Fall/Winter 1997

A Whirlwind Introduction to NAC, Assisi, and

Rome Greets Class of '01

The New Men, 1997, pose for their first group photoin St.Peter's near the saint's tomb.

When the new men awoke on August 27 to the view of the morning sun rising over the Swiss Alps ontheir marathon flight from New York to Rome, they knew it would not be long before they wouldglimpse their new home-The Pontifical North American College.

In typical North American College style and tradition, the new men received an overwhelming andsupportive welcome. To their surprise, they were greeted as they emerged from the jetway by rectors,faculty, and staff.

Later, spiked by rousing applause, the group was greeted by more faculty, staff, and the orientation teamat the steps of the Immaculate Conception chapel. The 40 new men processed through the chapel doorstired and hungry, but grateful to God for a safe journey and for the opportunity to study in the EternalCity.

On August 29, the new men made their first pilgrimage to St. Peter's Basilica, stopping to pray the creedat the Confessio and asking for the Holy Apostles' intercession. Mass was celebrated in the Crypt Chapel,the Christ the King altar, facing the Confessio.

On August 31, the new men visited the Baptistry at the Basilica of St. John Lateran and celebrated Massin one of the chapels there. They then proceeded to Castel Gandolfo to attend a public audience with theHoly Father during his Sunday noon Angelus. The North American College constituency, standingdirectly under the Holy Father's window, was greeted by His Holiness in English, and the seminariansvoiced their approval.

The final adventure for the new Men during their first week of orientation was a pilgrimage to Assisifrom September 5 to 7. There, they visited the now earthquake-damaged Basilica of St. Francis, spentplenty of time in rest and prayer, and acquainted themselves with the charming village of Assisi. Theorientation team, made up of second- year men, did an impeccable job of making the new men feel thatRome is truly home.

Mr. James Morgan, '01 Diocese of Sioux Falls

Rector's Corner

Sometimes people ask me about the benefits of priestly preparation in Rome, whybishops find value in sending priests and future priests to the North American College. Icould go on at length about the reasons, but a survey of some recent events in which ourmen participated provides a much more credible and colorful reply.

Last spring, all the students and staff of the college were received in audience by theHoly Father. We spent about 40 unforgettable minutes with the successor of St. Peter.

Pope John Paul II slowly walked through the exuberant group, greeting as many of us as possible as webellowed out the ancient song "Tu es Petrus." He then addressed us with words of encouragement. Aswe prayed together and received his blessing, I thought, "This is why the North American Collegeexists."

In May, we went on a pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Divine Love. Led by Msgr. CharlesElmer, we spent an afternoon meditating upon the value and beauty of devotion to our ImmaculateMother, our patroness. Then, only a week later, our men led the renowned Corpus Christi procession,amid tens-of-thousands of people in that medieval town of Orvieto where the feast actually began.

On their first morning in Rome, our new men attended Mass at the tomb of St. Peter, where they askedhis intercession in guiding their years in his See city. The next day, they gathered to renew theirbaptismal vows and pray the Mass at the ancient church of St. John Laterna, the cathedral of Rome. Aweek later, our men immersed themselves in the message of St. Francis as we spent a weekend ofrecollection in his town of Assisi (this was before the tragic earthquakes there).

On October 2, fifteen of our men assembled beneath the choir of St. Peter in the basilica to be ordaineddeacons of the Church, the last step before priesthood. And, in October, all the college seminarians,graduate priests, and our men on sabbatical-gathered with one hundred-thousand others in St. Peter'sSquare as Pope John Paul II declared St. Therese of Lisieux, in the presence of her relics, a "doctor ofthe Church," powerfully speaking of our need for her message of simple love.

Currently, hundreds of bishops are gathered for the "Synod for America," and our men are right at thecenter of lively reflection on the challenges facing the Church in our hemisphere.

See! I haven't even mentioned our solid program of formation and the first rate theology our men learn,but I think I can rest my case as to why priestly formation in Rome is so valuable, and why we soappreciate your support that makes it possible.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Rev. Msgr. Timothy M. Dolan,'76 Rector

Photo Gallery

The new men, circa 1860: Official photograph of the first class to enter the North American College. The first rector, Fr.William G. McCloskey, sits front row, center.

Touch down at Fiumicino airport for Brian Chadwick, '01 (Diocese of Gary), on the left, and Tim McGilloway, 1 01(Archdiocese of Newark).

The new men enter the chapel of the Immaculate Conception to the applause of the faculty, staff, and orientation team. Theyare on their way to pray Midday Prayer, their first official act as seminarians in Rome.

Luke Ballman, '00 (Archdiocese ofAtlanta), chairman of the orientation team, presents the gifts to Fr. Thomas Radloff, Sj,director of spiritual formation, at the celebration of the Mass in the Conventual Chapel. Patrick Kennedy, development

director, who went through orientation with the new men, serves as deacon.

Letter form the Editor

A Salute to the Janiculum Kitchen Crew

This fall's issue of the NAC newsletter is dedicated to the arrival of the class of 2001.Our new men encompass the breadth and width of America and Canada! They werewelcomed, as the new men are every year, by the second theologians who, refreshed bytheir own summer travels and pastoral assignments, put on the two-week orientationprogram. The program began with meeting the tired new men at Fiumicino airport andconcluded twelve days later with a weekend excursion to Assisi.

But the second-year class were not the only ones who worked hard to make the adjustment to Romeeasier for the new men. Perhaps no other part of the staff contributes more to the overall morale andwell-being of the House than our kitchen staff. These men and women cook and prepare Italian-stylemeals daily for up to 200 people.

Every day after 6:30 a.m. Mass, we begin with colazione, which generally consists of American coffeeor tea, juice, rolls, eggs, and American cold cereals. To make it feel more like home, the kitchen staff, onoccasion, also prepares pancakes and french toast. On one Sunday a month, the staff puts on anAmericanstyle brunch, which is always a big hit.

Pranzo is the main meal in Italy, so we too follow this custom. Pranzo begins at 1:15 p.m. withannouncements and a blessing, and includes salad, a pasta course, a meat and vegetable course, and adessert of fruit or some other sweet. It is at this meal that the kitchen staff really shines. Many wouldargue that our carbonara, a dish composed of spaghetti in an egg and pancetta (bacon) sauce, is amongthe best in Rome.

Served in the evening following Vespers is cena, which is traditionally a lighter meal than pranzo. Cenausually includes a variety of foods--cold and hot-as well as soup and fruit.

But one should not neglect to mention the kitchen's tour de force-the famous NAC banquets on thevarious celebrations during the year.

If it is true, as Napoleon said, that an army marches on its stomach, it might also be said that the NACseminarian's daily march to the Roman universities is made possible by the culinary expertise of ourkitchen staff.

Mr. Matthew Carr, '99

Diocese of Arlington

These Four Move

Mountains (of Paperwork)

To paraphrase an old saying, "Behind every good man thereis a good woman." At NAC, behind the roughly 200 men -seminarians and priests all- there are four good women, atleast in the administration. We'd like you to meet them.

(Clockwise from upper left) Mrs. Lory Mondaini has beenthe rector's secretary since 1984. Born and raised in WestNew York, N.J., she traveled to Rome in the early 70s. Mrs.Mondaini worked for United Airlines and met a Romangentleman named Roberto, who worked for IVA. Theymarried and had three children: Carlo, 14; Chiara, 11; andMassimo, who just turned two.

Mrs. Elena Panti, a native of Rome, is the secretary for thevice rector for student life, who is also director of theFormation Advising Program.

Mrs. Gloria Denton is the newest member of our staff. She is a licensed family nurse practitioner with amaster's of science degree from Pace University. She has nursed in four states and in Cambodian refugeecamps. Mrs. Denton calls San Francisco home. She and her husband, Stefano, are the parents of Andrea,9; Davide, 7; and Giulia, nearly 5. Mrs. Denton is secretary to the vice rector for administration, who isalso the business manager and the chief financial officer.

Mrs. Carol Ann Salfa hails from Minneapolis. With a bachelor's degree in art and education, and amaster's degree in education, she taught elementary and middle school art for 15 years. Her husband,Amedeo, is a Roman film editor, whom she met and married 30 years ago. They have three children,Ashley, Rene, and Michaela, respectively, a lawyer, a student, and a set designer. Mrs. Salfa is secretaryfor the director of the Institute for Continuing Theological Education, NAC's very popular sabbaticalprogram for priests.

Class of 2001:The New Men

Kevin M. Bazzel '01B.A., St. Meinrad College; Age 22,

Diocese of Birmingham;

Stephen W. Bird '00B.A., Wittenberg,

M.A., University of Illinois; Age 32,

Scott F. Boone '00 B.S., Loras College, Age 24,

Archdiocese of Dubuque, St. Mary's Parish, Dubuque, IA;

St. Ann's Parish, Decatur, AL;Pastor: Rev. Joe Culotta.

Diocese of Peoria; Holy Cross Parish, Champaign, IL;Pastor. Rev. Msgr. Albert Hallen.

St. Mary's Parish, Dubuque, IA; Pastor: Rev. Jerry Kopacek.

Charles A. Byrd jr. '00 B.A., St. Vincent College, Age 33;

Diocese of Atlanta; Cathedral of Christ the King

Parish,Atlanta, GA; Pastor: Rev. Msgr. Thomas Kenny.

Brian A Chadwick '01B.A., Valparaiso;

B. Phil., Sacred Heart Seminary, Age 22;Diocese of Gary,

Nativity of Our Savior Parish, Portage,IN;

Pastor: Rev. John Scott.

Michael A. Colello '01 B.A., Providence College; Age 22,

Diocese of Fall River; St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Wakefield,

RI, Pastor: Rev. Nicholas Smith.

Martin E. Flum '01 B.S., University of Maryland, Age 34,

Archdiocese of Washington; St. Mary's Parish, Rockville,

MD; Pastor: Rev. Msgr. Adam J.Kostick.

James A Fowlie '00B.A., Christ the King Seminary; Age 28,

Diocese of Prince George, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Canada; Pastor: Most Rev. Gerald Wiesner.

Roger P. Ghatt '01 B.A., American University; Age 32;

Archdiocese of Washington; St. Matthew's Cathedral Parish,

Washington, DC, Pastor: Rev. W Ronald Jameson.

Cory J. Hayes '01 B.A., St. Joseph's Seminary; Age 22;

Diocese of Lafayette; St. John the Baptist Parish, Lyons Point,

LA; Pastor. Rev. Albert Gayle Nunez.

Stephen A. Hero '00B.A., Seminary of Christ the King, Age

27, Archdiocese of Edmonton;

St. Joseph's Basilica, Edmonton, Canada;Pastor. Rev. Msgr. Donald MacDonald.

Adam L. Hertzfeld '01 B.A., University of Steubenville, Age 21;

Diocese of Toledo, St. Patrick's Parish, Providence, OH;

Pastor: Rev. F. Anthony Gallagher

Michael Dennis Irwin, Jr. '01 B.S.C.E., Auburn University;

M.A., University of Steubenville, Age 27, Archdiocese of Mobile,

St. Bede's Parish, Montgomery, AL; Pastor: Rev. David Tokars.

Michael W. Labadie '01 B.A., Huntington College; Age 24;

Archdiocese of Mobile; Our Lady Queen of Mercy Parish,

Montgomery, AL; Pastor: Rev. William Folsom.

Jason Michael Labbe '01 B.A., St. Joseph Seminary College, Age

28, Diocese of Baton Rouge;

Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, BatonRouge, LA;

Pastor: Rev. Michael Collins.

Christopher A. Layden '01B.A., St. Meinrad College; Age 20;

Diocese of Peoria; St. Anthory's Parish, Hoopeston, IL;

Pastor: Rev. Jerome Pilon.

James E. Mason '01 B.A., University of St. Thomas;

J.D., University of Minnesota; Age 30, Diocese of Sioux Falls;

Christ the King Parish, Sioux Falls, SD, Pastor: Rev. Msgr. Richard Mahowald.

Timothy T. McGilloway '01 B.A., Seton Hall University; Age 27;

Archdiocese of Newark, St. Joseph's Parish, Oradell, NJ;

Pastor: Rev. George Reilly.

James Patrick Morgan '01B.A., University of South Dakota, Age

38; Diocese of Sioux Falls;

Holy Cross Parish, Ipswich, SD; Pastor. Rev. Msgr. Edward Burian.

Trevor Keith Murry '01B.A., St. Louis University; Age 22;

Diocese of Belleville, Immaculate Conception Parish,

Tamaroa, IL; Pastor. Rev. Daniel Jurek.

Jason P. Oberg '01 B.A., St. Charles Boromeo Seminary;

Age 22; Diocese of Lincoln;

St. Cecilia's Parish, Hastings, NE, Pastor. Rev. Msgr. John McCabe.

Dean P. Perri '01 B.A., St. John's Seminary;

B.S., University of Rhode Island, MBA, Renssalaer Potytechnic; Age 28;

Diocese of Providence; St. Pius X Parish, Westerly, RI;

Pastor. Rev. Ray Suriani.

David A. Pignato '01 B.A., Holy Cross College,

J.D., Harvard University; Age 27; Diocese of Fall River,

St. Mary's Parish, Foxboro, MA; Pastor. Rev. Thomas Reilly.

Frederick J. Ringley, Jr. '01 B.M., University of Iowa,

M.M., University of Arkansas; Age 36, Diocese of Bridgeport, St. John Fisher,

Stamford, CT, Pastor: Rev. Msgr Steven DiGiovani.

Santiago 1. Robles '01 B.A., University of San Diego, Age 23;

Diocese of San Diego; Parish St. Rose of Lima, Chula Vista,

CA; Pastor: Rev. Msgr. Richard Duncanson.

Christopher S. Sahd '01 B.A., Duquesne University, Age 25;

Diocese of Scranton; Holy Trinity Parish, Columbia, PA;

Pastor. Rev. Kenneth Lawrence.

J. Patrick Serna '01 B.A., University of Dallas; Age 25,

Diocese of Corpus Christi; Most Precious Blood Parish, Corpus

Christi, TX; Pastor: Rev. Msgr. William Thompson.

Anthony J. Smith '01 B.A., University of Connecticut, Age 31;

Archdiocese of Hartford, St. Matthew's Parish, Forestville, CT;

Pastor: Rev. Robert Lysz.

Luke M. Sweeney '01 B.A., Fordham University; Age 22,

Archdiocese of New York; Immaculate Conception Parish,

Irvington, NY; Pastor: Rev. Raymond Byrne.

Rodney E. Thibault '01 B.A., St. John Seminary College, Age 22,

Diocese of Fall River, Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish, Fall

River, MA; Pastor. Rev. Richard W. Beaulieu.

Richard J. Toohey '01 B.B.A., University of Notre Dame; Age

21; Diocese of Erie;

St. George's Parish, Erie, PA;Pastor. Rev. Msgr. John Ouwin.

James A. Tucker '01 B.A., University of Kentucky, Age 23;

Diocese of Arlington; Parish St. Agne's Parish, Arlington, VA;

Pastor: Rev. Jim Gould.

Aaron Urbanczyk '01 B.A., University of Steubenville; Age 26,

Diocese of Bridgeport, St. Cecilia's Parish, Adams, NYPastor. Rev. Douglas Decker.

John J. Vargas '01 B.A., St. John's University, Age 22;

Diocese of Brooklyn; Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Queens,

NY; Pastor. Rev. Msgr. Thomas Healy.

Brian T. Waldbillig '01 B.A., Sacred Heart Seminary, Age 24;

Diocese of LaCrosse; Basilica of St. John Parish, De Moines,

IA; Pastor: Rev. Msgr. Frank Chiodo.

Erik T. Walters '01 B.A., St. Charles Borromeo Seminary,

Age 21; Archdiocese of Mobile;

Cathedral of the Immaculate ConceptionParish, Mobile, AL;

Pastor: Rev. Msgr. James Oberkirch.

Eric C. Weber '01 B.S., University of St. Thomas; Age 22;

Diocese of Lansing; Most Holy Trinity Parish, Fowler MI,

Pastor: Rev. Ray Rademacher.

Michael E. Werkhoven '01 B.A., St. Joseph's Seminary College; Age

31; Diocese of Memphis,

St. Ann's Parish, Bartlett, TN, Pastor. Rev. Bruce Cinquegrani.

Luke A.Wrobel '01 B.A., Fairfield University, Age 23;

Diocese of Fall River, St. Stanislaus Parish, Fall River, MA;

Pastor. Rev. Rovert Kascynski.

"I'm Here Because I Fell in Love With God"

Editor's note: Santiago Robles (Diocese of San Diego) gave the following toast at theopening reception:

I am honored to be given the opportunity to make a toast on behalf of the seminarians

of the United States.

I have often been asked whether I consider myself Mexican or American. I tell themthat I am Mexican by origin and American by adoption. What does that make of me? Itmakes me a very fortunate person to have been blessed with two cultural sources from

which to draw my identity. These two cultures do not oppose each other; rather they complement eachother.

Yet, the one aspect of my life that defines who I am is rooted in my faith. The same faith that all of ushere in this place share: the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is the reason why we are seminarians, priests, and members of religious communities. At theseminary college in San Diego where I studied, we have one day a week set aside to have guests forMass, dinner, and evening prayer. Often a guest would ask us the reason we were in the seminary Someseminarians would respond, "Just wanted to check it out"; others, "I had a dream of being a priest"; andstill others, "This is a good school." I could tell my brother seminarians were often bashful in explainingthe reasons for being there. When it came my turn to respond, I said,

Quite frankly I could give you many sound reasons as to why I am here. But the realunderlying reason is because I fell in love with God. Out of this, I have a desire to loveback, and I am being led to the possibility of a love expressed through the priesthood.

Jesus Christ is the reason for whom and through whom the Catholic Church continues to move and live,and have its being in today's society.

Tonight I would also like to call into mind the communities where we each come from. After all, Godused them in one way or another to love us and give shape to who we are today. And by communities Imean our families, our parishes and dioceses, and our beloved country. It was our faith community thatbid us farewell, and upon our arrival in Rome, we were once again embraced by our faith community.Our Christian brothers and sisters from both houses of the North American College have, without doubt,extended to us a very warm and comforting welcome. Indeed, in our faith journey we never walk alone.

Finally (and before this turns into a homily) I want to express my admiration for each one of you-myclassmates. Your willingness and courage to come and see is extraordinary. Your trust in Christ has ledyou here, and it may lead you to stranger lands. I am sure you have heard people say, "So young, sohandsome, what a waste of a man." Still others go on to say, "They are too young, too inexperienced.What good have they got to offer the world or the Church?"

Little do they know that it is the power and the glory of God himself that brings to fulfillment his plansthrough simple young men who are open to being used as his instruments. Our yes to God introduces usto the joy of working with God in building his kingdom here on earth, in our lives and in our very ownmoment in history.

Many are the experiences we will share together. All along the way it is my prayer that we see each otheras a source of support and inspiration to continue growing in holiness together. Praise God!

The Holy Fatherposes with Msgr. Timothy Dolan, '76 (Archdiocese of St Louis), and our "deacons-to-be" on the eve of theirordination to the diaconate.

Annual Retreats Start the Year With Prayer

Some comments on the unsigned seminarian evaluations of this September's retreats ran in the vein of"Best made yet," "Could not have been better, " and "A genuine spiritual experience." That is quiteencouraging coming from a markedly critical group with cultivated spiritual tastes.

Once planning meetings are completed, acceptable retreat accommodations are searched out in thehinterlands of Rome and booked. The commitments of a dozen or so competent retreat directors-priestsand women religious are secured; transportation for 150 anxious retreatants is chartered; final liturgicaleventualities are arranged; and prayers are said. Only anxious anticipation remains to sustain the hopethat all works out as well as planned. Then, when seminarian evaluations are tabulated, staff reviewsessions are analyzed, and the final assessments of both retreat-makers and retreat-givers come backlargely in positive terms, it all seems to be working.

Seminarians' annual retreats-lasting five full days-are intentionally planned at the college before thepressures of the October-June academic year begin. The new seminarians arrive in late August and arejoined by the rest of the seminarians two weeks later.

Roger Ghatt, '01 (Archdiocese of Washington), on the left, and second theologian Dan Barnett, '00 (Diocese of Spokane), chatduring one of the many social events of orientation. Barnett was vicechairman of the orientation team.

Once everyone is back at NAC, the seminarians participate in a series of pastoral workshops andspiritual retreats. These activities continue vigorously through the month of September and into earlyOctober, at which point the entire college plays host for deacons candidates of the fourth-year class, theirfamilies, and guests. The retreats, therefore, also serve as oases of prayer and rejuvenation in this busytime of year.

The plan for retreats is quite simple. It is hoped that NAC seminarians will have had the opportunity to

experience all the currently used retreat styles available to priests in the United States: the preached,individually directed, and group-guided formats.

For retreat content, the plan is forthright: Mark in Year I, Matthew in II, Luke in III, and John in IV,with the directive of St. Teresa of Avila in mind, "Keep your eye on Jesus." The prayer methodexplained and encouraged is Lectio Divina, a meditative reading of the sacred Scriptures, allowing forvariations and adaptations according to preference.

The goal is clear: the purpose of NAC retreats is to develop a rich, intimate relationship with Jesus thatenables the seminarian to identify effectively and affectively with Him, His mission, and His Church. Itseems to be working.

Rev. Thomas Radloff, SJDirector of Spiritual Formation

A Summer of Learning in Europe

Summer travel provides an opportunity to acquire a much broader view of the churches and cultures ofEurope. I spent a few weeks this summer visiting the great Catholic shrines at Fatima, Lourdes, Fevers,Liseux, and Santiago de Compostela. I also visited friends in Scandinavia for a week and found myselfin an officially Lutheran region where the society is very secular. One surprising fact about Finland isthat there are less than 30 Catholic priests in the entire country.

The Catholic Church is in a unique situation in Scandinavia, but in spite of its minority status, I found itto be very vibrant with beautiful liturgies. I also spent about a week in Greece with Jason Crossen,'00(Diocese of Davenport), and John Sistare,'00 (Diocese of Providence), where we experienced a culturewhose official state religion is Greek Orthodox. The Greek sea coasts are extraordinarily beautiful, andinland one finds countless treasures of antiquity. But, just as in Scandinavia, there is a very smallCatholic presence-only 0.5 percent of the Greek population is Catholic.

Many other wonderful experiences and stories come to mind from my summer travels, but the best onesconsist in what G. K. Chesterton observed: "The real opportunity of travel is the chance to escape theguide and being able to contradict the guide-book." This means having the pleasure of witnessing thesmall, touching, humanizing sights that open a window onto the things that all human beings have incommon, and the discovery of the many different aspects that the Church has acquired through centuriesof European history.

Mr. Larry Schreider, '00Archdiocese of Washington

Brooklyn Priest New Academic Dean

New Academic Dean Fr. Michael Curran, '80, C'88 (Diocese of Brooklyn), on the left, chats with Fr. Edward Smith, '82(Archdiocese of Cincinnati), at the Casa Santa Maria.

The "new man" on the faculty is no newcomer to Rome, for this is Fr. Michael Curran's third opportunityto live here.

A graduate of both the college and the Casa Santa Maria, Fr. Curran's new post is that of academic dean.He comes to us from the Diocese of Brooklyn after having served for nine years as professor of moraltheology on the faculty of the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, Long Island.

Ordained in 1981, Fr. Curran shares the belief of his ordinary, Most Rev. Thomas V Daily, that priestlyformation "is the most important work of the Church." Specifically in his capacity as the academic dean,Fr. Curran believes that his role is to "encourage and facilitate the love for the importance of theology inthe life of the Church, and the importance of theological formation in the life of the priest"; ultimately,"to foster a love for the study of theology and an appreciation for it" among the seminarians.

Fr. Curran said the best thing his earlier Roman experience gave him to take back to the United Stateswas the "spirit of the House: the fellowship, unity, and love for the priesthood" that he found in bothseminarians and faculty. He said he also found that he experienced a "greater knowledge andappreciation for the Church in the States."

All this has helped Fr. Curran to "come to know the great love the Church has for priests and thepriesthood. I come back fully aware of the love and support of so many people," he said. Even thoughthe ministry is challenged at times, there is a "tremendous love and appreciation for priests. I feel agratitude in being a priest and a responsibility to live it out well."

Mr. Luke Sweeney,'00Archdiocese of New York

Economo's Corner

Giving the Seminary a Taste of Modernization

The college on the Gianicolo Hill is receiving a gradual refurbishment for the first time in 40 years. Asuite on the fifth floor dedicated to the memory of H.E. John Card. Wright has been constructed andfurnished on the former terrace on the hospital wing of the college. A donor has helped initiate whathopefully will be a series of new apartments constructed in this space. In fact, funds have been receivedto begin construction on the second suite.

The student lounge and television room have been improved with a beautiful tile floor, curtains, anddrapes. A new suite has been created using three student rooms on the first floor. This new suite iscurrently being used by one of the college's spiritual directors. The renovation was done thanks to fundsfrom the estate of the uncle of Most Rev. Daniel A. Cronin, Archbishop of Hartford.

The tennis courts of the North American College have been refurbished with a new rubber-basedsurface. In addition, a third court has been restored, and the lights for evening play have been installed.Mr. Phil North, a special friend of the college, has financed this project. In addition, with thediscretionary funds available, the college has used this opportunity to resurface and enlarge thebasketball court.

Thanks to various donors, the college has purchased new furniture for the Cardinal Cooke Suite, room528, and for the Red Room, where guests are often entertained. These pieces of furniture were ordered,manufactured, and shipped from the United States. Without a doubt, these spaces have been improvedsignificantly by this addition to the physical patrimony of the college.

The Casa Santa Maria has not been overlooked in these renovation efforts. A new suite has beenconstructed on the second floor of the Casa near the old Rector's Suite. Also, a new dressing room has

been constructed for the employees, freeing the rooms above the laundry for guests. Through thegenerosity of a donor from Philadelphia, new furniture has been imported from the United States for thereading room and coffee bar of the Casa. Finally, the A. Cavaille organ has been restored by theBarthelemy Formentalli Company, thanks to the generosity of the Cuneo Foundation.

This year, the college will concentrate its renovation efforts on the Via dell' Umilta. In the planningstages are the construction of a new student kitchen, the renovation of the existing kitchen, the transferof the library to a more spacious location, the development of the concelebration chapel, and thesoundproofing of the windows on the Archetto Street side of the building.

Finally, the Institute for Continuing Theological Education should not be forgotten. Here a newgathering space on the first floor will be constructed, complete with a coffee bar for the convenience ofthe participants.

Rev. Msgr. Bernard E. Yarrish,'76 Diocese of Scranton

Fr. Cameron, "Preacher Teacher," Sets

Example

Rev. Peter Cameron, OP,deals with both the theology and the craft

of preaching during the preaching workshops.

"It is the first task of priests as co-workers of the bishops to preach the Gospel of God to all men."(Presbyterorum Ordinis [Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests], 4)

As part of the Pastoral Formation Program, the North American College welcomed Rev. Peter Cameron,OP, for two weeks of preaching workshops in September. Fr. Cameron is the head of the HomileticsDepartment at New York's St. Joseph's Seminary, Dunwoodie. He emphasized that in the teaching of theChurch the primary duty of the priest is preaching the Gospel with the goal of bringing others tosalvation. The preacher mediates salvation, enabling people to live more deeply their relationship withChrist.

The first part of the course, presented to the second-year men, examined the theology of Catholicpreaching, placing special focus on the person and the office of the preacher. The second part, for thethird-year students, focused on the craft of preaching as a literary form and as a theological instrumentof salvation.

Throughout the course, Fr. Cameron emphasized the important service that preaching fulfills in the newevangelization repeatedly called for by the Holy Father. The homiletics program is important here,according to Fr. Cameron, because it "ensures that the priests of the North American College and theseminarians who become priests will be proclaimers of the 'new evangelization."'

Fr. Cameron was praised by the seminarians for bringing enthusiasm and insight to homiletics as well asassisting them in their formation as future apostles of the Gospel.

As one of the benefits of the Fr. Carl J. Peter Program of Homiletics, in the future the North AmericanCollege will be able to bring Fr. Cameron back to continue to develop the preaching skills of the futurepriests of the new evangelization.

Mr. Daniel Barnett,'00 Diocese of Spokane

Faith in Action

NAC Quartet Spends a Summer Month in

Calcutta

Of all places, Mother Teresa was in Rome.

We arrived from Rome (we being Jason Crossen, '00 [Archdiocese of Dubuque], Francisco Flores,'00[Diocese of Boise], Timothy MacDonald, '00 [Diocese of Lansing], and Thomas Sinnott, '00 [Diocese ofScranton]). We had come to Calcutta on June 28 to spend a month working and praying with theMissionaries of Charity at the Home for the Dying, where we ministered to men who were dying ofmalnutrition and tuberculosis. We fed them, carried them to the showers, massaged their aching and frailbodies, and prayed and laughed with them.

When we met Mother Teresa, she had advice for our fellow seminarians: "Tell them to be humble andtell them to be holy." Then she laughed and said, "Heaven is being filled up with the poor of Calcutta," asentiment we shared each time we carried the dead through the crowded streets on the way to the Hinducrematorium. On her way to the chapel, Mother Teresa handed us her "business card," which said, "Thefruit of silence is prayer, the fruit of prayer is faith, the fruit of faith is love, the fruit of love is service,and the fruit of service is peace."

Mother Teresa once remarked, "By blood and origin, I am Albanian. My citizenship is Indian. I am aCatholic nun. As to my calling, I belong to the World. As to my heart, I belong entirely to Jesus."

Her life was a reflection of everything that we are called to be.

Now, supported by her intercessory prayers, we at the North American College can confidently say,"Mother Teresa, pray for us."

Mr. Timothy MacDonald,'00 Diocese of Lansing

Staff

Mr. Matthew Carr, '99, Diocese of Arlington, Student Editor Mr. Joel Cycenas, '00, Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis, Assistant Editor Mr. Paco Flores, '00, Diocese of Boise, Photographer Mr. David Shoemaker, '00, Archdiocese of Mobile, Photographer

Contributors

Mr. Daniel Barnett, '00, Diocese of Spokane Mr. Timothy MacDonald, '00, Diocese of Lansing

Mr. James Morgan, '01, Diocese of Sioux Falls Rev. Thomas Radloff, SJ, Director of Spiritual Formation Mr. Larry Schreider, '00, Archdiocese of Washington Mr. Luke Sweeney, '00, Archdiocese of New York

NAC Board of Governors

Most Rev. Robert H. Brom,'64, Bishop of San Diego Most Rev. Tod D. Brown, '62, Bishop of Boise Most Rev. Fabian W Bruskewitz,'61, C'69, Bishop of Lincoln Most Rev. Robert J. Carlson, Bishop of Sioux Falls Most Rev. Edward M. Egan, '58, C'63, Bishop of Bridgeport, Vice President and Vice Chairman Most Rev. Joseph A. Galante, C'68, Bishop of Beaumont Most Rev. Richard C. Hanifen, C'68, Bishop of Colorado Springs H.E. William Card. Keeler,'58, C'61, Archbishop of Baltimore, President and Chairman Most Rev. Gerald F. Kicanas, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago Most Rev. Oscar H. Lipscomb, '57, Archbishop of Mobile Most Rev. Paul S. Loverde, '66, Bishop of Ogdensburg, Secretary Most Rev. John C. Nienstedt, '73, C'77, Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit Most Rev. Donald W Wuerl, '67, Bishop of Pittsburgh, Treasurer

NAC Administration

Rev. Msgr. Timothy M. Dolan, '76, Rector Rev. Msgr. Bernard E. Yarrish, '76, Vice Rector and Faculty Advisor Rev. William M. Ogrodowski,'75, C'82, Vice Rector Rev. Msgr. Charles W. Elmer, '53,C'68, Superior, Casa Santa Maria Deacon Patrick W. Kennedy, Director of Development