St. Bernard's School of eology 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 as:
Permanent Deacons • Catechetical Leaders
Pastoral Associates • Parish Life Directors
Hospital/Hospice Ministers • Youth Ministers
Catholic School Teachers • Jail Chaplains
Migrant Ministry Workers
Because of this, it is our extreme pleasure to o er our esteemed almuni an invitation to audit one graduate course per academic year for the remainder of their life for a minimal fee.
Visit our website to learn more: www.stbernards.edu/life-time-free-alumni-audit
St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry
FORTY-THIRD COMMENCEMENT
CEREMONY & CONFERRAL of DEGREES
Congratulations, Class of 2024!
e Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano, Presiding
FRIDAY, THE THIRD OF MAY, TWO-THOUSAND AND TWENTY-FOUR HALF PAST THREE O’CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON
SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL
296 FLOWER CITY PARK, ROCHESTER, NY
CLASS OF 2024
PRELUDE
COMMENCEMENT 2024 READING
PROCESSION of STUDENTS, FACULTY, & BOARD OF TRUSTEES
WELCOME
OPENING PRAYER
READING
MOTET for CHOIR
COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
(Please stand)
Mr. Edward W. Kay, Jr. Chair, Board of Trustees
The Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano
Chancellor
Sr. Laura Bufano, CSJ
Secretary, Board of Trustees
Dr. Jean Baric Parker
Program Director
Graduate Certi cate in Catholic Bioethics
CHORAL MEDITATION
PRESENTATION of GRADUATE DEGREES
CONFERRAL of DEGREES
HOODING CEREMONY
CONFERRAL of HONORARY DEGREES
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
FINAL BLESSING & DISMISSAL
Dr. Matthew Kuhner
Vice President and Academic Dean
The Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano
Mr. Edward W. Kay, Jr.
Dr. Matthew Kuhner
Dr. Stephen Loughlin
President
The Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano
(Please stand)
A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians 1: 3-11
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.
e word of the Lord.
anks be to God.
GRADUATE DEGREE CANDIDATES BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MASTER OF ARTS in THEOLOGICAL STUDIES
Tyler Davis
Anna Maria Flaitz
Sarah Walters
MASTER OF ARTS in CATHOLIC PHILOSOPHY
Charles Brandt
Joli Morgan
Michael Nuhfer
Samuel Zuze
MASTER OF DIVINITY
Robert Chung
MASTER OF ARTS in PASTORAL STUDIES
Patrick Alba*
Timothy Ferguson
James Friend
Von George
Lauri Hahn
Mike Hahn
Michael Katilus
John Matulevich
Robert Reiley
Dickens Remy
John Sutter
omas Weber, III*
*In Absentia
†Posthumous Degree
GRADUATE CERTIFICATECATHOLIC BIOETHICS
Bradley Martin*
Kellene Murdick*
GRADUATE CERTIFICATECATHOLIC PHILOSOPHY
Michael Aronica*
GRADUATE CERTIFICATEPASTORAL STUDIES
Mark Brezina*
Fred Castner*
Carlos Fernandez
Diomedes Matos
Daniel Osle
Jaime Pena
Carlos Pinto
Bernard Servagno*
Anthony Vilardo
James Wallaesa, Jr.*
CERTIFICATE in EVANGELIZATION
Alexandra Britch*
Carla Cardona*
Patricia Cary*
Miriam Coskey*
Christopher Espinoza*
Judith Jayawickrama*
Arial Lewin*
Chelsea Lua*
Dina Pacillo*
Jenny Rodriguez*
Samuel Stucki*
Sarah Tucker*
Marcela Velez*
OFFICERS
e Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano, Chancellor
Mr. Edward W. Kay, Jr., Chairperson
Sr. Laura Bufano, CSJ, Secretary
Dr. Stephen J. Loughlin, President
MEMBERS
Dr. omas Carroll
Reverend Daniel J. Condon
Dr. Richard DeMartino
Dr. Rajiv Dewan
Mrs. Elizabeth Gilges
Mrs. Carmen Ana Klosterman
Reverend Monsignor James P. Lang
Mrs. Teanna Tomko
Very Reverend Paul J. Tomasso
Reverend Daniel White
FACULTY
Dr. Daniel Drain (Cand.)
Dr. Matthew Kuhner
Professor Lisa Lickona
Dr. Stephen J. Loughlin
Dr. Marco Stango
† †
SPECIAL THANKS TO PRAYER FOR OUR ALUMNI
CHANCELLOR, BISHOP OF ROCHESTER
SECRETARY TO THE MOST REVEREND BISHOP
BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF ALBANY
BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF BUFFALO
BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF SYRACUSE
BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF ALLENTOWN, PA
READER
MUSIC
The Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert
Sr. Laura Bufano, CSJ
Professor Daniel Drain
Mr. David Kraft
Ms. Katharina Nieves
Mr. Ryan Stansbury
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 2024 use their gifts to be a light for others and, in following the Star, arrive safely to the heavenly port.
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
