St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry exists for the building up of Christian disciples in our age, in our region, and beyond.
Our graduates serve the Church in countless ways, such as:
Permanent Deacons • Catechetical Leaders
Pastoral Associates • Parish Life Directors
Hospital/Hospice Ministers • Youth Ministers
Catholic School Teachers • Jail Chaplains
Migrant Ministry Worker s
Because of this, it is our extreme pleasure to o er you, our esteemed almuni, an invitation to audit one graduate course per academic year for the remainder of your life for free. Visit our website to learn more:
ST. BERNARD’S SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AND MINISTRY
FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
Friday, the twelfth of May, two-thousand and twenty-three half past three o’clock in the afternoon
Sacred Heart Cathedral
296 Flower City Park, Rochester, N Y
stbernards.edu/life-time-free-alumni-audit
Congratulations, Class of 2023!
CLASS OF 2023
COMMENCEMENT 2023 READING
PRELUDE
PROCESSION OF STUDENTS, FACULTY, & BOARD OF TRUSTEES
WELCOME
(Please stand)
Mr. Edward W. Kay, Jr. Chair, Board of Trustees
OPENING PRAYER
The Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano Chancellor
READING
Kathleen Van Damme
St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians
1: 3-11
MOTET FOR CHOIR
COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
Rev. Eugene Ritz, M.Div., M.A., J.C.L., Chancellor, Diocese of Allentown
CHORAL MEDITATION
PRESENTATION OF GRADUATE DEGREES
Dr. Matthew Kuhner Vice President and Academic Dean
CONFERRAL OF DEGREES
The Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano
HOODING CEREMONY ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Mr. Edward W. Kay, Jr.
thank my God whenever I think of you; and every time I pray for all I
of you, I pray with joy, remembering how you have helped to spread the Good News from the day you rst heard it right up to the present. I am quite certain that the One who began this good work in you will see that it is nished when the day of Christ Jesus comes. It is only natural that I should feel like this towards you all, since you have shared the privileges which have been mine: both my chains and my work defending and establishing the gospel. You have a permanent place in my heart, and God knows how much I miss you all, loving you as Christ Jesus loves you. My prayer is that your love for each other may increase more and more and you never stop improving your knowledge and deepening your perception so that you can always recognize what is best. is will help you to become pure and blameless, and prepare you for the day of Christ, when you will reach the perfect goodness which Jesus Christ produces in us for the glory and praise of God.
Dr. Stephen J. Loughlin President
FINAL BLESSING & DISMISSAL
The Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano
(Please stand)
e word of the Lord. anks be to God.
GRADUATE DEGREE CANDIDATES
MASTER OF ARTS in THEOLOGICAL STUDIES
Anne Kraft
MASTER OF ARTS in CATHOLIC PHILOSOPHY
Franklin Anyanechi
Jack Cairns
Jennifer Higle*
Gilbert Kimaro
Hien Pham
Thiago Mesquita de Sousa *
MASTER OF ARTS in PASTORAL STUDIES
Kevin Barron
Todd Bowman
James Cantella
Michael Cygan
Martin Hackford
Domenic Inneo*
Thomas LaBelle
John Phillips
John Rhein
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE in CATHOLIC BIOETHICS
James Browne
Anne Kraft
Beth Raymond *
Robert Siler *
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE in CATECHETICAL LEADERSHIP
Sarah Mancini - Goebert*
Kathleen Van Damme
CERTIFICATE in EVANGELIZATION+
Jessica Barton
Teresa Blackwell
PJ Bush
Garrett Caleen
Sydney Caleen
Margaret Cebra
Jay Celorie
Gisela Iglesias
William Iglesias, Jr.
Dan Iparraguirre
Michelle Jayawickrama
William Kalenius
Andrew Klabnik
Ben Kosmatka
Kateryna Lane
Mitchell Miles
Catherine Otto
David Otto
Jack Padon
Michael Saltarelli
Jenna Slotnick
Olivia Smith
Julie Spencer
Sarah St. Clair
Zachary Tillema
Lilyanna Wheaton
Connor Wier
*In Absentia + In Absentia (CE students participating in the Summer Symposium in Portland, OR, will receive their certi cate in-person during the closing Mass)
OFFICERS
The Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano, Edward W. Kay, Jr.,
Chancellor Chairperson Secretary President
Sr. Laura Bufano, Dr. Stephen J. Loughlin, MEMBERS
Dr. Thomas Carroll
Reverend Daniel J. Condon
Dr. Richard DeMartino
Dr. Rajiv Dewan
Elizabeth Gilges
Carmen Ana Klosterman
Very Reverend James P. Lang
Teanna Tomko
Very Reverend Paul J. Tomasso
Reverend Daniel White
FACULTY
Professor Daniel Drain
Dr. Charles Hughes Huff
Dr. Matthew Kuhner
Professor Lisa Lickona
Dr. Stephen J. Loughlin
Dr. Marco Stango
SPECIAL THANKS TO PRAYER FOR OUR ALUMNI
Our gratitude goes out to each and all who made this commencement possible!
e motto in our crest, ipsa propitia pervenis , is taken from the following section of St. Bernard’s Second Homily on the "Missus Est":
"O you who nd yourself tossed about by the storms of life, turn not your eyes from the brightness of this Star, if you would not be overwhelmed by its boisterous waves. If the winds of temptations rise, if you fall among the rocks of tribulations, look up at the Star, call on Mary. If anger, covetousness, or other passions beat on the vessel of your soul, look up to Mary. If you begin to sink in the gulf of melancholy and despair, think on Mary. In dangers, in distress, in perplexities, think on Mary, call on Mary. Let her not depart from your lips, let her not depart from your heart, and, that you may win the su rage of her prayers, never depart from the example of her life. Following her, you will never go astray; when you implore her aid, you will never yield to despair; thinking on her, you will not err; under her patronage you will never wander; beneath her protection you will not fear; she being your guide, you will not weary; if she be your propitious Star, you will arrive safely in the port [ipsa propitia pervenis], and experience for yourself the truth of the words, 'And the virgin's name was Mary.’”
St. Bernard’s is consecrated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, our sure hope and our brightest star. It is our prayer that she may lead the new members of the St. Bernard’s alumni community into deeper communion with her Son, Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior of the world.
May the Class of 2023 use their gifts to be a light for others and, in following the Star, arrive safely to the heavenly port.
CHANCELLOR, BISHOP OF ROCHESTER
SECRETARY TO THE MOST REVEREND BISHOP
BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF ALBANY
BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF ALLENTOWN
BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF BUFFALO
BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF SYRACUSE
READER
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
CHOIR
The Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano
Reverend Daniel White
The Most Reverend Edward B. Scharfenberger
The Most Reverend Michael W. Fisher
The Most Reverend Douglas J. Lucia Kathleen Van Damme
The Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert
John Morabito
Professor Daniel Drain Katharina Nieves
