Jacqueline Roatch, Author at 麻豆分行 College & Seminary /author/guestauthor3/ Live Your Mission Thu, 03 Sep 2026 17:22:45 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.4 /wp-content/uploads/2019/09/cropped-HACS_Small_Gold-32x32.png Jacqueline Roatch, Author at 麻豆分行 College & Seminary /author/guestauthor3/ 32 32 Faith for the Kitchen Table: 麻豆分行 Alum Renzo Ortega on Theology, Marriage & Family Life /renzo-ortega-theology-marriage-family/ Tue, 01 Sep 2026 19:10:41 +0000 /?p=25807 Renzo Ortega and his wife, Monica, started their podcast, Two Become Family, in 2022. In the wake of COVID-19 and virtual marriage prep, the Ortegas decided to launch their ministry after years of work as marriage preparation coordinators and facilitators. Their ministry is built around sharing the practical applications of authentic Catholic theology within marriage […]

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Renzo Ortega and his wife, Monica, started their podcast, , in 2022. In the wake of COVID-19 and virtual marriage prep, the Ortegas decided to launch their ministry after years of work as marriage preparation coordinators and facilitators. Their ministry is built around sharing the practical applications of authentic Catholic theology within marriage and family life. Besides their weekly podcasts, which aim to 鈥渞estore confidence in marriage and family life鈥 through accompaniment and their real-life experience of marriage, the Ortegas are also fellows at the St. John Paul II Foundation and travel nationally as speakers for the marriage conference series.

Today, they have a wide audience in the Catholic sphere and have appeared on features from EWTN and the Knights of Columbus. They have also authored or co-authored three books, including and the family devotional . Renzo is also the author of the forthcoming book Quest for the Male Soul: Discover What Your Life is For, which will be published by Ave Maria Press in January 2027. Their experience of living a Catholic marriage is not only relatable, but also authentically grounded in the perennial truths of the Catholic faith, where they witness the good and the hard coexisting. This hopeful dimension to their work truly makes them Catholic leaders in the New Evangelization. We were happy to sit down with Renzo, who graduated from 麻豆分行 in May 2022 with a Master of Arts in Theology (Apologetics concentration), to hear more about his experience as a student and how that impacts his ministry with his wife.

1. How did studying theology and apologetics at 麻豆分行 shape the way you think about communicating the Catholic faith鈥攏ot just academically, but especially in the context of everyday marriage and family life?

Studying theology and apologetics taught me that communicating the Catholic faith is not just about having the right answer. The truth must be communicated clearly, but it must also be communicated in a way that helps people recognize how that truth speaks into the circumstances of their lived experiences.

Many Catholics know that the Church has beautiful things to say about marriage and family life, but they still struggle with the human, day-to-day reality of living out those teachings. There can be a real gap between understanding the theology of marriage and knowing how to live it around the kitchen table.

My education helped me become more confident in entering that gap, because it gave me the theological foundation to remain faithful to the Church while translating complex ideas without compromising their depth. That has shaped everything Monica and I do. We want people to encounter the wisdom of the Church, but we also want them to feel accompanied by people who understand that marriage is beautiful, sacramental, holy, and also deeply human.

2. You graduated from 麻豆分行 in 2022, the same year you launched Two Become Family with Monica. How did your experience as a student intersect with or prepare you for the ministry you are doing today?

My studies and the launch of Two Become Family were deeply connected. Monica and I began the ministry because young adults we had previously served in youth ministry were entering serious relationships, discerning marriage, and beginning families of their own. They were asking important questions, and we wanted to remain connected with them and continue those conversations.

麻豆分行 gave me the theological framework to engage those questions responsibly. At the same time, our own marriage gave us the lived experience to recognize that people usually need more than information transfer. They need accompaniment, authentic relationships, and the witness of couples who are willing to speak honestly about both the grace of the sacrament and the very real human formation marriage requires.

That intersection has become central to our apostolate. We are not interested in merely repeating theological concepts, but we also don鈥檛 want to offer advice based only on our personal experiences. My time at 麻豆分行 prepared me to do that with greater confidence, clarity, and fidelity.

3. For someone considering studying at 麻豆分行, what would you say they can gain from the experience beyond earning a degree, especially if they hope to use their education in ministry or evangelization?

Beyond earning a degree, 麻豆分行 can give a person the intellectual and spiritual tools to continue learning long after the program ends. Ministry constantly presents questions you have never encountered before. No degree can prepare you with a memorized answer for every pastoral situation, but a strong theological education can teach you where to look, how to think, and how to discern whether an answer is faithful to what the Church has given us.

It can also give you greater humility. The more deeply you enter the treasury of the Church, the more aware you become of how much you do not know. My time at 麻豆分行 did not produce insecurity but freed me from believing that ministry depends upon my ability to be the expert in every room.

For someone hoping to serve in ministry or evangelization, that combination of confidence and humility is incredibly important. You become better equipped to accompany people searching for God, meaning, and direction without making yourself the center of their journey.

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In Memoriam 鈥 April 2026 /in-memoriam-april-2026/ Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:34:53 +0000 /?p=23899 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 […]

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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.

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God鈥檚 Hand at Work: Dr. Paul Chutikorn鈥檚 Journey to the Catholic Faith /gods-hand-at-work-dr-paul-chutikorns-journey-to-the-catholic-faith-2/ Thu, 05 Mar 2026 13:55:33 +0000 /?p=23611 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 […]

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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

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Later Vocations, Lasting Gifts /later-vocations-lasting-gifts/ Wed, 07 Jan 2026 20:27:25 +0000 /?p=23163 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 […]

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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.

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.

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.

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Siblings Celebrate Shared Success at 麻豆分行 /siblings-celebrate-shared-success-at-holy-apostles/ Tue, 04 Nov 2025 15:22:52 +0000 /?p=22661 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 […]

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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

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In Memoriam 鈥 November 2025 /in-memoriam-november-2025/ Tue, 04 Nov 2025 15:18:19 +0000 /?p=22657 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 […]

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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.

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From Chemistry Lab to Theology Classroom: Alumna Dr. Stacy Trasancos鈥 Journey /from-chemistry-lab-to-theology-classroom-dr-stacy-trasancos-journey/ Wed, 01 Oct 2025 18:51:59 +0000 /?p=22390 At 麻豆分行, one of our greatest strengths is our faculty — both full-time and adjunct. Many are nationally recognized speakers, authors, and experts in their field. Graduates have shared how exciting it was to learn directly from instructors they have long admired outside the classroom. Dr. Stacy Trasancos, MA 鈥14, MA 鈥24, is one […]

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At 麻豆分行, one of our greatest strengths is our faculty — both full-time and adjunct. Many are nationally recognized speakers, authors, and experts in their field. Graduates have shared how exciting it was to learn directly from instructors they have long admired outside the classroom.

Dr. Stacy Trasancos, MA 鈥14, MA 鈥24, is one of our distinguished adjunct faculty members. For her, the road to 麻豆分行 did not follow a straight line, but like many winding paths, the trip proved worthwhile. Her impressive background has been a tremendous asset to the college and seminary.

Her professional journey began in 1991 as a chemistry teacher in Texas. Eager to understand more about the subject, she applied and was accepted into the graduate program at Penn State, where she earned her PhD in chemistry. After completing her studies, she went on to work as a senior research chemist at DuPont.

Though raised a Baptist in Texas, Stacy lost her belief in God during high school. In 2003, she began to rethink her decision and initiated a journey to the Catholic faith. The teacher-turned-chemist became a stay-at-home mother, homeschooling her children — who she humorously describes as highly complex composite systems with rational souls — while teaching online high school classes.

In 2014, after receiving an M.A. in dogmatic theology from 麻豆分行, she began teaching online classes in a range of subjects, including chemistry, physics, mathematics, and theology (Reading Science in the Light of Faith and Evolution and Catholic Thought). As a professor at 麻豆分行, she was able to incorporate her scientific brain with her Catholic faith and enlighten students on how science and religion are not enemies. In fact, science was born out of religion.

Never one to stop learning, she earned an M.A. in systematic philosophy from 麻豆分行 in 2024. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in philosophy at St. Patrick’s Pontifical University in Ireland.

Dr. Timothy Smith, Dr. Matthew Ramage, Dr. Kristina Olsen, and Dr. Stacy Trasancos

Recently, Dr. Trasancos was appointed to the position of Undergraduate and Dual Enrollment Program Director at 麻豆分行. In this leadership position, her key responsibilities include curriculum development, course scheduling, academic advisement, enrollment and retention oversight, and program assessment. With experience as both a student and a professor, Dr. Trasancos brings a unique dual perspective to the position, allowing her to understand and serve the needs of both students and faculty.

In addition to her academic work, she is also an author of several books, her latest of which is , which looks at this topic through scientific, philosophical, and theological lenses. Dr. Trasancos has also contributed to , , and , to name a few.

Beyond her professional achievements, Stacy is a devoted mother of seven and grandmother of seven. She considers this her proudest and most important role.

 

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Alumnus Establishes Faith Communities for Young Adults /alumnus-establishes-faith-communities-for-young-adults/ Mon, 01 Sep 2025 17:41:20 +0000 /?p=22285 Alex Soucy, a 2023 graduate, is an example of someone living the missionary charism of evangelization that is the vision of 麻豆分行 College & Seminary. Alex is the co-founder of Crossroads 4 Christ (C4C), an organization that brings young adults together to form communities of missionary disciples. Crossroads 4 Christ enables young adults to […]

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Alex Soucy, a 2023 graduate, is an example of someone living the missionary charism of evangelization that is the vision of 麻豆分行 College & Seminary. Alex is the co-founder of , an organization that brings young adults together to form communities of missionary disciples. Crossroads 4 Christ enables young adults to gather and discuss Christ in an environment that seeks to better their relationship with the Lord. Alex was born into the Catholic faith but considered it simply one of the many facets of his life. Then, in his senior year of high school, he attended an impactful retreat that changed him.

For one thing, prayer became part of his daily routine. In college, Alex became part of a faith community. Upon graduating, however, he experienced the lack of a solid community of young adults at the parish level. After traveling to see Pope Francis in Philadelphia during the 麻豆分行 Father鈥檚 2015 U.S. visit, Alex and his friend, Travis Moran, formed Crossroads 4 Christ, taking to heart the pontiff鈥檚 call to be missionary disciples and servant leaders. On October 1, 2015, they held the first C4C meeting at the Willimantic Brewing Company with two other people. After some time for discussion of faith, everyone traveled to St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel in Storrs for a 麻豆分行 Hour of Eucharistic Adoration, which served as the focal point of the evening. The group only grew from there.

Before they knew it, they had 25-30 young adults attending the first chapter in Columbia, Connecticut. Then came a chapter in New Haven in January 2017. There are now seven chapters throughout Connecticut, and all three dioceses are interested in increasing that number. There has also been extraordinary interest regionally. Launching each new chapter, however, takes training, work, and time. The mission of C4C is to develop communities of young adult missionary disciples, and the payoff is that young adults are encountering the Lord. As Rev. Anthony Federico, the Vocations Director of the , wrote in a letter about Crossroads 4 Christ, 鈥淚t is not a stretch to say that C4C is the brightest and most promising initiative in the Archdiocese of Hartford today.鈥 He went on to say that 鈥渁 disproportionate number of young men from C4C are coming forward to discern a vocation to the priesthood.鈥 That news is exciting.z

After years of self-study about the Catholic faith, Alex felt the desire to further this spiritual formation in a formal setting. He was somewhat familiar with 麻豆分行 through its hosting of Catholic Underground in years past. When examining further, Alex explained, 鈥淚 started to hear about some of the fantastic alumni of 麻豆分行, like Matt Fradd, Trent Horn, and Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, and thought, 鈥楾his college is 10 minutes away from me, and people who are really well-respected, well-known leaders in the Catholic world in the U.S. have received amazing formation from 麻豆分行.鈥欌 He also learned that it was very affordable, truly faithful to the Magisterium, and on the Newman Guide, which added to the selling points for him. Finally, he felt that the online asynchronous format with its flexible schedule was a good fit, and he enrolled. In 2023, Alex received his Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies with a concentration in Youth and Young Adult Ministry, which he feels strengthened him personally in his faith and equipped him to be the leader that the Lord is calling him to be at C4C.

Regarding 麻豆分行, Alex explained, 鈥淭he Lord gave C4C an effective model of young adult ministry that so many parishes and dioceses are searching for. But at 麻豆分行, I learned more at a macro scale that there was a need throughout the nation for more of this, so that was helpful.鈥 When asked to reflect on his 10-year journey with C4C, Alex paused. 鈥淭here is a mystery behind who the Lord calls for specific roles. Sometimes I think, 鈥榃ow, Lord, you called me to be one of the co-founders and executive director of now what is the largest parish-based Catholic, young adult ministry in New England鈥︹ It鈥檚 humbling. But I think the saying, 鈥楾he Lord doesn鈥檛 call the equipped, he equips the called鈥 is spot on.鈥 Alex went on to say, 鈥淐alling myself, calling Travis, calling over 100 servant leaders, at this point, over the past 10 years to step up and be a part of this revival in the state of Connecticut. That鈥檚 been a great honor and blessing.鈥

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In Memoriam 鈥 September 2025 /in-memoriam-september-2025/ Mon, 01 Sep 2025 17:22:37 +0000 /?p=22282 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. Thomas […]

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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. Thomas F. Egan
Reverend Thomas F. Egan, 82, of Worcester, Massachusetts, died on Friday, July 18, 2025, after a brief illness. Fr. Egan was born and raised in Woonsocket, RI, where he graduated from Woonsocket High School. In 1967 he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from 麻豆分行.

Fr. Egan knew from a young age that he wanted to be a priest. He was ordained in 1975 at Christ the King Church in Worcester, Rhode Island, by Bishop Timothy J. Harrington and celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination this past May.

Those who knew him explained that he had a warm, generous spirit and formed lasting friendships throughout his life. He is survived by his siblings Joanne Egan Shea, Kensington, Maryland, Jay A. Egan, Honolulu, Hawaii, and brother-in-law Albert J. Didden, Jr., Kensington, Maryland. He was also an uncle and great uncle to many
whom he cherished.

Rev. Joseph J. Cretella
Reverend Joseph J. Cretella, Jr., 87, of Madison, Alabama, formerly of Wallingford, Connecticut, died peacefully at home on August 9, 2025.

Ordained as a Deacon in June 1978, he served faithfully for many years. After the death of his wife Rose Ann in 2007, he began studies for the priesthood at 麻豆分行 Seminary and was ordained on May 15, 2010, at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph by the Archbishop of Hartford, the Most Reverend Henry Mansell. Fr. Cretella retired from active ministry in 2015 at the age of 77.

He is survived by his children, Joseph J. Cretella III and his wife, Melissa Cretella, of Milford, Connecticut; Natalie Hoha and her husband, David Hoha, of Madison, Alabama; his siblings, Thomas Cretella of Clinton, Connecticut, and Joan Marotto of Wallingford, Connecticut; as well as his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Monsignor Charles P. Coen
Monsignor Charles P.聽Coen, 91,聽died on December 26, 2024, at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx, N.Y. Born on April 10, 1933, in Drimnamuckla, Woodford, Co. Galway, Ireland, he was the sixth child in a family of nine children.

He arrived in the U.S. in 1955 at the age of 21 and worked for 4 years in Upstate New York before entering 麻豆分行 Seminary and becoming part of the Class of 1962. He completed seminary in Yonkers, New York, was ordained in 1968, and enjoyed many assignments in the New York Archdiocese,聽where he was assigned pastor and eventually monsignor.

Monsignor Coen retired in 2008 at the age of 75. After retirement, he resided in the Catskill Mountains region (Greenville, NY) and continued to celebrate Mass at churches as far as 50 miles away. In 2017 he moved to the Cardinal Egan residence for retired priests in the Bronx, New York, where he remained until his most recent illness.

He is survived by siblings Sr. Concepta (May), Sr. Patrice (Betty), and Anthony and his wife, Mary; his sister-in-law, Julia; and his brother-in-law, Martin O鈥橫alley.

麻豆分行 gratefully acknowledges the generous gift from Monsignor Coen. We also extend our thanks to Mary Collins for facilitating the disposition of these funds. Their generosity is deeply appreciated and the funds will be used to continue the vision of 麻豆分行 to cultivate Catholic leaders for the purpose of evangelization.

Gary Louis Morella
Gary Louis Morella, 78, of Lemont, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on August 14, 2025. He was born on Sept 13, 1946, in Pittsburg, Kansas.

During the Vietnam War period between 1968 and 1972 he was a member of the Naval Security Group Command, doing fleet support for the Navy and Marines.

Gary received a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics with a minor in Physics from Pittsburg State University in Kansas and earned a Master of Engineering in Acoustics from Penn State. He worked various engineering positions with companies such as Texas Instruments, Gulf Oil, HRB Singer (Raytheon), and the Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University, where he retired after 25 years.

His Catholic faith was of great importance to him, and he earned a Master of Arts in Philosophy from 麻豆分行 in May 2005.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years Margaret, three sons, Craig, Kevin, and Colin, and his grandchildren.

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In Memoriam 鈥 July 2025 /in-memoriam-july-2025/ Tue, 01 Jul 2025 13:41:30 +0000 /?p=21875 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. Dr. James […]

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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.

Dr. James 鈥淛im鈥 Bechler Sendelbach, Ed.D., LPC85, of Conyers, Georgia, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, March 2, 2025. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Dr. Susan Sendelbach and numerous family members.

James proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era as a Morse code specialist, even playing a role in the Cuban Missile Crisis. He earned a B.A., cum laude, from 麻豆分行 College, and went on to receive an Ed.D. in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University and become a mental health counselor. His wife, Susan, explained that 鈥淛im鈥 had wonderful memories of his time at 麻豆分行.

James was a devoted member of St. Pius Catholic Church in Conyers since 1991, and his faith was central to his life.

Fr. Jose Maria Salgado, FSSP, 92, died on March 8, 2025. Born in Tucson, Arizona, Fr. Salgado joined the Army after graduating from high school. He then attended a minor seminary but, after graduating, began a career as an electrical technician.

Years later, Fr. Salgado pursued his vocation again and received a Master of Divinity from 麻豆分行 Seminary before being ordained a priest for the Diocese of Stockton, California in 1993. He loved the Traditional Latin Mass and applied to join the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter in 1994, with incardination taking place in 2001.

Sister Colleen Ann Nagle, 76, a Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist and Executive Director of the Franciscan Life Process Center in Lowell, Michigan, entered eternal life on June 14, after a long and faith-filled battle with cancer and its complications.

While in college working toward a degree in education, Sister Colleen Ann became familiar with the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist and entered the Community in 1973. In 1981, she professed perpetual vows. Sister Colleen Ann spearheaded the construction of the Franciscan Life Process Center north of Lowell, Wisconsin, which provides the space for the many outreaches of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist in West Michigan.

Sister Colleen Ann earned a Master of Arts degree in Theology from 麻豆分行 which was awarded in 2007. She is survived by her Franciscan Community of Sisters, family, and many friends.

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