Thirty-nine degrees, including the new master of arts in diaconal ministry, were awarded to 31 graduates at the annual Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology commencement ceremony May 8 in St. Noel Church, Willoughby. The ceremony was moved from the Center for Pastoral Leadership to St. Noel because of the large number of graduates.
Father Mark Latcovich, former president/rector of Saint Mary and Borromeo seminaries who is pastor of St. Ladislas Parish in Westlake, was the commencement speaker.
Bishop Edward Malesic and Father Andy Turner, president/rector of the seminaries, presented the degrees. Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost, a seminary professor, along with other faculty, staff and seminary trustees, attended the ceremony.
(See photo gallery above.)
Father Latcovich said as he put the finishing touches on his remarks, he was distracted by the happy news that a new pope had been elected.
“This is a historic ceremony because it is the first year for the master of arts in diaconal studies,” Father Latcovich said. It took seven years from when former Cleveland Bishop – now Philadelphia Archbishop – Nelson Perez gave the program the green light to awarding the first degrees. Eighteen permanent deacons, including three who were ordained on May 3, were the first recipients of the new degree.
Father Latcovich said since Saint Mary helps form people for ministry, it focuses on spiritual, pastoral and human dimensions of formation. All graduates have worked in some form of ministry, he said.
“Our vision of ministry comes from Jesus. We’ve all been chosen, anointed by his body and blood … We are one Church with many members who have many different gifts,” Father Latcovich said. “These gifts are born with you and developed,” he added.
“Today, the new pope told us not to be afraid to use the gifts that were given to us. These gifts are not to be hoarded. They are meant to be given, to be poured out. We should freely offer our time, talent and resources to help others,” Father Latcovich said.
He recalled the words of the late Pope Francis who said it’s important to smell the sheep and to meet people where they are, to truly engage them. “When you use your gifts, good things happen.”
Father Latcovich said prayer fuels our ministry and keeps us going.
“We must be hearers of his word and teachers of others. Pope Leo said we should teach with open arms, teach with charity, with presence, by listening and offering dialogue, but teach with love,” he added.
Bishop Malesic congratulated the graduates and offered his thanks to Father Latcovich for his remarks and to the seminary faculty, staff and trustees for their work.
“I know you’ll all contribute to the ongoing mission of the Church, which ultimately is the salvation of souls. To the nine men who will be ordained as priests (on May 17), always remember you came from the baptized. Work for the kingdom of God on earth so you can enjoy the kingdom of God in heaven,” the bishop said.
To the graduates he gave this advice: “Live your theology and do the work of an evangelist.”
Miguel Chavez received a doctor of ministry degree.
Master of divinity degrees were awarded to Deacon Ryan Arto, Deacon Christopher Cotone, Deacon Anthony Donatelli, Deacon James Hawkins, Deacon Jeffrey Lindholm, Deacon James Parisi, Deacon Brian Peters, Deacon Kyle Rosser and Deacon Travis Seagraves.
Master of arts degrees in theology were presented to Deacon Cotone, Deacon Donatelli, Abigail Gresser, Deacon Hawkins, Judith Liederbach, Deacon Lindholm, Cheryl McBride, Deacon Parisi, Deacon Peters, Deacon Rosser and Deacon Seagraves.
Master of Arts in Diaconal Ministry degrees were awarded to Deacon Thomas Bizon, Deacon Robert Blackburn, Deacon Scott Cerrito, Deacon Michael Costantini, Deacon Andrew Davis, Deacon Christopher DePenti, Deacon Michael Hayes Jr., Deacon Matthew Lawler, Deacon Edward Linsky, Deacon Christopher Loxterman, Deacon Francisco Miranda, Deacon John Nelson Jr., Deacon Richard Prayson, Deacon Darrel Sherman, Deacon Thomas Shetina, Deacon Jeffrey Stutzman, Deacon Mark Tomecko and Deacon John Zarbo.
Learn more about Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology here.