Conception Seminary College celebrates the largest group of graduates in twelve years
The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on the campus of Conception Seminary College brimmed with graduates, family, and friends on Saturday, May 13, 2017, as thirty-one seminarians completed the requirements to earn bachelor’s degrees this spring.
Conception Seminary’s annual spring commencement ceremonies also celebrated numerous seminarians and their academic achievements as they were honored with scholarships.
“Today is a great day,” said the Very Rev. Brendan Moss, OSB, President-Rector of Conception Seminary College as he welcomed those gathered for the ceremony.
Before receiving their diplomas, Fr. Xavier Nacke, OSB, delivered the commencement address, calling on the graduates to look toward the future with the eyes of faith. Drawing on quotes from Pope Francis, Fr. Xavier offered a word of “encouragement, or, might I say, a word of courage,” to the graduates.
“We are not lacking young people who are very generous, who act in solidarity are involved on a religious and social level, young people who seek a real spiritual life, young people who hunger for something different than what the world offers. There are marvelous young people, and there are many.”
Fr. Xavier concluded his address reflecting on his twenty years as Dean of Spiritual of Formation with a theme of hope, “My experience of you tells me that, with time, you can lead us and our world to intimacy with God. May our Blessed Mother assist you in that heroic journey.”
Seminarians completing their studies at Conception Seminary College usually continue their priestly formation at a theological seminary in the Midwest or Rome, Italy. Their graduate studies typically continue for another four years before they are ordained priests in the Roman Catholic Church.
Graduates receiving their Bachelor of Arts with diocesan affiliation are:
Johnathan S. Blauw, Diocese of Davenport, Ia.,
Alessandro Calderoni, Diocese of Tulsa, Ok.,
Joshua G. Carroll, Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Mo.,
Brian L. Cundall, Diocese of Little Rock, Ar.,
Christopher R. Davis, Diocese of Salina, Ks.,
Andrew E. Gaffney, Archdiocese of Kansas City, Ks.,
Cruz A. Gallegos, Archdiocese of Kansas City, Ks.,
Cesar Garcia, Diocese of El Paso, Tx.,
Kirk (Matthew) Glazier, Diocese of Wichita, Ks.,
Erickson J. Koch, Archdiocese of Omaha, Ne.,
Matthew A. Lauderdale, Diocese of Tula, Ok.,
Sergio Legarreta-Carrasco, Diocese of El Paso, Tx.,
Seth R. Lorenz, Diocese of Lubbock, Tx.,
Patrick J. McKenzie, Diocese of Wichita, Ks.,
Br. Stanis A. Nguyen, Congregation of the Mother Co-Redemptrix,
Martin F. Parizek, Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, Ok.,
Walter F. Pugh, Diocese of Sioux City, Ia.,
Bradley F. Robey, Diocese of Des Moines, Ia.,
Benjamin I. Rogers, Archdiocese of Kansas City, Ks.,
Eric J. Rudd, Diocese of Green Bay, Wi.,
Christopher J. Rumback, Diocese of Wichita, Ks.,
Michael K. Schreck, Jr., Archdiocese of Kansas City, Ks.,
Chad E. Thurman, Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, Ok.,
Jonathan G. Tolberd, Diocese of Wichita, Ks.,
Br. Luke Nam Phuong Truong Tran, Congregation of the Mother Co-Redemptrix,
Peter S. Venegas, Diocese of El Paso, Tx., and
Linh Xuan Vu, Diocese of Cheyenne, Wy.
Students who have already completed undergraduate degrees at other institutions and completing the Conception Seminary Pre-Theological Program receive their Bachelor of Philosophical and Theological Studies.
Graduates receiving their Bachelor of Philosophical and Theological Studies with diocesan affiliation are:
Alex J. Becker, Diocese of Salina, Ks.,
Zygmunt T. Gross, Diocese of Green Bay, Wi.,
Brian M. McCaffrey, Diocese of Salina, Ks., and
Br. Georgy D. Huynh Nguyen, Congregation of the Mother Co-Redemptrix.
Michael Schreck, a graduate of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, was also honored for High Academic Achievement in the Senior Class.
Each year, a seminarian is nominated by students, faculty, and staff for reception of the Alan Brown Distinguished Service Award for service to the community during their time at Conception Seminary College. Christopher Davis, a graduate of the Diocese of Salina in Kansas was the recipient of this year’s award.
Graduation celebrations continued with a banquet for the graduates and their families and concluded with a Mass of Thanksgiving Sunday morning, ending the 2016-2017 academic year at Conception Seminary College.
