St. Patrick’s Seminary & University PATRICIANMAGAZINE F A L L 2 0 1 6 CONVERGING IN CHRIST “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where [I] am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” - John 14:1-7 Fall Issue CONTENTS Messages ............................. 4 New Faculty and Staff ........... 6 Farewell ............................... 7 Alumni Corner ....................... 8 Sulpician Anniversary ............. 9 Gala 2016 ........................... 10 Formed for Communion ........ 12 Message from the Rector .... 13 Stations of the Cross ........... 16 Praise Night ........................ 18 Library Update .................... 19 Community Day .................. 20 Community News ................. 21 In Memoriam ...................... 24 Alumni Bishops ................... 26 Announcements .................. 27 PATRICIAN is the official magazine of St. Patrick’s Seminary & University with principal business address at 320 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025. Please use the enclosed envelope, email [email protected] or call Public Relations at (650) 289-3320 to update your address information. ACADEMIC FORMATION: DISCOVERING THE INFINITE Karen C. Chan, PhD Academic Dean Dr. Karen C. Chan is a native of the San Francisco Bay Area. Prior to becoming Academic Dean, she served as an Assistant Professor of Philosophy and the Pre-Theology Program Chair at St. Patrick’s Seminary & University. She has undergraduate degrees in English Literature and Philosophy from the University of San Francisco and completed her doctoral studies in Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame. t the beginning of the school year when and this attainment of the infinite is feasible for us as I met with our incoming seminarians, I humans through God’s grace. recounted that something momentous had happened over the summer: I watched As a communauté educatrice in the Sulpician tradition, Aa movie while it was still in the theater! I watched our teaching faculty guides our seminarians in the Star Trek Beyond and the most memorable part adventure of exploring the infinite reality of God of this movie for me was when Captain Kirk looks and his effects. Our faculty members come from upon his career of space exploration with Starfleet. some of the best universities around the world: He muses that since space is infinite, there is always Oxford University, the University of Notre Dame, more to explore – more planets to see, more species the University of Toronto, Marquette University, to encounter. Such exploration can be incredibly the Pontifical Gregorian University, the Catholic exciting, yet he reflects that after a while of exploring University of America, and the University of Southern the “infinite”, this once-adventuresome task can California, just to name a few. The diverse areas of become monotonous drudgery because of the lack of academic focus, variety of ethnic backgrounds, wide any endpoint or goal. Without any sort of destination, range of interests and hobbies, and even different space exploration – and life – looks more like one of vocations of our faculty members demonstrate to our futility. students the unique ways in which one can finitely participate in God’s infinite goodness. Yet our nature as humans created by God demands that we explore the infinite. Unlike Kirk’s goal-less As the newly-appointed Academic Dean and a infinite, that which we are meant to know and love member of the formation and teaching faculty, it is a personal God who is infinite in Being. Seminary is an honor to work with the faculty to form our formation is all about discovering this infinite God. seminarians to know and love our infinite God and Because God is infinite, there’s always more to learn to encourage them to participate in God’s infinity about God: his being and essence, his created effects, in their own ways. I am blessed to be mentored by and so forth. The infinite God will always surpass two of our former academic deans, Fr. Gladstone the finite human mind; there will always be mysteries Stevens, PSS and Fr. Anthony Pogorelc, PSS who now that we can never fully comprehend. Yet learning serve as our Rector and Director of Field Education, more about God becomes a joyous and also terrifying respectively. I look forward to continuing their work adventure that actually has a reachable destination. of ensuring a solid academic program that is well- Our goal in knowing and loving the infinite God is integrated with the other dimensions of formation our supernatural end of union with God Himself, and of supporting our faculty in this mission. 4 PATRICIAN MAGAZINE | FALL 2016 MERCY: BEYOND THE JUBILEE YEAR he Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy Seminarian Joshua Keeney instituted last year by Pope Francis Student Body President Joshua Keeney attended college at continues. I have witnessed some beautiful Sacramento State where he studied Criminal Justice before entering seminary. After acts and works of mercy during this time. feeling called to enter seminary, he applied to Pope Francis has implemented examples, such the Sacramento Diocese and entered Mount T Angel Seminary in Mount Angel, Oregon as welcoming three Syrian refugee families, and where he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies. After implementing 24 Hours for the Lord, an event that graduating from Mount Angel, he entered St. Patrick’s Seminary and University in ensures Confession will be available in each diocese Menlo Park where he is currently in his third for 24 hours on a selected day. He has visited numerous year of theology. He looks forward, God willing, to his diaconate ordination in April countries to share his pastoral and spiritual presence 2017 and priestly ordination in June 2018. with them, demonstrating his willingness not only to lead with words, but also actions. Here at St. Patrick’s we have taken our own steps to follow his lead. When entering the seminary, one will see a variety Student Body Council 2016-2017 of quotes from Pope Francis displayed on banners, which articulate the type of priest he desires for the Executive Council Church: men of service, men who can live in the President: Seminarian Joshua Keeney world but not be of it, priests who can mercifully Secretary: Seminarian David Lopez journey with the people without reserve. Treasurer: Seminarian Ryan Francisco The emphasis on holy and merciful priests began from Class Representatives creation and found its clearest fulfillment in Jesus. 4th Year Theology: Rev. Mr. Chris Kanowitz The message of mercy originates in God, especially 3rd Year Theology: Seminarian David Ramirez through Christ’s encounter with the woman at the 2nd Year Theology: Seminarian Ian Quito well, by his healing of the soldier’s servant, and by his 1st Year Theology: Seminarian Mark Tannehill forgiveness and pardoning of the woman caught in Pre-Theology: Seminarian Erik Pereira adultery. It has always been Christian to be merciful. Christ calls for mercy, not only during the Year of Committees Mercy or the next year, but throughout our lives. It Academic & Library: Seminarian John Pietruszka is a calling for those who desire to follow the lead Community Life: Seminarian Benjamin Rosado of Pope Francis and the lead of Christ. As Jesus said Seminarian Sean Ryan in the Gospel of Matthew (uttering the words of the Ethnic Affairs: Seminarian Jesus Hernandez prophet Hosea), “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.” Facilities: Seminarian Andrew Kelly Jesus came to call us, who, like Pope Francis, are Seminarian James Precobb sinners striving to be merciful saints. Field Education: Seminarian Robain Lamba Liturgy: Seminarian Dario Rinaldi Seminarian Mario Rizzo Peace & Justice: Seminarian Nicholas Case Seminarian Chase Willcuts Spiritual Life: Seminarian Jerald Geronimo Seminarian Michael Sullivan Walk for Life: Seminarian Anh(Vincent) Vu Seminarian Ese’ese(Ace) Tui PATRICIAN MAGAZINE | FALL 2016 5 NEW FACULTY AND STAFF Mr. David Flores Mr. David Flores arrives as the new Human Resources and Finance Manager. He says, “What excites me most about working for Saint Patrick’s is that I get to contribute my energies toward advancing a mission and vision that I am personally passionate about.” No matter how busy he is, David always has time for a check-in or a chat. David is a blessing to the seminary team. Welcome David to the STPSU community. Ms. Candy Hernandez Ms. Candelaria (Candy) Hernandez is a long time member of the Menlo Park- Palo Alto Serra Club. She was President of the Club from 2009 to 2015 and was responsible for planning and executing the yearly BBQ for returning Pastoral Year and new seminarians at St. Patrick’s Seminary and University. She is also a long time member of the Italian Catholic Federation of Menlo Park. Candy is working as the Front Office and Public Relations Administrative Assistant. “I am so blessed to be a part of St. Patrick’s Community. I can only hope and pray that I will be able to do the best I can to serve the community.” Rev. Kevin Joyce St. Patrick’s Seminary welcomes Fr. Kevin Joyce, an alumnus of St. Patrick’s and ordained in 1980 for the Diocese of San Jose, in his role as a spiritual director.