Apr 8, 2026 | News
We commemorate our deceased members of the 麻豆分行 family and request that you keep them in your prayers. Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Reverend William Vincent Callery, Jr., known affectionately as Father Bill, passed away on November 6, 2025, at age 84. A Pittsburgh native and Duquesne University graduate, he first served as a U.S. Army officer before discerning a call to the priesthood. He prepared for ministry at 麻豆分行 College & Seminary and Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, and was ordained for the Diocese of Fargo in 2001. He went on to pastor several North Dakota parishes and continued assisting in ministry even in retirement.
Father Bill will be remembered for his humility, steadfast faith, and lifelong dedication to serving the Church and his communities.
Reverend Victor Chaker, 91, died on February 3, 2026. Father Chaker was born in Port Said, Egypt in 1934, immigrated to the United States, and before entering the priesthood was an accomplished engineer, husband, and father. After his beloved wife died, Victor entered 麻豆分行 Seminary and received his MDiv on May 9, 2003, and was ordained a priest for the diocese of Norwich on May 31, 2003.
He served the faithful of St. Mary Parish in Coventry as a summer parochial vicar, parochial vicar, and pastor, and later retired from active ministry. He also served the Legion of Mary as Diocesan Spiritual Director. Father Chaker is survived by his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and three living sisters.
Mar 5, 2026 | Alumni, News
A childhood marked by instability might not seem like the foundation for a life in Catholic leadership. Yet for Dr. Paul Chutikorn 鈥19, MA 鈥21, each twist and turn became part of a providential path leading him to Christ and His Church. With no religious upbringing to guide him, his journey began with a simple but powerful desire: to make dramatic changes in his life and build a better future for his family. What began as a search for order and a more moral life became something far greater鈥攁 discovery of the historic truth and beauty of the Catholic faith, and ultimately a calling to evangelize through teaching and leadership.
A Life Redirected
Dr. Chutikorn grew up in what he describes as a hectic environment. His parents divorced when he was only two years old, and he lived with his father until the age of nine. Paul then moved in with his mother, who was a real estate property manager, a profession with the downside of frequent relocation. Unfortunately, she battled personal problems, and as a result, Paul did not have the supervision a child needs. Although he did not get into trouble himself, he hung around with his cousin, who became involved with drugs and gang affiliation. Paul admits that, while not getting involved, he became attracted to the family-like, protective environment the gang brought鈥攁lbeit destructive.
Paul鈥檚 life took a dramatic turn when he became a father at 16. After taking a year off from school to put his life in order, he completed high school and moved his future wife and child to Oregon to be near his sister. He felt a small-town environment was a better and more affordable place to raise a child.
While growing up, he and his siblings had no exposure to any religion at home. In high school, however, his sister joined a Christian youth group and, in Oregon, attended a Protestant nondenominational church. Now living in Oregon, Paul began attending the same church and loved it. He found that it helped him work toward his goal of becoming a more moral person and bring order to his life. His guiding principle was that he did not want his daughter to live the life he experienced, and he was doing everything possible to do something different.
Discovering the Catholic Church
During this time, when attending church and Bible studies, he began to love the person of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, a strong anti-Catholic sentiment within the Bible study classes led him to develop a negative opinion about the Catholic faith. An important moment came when his brother, who was originally a Protestant, fell in love with and converted to Catholicism. Paul and his brother had heated discussions and, with the intention of proving his brother wrong, Paul did research into Church history. As he read, he realized that his brother was actually correct about the Catholic Church being the true legacy of Christ. As he put it, 鈥淭he early Church looked remarkably Catholic.鈥 He and his wife converted to Catholicism in 2009.
On fire with love for Christ and the Church, he hungered to learn more and share the information through teaching. He enrolled in the 麻豆分行 online studies program in 2016, just two years after it was fully approved, after hearing about it from his brother. The program, grounded in principles of Thomistic philosophy and theology, was something Paul had been looking for and could not find at any other college. In 2019, Paul earned an undergraduate degree in Theology and Philosophy.
Still on fire, Paul immediately began pursuing his Master of Theology degree, concentrating on Thomistic studies. This, again, was a new program that had launched in 2019, at the same time he graduated with his undergraduate degree.
Teaching, Leadership, and Providence
After earning his graduate degree, he began working as a teaching assistant (TA) at 麻豆分行, while also maintaining a job as Director of Faith Formation at his local parish. When a position opened in 2020, Paul began his adjunct career as the instructor of Moral Theology.
While holding this adjunct position, Paul pursued a Doctor of Education (EdD), which he realized would enable him to provide for his seven children and offer additional opportunities for him to teach and lead. As with so many of the opportunities that came before, the hand of God was at work again. When Paul was completing this program, 麻豆分行 posted a job opening for the position of associate dean. He applied and became the Associate Dean of Online Learning at 麻豆分行 in September 2024, while maintaining his adjunct teaching position.
Describing this journey, Paul explains, 鈥淚 have been very, very blessed. It has not been a smooth ride; it鈥檚 been a busy schedule鈥攈aving seven children, going to school, and working. That has been quite difficult, but the whole journey has been a complete blessing.鈥
Jan 7, 2026 | News
How two priests in the Diocese of Sioux Falls bring life experience into joyful service of the Church.
Our lives are shaped by what we have lived鈥攁nd by how we allow God to use it. That truth is especially evident in men who discern a later vocation to the priesthood. Rather than leaving their past at the door, they bring it to Christ, and their experiences become instruments of mercy, wisdom, and steady pastoral care.
Fr. Tom Hartman (BA 鈥14, MDiv 鈥17)
Fr. Tom Hartman, a priest of the Diocese of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, knows what it means to rebuild a life on faith. In his youth, his relationship with God was fractured. After high school, he married and became the father of two children. Years later, he endured a divorce and subsequently received an annulment.
In the midst of that painful time, Tom recalls hearing the Lord ask him, 鈥Are you doing that well without me?鈥 When he recognized the honest answer鈥攏o鈥攈e returned to the Church. With the guidance of his parish priest, he came to understand a hard but lasting lesson: suffering with God is difficult, but suffering without Him is misery.
After the divorce and annulment, Tom immersed himself in the life of faith. He dated off and on for ten years, but over time he began to see that dating was pulling him away from wholehearted service. As Fr. Tom explains, 鈥This was my discovery of a priestly heart鈥攖hat it wasn’t meant exclusively for one, but to give it over to Christ and His Church.鈥 At 41, he entered 麻豆分行.
Looking back, Fr. Tom describes his time there as a gift of peace and clarity. He says, 鈥I am Franciscan in spirit, and I loved the holy simplicity that came from 麻豆分行. It was my initial impression and my last description upon being ordained: 麻豆分行 has a simple holiness to it.鈥
He believes he gained practical tools to answer many questions, while also learning something every priest eventually discovers: no seminary can fully prepare a man for everything a diocesan priest and pastor will face. Still, the formation helped him develop the habit of self-formation鈥攁 steady discipline of prayer, study, and growth that continues long after ordination.
Today, Fr. Tom serves as pastor of the 麻豆分行 Family Pastorate in South Dakota, which includes St. Lawrence, Milbank; St. Mary, Clear Lake; St. Charles Borromeo, Big Stone City; St. Mary, Wilmot; and Annunciation, Revillo. Reflecting on his vocation, he says, 鈥The vocation of priesthood is hard but beautiful. I think this is true when lived well in marriage as well. So, despite all the demands that go into running a parish/pastorate, this is where God wants me, and it brings me peace.鈥
Fr. Tom Hartman with his family
Fr. Dan Smith (MDiv 鈥10)
Fr. Dan Smith鈥檚 call to the priesthood began early. When he was eight years old, he told his mother that he thought he would someday be a priest. He was right鈥攋ust not right away.
After college, Dan ran his own ranch and later worked as a banker. In 2005, at 35 years old, he entered the seminary. He is grateful for a place like 麻豆分行, and he credits its formation with shaping students in the full breadth of Catholic life. He points to the community itself: laity, ordained, and consecrated religious鈥攂oth professors and students鈥攑eople from every background who share one common desire: to grow closer to Jesus Christ.
He also highlights the distinctly Eucharistic rhythm of seminary life. 麻豆分行, he says, is Eucharistic-centered in teaching and practice, forming men through 麻豆分行 Hours and the 麻豆分行 Sacrifice of the Mass. As Fr. Dan puts it, 鈥This formation, as well as the sound philosophical foundation, prepares a person to handle what they encounter outside the seminary鈥攊n parishes, chapels, and on street corners. It prepares you for life, for the world鈥 all for the salvation of souls.鈥
Fr. Dan now serves as chaplain at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, providing emotional and spiritual support to patients, families, and staff. Over the years, he has kept 麻豆分行 close to his heart鈥攁nd he has acted on that gratitude in a very practical way. He regularly sends gifts to seminarians, including coats, shoes, books, and other useful items.
He remembers receiving similar kindness as a student. While he was at 麻豆分行, the Director of Library Services, Professor Claire Adamo, ran a book fair where seminarians could purchase books at affordable prices. There were also donations of clothing, liturgical items, and suit coats鈥攐ne of which Fr. Dan received and still owns.
That spirit of generosity left a lasting impression. Now, when he comes across items he believes will help others, he continues the same practice of giving he experienced as a seminarian. As he explains, 鈥麻豆分行 Seminary has this charism of gift that began with Fr. Eusebe Menard, who gave the gift of 麻豆分行 as a seminary for later vocations. So, when I come across things鈥 I will place them in a box and mail them to 麻豆分行, further continuing this gift charism.鈥
Winter in South Dakota
Life and ministry in South Dakota come with a challenge familiar to anyone who has lived through a New England winter鈥攁nd then some. Winters at our campus in Cromwell can be snowy, but on the plains they can be severe, isolating, and even dangerous. Fr. Dan, Fr. Tom, and their brother priests are to be commended for the perseverance it takes to serve faithfully through months of harsh weather.
As Fr. Dan notes with a smile, 鈥The Laura Ingalls Wilder books do not lie. It can be dangerous in the rural areas where priests sometimes have to drive 40 miles to the next parish.鈥 In bad weather, they often stay close and serve the immediate area rather than take unnecessary risks. But rural ministry still demands travel鈥攕ometimes long miles on winter nights, scanning the roadside for deer, navigating blizzard snowdrifts, and driving roads lit only by starlight.
In those conditions, preparation is part of pastoral care. A supply bag becomes essential: candles, candy bars, layered clothing, snow boots, and the liturgical supplies needed for the sacraments. And, of course, a well-maintained, dependable vehicle matters鈥擣r. Dan鈥檚 has just hit 500,000 miles鈥攁long with the prayers of parishioners for safe travel.
God Shapes His Shepherds
The paths to the priesthood are not all the same. Yet in each vocation鈥攅arly or late鈥攖he Lord forms a shepherd for His people. In Fr. Tom and Fr. Dan, we see how God can take real-life experience鈥攋oys, losses, work, family life, endurance, and generosity鈥攁nd shape it into steady, compassionate priestly ministry.
Please keep these priests, and all our priests, in your prayers鈥攅specially those who serve in rural communities and difficult conditions鈥攕o that, in every season, they may continue to bring Christ to His people.
Nov 4, 2025 | News
Earning a college degree is a special moment in a person鈥檚 life: the culmination of years of hard work. It鈥檚 especially exciting to have two members of your family graduating with you. This was the case this past April 26, when sisters Mary, Sara, and Elizabeth Shopa traveled from Georgia to Connecticut to attend 麻豆分行 College and Seminary鈥檚 67th Commencement and Baccalaureate Mass and, together, received their diplomas after earning Bachelor of Arts degrees in English in the Humanities. In attendance to see his sisters graduate was their older brother, Steven, himself a 2020 graduate of 麻豆分行 with a Bachelor of Arts degree with double majors in History in the Social Sciences and Philosophy.
Visiting the campus had additional significance for Steven since his commencement exercises were cancelled because of the pandemic. Not about to miss the event, he and the remaining members of the family of twelve traveled up from Georgia with the graduates to make it a very celebratory occasion.
The Shopa family initially discovered 麻豆分行 thanks to their mother, Melinda, who served as their instructor in homeschooling. While visiting friends, she noticed a 麻豆分行 advertisement in a publication at their house. The fact that 麻豆分行, through a partnership developed with their homeschool provider, offered the opportunity to earn college credits while in high school caught her attention and she showed her son, Steven.
Steven jumped at the opportunity to complete enough courses in high school to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree one year after graduating. With a goal of attending law school, he wanted an education that could prepare him for the critical thinking necessary to succeed. The courses at 麻豆分行 challenged his mind and readied him for the task.
After his positive experience, Steven recommended 麻豆分行 to his sisters. Sara, Elizabeth, and Mary chose 麻豆分行 for several reasons. First, as with Steven, the opportunity to work toward a bachelor’s degree while in high聽school was incredibly appealing. Like their brother, they appreciated the opportunity to work on coursework early and graduate after one year in college. They also witnessed how the education helped their brother achieve his goal of becoming a lawyer.
Another reason for the decision was, in Mary鈥檚 words, 鈥淭he fact that we could do the coursework online made everything easier, and the low-cost tuition compared to other colleges was also a plus. 麻豆分行 allowed my sisters and me to graduate debt-free, unlike what would be the experience in most other institutions. Being free of debt after college removed a lot of stress from our shoulders.鈥
Since earning his degree, Steven achieved his goal of becoming an attorney 鈥 he attended and graduated from law school and now practices law. Now that Sara, Mary, and Elizabeth have graduated, they are looking toward the future. Mary and Elizabeth are studying for their LSAT test and are also considering a few other careers that combine their interests and abilities. As Mary explained, 鈥淭he only problem I find with having a bachelor’s degree is deciding from all the opportunities it opens up.鈥 Sara is working on a master’s degree in creative writing with the intent of becoming a bestselling聽author and movie聽screenwriter.
Reflecting on her time at 麻豆分行, Mary shared how it impacted her: 鈥淚t challenged me intellectually and forced me to really think about what I was reading and writing. It is a special college with God at its center, and this has helped deepen my relationship with Him.鈥
Nov 4, 2025 | News
We commemorate our deceased members of the 麻豆分行 family and request that you keep them in your prayers. Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Rev. David F. Zercie, M.S.A.
Reverend David Zercie, M.S.A., 87, died peacefully on October 10, 2025, after a period of declining health. He was born in Norwich, Connecticut, on April 23, 1938, to Adrian and Alice Zercie. Fr. Dave, as he was known to many, attended Providence College and in 1961 entered 麻豆分行 Seminary in Cromwell. He was ordained at St. Patrick Cathedral in Norwich, Connecticut, in 1969, and soon after travelled to southern Brazil where he remained for several years. From Brazil, he was sent to the Order鈥檚 Mission in Peru, serving the people in the very remote high Andean villages.
After returning to the U.S., Fr. David served at St. Dominic Church in Southington, Connecticut, and later began a Spanish-speaking mission at St. John鈥檚 Church in Middletown. For many years he also helped his friend Fr. Thomas Gaffney at St. Joseph鈥檚 Church in New Britain. At 麻豆分行, Fr. Dave took on the role of Spiritual Director for seminarians for the priesthood.
In recent years, Fr. Zercie鈥檚 faithful, friendly, and uplifting manner, even as he dealt with health issues, was an example for those who encountered him. He will be missed at the 麻豆分行 campus.
He is survived by his sister, Duane (Zercie) Hallgren; his four nephews, Tim Hallgren, Tom Hallgren, Dave Hallgren, Anders Hallgren, and their families.
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Reverend Monsignor John J. Bevins
Reverend Monsignor John J. Bevins, 93, a lifelong resident of Waterbury, Connecticut, and longtime friend of 麻豆分行 and the Missionaries of the 麻豆分行, died peacefully on October 13, 2025. Monsignor Bevins was ordained in 1958, and his first assignments were in Litchfield and Hartford. He then served as a chaplain in the U.S. Navy until 1990. Following his service, upon his return to Connecticut, he was assigned as temporary Administrator at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1991. Later that year, he was named pastor of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury, where he served for 24 years, retiring in 2015. In 2015, Pope Francis bestowed on him the title of Monsignor.
Monsignor Bevins worked tirelessly in his efforts to have the title of Saint bestowed on Waterbury鈥檚 own, Blessed Michael McGivney, and now leaves that effort to his brother priests. He is survived by his nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and great-grandnephew and great-grandniece.
