On March 12, 麻豆分行 welcomed a group of alumni priests, brothers, deacons and friends for a gathering with the Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy, Bishop of Norwich, CT. Alumni from Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Louisiana attended. It was a great opportunity for everyone to reconnect. The evening included a reception and dinner followed by exposition, benediction and night prayer.

Below are a few photos from the gathering. Photo credit to Jacqueline Marie Photography.

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Deacon Matthew Newsome (Master of Theology, 2008, and current student in the Master of Sacred Scripture program) has published a book of reflections on the Mass entitled “.” This book grew out of a series of retreat talks he has given to help ordinary Catholics understand the heavenly mysteries that take place upon the altars of their churches each time the Mass is offered, and the importance of our sacred duty to offer worship to the Almighty God. If you or someone you know has ever asked, “Why do we go to Mass, anyway? Why can’t we just worship God on our own?” this is the book to read.

Alumna Madonna Murphy, M.A. Theology 2010, has a book coming out this May 2026 with Scepter Publishers, “.” A Treasure for the Church brings together St. Josemar铆a’s personal, heartfelt answers to real-life questions posed during his catechetical gatherings in Spain (1972) and throughout Latin America (1974-1975). Drawn from his conversations with parents, educators, and youth, this book captures his timeless, practical advice for forming Christian character at home, in school, and in the world.

Student Jeff Plante has published his newest book, 鈥�.鈥� It is unlike any other Catholic daily Scripture devotional; completely dedicated to the love of our neighbors. It is an ethos of Christianity鈥t is core to our faith鈥t is how we are called to live. In our daily immersion in the Word of God, specifically oriented on love of neighbor, may we grow closer to each other and, by extension, closer to Him in the process.

Student Carol D鈥橲ouza has published a new article in the Spring 2026 issue of Co鈥慠edemptrix magazine, titled 鈥�In You, Lord, No One Can See Your Face, But in Mary We See Your Beauty.鈥� The magazine, produced by the Marian Franciscans of the Immaculate in England, focuses this issue on the Trinitarian鈥慚arian mystery, especially the relationship between Our Lady and God the Father. Carol鈥檚 contribution explores a topic that has received little theological attention, offering readers a deeper understanding of this profound and beautiful mystery. It鈥檚 a wonderful opportunity to engage with fresh scholarship on Mary鈥檚 unique place within the life of the Trinity.

Alumna Anastasia Wambeke recently had the opportunity to write, direct, and star in her very own for one of her film production classes.

Alumnus Dennis Pettit has joined the University of Dallas, Neuhaus Institute of Ministry and Evangelization, as a part-time Adjunct Instructor. Dennis graduated from 麻豆分行 Apistles in 2022 with a Master’s in Theology, concentration in Sacred Scripture.

Alumnus Kaleb Hammond was recently interviewed by Kiki Latimer on the WCAT program “,” about his article for the New Oxford Review entitled “Tolkien’s Insights into the Feminine Soul: Icons of the Virgin Mary in ‘The Lord of the Rings‘”, published last November. The interview was conducted on March 18. The New Liturgical Movement will also be republishing Kaleb鈥檚 article on Dom Prosper Gueranger’s Anti-Liturgical Heresy, entitled ‘The Voice of Tradition,’ originally published with Adoremus Bulletin, on Easter Wednesday.

Alumni Jonathon Fessenden and Philipp Hadden have published their newest book, through Missio Dei Catholic.

Crown of Roses聽is written for modern Catholics in light of the Church鈥檚 timeless teachings and sacred tradition. A book that explores the history, power, and spiritual efficacy of the Rosary. With reflections that speak to souls in every stage of the spiritual journey, and beautiful introduction by Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P., our book brings together the wisdom of Missio Dei鈥檚 own talented authors to help you fall more deeply in love with this powerful Marian prayer鈥攖hrough which Our Lady has promised to obtain for us all that we ask of her.

Alumna Diana Ray, MAPS 2025, accepted residency at Frederick Heath Hospital in their Clinical Pastoral Education program.

Alumna Allison LeDoux has been asked to present a keynote address on “Guardians and Servants of Human Life: Upholding the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services for the Renewal of a Culture of Life in Health Care鈥� at the 21st annual Divine Mercy Medicine, Bioethics, and Spirituality Conference will take place April 29-May 1, 2026 at the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, MA.

Alumnus Christopher Reilly had three articles about artificial intelligence published in March: “” in Catholic World Report, “, and “” in the New Oxford Review.

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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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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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Born Peter John Sheen on May 8, 1895, to farmer Newt Sheen and his wife, Delia, in El Paso, Illinois, the future Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen came under the influence of one of the founders of The Catholic University of America at an early age.

While serving Mass as an 8-year-old altar boy for聽Bishop John L. Spalding聽of Peoria, Sheen dropped a wine cruet on the floor and it shattered. After the Mass, Bishop Spalding spoke to the frightened boy and made two bold predictions about him. First, the bishop said he would one day study at Louvain in Belgium; second, he told the young Sheen, “someday you will be just as I am.”

Sheen went to high school at Spalding Institute, then studied at St. Viator College in Illinois and attended Saint Paul Seminary in Minnesota before his ordination to the priesthood on September 20, 1919. In 1920, he came to the Catholic University of America to continue his studies. He stayed only a year before leaving to pursue advanced study in philosophy at the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium. Five years later, he returned to The Catholic University of America to teach.

For the next 23 years, Catholic University was where Father Sheen honed his skills as a scholar, educator, orator and evangelist. He worked, first in the School of Theology and Religious Studies, then in the School of Philosophy, teaching courses that touched on both Father Sheen’s talents as a preacher did not go unnoticed, even in his early years. In January of 1927, at age 30 and still in his first year of teaching at Catholic University, he was selected to preach at the annual University Mass on the patronal feast of St. Thomas Aquinas. A decade later, it was Monsignor Sheen, not a high-ranking administrator, who was the principal speaker at the University’s Sesquicentennial Celebration. (He had been made a monsignor by Pope Pius XI in 1934 at the age of 39.)

Steadily, the reputation of the young Catholic University professor grew, first on campus, then in wider circles as his brilliant oratory attracted more attention from the media. Father Sheen’s first experience in broadcasting was in 1926 when he was invited to record a series of Sunday evening Lenten sermons on a New York radio station. Four years later, the young priest was asked to be a summer fill-in for two weeks on The Catholic Hour radio program. The audience response was so positive that he was asked to continue as a weekly speaker on the show.

From 1930 to 1950, Father (then Monsignor) Sheen’s weekly talks on聽The Catholic Hour聽presented Catholic teaching in a way that had never been done before. Drawing from the deep well of his faith and scholarship, Professor Sheen addressed topics ranging from devotion to the Blessed Mother to the dangers of Communism. Rooted in his thorough knowledge of the philosophical thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, he preached the Gospel and showed how it applies to personal moral decisions and the great social issues of the time.

In response to his radio broadcasts, Monsignor Sheen received a steady stream of letters. In 1937, he wrote in a letter to University Rector Monsignor Joseph Corrigan, “During the past year letters demanding personal attention have run between 75 and 100 a day. … This, coupled with classes never given with less than six hours preparation for each lecture, has left me physically exhausted. However, the good to be done is such that one dare not shrink from its opportunities for apostolate.”

Many of those letters were invitations to speak. Monsignor Sheen traveled all over the country giving academic lectures, missions, retreats, guest homilies, commencement addresses, and speaking at meetings of various Catholic organizations.

The busy professor not only kept up his聽full teaching schedule聽but also wrote numerous聽books. He published 34 books during his 23-year teaching career at Catholic University (and another 32 after he left the University). In addition, transcripts of his weekly
radio talks were published in dozens of booklets by the show’s sponsor, the National Council of Catholic Men. Many of his other talks and sermons were published as pamphlets. He also was a syndicated columnist in the secular press.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Dieterich, Henry. Compiler. Through the Year with Fulton Sheen. Ann Arbor, MI: Servant Book. 1985
Kossman, Patricia J. Editor. From the Angel鈥檚 Blackboard: The Best of Fulton J. Sheen. Liguore, MS: Triumph Books. 1995
Ladd, Gregory Joseph. Archbishop Fulton Sheen: A Man for all Media. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press. 2001
Murphy, Myles P. The Life and Times of Archbishop Fulton J Sheen. New York, NY: Alba House. 2000.
Sheen, Fulton J. Lift up Your Heart. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Book Company. 1950
Sheen, Fulton J. Life is Worth Living. Garden City, NY: Garden City Book. 1953
Sheen, Fulton J. The World鈥檚 Great Love: The Prayer of the Rosary. New York, NY: Seabury Press. 1978
Sheen, Fulton J. Way to Inner Peace. New York, NY: Alba House. 2000
Sheen, Fulton J. Your Life is Worth Living: The Christian Philosophy of Life. Schnecksville, PA: St. Andrews Press. 2001
Sheen, Fulton J. The Priest is not His Own. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press. 2004
Sheen, Fulton J. The World鈥檚 First Love, Mary, Mother of God. San Francisco, CA: St. Ignatius Press. 2010
Sherwood, Timothy. The Preaching of Archbishop Fulton Sheen. New York, NY: Lexington Books. 2011

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Date: Thursday, January 22
Time: 4:05 鈥� 5:00 PM (ET)
In-Person: 麻豆分行鈥� St. Peter’s Refectory
Live Stream:

This talk is especially timely and meaningful, as it directly relates to our commitment to upholding the dignity of human life. We warmly encourage everyone to attend and to help promote this event among your students and colleagues.

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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.

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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. He 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.

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Now, that tradition of excellence extends fully to our , marking a major moment in the life of our institution.

What the Newman Guide Recognition Means

The serves as a trusted resource for students and families seeking faithful Catholic higher education. Institutions and programs listed in the Guide are held to high standards, modeled on the Church鈥檚 vision in , Saint John Paul II鈥檚 apostolic constitution on Catholic universities.

To be listed means a program:

• Upholds Catholic moral and doctrinal teaching
• Promotes a faithful Catholic intellectual life
• Encourages virtue, prayer, and service
• Ensures faculty and curriculum remain loyal to the Magisterium

Recognition by the Cardinal Newman Society affirms that 麻豆分行 continues to deliver rigorous, affordable, and authentically Catholic graduate education, fully online and accessible to students around the world.

Forming Missionary Disciples for the Church and the World

At 麻豆分行, our mission is simple and profound: to provide faithful, affordable, and flexible Catholic formation and education in the development of leaders for evangelization. Our graduate programs are designed not just to inform minds, but to transform hearts and equip missionary disciples for the work of the New Evangelization.

We are deeply grateful to our faculty, students, staff, and donors, whose faithful witness and academic excellence made this recognition possible. And above all, we give thanks to God, trusting that through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the 麻豆分行, our mission will continue to flourish.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Whether you鈥檙e discerning a vocation, deepening your understanding of the faith, or preparing to serve the Church in a new capacity, now is the perfect time to explore 麻豆分行鈥� graduate programs.

Learn more about our graduate programs here
Apply now
Request information

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Professor Reilly and his wife, Rosario, joined thousands of Catholics in St. Peter鈥檚 Square for the All Saints Mass, a liturgy marked by deep beauty and reverence. During the celebration, the schola sang Lead, Kindly Light, the hymn written by Newman during a pivotal moment in his life. For Professor Reilly and The Cardinal Newman Society, the hymn remains a powerful reminder of the mission of faithful Catholic education.

Pope Leo XIV formally declared: 鈥�We鈥� by the fullness of the apostolic power, declare Saint John Henry Newman Doctor of the Universal Church.鈥�

This recognition affirms Newman鈥檚 lasting impact on Catholic education, especially his vision for forming students in faith, intellect, and moral witness. The declaration came just days before the 麻豆分行 Father released a document naming Newman co-patron of Catholic education alongside St. Thomas Aquinas.
Professor Reilly attended Vatican events as both president of The Cardinal Newman Society and an adjunct professor at 麻豆分行 College & Seminary.

麻豆分行 is grateful for Professor Reilly鈥檚 commitment to promoting faithful Catholic education and for representing our College during this important moment in the life of the Church.

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