw a party for their pastor. During these festivals and our time in Africa, twocharacteristics did not go unnoticed: the vigor they put into hospitality and the fervor they have for theirliturgies.

The people we met were perfect hosts of Christian charity. They greeted us, took us into their smallhomes make of mud and straw and gave us seats of honor. Special food was prepared for these festivals;goats and chickens were slaughtered for the occasion. Their charitable actions spoke loudly and set anexample to be matched by those who received their Christian embrace.

It was a grace-filled time to see the face of Christ in people with a background and culture very differentfrom our own-- and very comforting to be with these wonderful new brothers and sisters in Christ.

Jamie Csaszar '99Dioscese of Columbus


Mass at Tomb of St. Peter, gelato excursions werepart of Seminary's two-week orientation program

A Mass at the Baptistry of St. John Lateran was part of this year's orientation program.

Planning for orientation begins in February with the then first-year class working on the pre-arrivalmaterials sent to the "new men". Virtually everyone in the class becomes involved in some way--byeither working on the preorientation planning or serving on the committee itself.

The most important part of the preparation involves prayer for the new men and the success of theorientation program. Before our first year class departed for the summer, each of the orientation teammembers was given the names of two or three new men to remember in his daily intercessions.

When the orientation team returned to the College in mid-August, we actively prepared for the imminentarrival of the new men. The anticipation for their arrival built and, on the eve of their flight to Rome, theorientation team gathered for a holy hour. Later that same night, we celebrated with a traditional toast onthe roof to honor the new men and our own transition from "new men" to "veterans."

The two weeks of orientation began with the ringing of the bells as the new men filed out of the busthrough the gauntlet of applauding students and staff and into the main chapel for an opening prayerservice.

NAC's Rector, Msgr. Timothy Dolan, faculty and staff were on hand to welcome the College's incoming class.

This year's program was full of many of the usual activities, such as joining the Holy Father for theAngelus at Castelgondolfo (in the pouring rain,) Mass at the altar of the Tomb of St. Peter, small group"excursions" at night in Rome for the gelato and cena, beach day, mass and cena at the Casa Santa Mariaand the welcoming banquet.

New this year was a mass at the baptistry of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, led by the Most Rev.Edward K. Braxton, Auxiliary Bishop of St. Louis. We also expanded the range of tours offered withinRome during orientation and made a pilgrimage to St. Augustine's to venerate St. Monica on her feastday.

With the new phone system at the NAC, new men were also introduced to the various e-mail andinternet options in Rome. The orientation program culminated with a weekend pilgrimage to Assisi.

Working on Orientation '96 helped us grow closer as a class and put the previous year into perspective.We began to appreciate even more fully that we were part of an ongoing, living tradition of all the NACseminarians and priests who preceded us and those who will come in the future.

Bob McClory, '99Archdiocese of Detroit


.Fund raising successful

Spring pilgrimage to Rome

Kitchen Fund tops $150,000

Vatican tour informationavailable from NAC

A pilgrimage to Assisi and the Holy Land is part of NAC's Sabbatical in Rome Program - an intensive three-month activity heldtwice annually for American priests ... to study preaching, teaching, liturgy and renew themselves for future priestly life.

Fund raising successful

NAC Rector Timothy Dolan attended three major U.S. fund raising events in November: in Palm Beach,where NAC was introduced to the community by Bishop J. Keith Symons; in Tampa, where BishopRobert Lynch sponsored a dinner, and in Washington D.C. at an event host- ed by Ambassador and Mrs.Thomas Melady at the National Shrine of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Biggest immediatesuccess was in Tampa where almost $270,000 was raised for computers, printers and peripherals in aprogram headed by Messrs. Greg Jewell, Charlie Behr and Leon Toups, whose son, David, is a NACstudent.

Spring pilgrimage to Rome

NAC's U.S. Development Office will sponsor a very special pilgrimage to Rome from April 5-12, 1997.Included will be participation in the renowned Rector's Dinner, a black tie event which is considered oneof Rome's leading social events of the Spring. John Cardinal O'Connor will be honored at the April 10dinner for his ongoing support of the College. Contact NAC (toll free) at 1-888- NAC AT NJ for moreinformation.

Kitchen Fund tops $150,000

NAC friends and alumni have thus far contributed more than $150,000 to help renovate and refurbish thekitchen in the seminary. The "kitchen" project became a priority earlier this year when minor gas leakswere discovered.

Vatican tour informationavailable from NAC

Individuals and families from the United States who desire to visit the Vatican while in Rome are invitedto contact NAC's office in Princeton, NJ, for information about tours, tickets and usual times for publicappearances by Pope Paul II. Tickets for "audiences" with the Pope, when available, can be obtained inRome at the U.S.A. Visitors' Office. Deacon Patrick Kennedy, NAC's Director of Development inPrinceton. can be reached at 609-219-1350.


Letter from the Editor

Coming to grips with the

implications of hospitality

Past and current NAC Newsletter editorsRob Jascot, left, and Matthew Carr.

Day after day we welcome bishops, priests, seminarians, friends, parents, family members and eventhose who just simply show up with a name --- our name --- expecting to find a friendly face in astrange land.

It is one of the great traditions of the College --- this mission of hospitality --- to offer a home awayfrom home not only for the seminarians, faculty and graduate study priests, but also a wann welcome, agood meal and a comfortable bed to hundreds of visitors each year.

We all learn during our time in Rome that being a host is not always easy - and it requires a sacrifice.Guests need instructions, directions, assistance, guidance and advice. They depend on our knowledge andcare to insure that their visit to Rome is pleasant... and worth while.

But sometimes the tables are turned - like during this past summer - when we were the ones visiting newcities or countries, working on an apostolate or studying a foreign language.

The summer apostolates, so integral and memorable a part of the uni@ program of priestly formation inRome, sent men from my class, Second Theology, to Europe to teach and learn, to Aftica to assist in themissions, and to India to serve the poor. Universally we experienced the grace of hospitality. often for noother reason than we are seminarians trying in our own poor way to bring Christ's presence into theworld.

During my own summer study and travels I was received time and again with the warmth and kindnessby all sorts of people - priests, religious, cousins, friends, acquaintances and strangers - who treated mewith a love and generosity that I could not have anticipated.

Money could not begin to express the appreciation and gratitude I feel toward them. This was veryfrustrating because I do not like to have debts - monetary or otherwise - hanging over my head.

Upon reflection though, it struck me that this may be the same feeling that many of our guests havewhen they come to the College for our hospitality. All of a sudden I realized this is something like an"economy of hospitality," where the generosity and kindness we receive are not paid back like a debt,but rather spur us on to treat others with a like generosity and kindness. Is this not, after all, the exampleof Jesus who gives himself to us and we in turn give ourselves to others? Hospitality - the loving of astranger - is the concrete realization of the Great Commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Of course this is a virtue for everywhere, not just for Rome. Indeed, when people talk about "inclusivity"are they not really just asking to be treated with love and respect? Is this not what hospitality seeks todo? The Catholic faith universally seeks to embrace the entire human race in all times and places withoutever intentionally desiring to exclude any- one from the promised Wedding Feast of the Lamb.

Hospitality opposes every form of bigotry and teaches us to go beyond blood and race. Jesus both gaveand received hospitality and as priests for the third millennium, the implications of his example are clearas we accept the challenges of preaching the Gospel in an ever shrinking world in which the magnificent

diversity of cultures and civilizations are brought into closer contact... and sometimes conflict.

From the beginning, the Church has taken up the mission of bringing Christ to the nations. Through it allhas been the virtue of hospitality- welcoming the stranger in our midst-that has brought the Church torealize her universality in a billion people from every comer of the world on the brink of the NewEvangelization. Love is realized in small acts of kindness and self-sacrifice- and hospitality is one of theprinci- pal ways we can assist in bringing about the Civilization of Love, as Pope Paul VI called it, inanticipation of the future Reign of God.

Matthew Carr, '99Diocese of Arlington


nac magazine: fall-winter 1996

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