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Priestly Ordinations
During the Mass of his ordination, Rev. Timothy Eck II '21 (Metuchen) receives the chalice and paten from his bishop and former Rector of the College, Most Rev. James F. Checchio '92 C'97 (Metuchen).
First Summer as a Priest in the Parish
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REV. TIMOTHY ECK II ‘21, DIOCESE OF METUCHEN
One afternoon I was visiting with an elderly woman in her home. Due to the pandemic, the normal
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy
Communion had not been able to visit her in several months. However, with the loosened restrictions during the summer, I was finally able to visit with her. She told me about her life, her childhood growing up in the
Bronx, her children, and how she ended up living in a cul-de-sac in a suburban parish in New Jersey. As we were coming to the end of my visit, she turned to me and asked: “Father,
I’m worried about what is going on in the world, why do you think this is all happening? What do you think is the cause of it all?” It struck me that this woman, who has surpassed her ninetieth year, is asking me, someone who has not quite reached my thirtieth year, for advice and guidance in understanding the world. In different circumstances, I would be going to her for wisdom, yet she sought my guidance—a priest of only a month.
To this woman, my parishioners, and those I met, I was no longer the same person I was at the beginning of this year. I was now a priest, their priest, and they welcomed me into their lives. They shared their fears and struggles, but also their joys and successes. My experience of being a priest this summer was one of great humility. I felt the gravity of my actions, knowing that even though I was new to being a priest, people trusted me. The words I said and actions I did mattered. Gone were the practice homilies and sacramental rehearsals at seminary. It was real now.
While I learned to serve the people of God, his grace was made abundantly evident. Every time I finished hearing confessions, I gave thanks to God for providing me with words of guidance to those who came to me for the sacrament. The summer in the parish was a time of great learning and joy, filled both with gratitude for the people and the Lord’s guidance. n
VOICES OF NAC
During my time in Lourdes this summer, I witnessed the Mystical Body of Christ revealed in the faces and voices of pilgrims from across the world, as well as the tremendous love they bear towards Our Lady as she bears a weak and wounded humanity back to the heart of her Son. She in turn provided a powerful image and model of the Church’s mission: to point to Jesus Christ in all things. Joseph Brodeur ‘24, Diocese of Providence
This summer I had the joy of spending time with my family, especially my nieces and nephews. The joy and excitement with which young children greet people is unparalleled to other greetings. Invariably, they drop what they are doing, alert all those around of the presence of a friend, and run to embrace him. Isn’t this how our Lord responds to each one of us every time we enter the chapel?
Rev. Mr. Daniel Hammer ’22, Diocese of Duluth
Describe one experience from this summer in which you encountered Christ.
The people that I encountered on a daily basis in my summer parish were a constant reminder to me of the goodness of God. They taught me more than they’ll ever realize! Returning to Rome after such a great assignment, I’m all the more encouraged and excited to continue studies and formation so that I can one day return to the people of God in my diocese and serve them as an ordained priest. Jose Lim ‘23, Diocese of Metuchen
This past summer I was able to participate in the Institute of Priestly Formation Seminarian Summer Program in Omaha, Nebraska. The program was a great blessing for me in a very personal way since I was able to grow deeper in my relationship with Christ. The courses that I took were also very insightful and allowed me to understand the priesthood in a deeper and more holistic way. It was truly a blessed summer experience. Mauricio Romero ‘25, Diocese of San Angelo
Summer Language Schools
Each summer, many seminarians in their first or second year of theology participate in Italian language studies at one of several language schools across Italy. Assisi, Siena, and Verbania are the most popular locations.
During a daytrip from Italian language studies in Assisi, Michael Rhodes ‘25 (Austin), third from the left, and classmates visit the imposing Duomo di Firenze, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence (Italy). On the Solemnity of the Assumption, Christian Hamrick ‘25 (Nashville), second from the right, and classmates served the festal Mass celebrated by the Cardinal-Archbishop of Siena–Colle di Val d'Elsa–Montalcino (Italy).
Finding God in Siena's Empty Spaces
CHRISTIAN HAMRICK ‘25, DIOCESE OF NASHVILLE
Siena, where I and eight other new seminarians from the College participated in Italian language studies, has no shortage of churches. Some of these are monumental works of brilliant artistry and are packed with tourists year-round. Many, however, sit empty, often only opened on certain Sundays or feasts. Coming off of crowded streets and walking into these quiet, empty spaces, it can be easy to wonder why they aren’t full of people. I often found myself asking questions such as, “Where did we go wrong?” or thinking to myself that the task of re-evangelizing the culture is just too daunting.
However, after praying and reflecting in these empty spaces, they have come to mean something different, expressed not so much by the lack of people to fill them, but by the empty space itself. Where I saw God in Siena was in these spaces, which revealed a longing. These spaces, insofar as they are not filled, actually serve as icons of ourselves and the longing we have within us, a longing that can ultimately only be satisfied by the one in which “we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). These spaces not only reveal a potential for being filled with something else but also communicate something about ourselves: our own deep longing for him who alone satisfies our souls. As we see again and again in salvation history, in an unexpected way, “Grace abounded all the more” (Rom. 5:20). n
A Bellissima Summer in Verbania
MATTHEW POHLMAN ‘24, ARCHDIOCESE OF OMAHA
This summer, I was blessed with the opportunity to pursue further Italian language studies in Verbania, a town in northern
Italy. Progressing in the language opened up a variety of encounters with the city’s locals. I could always find the retired pastor of the local church praying in the back pew, no matter the time of day. As the weeks went by, and as my Italian skills improved, he and I built a relationship, making me feel at home in the parish. I entered the summer with two goals: study Italian and grow in holiness. A special part of giving Jesus my summer plans, I learned, was that my two goals were not mutually exclusive. My Italian abilities allowed me to greet parishioners at local coffeeshops and lector at Mass. These instances, among others, helped me recognize the intimate connection between parish life and both my sanctification and the sanctity of those I will serve. My teachers provided me with resources to continue to polish my Italian skills. More importantly, however, through their interactions with other teachers in the program, they taught me about the beautiful culture of friendship in Italy. The way they related to one another was an awesome witness to the love of God, a witness that filled my pastoral heart with joy. Jesus blessed me with a bellissima—very beautiful—summer experience for which I am very grateful. n
A Quiet Cafe in Assisi
MICHAEL RHODES ‘25, DIOCESE OF AUSTIN
Iwill not forget a story told by the rector at my previous seminary. One day, one of his former seminarians, now about to be ordained, came to his office. The seminarian recounted all the beautiful experiences he had had throughout seminary: his travels, experiences with the faithful, and the laughs he shared with brother seminarians along the way. Then the seminarian asked the rector, “Father, when did my life become an adventure?” The rector simply responded, “Your life became an adventure when you decided to follow Jesus Christ.”
After landing in Rome on July 21st, we were given a quick orientation of the College and the city before taking off for language school. During my month in Assisi, I was blessed by wonderful encounters with the faithful in Piazza del Comune, prayerful times in front of the tombs of Sts. Clare and Francis, and times full of laughter with my brother seminarians.
One morning in Assisi I decided to go to the Piazza for a morning cappuccino and cornetto and I began to pray morning prayer as the streets of Assisi started to wake up. As tourists entered the city and stores opened their doors, I sat alone, praying quietly. Even
though I was alone at my table, I knew in my heart that this entire experience was a gift from God. My life has truly become an adventure. As a man striving to conform my heart to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, I look out at the faithful and see my family. No matter how far I am from my diocese, I feel at home, because the Lord is with me and is here to lead me on the greatest adventure of my life. n F i r m u m E s t C o r M e u m Firmvm Est
Rome in your in-box! Sign up to receive our free monthly e-newsletter, “Firmum Est.” News, photos, student profiles, and historical snapshots. bit.ly/PNACnews
Each summer, the men completing their first year “go out into all the world” (Mk 16:15) by embarking on a summer assignment in Europe (or beyond!) for apostolic work, mission, study, or prayer. They may also be asked to learn more about their local church by serving at a parish in their diocese. Men completing their second year also set out for apostolic assignments abroad as travel restrictions eased.
With contributions from Sr. Judith Zoebelein, FSE and Rev. David Hulshof ‘81.
Assignments
Academic/Language Study
Dante Alighieri Study Program (Siena, Italy) LAE Madrid - Language School (Madrid, Spain) Tertio Millennio Seminar on the Free Society (Krakow, Poland) The Italian School (Verbania, Italy) Universidad Católica de Ávila (Ávila, Spain)
Parishes in the US
Cathedral of the Holy Spirit (Bismarck, ND) Catholic Parishes of Sandusky (Sandusky, OH) Christ the Redeemer Parish (Sterling, VA) Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Community (Medina, MN) Holy Name of Jesus Parish (Wausau, WI) Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish (Salem, VA) Our Lady of the Mountain Catholic Church (Ashland, OR) Saint Luke Catholic Church (Barrington, RI) Saint Timothy’s Catholic Church (Sykesville, MD) St. Andrew the Apostle Parish (Clifton, VA) St. Catherine of Siena Parish (Mountain Lakes, NJ) St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church (Birmingham, AL) St. Patrick’s Catholic Church (Onalaska, WI)
Parishes Overseas
Basilica Cateriniana San Domenico (Siena, Italy) Monastero di San Benedetto (Bergamo, Italy) Chiesa Parrocchiale di Sant'Alessandro (Gallarate, Italy) Parafia Sw. Jozefa w Lublinie (Lublin, Poland) Paroisse Notre Dame de Guadalupe (Gapé-Atchanvé, Togo) Parrocchia di S. Apollinare Martire (Lugo di Valpantena, Italy) Parrocchia di San Biagio (Padua, Italy) Parrocchia di San Nicolò (Roverè Veronese, Italy) Parrocchia di Sant'Eusebio Prete (Pollone, Italy) Parroquia de Jesús y María (Madrid, Spain) Parroquia Santo Cristo de la Misericordia (Madrid, Spain) Real Colegiata de San Isidro (Madrid, Spain)
Service/Missionary Assignments
Missionaries of Charity (Madrid, Spain) Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes (Lourdes, France) Tipi Loschi Community (San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy) US Navy Officer Development School (Newport, RI)
Pilgrimage Experiences
Camino de Santiago (Santiago de Compostela, Spain) Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima (Fátima, Portugal) Stift Wilten – Norbertines (Innsbruck, Austria) The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola (Assisi, Italy)
United States
Birmingham, AL Raceland, LA Sykesville, MD Medina, MN Bismarck, ND Mountain Lakes, NJ Sandusky, OH Ashland, OR Portland, OR Barrington, RI Newport, RI Providence, RI Sterling, VA Salem, VA Clifton, VA Onalaska, WI Wausau, WI
Overseas
Gapé-Atchanvé, Togo Innsbruck, Austria Lourdes, France Assisi, Italy Bergamo, Italy Gallarate, Italy Genova, Italy Lugo di Valpantena, Italy Milan, Italy Padua, Italy Pollone, Italy Roverè Veronese, Italy San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy Siena, Italy Verbania, Italy Krakow, Poland Lublin, Poland Fátima, Portugal Porto, Portugal Avila, Spain Ferrol, Spain Madrid, Spain Santiago de Compostela, Spain Sweden London, UK
Snapshots
A Sunday afternoon well spent: the faculty members of the College stand together in St. Peter's Square after the Sunday Angelus, in which Pope Francis recognized the presence of the College from his balcony.
His Eminence James Cardinal Harvey '75 speaks with Very Rev. Peter Harman '99 (Springfield in Illinois) and the New Men of the College on the grounds of Castel Gandalfo, the traditional summer residence of the Pope. A moment of joy: Rev. Mr. Mauricio Portillo ’22 (Arlington) embraces Rev. Mr. Bijoy Joseph ’22 (Sydney) after the Ordination Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.
"I believe." Members of the Class of 2022 make their public profession of faith and oath of fidelity. Left to right: Rev. Mr. Christian Chami (Venice in Florida), Rev. Mr. Bijoy Joseph (Sydney), Rev. Mr. Grant Dvorak (Bismarck), Robert Kinyon (Rapid City), and Rev. Mr. Alex Kramer (Des Moines). Alumni of the College and newly-ordained priests (from left) Rev. James Linkenheld ’21 (Rockford), Rev. Joseph White ’21 (Galveston-Houston) and Rev. Seth Lemaire ’21 (Lafayette) kneel in prayer during the Litany of Saints for the newly ordained deacons.
Wonder and awe: A group of first and second-year men and faculty take in the beauty of the Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.
Behind the Scenes: Andrew Westermann '24 (Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter), Michael Noriega '24 (Austin) and James Fangmeyer '24 (Washington) await the go-ahead to begin plating the next course of food at the Welcome Banquet for the New Men. Together with members of his family, Rev. Mr. Paul Sappington ’22 (Kansas City-St. Joseph) stands at the foot of the sanctuary where moments before he had been ordained.
In the Background: The College relies on many who work in the background. Richard Sofatzis '23 (Sydney) and Jose Lim '23 (Metuchen) coordinating audio for an outdoor cena celebrating the deacon-elects' public profession of faith. Rev. Brendan Hurley, SJ, spiritual director at the College, proclaims the Gospel at the Basilica of San Rufino in Assisi (Italy).
