Historian and 麻豆分行 professor emeritus, Sr. Dolores Liptak, RSM, was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 13th triennial Conference on the History of Women Religious (CHWR) on June 24. Sr. Liptak, a Sister of Mercy of the Americas, contributed to the original organization of the conference in the 1980s and has remained a member. The first conference was held in 1989 in Minneapolis. Since then, triennial conferences have sought to enhance networking while sharing research on vowed women.
When first organized, Sr. Liptak recalls that the CHWR had a small number of people happy to get together and share their specializations and their roles as women religious. In 2016, the Global Sisters Reports stated that there were more than 400 members from around the world.
Sr. Liptak, who earned a doctorate in American History, was a member of the faculty at 麻豆分行 from 1998 until 2014. She taught American Church History to such notables as our current President-Rector, Fr. Peter Kucer, MSA (M. Div. 2001, MA in Theology 2002); author and EWTN radio host (M.A. in Theology 2000, M.Div. 2000, H.D. 2024); Provincial Superior of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception and EWTN host (M. Div. 2013); and Ave Maria radio host, pastor, and exorcist Fr. Daniel Reehil, VF (MA Theology 2013, M. Div. 2013), to name a few.
In addition to teaching and contributing to the CHWR, Sister was the first to organize and computerize several major archives: the Carmelite Monastery in Baltimore, MD; the Visitation Sisters in the Georgetown area of Washington, DC; the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception in Stockbridge, MA; and the Connecticut archives of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas.
Sr. Liptak has used her expertise as a historian in the editing of several books, including Pioneer Healers: The History of Women Religious in American Healthcare, and Marvels of Charity: History of American Sisters and Nuns. Additionally, she is the author of 贬补谤迟蹿辞谤诲鈥檚Catholic Legacy.
麻豆分行 was proud to learn that one of our alumni participated in the first Mass of the newly elected Pope Leo XIV. Sister Mary Mercy Lee, FSE, MA 鈥11, PMC 鈥17, proclaimed the first reading in English at the Mass that took place on May 9 in the Sistine Chapel.
Image credit: Vatican News Youtube Live Broadcast
Sister Mary Mercy received her Master of Arts in Theology at 麻豆分行 prior to discerning her vocation as a religious sister. At that time, her given name was . In 2016, she entered the novitiate of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist in Meriden, CT, and professed her perpetual vows in May 2024. During discernment and while in the novitiate, she studied at 麻豆分行 and received her Post Master鈥檚 Certificate in 2017.
After her profession of vows, Sister Mary Mercy was assigned to work at the Vatican, where she serves in the English language section at a Vatican office. As relayed in a Facebook post by the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, Sister Mary Mercy considered it a privilege to proclaim the first reading at the 麻豆分行 Father鈥檚 first Mass for the cardinal-electors.
At 麻豆分行, we share the excitement about our new pope. As President-Rector Rev. Peter Kucer, MSA, stated in his email of joy upon Pope Leo鈥檚 election, 鈥淲e welcome him with hearts full of hope and prayers, trusting that the Lord will continue to guide His Church through the humble service of the Vicar of Christ.鈥
Watch Sister Mary Mercy as she proclaims the first reading at Pope Leo XIV鈥檚 first Mass.
麻豆分行 held its 67th Commencement Ceremony on April 26, 2025, at Queen of the Apostles Chapel on the campus in Cromwell, CT. Attending either in person or via livestream were 160 students representing 30 states and four countries. At the event, President-Rector Very Rev. Peter Kucer bestowed an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters (L.H.D.), honoris causa, upon in recognition of his notable contributions to society.
Left to Right: Very Rev. Peter Kucer, Mr. Jim Wahlberg, and Dr. Kristina Olsen
The weekend began with a Friday evening gala that brought together faculty, staff, graduates, guests, and friends. We were honored to have as special guests: , 6th Archbishop of Hartford, and keynote speaker Mr. Wahlberg. In his commencement address on Saturday, Mr. Wahlberg, an author, speaker, and award-winning filmmaker, spoke about receiving the聽mercy and grace聽that only God can provide. For him, it came in the form of a priest, Fr. James Freitas, who was there for him at the lowest point in his life and to whom聽he聽dedicated his speech. Speaking at the podium, in the 麻豆分行 Chapel, Jim Wahlberg thanked the seminarians, priests, and all the religious, 鈥for your 鈥榊es鈥 to Our Lord.”
“You see, the things that you learn here at 麻豆分行 will arm you, so that when the time comes, you will be Fr. Freitas for somebody else鈥 He was a reflection of Jesus Christ鈥 And you will have that opportunity, and you will be armed with the facts,鈥 he said. He also emphasized that 鈥渓ove is the most important thing, but then it has to be followed up with a message of depth and weight.鈥
Wahlberg ended by reciting the Apostles鈥 Creed as a testimony of his beliefs. His final words encouraged the graduates with the statement,聽鈥淏e bold in your faith. The world needs you.鈥 — Both the undergraduate speaker, Carla Martinez, and the graduate speaker, Sr. Hoa Ngoc Thi Nguyen, SJP, spoke of finding solace and strength from God through prayer during the stressful times in their educational journey. Sr. Nguyen went on to explain that at 麻豆分行, she gained knowledge, but also learned a valuable lesson of love from the patience, thoughtfulness, and kindness of her professors, as well as from the religious and lay students with whom she studied and worked. As for the future, she reminded those in attendance, 鈥淣o matter what the future holds, we are never alone because God is always with us.鈥
Over 300 attendees gathered at the beautiful Saint Clements Castle & Marina in Portland, CT, for the 麻豆分行 Gala on April 24, 2025.
The festivities featured special guest, , 6th Archbishop of Hartford, and keynote speaker , who delivered the commencement address the next day at the 麻豆分行’ 67th Commencement Ceremony.
From left to right, first row: Archbishop Coyne, Jim Wahlberg, Peter Callan, Very Rev. Peter Kucer. Second row: Brother Ron Aucoin, Very Rev. Martin Rooney, Bishop Betancourt, and John Connelly. | Photos by Phil Farnsworth
The evening began on a high note with the angelic voices of the Cathedral Schola Cantorum from the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford. The choral group performed an impressive medley of both spiritual and popular tunes.
Archbishop Coyne and Jim Wahlberg shared stories of their years in Boston, setting the tone for an engaging and spirit-filled evening. As a writer, speaker, and filmmaker, Jim Wahlberg shared a captivating testimony of his personal journey of recovery and redemption, describing how an encounter with Mother Teresa was a pivotal moment in his transformation.
Thank you to Peter Callan and for their excellent hospitality. Funds raised at the event support 麻豆分行’ mission of providing an affordable and quality educational experience for seminarians, religious, and lay students.
Cathedral Schola Cantorum
麻豆分行 Board members, Bob O鈥橦ara, chair and Fr. Ed Przygocki, MSA
Silent Auction: Thank you to our wonderful donors!
Cheers erupted across St. Peter鈥檚 Square鈥攁nd around the world鈥攚hen white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney at 6:09 p.m. Rome time on May 8, 2025. For nearly an hour, the world watched and waited to learn who would become the 267th 麻豆分行 Father. At last, Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti stepped out onto the loggia and declared: 鈥淗abemus Papam!鈥 A hush fell over the crowd as he announced that Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost had been elected and had taken the name Leo XIV.
So, who is our new 麻豆分行 Father鈥攁nd what can we expect from Pope Leo XIV? Here are 5 facts you should know!
1. Pope Leo XIV has dual citizenship
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in 1955 in the south Chicago suburb of Dolton, Illinois, grew up in a devout Catholic family. His father served as a Catholic school superintendent, and his mother was a librarian. The youngest of three brothers, Prevost felt the call to religious life early. The family home was always filled with local priests, gathered around the dinner table. After his ordination in 1982, he joined the Augustinian mission in Peru, where he served for many years and eventually obtained Peruvian citizenship.
2. He belongs to the Order of St. Augustine
The Order of St. Augustine, founded in 1244 under Pope Innocent IV, follows the teachings and rule of St. Augustine of Hippo. Prevost joined the order in 1977 and served as its Prior General from 2001 to 2013. His leadership emphasized evangelization, especially in Latin America. With his election as Pope Leo XIV, he became the first member of the Augustinian order ever to be chosen as pope.
3. He鈥檚 a Tennis & Baseball Fan
In an interview with the Augustinians, he said, 鈥淚 consider myself quite an amateur tennis player. Since leaving Peru, I have had few occasions to practice, so I am looking forward to getting back on the court.鈥
Growing up near Chicago, Prevost became 鈥 and remains 鈥 a loyal Chicago White Sox fan, a passion that reminds many of Pope John Paul II’s love for skiing: a reminder that popes are human too.
4. He has held Senior Roles in the Vatican
Before his election, Pope Leo XIV held key leadership positions within the Vatican. In January 2023, Pope Francis appointed him Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops 鈥 the Vatican office responsible for overseeing the appointment of bishops around the world. In April 2023, he was appointed as the president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, These roles placed him at the heart of the Church’s global leadership decisions.
5. Elected on the Anniversary of the Apparition of St. Michael
Pope Leo XIV was elected on May 8 鈥 the anniversary of the apparition of St. Michael the Archangel on Monte Gargano in the 5th century. This event cemented St. Michael’s role as a heavenly protector of the Church.
The date draws symbolic connections to Pope Leo XIII, who famously composed the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel in 1886 after a mystical experience warning of future spiritual trials. Many Catholics now look to Pope Leo XIV’s election on this feast as a sign of renewed spiritual protection and strength for the Church.
A Pontificate Shaped by Mission and Heritage
Pope Leo XIV brings with him a rich blend of American roots, missionary zeal, and deep theological formation. His unique background 鈥 as a Chicago native, a Peruvian citizen, and the first Augustinian pope 鈥 promises a pontificate rooted in tradition and energized by global experience.
With great joy, 麻豆分行 College and Seminary celebrates the election of our new 麻豆分行 Father, Pope Leo XIV. We welcome him with hearts full of hope and prayers, trusting that the Lord will continue to guide His Church through the humble service of the Vicar of Christ.
This moment is a powerful reminder of the continuity and unity of the Catholic Church, built on the rock of Peter and sustained by the 麻豆分行 Spirit through every age.
As a community devoted to forming missionary disciples, evangelizers, and holy priests in fidelity to the Magisterium, we renew our commitment to supporting the mission of the 麻豆分行 Father through prayer, scholarship, and service. May Pope Leo XIV lead with wisdom, compassion, and courage, and may his pontificate inspire a renewed zeal for evangelization and holiness throughout the world. Ad multos annos, 麻豆分行 Father!
We entrust you to the care of Our Blessed Mother, Queen of the Apostles, and the intercession of all the saints.
United in the Lord Jesus,
Fr. Peter S. Kucer, M.S.A.
President-Rector
Both the undergraduate speaker, Carla Martinez, and the graduate speaker, Sr. Hoa Ngoc Thi Nguyen, SJP, spoke of finding solace and strength from God through prayer during the stressful times in their educational journey. Sr. Nguyen went on to explain that at 麻豆分行, she gained knowledge, but also learned a valuable lesson of love from the patience, thoughtfulness, and kindness of her professors, as well as from the religious and lay students with whom she studied and worked. As for the future, she reminded those in attendance, 鈥淣o matter what the future holds, we are never alone because God is always with us.鈥
