Dear Alumni, Donors, and Friends of Sacred Heart,
It is with deep faith and confidence in the work of the Holy Spirit that I write this letter to you as part of the Archbishop’s announcement this morning regarding my term as Rector and President, which will conclude on June 30, 2021.
As noted in the announcement on the seminary website, I am delighted that Father Burr will assume leadership as the new Rector and President and that Father Charles Fox will begin serving as Vice Rector, effective July 1, 2021. They are exceptional priests, spiritual fathers, and friends whose experience in seminary formation and devotion to the priesthood will serve Sacred Heart very well.
More than18 years ago, I began serving at the seminary as part of the priestly formation team and the teaching faculty. It has been a privilege to work so closely with brother priests and devoted lay professors in the task of forming future priests, permanent deacons, and lay ecclesial ministers. Along the way, there have been innumerable blessings and I’m grateful for the example of faith, hope, and love manifested through the Sacred Heart community.
In a special way, I want to express my gratitude to you as supporters and friends of the seminary. Whether through your prayerful support, your financial support, or through participation in one of our many events, you have made it possible for us to carry out the mission entrusted to us, and for that I express my gratitude.
In my conversations with the Archbishop over the years, I have noted that the attraction to parish ministry has always been present in my heart, and I shared that if the need arose, I would be willing and eager to serve in any way the Archdiocese needed. The time has come, and I am pleased to respond.
Sacred Heart Major Seminary will always have a preeminent place in my own heart, having spent four years as a college student, and this coming June will complete 19 years on the faculty. I could never begin to express my depth of gratitude to God for being assigned to the seminary, and I also look forward to the ways in which God’s grace will continue to be at work in my life and in yours.
During the months of transition, I look forward to working vigorously with the seminary community so that we can continue responding faithfully to the responsibilities of forming holy priests, deacons, and lay ecclesial ministers for service in the Church.
