ORACLE The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity summer 2017 ssue 2017 Ordination I ORACLE | 1 fromm theheh rector the gift of the priestly vocation Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, We have come to the end of another joyful ordination season. We celebrate with and give thanks for 21 men who now serve nine dioceses and one institute of religious life. They are priests forever according to the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:17). Priestly formation has always been at the heart of the Church. In 1992, St. John Paul II gifted seminaries around the world with a ground-breaking document on formation entitled Pastores Dabo Vobis. In 2013, Benedict XVI integrated the formation of seminarians and the ongoing formation of priests in his edict Ministrorum Institutio. And, in December 2016, by the encouragement of our Holy Father Pope Francis, the Congregation for the Clergy issued a new Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis, “The Gift of the Priestly Vocation,” last updated in 1985. This summer, Vice Rector Fr. Scott Carl and I attended the inaugural conference on this most recent document. Held in Rome and attended by more than 120 seminary representatives from the English-speaking world, we were among our counterparts from Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, the Philippines and the United States as we examined the document in order to provide the best formation possible for our future priests. Monsignor Aloysius R. Callaghan The foundational vision of the updated Ratio is the proposal of an integral formation, capable of helping a candidate grow in maturity in each dimension of formation – human, intellectual, spiritual, pastoral – and introducing him to a “permanent experience of discipleship” that gradually configures him to Christ the Good Shepherd. Pope Francis reminds us that the priest is not a functionary of the sacred or a manager of a business. Rather, he is a pastor anointed for the people. This begins at the seminary where we are compelled to form the disciple who will be ready, on his ordination day, to be the shepherd. Please pray that the Lord, who has begun this good work in us, will bring it to fulfillment. Mayy God bless you,y, Monsignor Aloysius R. Callaghan Rector and Vice President ON THE COVER5L^S`VYKHPULKWYPLZ[ZWYH`[OLPYÄYZ[ISLZZPUNZV]LY(YJOIPZOVW)LYUHYK/LIKH HUK)PZOVW(UKYL^*VaaLUZVU4H`:LLVYKPUH[PVUJV]LYHNLVUWHNLZ 2 | SUMMERR 2017 seminaryy news a pillar of the seminary msgr. william l. baumgaertner 1922-2017 On July 6, the seminary community laid to rest longtime priest, colleague and friend Monsignor William L. Baumgaertner, who passed away on June 21 at the age of 95. Archbishop Bernard Hebda presided at his funeral Mass. A native of St. Paul, Msgr. Baumgaertner graduated from the College of St. Thomas and The Saint Paul Seminary (Class of 1946) before receiving a doctorate in philosophy from Laval University in Quebec City, Quebec. Through decades of priestly ministry, he served the Church in a variety of positions, including as rector of The Saint Paul Seminary from 1960-1980. He also served as Executive Director of the National Catholic Education Association Seminary Division in Washington, D.C. (1980-1985); as Director of Accreditation for the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (1984-1990); and on numerous boards of theological schools where he made significant contributions to their governance and success. Before Msgr. William L. Baumgaertner retirement, Msgr. Baumgaertner served as Director of Seminary Relations for Christian Ministry in the National Parks System (1991-1993). He remained active in the seminary’s development office and chaired the committee that hosted the seminary’s centennial celebrations in 1990. As a professor of logic, epistemology and history of philosophy, Msgr. Baumgaertner was a major intellectual influence on countless seminarians, including Fr. Dennis Dease, former president of the University of St. Thomas. “Msgr. Baumgaertner would stride into the classroom with great energy, plunk down his briefcase squarely on the desk, extract a book with a flourish and begin to expound with the utmost enthusiasm,” Dease said. “It was like entering another realm. From him we learned the value of learning for its own sake, but we also acquired a foundation upon which we could build our priestly ministry for the rest of our lives.” Msgr. Baumgaertner will be remembered for his loving heart, helpful attitude and abiding faith. May he rest in peace. in memoriam Fr. David F. McCauley, Class of 1963 Fr. James S. Stromberg, Class of 1957 ORACLE | 3 semseminary naryy new s seminary partners with catholic relief services According to the United Nations, there are currently more than 65 million people worldwide who are considered “forcibly displaced,” creating the worst refugee the crisis in human history. corporal works This summer, Dr. David Jenkins, liturgical music director, and Michael Reinhardt, Theology I seminarian, witnessed this reality firsthand during a week-long trip to of mercy Lebanon and Jordan, organized specifically for seminary faculty and seminarians by Catholic Relief Services (CRS). feed Motivated by the Gospel to protect the dignity of all human life, CRS carries the hungry out the commitment of the bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. The Saint Paul Seminary is one of several seminaries participating in the CRS outreach program. give drink According to Dr. Jenkins, this trip had three primary goals: to encounter the to the thirsty beneficiaries and share their stories; to see the work of CRS; and to be open to personal transformation in order to affect change. What Dr. Jenkins and Michael observed was both overwhelming and inspiring. shelter the There are millions of refugees in these border countries, putting tremendous strain homeless on available resources. However, thanks to the work of CRS and their partners, Caritas Lebanon and Caritas Jordan, their short-term needs are being met with food, clothing and shelter. visit the sick visit the prisoners bury the dead give alms to the poor Dr. Jenkins (second from left, front row) and Michael Reinhardt (far left, back row) are pictured with members of their group at CRS headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon. 4 | SUMMERMMERR 2017 semseminaryy news “The political situations are extremely complicated,” Jenkins said, “but CRS and their partners are making a direct impact on people’s lives, giving them a renewed sense of dignity.” Michael appreciated that CRS works very hard to provide critical human connections. “Everyone longs to be home and with their families. CRS and their partners have become their new families during this difficult time,” he said. What does this experience mean for the seminary community? “Living the Gospel is more than a local responsibility,” Jenkins said. “As a seminary, we can bring that message to the world around us.” Top: Syrian children pose for a picture in the refugee settlement in Lebanon. Middle: Iraqi refugees work at the CRS Livelihoods Project in Jordan to learn new skills and trades. Bottom: Temporary shelters populate the streets of the Syrian refugee settlement in the Beqaa Valley, Lebanon Photo credit: Mikaele Sansone Mikaele credit: Photo Dr. David Jenkins and Michael Reinhardt take in a panoramic view of the wadi (valley) near Madaba, Jordan. ORACLEORORACACLLEE | 5 Ordination to the Diaconate 2017 Six men were ordained to the transitional diaconate this spring. They will proclaim the Gospel as ordained ministers of the Word, of the altar and of charity. In preparation for ordination to the priesthood, transitional deacons are asked to be servants to all, carrying out the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Please pray for our newly ordained transitional deacons. Deacon Gabriel Ayamdoor is prayerful as his name is called for ordination to the diaconate. He was ordained by Archbishop Bernard Hebda on May 13 for the Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga, Ghana. Deacon Jhonatan Sarmiento (center) is surrounded by priests, brother deacons and fellow seminarians following the ordination Mass on May 20 in Rockford, Illinois. Deacon Peter Ly receives the stole from Deacon Nao Kao Yang at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis. 6 | SUMMERSUMMERR 201720177 Archbishop Hebda lays his hands on Deacon Aric Aamodt during the ordination rite. Deacon Raphael Akurugu, Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga, Ghana, smiles during the ordination Mass at the basilica. Deacon Grant Thies and Bishop Robert Morlino, Diocese of Madison, are pictured after the ordination Mass on April 18. Catholic Herald Photos/Kevin Wondrash ORACLEORACLE | 7 ation to the Priesthood Ordin 2017 Another joyful ordination season is complete, during which 21 men from The Saint Paul Seminary were ordained for nine dioceses and one institute of religious life. According to the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University, 590 men were ordained for dioceses throughout the United States this year. Nationwide, their average age is 34, and 37 percent of diocesan ordinands studied at a seminary in the Midwest. On May 27, ten men were ordained for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, one of the largest classes to be ordained in the United States in 2017. Eight who received their formation at The Saint Paul Seminary are pictured on pages 8 and 9, along with the names of their first assignments. Men ordained for other sending dioceses are pictured on pages 10 and 11. Fr. Matthew Quail St. Stephen's Catholic Church, Anoka 8 | SUMMERSUMMERR 20172017 Fr. Nicholas Froehle Saint Ambrose Catholic Community, Woodbury Fr. Benjamin Wittnebel St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Forest Lake Fr. Bryce Evans Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Community, Wayzata Fr. Paul Baker St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Brooklyn Park Fr. Timothy Sandquist St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Savage ORACLEORACLE | 9 Ordination to the Priesthood 2017 Fr. Elijah Schwab Carmelite Hermitage Ordained May 25 Fr.