The Sacred Heart community extends its warmest prayers of gratitude and thanksgiving to outgoing board members Mr. Patrick O’Brien, Ms. Jerree Martin, and Bishop John Quinn. We are thankful for their generous contributions of time, wisdom, and talent over the past years.
Bp. John Quinn completes his second term on the Board of Trustees this year. No stranger to Sacred Heart, Bp. Quinn served at the seminary as an adjunct faculty member and part-time spiritual director for over twenty years; during some of this time he was also the Cardinal’s delegate to Sacred Heart Major Seminary.
Also completing her second term is Jerree Martin, a retired public affairs executive from Ford Motor Company. Martin was welcomed to the Board of Trustees in 2013, and remembers Sacred Heart as a community unique in its dedication to the mission.
“Over the years, I continually have been impressed by the spiritual fire, the academic and business acumen, and the passionate dedication of the seminary’s leadership, faculty, and staff,” she said. “A second distinction is Sacred Heart’s unwavering commitment to the City of Detroit. I have witnessed firsthand the seminary’s efforts to responsibly expand its physical presence and increase its relevance and Christian influence in the community it calls home.”
This commitment to an evangelizing mission also drew the attention of outgoing trustee Patrick O’Brien.
“Sacred Heart is a national leader in the conversation about how the Church can evangelize,” said O’Brien. “During the centennial celebration, I was happy to see the seminary host a symposium on the New Evangelization. That focus will benefit the dioceses that commit to Sacred Heart for years to come. For the Church to grow in this day and age, when so many forces are against the message of Christ, we need leaders trained to evangelize. I’m proud to see that Sacred Heart is committed to that.”
The seminary’s centennial was a significant milestone, and a memory each of our trustees will remember as a highlight of their tenure on the Board.
“The centennial celebration was a very special time to serve as a trustee for SHMS,” O’Brien reflected. “So many things have changed over the past 100 years, but the Archdiocese of Detroit has been consistent in continuing to make this investment in a seminary to provide faithful priests. That incredible mission continues. As time went on, the seminary expanded to provide formation and educational opportunities for lay men and women. Now, Sacred Heart is a national leader in the conversation about how the Church can evangelize.”
Martin added, “A memorable highlight of my time on the board was working with Edmundo Reyes, Emily Berschback and other members of the Advancement and Communications team on plans for the Sacred Heart Centennial Celebration. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented many of the ideas envisioned from coming to fruition. Nevertheless, the team did a phenomenal job, creating virtual and other COVID-safe programs and activities to honor Sacred Heart Major Seminary and its storied 100-year legacy.”
In bidding farewell to the Board of Trustees, Martin expressed her hope for the seminary to remain a “premier institution dedicated to the formation of committed and faith-filled priests, deacons, and laypersons to serve as leaders within the Catholic Church.”
“As a lifelong Catholic, I am honored to have had the privilege of serving the joyful mission of Sacred Heart Major Seminary – forming dedicated disciples to celebrate and proclaim the good news of the Gospel and advance the New Evangelization,” she said.
The persevering formation of hearts and minds for Christ would not be possible at Sacred Heart without the support of these trustees, whose dedication to the seminary and its students has been invaluable, and whose contributions we will gratefully remember in our prayers for years to come.