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What’s InsideClass of 2008

SVDP Alumnus Appointed Bishop in Puerto Rico

Seminarian & Faculty Profi les

Alumni Profi le — Fr. Roberto Garza - Diaconate & Candidacy Masses

“Priestly Formation for the 21st Century” • A Publication of St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary • Summer 2008

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EditorialEditor – Msgr. Keith R. BrennanAssociate Editors – Stanton Cadow, Cindy Krueger, Sharon Melancon, Keith ParkerManaging Editor – Jim FrankowiakContributing Writers – Stanton Cadow, Jim Frankowiak Administrative Assistants – Herminia Garcia, Cindy Krueger, Sharon Melancon

Board of TrusteesMost Rev. Victor B. Galeone, Bishop of St. Augustine, ChairmanMost Rev. John C. Favalora, Archbishop of Miami, Chancellor Most Rev. Gerald M. Barbarito, Bishop of Palm BeachMost Rev. Frank J. Dewane, Bishop of VeniceMost Rev. Felipe J. Estevez, Auxiliary Bishop of Archdiocese of MiamiMost Rev. Robert N. Lynch, Bishop of St. PetersburgMost Rev. John G. Noonan, Auxiliary Bishop of Archdiocese of MiamiMost Rev. John H. Ricard, S.S.J., Bishop of Pensacola/TallahasseeMost Rev. Thomas G. Wenski, Bishop of OrlandoDeacon Dennis DemesRev. Mark HeubergerRev. Michael R. HouleRev. Timothy LindenfelserMs. Lydia MenocálVery Rev. Robert MorrisMs. Catherine MurphyRev. Msgr. Pablo A. NavarroVery Rev. Gregory ParkesRev. Arthur ProulxEx-OfficioRev. Msgr. Michael CarruthersJ. Patrick Fitzgerald, Esq.Staff/DirectorsMsgr. Keith R. Brennan – Rector/PresidentFr. Steven O’Hala – Vice Rector & Academic DeanMr. Keith Parker – Campus Administrator/TreasurerMsgr. Michael McGraw – Dean of Pastoral FormationFr. Michael Muhr – Dean of Spiritual FormationMr. Stanton Cadow – Director of Institutional DevelopmentMr. Art Quinn – Library DirectorSr. Maureen Grady – Director of Field MinistrySr. Joyce LaVoy – Director of Liturgy/MusicMrs. Joyce Martinez – Director of LanguageDialogue Design Director – Claudia O’LearyPhotographers – Stanton Cadow, Lucien Capehart, Luis Rivero, Michael Tall & Toân Tràn Advertising SalesSharon Melancon – smelancon@svdp.eduDavid M. O’Leary, Sr. – davidoleary@bellsouth.netCorrespondence10701 S. Military Trail, Boynton Beach, Florida 33436-4899Send address changes to: Sharon Melancon, 10701 S. Military Trail, Boynton Beach, Florida 33436-4899 or email: smelancon@svdp.eduTelephone: (561) 732-4424 – Fax: (561) 737-2205Web site: www.svdp.edu

SubscriptionsDialogue is published three times a year by St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary. Single subscriptions are $20 for one year in the U.S., and $25 in Canada, and $30 in all other countries. Donors and alumni receive Dialogue free of charge.

Mission StatementThe primary purpose of St. Vincent de Paul Regional

Seminary is to provide a human, spiritual, academic, and pastoral formation program to prepare candidates for the

Roman Catholic priesthood. In response to the large number of Hispanic Catholics in Florida, and throughout the United

States, the Seminary formation program is bilingual and multicultural.

The secondary purpose of the seminary is to provide continuing theological education to qualified clergy, religious,

and laity of all denominations.

Dear Friends:

My best wishes to you from your seminary. Just a short time ago we celebrated the graduation of our 45th class, with ten men moving on to ordination and service to the people of God. We were most fortunate to have Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory as our commencement speaker. I encourage you to read his remarks, which are posted on our website – www. svdp.edu.

Though classes are not in session during the summer, there is a good deal of activity on campus. Our Campus Administrator Keith Parker has a number of projects underway as we continually address the upkeep and modernization of our physical plant and grounds. Among those activities are the replacement of air conditioning systems in the 24 seminarian rooms of the 200 wing, restrooms and two resident faculty rooms. In addition to enhanced comfort, we anticipate significant energy savings as a result of the installation of these new systems.

We will also replace furniture in the 24 seminarian rooms in the 200 wing and paint each, as well. The best of the older air conditioning units and furniture will be used to repair or supplement student and guest rooms in the future.

We are also scheduled to add to our high technology classrooms with the addition of another room facilitated for audio/visual. As with prior upgrades, the new classroom will have a computer system, projector and screen, document camera, control podium and a “smart monitor” to enhance the teaching experience.

A number of our seminarians are again participating in the Intensive Spanish Language Program in the Dominican Republic. This is the second year of the program and participants include Mark Librizzi, Victor Amorose, Michael Tall, Randolph Allen (a seminarian currently at St. John Vianney College Seminary), Thomas Wanitsky and James Grebe. The program involves private tutoring, group classes and ministry. In addition, the group will spend Sunday afternoons with native families and participate in several cultural trips.

Faculty members Mrs. Joyce Martinez, Dr. Carol Razza and Msgr. Michael McGraw will be present at different times during the program. This is a collaborative effort of the seminary and the MIR (Mission International Rescue) Foundation.

Fr. Lou Guerin is continuing his coursework towards his doctorate in preaching and Fr. Steve Olds is taking courses at the Institute for Priestly Formation in Omaha for his degree in Spiritual Direction. Nine seminarians have begun their Pastoral Year.

As always you are in our prayers and we ask that you continue to support St. Vincent de Paul and our mission as we prepare for our upcoming academic year.

Monsignor Keith R. Brennan, J.C.D.

Rector-President

P.S. In between issues of DIALOGUE, I encourage you to visit our website, www.svdp.edu, for the latest news at St. Vincent.

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Letter From the RectorLetter From the Rector

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Departments

ON THE COVER

Letter from the Rector Inside Front Cover

Commencement 2Alumni Profile – Fr. Roberto Garza 4Seminarian Profiles - Richard Jackson, Luis Largaespada, Robert Johnson, Paul Lambert, Russ Ruggiero, Tom Wanitsky 6Faculty Profile – Fr. Michael Muhr, Dr. Sixto Garcia 8In Memoriam 10SVDP News Briefs – Around & About Campus 11Calendar of Events 13

Craig S. Malzacher, is ordained on May 10th

by Archbishop John C. Favalora from the Archdiocese of Miami. Cover photo taken by Ana Rodriquez-Soto, permission to print from The Florida Catholic

Early Bird Advertising Special 3 ISSUES OF DIALOGUE &

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The seminary is now offering special ad rates for full-color ads in the Winter, Spring and Summer issues of Dialogue and the annual “Friends of the Seminary” Reception & Dinner Program. Save up to $700 on the 2 year package, 8 full page ads for the price of 6.

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St. Vincent de Paul Regional S e m i n a r y, held its 45th Commence-ment May 8, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the St. Vincent Chapel.

Most Rev. Wilton D. G r e g o r y ,

Archbishop of Atlanta, delivered the commencement speech. Appointed to his current post by Pope John Paul II in December of 2004, Archbishop Gregory was president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops when the crisis of sex abuse by Catholic clergy escalated. It was under his leadership that the bishops implemented the “Charter for the Protection of Children and

Young People.”

Archbishop Gregory has written extensively on church issues, including pastoral statements on the death penalty and euthanasia/physician-assisted suicide and has published numerous articles on the subject of liturgy, particularly in the African-American com-munity.

The degree of Master of Divinity was conferred upon the following: Reverend Mr. Dac Clement, Diocese of St. Petersburg; Reverend Mr. Timothy Cummings, Diocese of St. Petersburg; Reverend Mr. Craig Malzacher, Archdiocese of Miami; Reverend Mr. César Peña, Archdiocese of Miami; Reverend Mr. Alejandro Rodriguez, Archdiocese of Miami; Reverend Mr. Héctor Vázquez Saad, Diocese of Orlando; Reverend

Archbishop Wilton Gregory Speaks at 45th CommencementTen Seminarians Graduate

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Mr. Elifete St. Fort, Diocese of Palm Beach; Reverend Mr. Richard Vigoa, Archdiocese of Miami; Reverend Mr. Mark Wajda, Diocese of Orlando

and Reverend Mr. David Zirilli, Archdiocese of Miami.

“Please join me and all of the members of our seminary family in offering congratulations to the

men of the Class of 2008,” said Monsignor Brennan. “Let us pray that they may each enjoy longevity in their service to the people of God.”

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alumni ProfileAlumni Profile

or Father Roberto Garza teaching is the most fulfilling aspect of ministry. Whether group sessions or individual encounters, “I seek out opportunities to teach since these

moments of catechesis are fundamental to the mission of our Church.”Pastor of San Isidro Catholic Church, Pompano Beach, Father’s fondness for teaching is manifest in many different ways – from individual and small group meetings to the utilization of television, pod casting and the internet. The constant among these diverse methods is to “have the faithful come to the altar and encounter the One who will help them,” he said. Born south of Amarillo in Tulia, Texas, Father Garza

moved with his family to Clewiston, Florida, when he was 3. “My father took a position with U.S. Sugar and we moved to Clewiston where I grew up.” Father Garza, who is the oldest sibling, has one brother

and two sisters. “We were educated in public schools in Clewiston and active members of St. Margaret Parish.“I had originally planned to study to become an architect, but that changed when a close friend invited me to attend a youth retreat organized by San Isidro Parish. I received my undergraduate degree from St. John Vianney College Seminary.”Father Garza was ordained to the Priesthood May 11, 1996, for the Archdiocese of Miami and began his ministry at St. Mary Star of the Sea in Key West. Two years later he was sent to the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome for further studies in the field of Missiology, where he received a Licentiate Degree.In addition to serving as Pastor of San Isidro Parish, Father Garza is the Director of Mission Effectiveness for Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of Miami and Spiritual Director at St. John Vianney College Seminary. He is also a board member of Catholic Charities, Catholic Hospice, Inc., Florida Community Partnership for the Homeless and the Florida

Fr. Roberto Garza

TEACHING: Fundamental to the Mission of Our Church

F

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Community Loan Fund.Father Garza is also president of Word and Life Catholic Television Ministry and Verbo y Vida Ministerio Catolico de Television which transmits the Sunday Mass around the world. “Thanks to the family that owns Channel Sur in Lima, Peru, we are able to televise the Mass to many Spanish-speaking people, free of charge.“At San Isidro, we have a talented and giving group of people who are active in the field of new technology. This expertise and funding from our successful television ministry enables us to evangelize through the use of modern media,” reports Father Garza. The parish offers

pod casts to teens and a variety of programming on the Internet. Father Garza has fond memories of his time at both St. John Vianney College Seminary and St. Vincent. “I have juvenile arthritis and at times was unable to walk, however I received much compassion during these difficult periods. Those challenging times actually helped me to understand and better minister to others with poor health.“While at St. Vincent my father became blind as a result of diabetes. As the oldest child, it was my responsibility to guide my family. Monsignor Navarro, who was rector at that time, and Father Bosso (now Monsignor Bosso) allowed me to

meet the needs of my family. In fact, I remember Monsignor Navarro accompanying me once when I visited my family in Clewiston on my birthday, I believe his chief purpose was to comfort my father.”During his spare time and when on vacation, Father Garza works in the missions, specifically San Isidro’s Orchard, a mission in Colombia of 54 families, comprised primarily of single mothers who have been displaced by violence. “This is a ministry of our parish and my work there enables me to teach the children the importance of learning about our faith and becoming contributing members of our Church.”

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Seminarian ProfilesSeminarian Profiles

Student Council officers have been selected for the next academic year. Luis Largaespada of the Archdiocese of Miami will be the incoming council President. “I feel honored to have been selected and I look forward to working with a talented group of my brothers in service to our seminary community. Our council officers represent all of our dioceses and the multi-cultural character of our seminary. I believe working together with students and faculty will make this coming year a great one.”

Luis Largaespada is the 2008-09 Student Council President. He was born to Luis Largaespada and Luz Marina Gutierrez in Managua, Nicaragua. Luis has six siblings:

Victor, Perla, Enoc, Julio, Salvado and Woiston. Prior to entering the seminary on behalf of the Archdiocese of Miami,

Luis worked as a mechanic, a salesman and a youth minister. In his spare time, he enjoys reading about the lives of saints, drawing and painting, watching movies, traveling and spending time with friends.

Richard W. Jackson will be the 2008-09 Vice-President. He was born in Ovid, Colorado. Richard is a seminarian of the Diocese of Charleston and his home parish is St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Laur inburg, N.C. Richard has one brother, James. He holds an undergraduate degree from M e t h o d i s t C o l l e g e , Fayetteville, NC, in Business Administration and Economics and a Juris Doctor from Campbell College School of Law. Prior to entering the seminary, Richard, a convert, held jobs as an Army officer, a public defender and prosecutor, a detective and a college professor. His interests include reading, running and riding a motorcycle.Sean Williams is the Pastoral Year Dean. He was born in Zambia, Africa, the son of Bobby and Carmen. He has two sisters and one brother. Sean is a seminarian of the Diocese of Palm Beach where his home parish is the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola. He holds a

Seminarians Select New Student Council Officers

“I feel honored to have been seleed and I look forward to working with a talented group of my brothers in service to our seminary community. Our council officers reprent all of our dioc and the multi-cultural character of our seminary. I believe working togher with students and faculty will make this coming year a great one.”

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Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida and taught at Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach before entering the seminary.

In his free time, Sean enjoys the movies and working out.

Paul F. Lambert is the 4th Year Dean. He was born to John and Helen Lambert in Port Jefferson, New York. A seminarian of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Paul has two brothers, Luke and Philip, as well as a sister named Ruth. He attended Florida State University before entering the seminary. Paul has a great uncle and an uncle who are both Marist Brothers, an aunt who is a nun and a deceased great uncle who was a bishop. His leisure pursuits include

the guitar, computers, tennis, golf, movies, video games and sailing. His home parish is the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More.

Deacon Lambert writes that he feels, “inspired to continue my work in

building community and drawing it ever closer in Christ. I have found the formation here to be foundational and fulfilling and I hope to be a catalyst for that process for my

fellow seminarian brethren.”

Russell E. Ruggiero is the 3rd Year Dean. He was born in Flushing, New York, the son of Fred and Isabel Ruggiero. A seminarian of the Diocese of Venice, Russell has two brothers and two sisters and his home parish is Sacred Heart Church in Bradenton. He has an undergraduate degree in Religious studies from the University of Detroit. Prior

“inspired to continue my work in building community and drawing it ever closer in Christ. I have found the formation here to be foundational and fulfilling and I hope to be a catalyst for that proc for my fellow seminarian brhren.”

to entering the seminary, Russell worked as an adult and high school theology teacher, an office manager and he worked in the businesses of retailing and banking. He enjoys art, reading and writing in his leisure time.

“My hope is that our class will continue Continued on page 10

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Faculty ProfilesFaculty Profiles

lumnus Father Michael Muhr, the current Director of Spiritual Formation at St. Vincent, received that message during a 10th grade CCD class which marked the beginning of his journey to the priesthood.

“ O u r t e a c h e r w a s i n s p i r i n g and chal leng ing and he told us of Jesus’ message and how we must do something with our lives. One day the idea of becoming a priest burst into my consciousness,” said Father Muhr. “At that time I was friends with someone in high school who always wanted to be a priest. Our conversations together helped me immensely.”

Born in Chicago to George and Marlene Muhr, Father Muhr is the oldest of three children. His parents are retired and live in

Ocala. His brother, David lives in Tampa and works for MetLife. His sister and her husband, are both nurses and live in Roanoke, Virginia, with their two children. Father Muhr’s family moved to

Tampa when his dad was transferred to the area. After graduating from Leto High School in Tampa, he entered St. John Vianney College Seminary and later St. Vincent de Paul. Recently he completed his master’s degree in Christian Spirituality at

Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Fr. Muhr also received a certificate for spiritual direction and directed retreats.

“My time at St. Vincent’s has been memorable,” he said. “Most important to me are the friendships which developed there, then continued throughout my priesthood. A special bond exists

Fr. Michael Muhr & Dr. Sixto Garcia

Responding to the Commandment, “Love One Another as I Have Loved You”

A

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between all those who attend St. Vincent’s, even those who did not attend at the same time that I did. I always feel I can ask for a favor or count on them when in need.

“One of the reasons I decided to accept the invitation to join the faculty at St. Vincent was the feeling that it was time for me to payback the blessings I’d received. I have become more and more thankful for the formation and education I received here and recognize its value during my 18 years of parish ministry,” said Father Muhr.

After his ordination, Father Muhr was assigned to St. Lawrence Parish in Tampa. Next, he served at St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish in Tarpon Springs until 1991, the last year and a half as pastor. Then he returned to Tampa as pastor of Christ the King for nearly 10 years. During the initial 18 years of parochial ministry, Father Muhr was appointed associate director of vocations (1990 – 2001), to the priest personnel committee (1991-1996), as vicar forane of the West Hillsborough deanery (1996-1999), to the College of Consultors for the diocese and as a member of the Diocesan Presbyteral Council for three terms.

He has served as moderator for the Upper Pinellas Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (1990-1991) and for the West Hillsborough Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (1996-1998). He also served for 15 years as spiritual moderator for CHOICE, Single Friends in Faith, a diocesan weekend retreat program for

singles in their twenties and thirties.

“I love my work here at the seminary. It is very satisfying to serve as a spiritual director helping candidates for the priesthood discern their call. Our students really want to be good priests so it is very rewarding to think that in some small way I can contribute positively to the future of dozens of parishes which these future priests will serve,” he said.

Father Muhr also believes Florida Catholics hold the seminary in high regard. “Once people reflect on the strategic location of St. Vincent as the only theologate seminary south of Baltimore and east of New Orleans and realize how the population of Catholics continues to rise in the south, they are quick to agree that we have here the future of the Church.”

Most recently Father Muhr was honored by his home diocese, the Diocese of St. Petersburg, when he was given the Father Luis de Cancer Distinguished Priestly Service Award. An award presented annually to a priest in the diocese who exemplifies selfless and dedicated service. After congratulating Father Muhr, Bishop Robert N. Lynch said, “We love you and we admire you, and I’m very happy tonight that you are the recipient of this award as you approach the silver anniversary of your ordination.”

How amazing that this all began when Father Muhr was challenged as a young 10th grade student to

do something with his life and received the message of Christ to “love one another as I have loved you.”

DR. SIXTO GARCIA

Sixto Garcia, Ph.D., has been a member of the faculty at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary for 24 years. He has taught Christology, Trinity, Social Justice, Sacraments, Introductory and Advanced Biblical Greek. Dr. Garcia received his doctorate from the University of Notre Dame where his studies centered on Systematic Theology and secondary concentrations in Philosophical Theology and New Testament.

Dr. Garcia’s main areas of teaching and research interest are Christology, the Spanish mystics (specifically, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross) the philosophical

theology of Friedrich W.J. Schelling, Maurice Blondel, and Gabriel Marcel; the Christology and Trinitarian theology of St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Bonaventure and St. Augustine,

Karl Rahner’s Christology and the theological implications of Classical Latin and Greek literature, Spanish, French and German poetry.

Dr. Garcia and his wife, Elena, have three children: Cardiff, Teresa and Tomas. He is also an avid fisherman.

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our success of being a contributive factor to our seminary community. St. Vincent’s faculty, formation team and staff have provided me many opportunities for self-refl ection and self growth. I pray that the seminary progresses in offering each seminarian positive and substantial feedback in order for each man present to become the person intended, created and called by God.”

Thomas R. Wanitsky is the 2nd Year Dean. He is a native of Allentown, Pennsylvania and a seminarian from the Diocese of Orlando. His parents, Richard and Olga Wanitsky and only brother Michael are all deceased. Thomas holds an undergraduate degree in Communications from Villanova

University and was employed by Walt Disney World for 15 years. His

extracurricular interests include travel, theme parks, classic TV, game shows and history.

Tom believes “the Student

Council is vital to St. Vincent de Paul and important to my seminary formation as well. I pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to follow God’s will for the Second Theology Class and the entire seminary community this year.”

The Council’s Treasurer, Secretary and 1st Year Dean will be elected in the fall.

Continued from page7

In MemoriamWe ask for your prayers for recently deceased members of our St. Vincent de Paul family.Angela Ganci, March 22, Seminole, Florida – the grandmother of seminarian, Will Ganci.

Edna Richard, April 4, Rayne, Louisiana – the Grandmother of Sharon Melancon, St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary employee.

Jacques Doherty Vinmont, III, 66, of Lantana, died Monday, June 2nd, the son of Jacques Vinmont, Jr. a major donor of St. Vincent de Paul. Jacques and Eleanore “Danger” are residents of Boynton Beach.

Mona Pierre, June 3, the older sister of employee Yvon Louissaint, passed away after a long battle with cancer. She is survived by her husband Amos, their 4 children and numerous family.

Mr. Francis Hoyer, the father of Father Happy Hoyer, alumnus of St. Vincent. Messages of sympathy can be sent to Father Hoyer in care of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish.

Mrs Doris Anderson, the mother of Monsignor Andrew Anderson a member of our faculty. Messages of sympathy can be sent to Monsignor Anderson in care of the Metropolitan Tribunal.

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news briefs – AROUND AND ABOUT CAMPUS

CANDIDACY MASS APRIL 6Most Reverend Raymond W. Lessard, Bishop Emeritus of Savannah, celebrated the Candidacy Mass at St. Vincent Chapel Sunday, April 6 at 10:30 a.m. The ceremony is the official acceptance of seminarians as candidates for the orders

of diaconate and priesthood. Candidates included the following:• Archdiocese of Miami – Luis Ardiel Rive-

ro, Biju Vells and Fredy Yara• Diocese of Palm Beach – Leonard Dim,

and Permanent Deacon Candidates - Matthew Bartlett, Gerald Bott, Steven Dove, Angel Rivera and Roberto Rodri-guez

• Diocese of Saint Petersburg – Victor Amorose, IV

• Diocese of Venice – Paul D’Angelo and Mieczyslaw Mertin

• Diocese of Orlando – Mark Librizzi, Ber-nard Ngila, James Sternberg, Michael Howard Tall and Thomas Wanitsky

• Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee – James Grebe and Bernard Kiratu.

DIACONATE ORDINATION APRIL 19The 2008 Diaconate Ordination took place April 19, 2008 in the St. Vincent Cha-pel. The ordaining bishop was the Most Reverend Thomas G. Wenski, Bishop of Orlando.

Seminarians ordained Deacons included:• Luis Largaespada, Archdiocese of

Miami• Carl Melchior, Jr., Diocese of Saint

Petersburg• Vilaire Philius, Diocese of Orlando• William Ganci, Robert Jules Johnson

and Paul Lambert, Diocese of Pensac-ola-Tallahassee

PASSOVER SEDER

St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary recently welcomed Rabbi Merle Singer who led a joint Passover Seder with our community. Everyone participated and enjoyed both a stimulating evening of learning as well as a delicious traditional Passover meal. A beautiful recitation in Hebrew by seminarian James Grebe of the Four Questions highlighted the evening. This Seder tradition is always performed by the “youngest” person present. The evening was marked by a clearly felt spirit of goodwill and common affection and respect for each other’s traditions.

ALUM NAMED BISHOP IN PUERTO RICO

The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, erected the Diocese of Fajardo-Humacao in Puerto Rico, with territory from the Archdiocese of San Juan and from the Diocese of Caguas, making it a suffragan see of the Metropolitan Church of San Juan.

The Holy Father has named as the first Bishop of the Diocese of Fajardo-Humacao Father Eusebio Ramos Morales: a priest

of the Diocese of Caguas, Pastor of Most Holy Redeemer parish in Fajardo and Moderator of Caguas’ Presbyteral Council.

The Bishop-elect was born in Maunabo,

Puerto Rico, in 1952. He studied science and biology at the University of Puerto Rico where he earned a Bachelors degree. Before entering the seminary he taught at a school in Maunabo. He took courses

in philosophy and theology at the Central University of Bayamón, worked with the Jesuits in Mexico and attended St. Vincent de Paul Seminary in Boynton Beach as well as the Pontifical Gregorian University where he received his License in Theology.

Fr. Morales was ordained a priest on June 3, 1983. He then served as the Spiritual Director and later Rector of the Seminary in Caguas. He was also pastor at “Sweet Name of Jesus” parish, and the Professor of Dogmatic Theology at the Major Seminary.

The new diocese (Latin name: Faiardensis-Humacaensis) is 574 square kilometers in size and has a population of 293,000 (of which 97,869 are Catholic). It has 21 parishes, 17 diocesan priest, 5 priests from religious orders, 3 seminarians in the major seminary, 21 permanent deacons and 5 female religious. The parish church of Saint James the Apostle in the city of Fajardo will be the Cathedral of the new Diocese. This brings the number of ecclesiastical jurisdictions in Puerto Rico to 6.

SVDP ASSISTANT NAMED MISSION HONOREE

Mrs. Herminia “Minnie” Garcia, assistant to the Rector, Msgr. Brennan was one of the 2008 Gleneagles Mission Luncheon Honorees. Minnie has served as a youth minister at Our Lady Queen of Peace

Continued on page 12

news briefs – AROUND AND ABOUT CAMPUS

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Mission for 35 years. She, like her parents before her, took on a leadership role in guiding the younger generation of migrant students to assume their place in American life and society. She recently taught a two month course to adults on social justice which included such topics as human rights, morals, economics, the family as a vital part of society, social doctrine and responsibility. Congratulations Minnie!

VOCATION AWARENESS DAY

St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary welcomed more than 300 area students to its 15th annual gathering of 8th graders for Vocation Awareness Day. The students attended mass with our seminarians, toured our classrooms and library and

enjoyed pizza by the pool. The event is co-sponsored by Palm Beach Council 2075 of the Knights of Columbus and the Serra Club of South Palm Beach County. The schools attending were Holy Name of Jesus, St. Ann, St. Juliana, St. Luke, St. Vincent Ferrer, St. Jude, St. Mark and St. Joan of Arc.

FORMER DEAN PUBLISHES BOOK

Fr. David Toups, the former Dean of men of St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, who currently works at the USCCB in Washington, D.C. has recently published a book entitled “Reclaiming Our Priestly Character.” In the preface, Fr. Toups writes, “The more a priest recognizes the gift received through the laying on of hands (2 Timothy 1:6) the more he can allow the priestly character to animate the whole of his life of love and service to the people of God – it is a dynamism for pastoral charity and holiness.” Fr. Toup’s book was written to be an encouragement to priests. It is also

educational for all of the faithful who wish to learn more about their “spiritual fathers.”

C o m m e n t i n g on the book, Cardinal Avery Dulles wrote: “If the priesthood is to be renewed – and it surely must be – the renewal must take the form described by

Father Toups. With clarity, simplicity, and a thorough mastery of the literature, he shows that the essence of the ministerial priesthood consists in the sacramental character that configures the ordained to Christ the High Priest.” The book can be ordered from www.IPFpublications.com.

STAFF OF SVDP LIBRARY CONTINUE WORK IN ITALY

Ethan Allen, Acting Archivist at St. Vincent, and Marguerite Wolf, former St. Vincent staff member, returned to Monastero de San Benedetto in Norcia, Italy in December to continue work on an ongoing library project they began in 2001. Ethan and Marguerite travel to Italy when their schedules permit to continue cataloging volumes. During this last trip, they were able to catalogue about 500 volumes in 8 days.

EMPLOYEES BILLUPS AND ADAMS MARRY

Jeanette Billups and Christopher Adams both St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary employees, were married April 26th. Christopher has been working in the Maintenance Department for 13 years, while Jeanette is Administrative Assistant to the Campus Administrator. They were married at

Friendly Tabernacle in Fort Lauderdale. They are highly grateful for the love and support they have received from all their close friends at SVdP.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS MAKE GIFTS TO SEMINARY

At the May 24th Annual Knights of Columbus State Convention in Orlando, State Deputy James Schonefeld presented St. Vincent de Paul a check for $10,000 in support of the seminary. A $1,000 gift for general operations was also given by the Father Lopez Council 5737. Stanton Cadow, Director of Development gratefully accepted these gifts. He praised the Knights for adopting the new “Change for Change” and the “Parish Seminarian Fund.” Both are initiatives and joint partnerships designed to increase the awareness and funding of direct support of SVDP by Councils across the state. Special thanks go to Jim Kelly, Knights state director for vocations, who has been instrumental in bringing this partnership to fruition.

Continued from page 11

From left, Supreme Director Emilio B. Moure, FL. State Deputy James Schonefeld, Cadow and Supreme Director Dennis Stoddard

ALUMNI ARTICLE GETS PUBLISHED

Robert M. Cid, class of 2007, recently published an article in Familia et Vita, Volume 12, number 2 (2007), “GDP, Household Production and Externalities. The Case for Anthropology and Ethics in Economic Analysis.” An article which addresses economics assuming responsibility for their part in contributing to the formation of culture with respect to human environments so we can begin to address the degradation of family life.

Dialogue 13

In Memory ofThomas Aquinas Murphy

Trustee, Saint Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary

Retired Chairman, General Motors Corporation

“May God Hold You

in the Palm of His Hand”

St. Vincent de Paul Official Calendar 2008April 6 – Candidacy MassApril 19 – Diaconate Ordination MassMay 8 – Commencement May 21 – Development Council MeetingJune 9 to June 13 – Priest WeekJune 16 to June 20 – Deacon WeekAugust 27 – Opening MassSeptember 17 – Development Council MeetingSeptember 19 – Board of Trustees MeetingSeptember 27 – Patronal Feast- St. Vincent de Paul DayOctober 29 – Legacy Society Mass & LuncheonDecember 7 – Donor Mass & Brunch

Please call (561) 732-4424 for more information on events.

Go to www.svdp.edu for the most up-to-date calendar.

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SAVE THE DATEFOR

ÂYÜ|xÇwá Éy à{x fxÅ|ÇtÜç ECCLÊ FRIDAY, FEBUARY 20, 2009

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL REGIONAL SEMINARYBOYNTON BEACH, FL

The Graduating Class of 2008The degree of Master of Divinity was conferred upon the following: from left to right, Reverend Mr. Dac Clement, Diocese of St. Petersburg; Reverend Mr. Héctor Vázquez Saad, Diocese of Orlando; Reverend Mr. Timothy Cummings, Diocese of St. Petersburg; Reverend Mr. Mark Wajda, Diocese of Orlando, Reverend Mr. Rich-ard Vigoa Archdiocese of Miami; Reverend Mr. César Peña, Archdiocese of Miami; Reverend Mr. Craig Malzacher, Archdiocese of Miami; Reverend Mr. Elifete St. Fort, Diocese of Palm Beach; Reverend Mr. Alejandro Rodriguez, Archdiocese of Miami; and Reverend Mr. David Zirilli, Archdiocese of Miami.