THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE | THE NATIONAL SEMINARY OF THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA the CrossroadsThe Alumni Magazine for Theological College | Summer 2020 NEW SPRING BREAK LIFE DURING LEADERSHIP MISSIONS QUARANTINE I S. SVLP RI IT A II N I W M A E S S H I N M G V L T L O I N G I S ✣ CONTENTS The Crossroads is published three times a year by the Office of Institutional Advancement of Theological College. It 02 \\ FROM THE RECTOR is distributed via nonprofit mail to alumni, bishops, vocation directors, and friends 04 \\ COMMUNITY NEWS of TC. GRADUATION 2020 New Acting Rector Rector On May 16, Catholic University and S.T.L./J.C.L. Program Rev. Gerald D. McBrearity, P.S.S. (‘73) President John Garvey hosted a virtual graduation. TC's 12 graduates share re- Alumni Day Media & Promotions Managing Editor flections on their years at TC and CUA. Suzanne Tanzi 08 \\ GRADUATE Contributing Writers REFLECTIONS Santino Ambrosini • Rev. Chris Arockiaraj, & MEMOIRS P.S.S. • Garrett Bockman • Peter Bui • 08 James Buttner • Anthony Ferguson • 14 \\ SEMINARY LIFE Liam Gallagher • Mark Garrett • Elmer Catholic Social Media Herrera-Guzmán • Ryan Hiaeshutter • and the Alberione Project Alexandre Jiménez-Alcântara • Michael Kieler • Jaime Maldonado-Avilés • Pastoral Ministry at L’Arche Anthony May • Justin Motes • Mary Evening of Recollection Nauman • Jonathan Pham • Rev. Carlos with Dr. Timoney Piedrahita • Gregory Schettini • Nicholas Shiver • Rev. Andrew Szablewski, P.S.S. • Spring Break Mission Trips MEDIA Kyle Vance • John Winslow • Stephen Wong EVANGELIZATION Quarantine Experiences Graphic Designer Deacon Anthony Ferguson with EWTN Pastoral Year: Part III Rebecca Sum host Rev. Thomas Petri, O.P., during a recent interview about the Alberione Photography Project on "The Church Alive." 26 \\ HEALTHY LIVING Santino Ambrosini • Rev. Chris Arockiaraj, FOR PRIESTS P.S.S. • Catholic Standard/ Andrew Biraj • Cross Catholic Outreach • CUA/Patrick 28 \\ FACULTY AND STAFF Ryan • Nazareth Farm • Dave Scavone • Society of St. Sulpice • Rev. Andrew 30 \\ ALUMNI Szablewski, P.S.S. • Suzanne Tanzi • Stephen Wong Class Notes In Memoriam Theological College 14 401 Michigan Ave., N.E. Washington, DC 20017 202-756-4914 theologicalcollege.org theologicalcollege.catholic.edu FORMATION ADVISING Theological College participates in the TC's Deacon Ed McCormack is the mission and responsibility of the bish- author of the first publication on the ops to provide for the people of God ministry of seminary formation advising. wise and holy priests close to the heart NEW ACTING RECTOR of Christ and consumed in his work of salvation. In affiliation with The Catholic Rev. Gerald McBrearity, P.S.S., passes the reins to Rev. Dominic Cover: By Sunday, March 29, 2020, all TC University of America, Theological College 04 Ciriaco, P.S.S., TC's new Acting Rector. seminarians had evacuated the building, leaving assists seminarians in the task of voca- only the TC priest faculty in residence. tional discernment and in the preparation 28 for priestly life and ministry at the dioc- esan level, particularly as experienced in the United States. FROM THE RECTOR COMMUNITY NEWS For four years, Father McBrearity has welcomed new seminarians to TC at the opening Liturgy in August. Here, he greets first theologian John Kist from Philadelphia. Opening a New Chapter As I write this reflection during the Easter Season, I am remem- to it that so much of my life as a priest and Sulpician took place Rev. Gerald D. McBrearity, P.S.S. (’73) bering multiple honest and blunt conversations with seminarians in this beloved seminary. Rector who were totally transparent as they discerned their vocation. I am In the spring of 2018, a seminarian completed a year at remembering those seminarians who, in the midst of the sexual Theological College as a pre-theologian and was then assigned abuse crisis, renewed their commitment to be priests who would to another seminary for theological studies. During that summer evidence the emotional and psychosexual maturity needed to of transition, he sent me the following poem: During my many years of service at Theological College, whether make an informed commitment to a life of celibate chastity. I am in the role of a formation advisor, spiritual director, vice-rector, remembering the courage of so many seminarians who acknowl- No Other Way or rector, I have been blessed. I have been blessed with talented edged that they would be ordained priests in dioceses undergoing I wouldn’t have it any other way. I have an ever deeper and firmer be- and deeply committed faculty colleagues, with a devoted and profound institutional changes and challenges. I am remembering dedicated staff, and, above all, with generations of intellectually those seminarians who grew not only in self-awareness but in mul- From our first hello to our most recent, lief that nothing is merely an accident gifted, articulate, creative, funny, deeply caring, prayerful, and ticultural sensitivity. I am remembering those seminarians who I would not change a thing. honest priesthood candidates who, year after year, have been a have led the seminary community in serving the poor whether when seen in the light of God, that my And the challenges, all the laughs, blessing calling forth from me a heightened awareness of God’s in remote Honduras or Guatemala; in Appalachia or in the District whole life down to its smallest details gracious and abiding presence in my life. Albert Schweitzer wrote, of Columbia. I am remembering generations of seminarians All the joys and sorrows, the worries “Sometimes our light goes out but is blown again into instant has been marked out for me in the who showed the maturity and capacity for dialogue needed to And the doubts, all were gifts from His flame by an encounter with another human being. Each of us engage classmates from across the country and from very dif- Merciful love. plan of divine providence and has a owes the deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this inner ferent vocation narratives, enabling Theological College to be flame.” Almost every day my inner flame has been rekindled by the a diverse but united seminary community. As a seminarian at Since love is that which endures, completely coherent meaning in God’s seminarians under my care and for this I am profoundly grateful. Theological College, a priest in residence at Theological College I am most confident in and happy for the In her poem “When Did It Happen?” the poet, Mary Oliver, during doctoral studies, and during my 17 years as a formator, all-seeing eyes. Sacred friendships that He has ordained— wrote: vice-rector, and rector, generations of seminarians have supported St. Edith Stein and energized my vocation as a Sulpician and have been, time Ordained from all eternity just for you and for me. When did it happen? and time again, an inspiration and source of joy. A time for prayer, sharing a laugh, It was a long time ago. Years ago, I was sent this quotation from the writings of St. Edith Sacred silence, and Holy Mass? fter much prayerful consideration and with the support of the Where did it happen? Stein, Sr. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross: “I have an ever deeper American Province of the Sulpicians, I will be retiring from and firmer belief that nothing is merely an accident when seen An image of our lives and a foretaste of everlasting life A It was far away. the ministry of rector of Theological College and will be opening a in the light of God, that my whole life down to its smallest details In communion with God and neighbor? new chapter of my life as a priest and Sulpician. As I approach this No tell. Where did it happen? has been marked out for me in the plan of divine providence and I would have this last encounter no other way. moment of transition, I am reminded of what one spiritual writer In my heart. has a completely coherent meaning in God’s all-seeing eyes.” As I wrote: “A blessing is a visible, perceptible, and effective presence remember so many people and events at this time of transition, This seminarian captures in his poem my heartfelt belief that What is your heart doing now? of God. A blessing demands to be passed on — it communicates my trust in the providence of God has deepened, a God who saw “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” ■ itself to other people. To be blessed is to be oneself a blessing.” Remembering. Remembering! 2 \\ THE CROSSROADS SUMMER 2020 \\ 3 COMMUNITYCOMMUNITY NEWS NEWS COMMUNITY NEWS S.T.L./J.C.L. ACADEMIC TRACK: through priestly service in nearby parishes, while the seminary New Acting Rector Named to Theological College faculty continues to accompany them during the completion of New Program, the program. This year, the program started with three newly ordained TC he Provincial Council of the Society alumni priests and four seminarians enrolled for the upcom- of St. Sulpice, Province of the United New Adventure T ing years. The interest in the program has proliferated. For the States, has appointed Sulpician Father past academic year, we welcomed to the TC community two Dominic G. Ciriaco, P.S.S., M.A., M.Div., as Rev. Carlos Piedrahita, S.T.L. new dioceses whose bishops were attracted by the program: the acting rector of Theological College, effec- Director of Intellectual Formation Archdiocese of Santa Fe and the Diocese of Salt Lake City. The tive July 1, 2020. This appointment has been and Director of Basselin Scholars biannual meetings of intellectual formation advising with each made by the Sulpician Provincial Council he academic year 2019–2020 was unique in many ways.