Nineteen degrees and thirteen certificates were awarded at the 178th annual commencement of Saint Vincent Seminary, Latrobe, Pennsylvania, held on Friday, May 10, in the Archabbey Basilica. Commencement speaker Sister Judith Marie Kubicki, C.S.S.F., gave the address and received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree, honoris causa. She is the provincial minister for the Felician Sisters of North America, Our Lady of Hope Province, with headquarters in Beaver Falls.
A native of Buffalo, New York, her books include: Liturgical Music as Ritual Symbol: A Case Study of Jacques Berthier’s Taizé Music (Peeters, 1999), The Presence of Christ in the Gathered Assembly (Continuum 2006), and The Song of the Singing Assembly: A Theology of Christian Hymnody (GIA, 2017). Her articles and reviews have appeared in Worship, Studia Liturgica, Theological Studies, GIA Quarterly, The Hymn, Pastoral Music, Aim, and Pastoral Liturgy.
Sister Judith served on the editorial board of the revised New Catholic Encyclopedia (2003) and has lectured on liturgical and musical topics in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe.
She is past president of the North American Academy of Liturgy, former chair of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians and Associate Professor Emerita in the Department of Theology at Fordham University.
Seminarians from the Archdiocese of Hanoi, and the dioceses of Allentown, Brooklyn, Charleston, Greensburg and Pittsburgh, from Belmont Abbey, North Carolina, as well as Saint Vincent Archabbey, Latrobe, received degrees.
This commencement is the first conferral of academic credentials by the Saint Vincent Seminary Institute for Ministry Formation, and includes students who completed the program in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Members of religious orders from Saint Joseph Monastery in Lucerne Valley, California; Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Church, Spokane, Washington; and Saint Emma Monastery in Greensburg, as well as lay persons from throughout the country earned degrees and certificates from the IMF.
ARCHDIOCESE OF HANOI, VIETNAM
Anh Tan Nguyen of the Archdiocese of Hanoi earned the Master of Divinity degree, cum laude, from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2024. He is a 2009 graduate of My Tho High School, Nam Dinh, Vietnam. He studied computer science at Hanoi University of Science and Technology. He is the son of Dinh Tien Nguyen and Chin Thi Luu of Dam Dinh, Vietnam.
BELMONT ABBEY, NORTH CAROLINA
Brother James (Robert) Raber, O.S.B., earned the Master of Divinity degree, magna cum laude, from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2024. He is a 2002 graduate of Gahanna Lincoln High School, Gahanna, Ohio. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in marine transportation operations from Maine Maritime Academy, Castine, Maine in 2006. He has done post graduate studies at Belmont Abbey College. He has also studied at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, Indiana. He is the son of Sue M. Raber of Fleming Island, Florida and the late Edward B. Raber.
Two honors from Saint Vincent Seminary were awarded at the annual commencement exercises, but this year were given out at the spring and fall honors convocations. Previously, Brother James received the Judge Bernard Scherer Award, granted by the faculty to the student who most exemplifies the qualities in the life and the mission of Judge Scherer, who was also a professor at Saint Vincent. Judge Scherer dedicated much of his life to teaching and forming students at Saint Vincent College and Seminary. Consideration is not just based on the student’s grade point average, but the recipient must also share Judge Scherer’s love of learning, the ability to discern God in all things, and the desire to share the faith with all of God’s people.
DIOCESE OF ALLENTOWN
Van Vien Nguyen earned the Master of Divinity degree, magna cum laude, and the Master of Arts degree, summa cum laude, in systematic theology from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2024. He is a 2011 graduate of Nguyen Khuyen High School, Nam Dinh, Vietnam. He studied law at Vietnam National University of Law. He is the son of Vinh Nguyen and Xuyen Tran of Nam Dinh. He will be ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, June 1 at the Cathedral Church of Saint Catharine of Siena by Bishop Alfred A. Schlert. During the commencement, he was presented with the Demetrius R. Dumm, O.S.B., Sacred Scripture Award, which honors a member of the graduating class who has excelled in the study of Sacred Scripture in the spirit of Father Demetrius, who read Scripture within the context of real life and real life within the context of Sacred Scripture. The award is determined by the Scripture faculty.
DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN
Randy Thanh Nguyen earned the Master of Divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2024. He graduated in 2011 from the High School for Environmental Studies, New York, New York, then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hunter College, New York, in 2016. He also graduated from Cathedral Seminary House of Formation, Little Neck, New York in 2019. He is the son of Chung Nguyen and Chau Bui of Woodside, New York. He will be ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, June 1 at the Co-Cathedral of Saint Joseph by Bishop Robert J. Brennan.
DIOCESE OF CHARLESTON
Erik Roman earned the Master of Divinity degree, cum laude, from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2024. He graduated from Rock Hill High School in 2016. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and letters from the University of Dallas, Irving, Texas in 2020. He has studied at Saint Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary. He is the son of Jesus Roman and Martha Erika Roman of Rock Hill, South Carolina. He will be ordained to the priesthood on Friday, June 7 at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist by Bishop Jacques Fabre-Jeune, C.S.
DIOCESE OF GREENSBURG
Craig E. Alexander earned the Master of Divinity degree, cum laude, from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2024. He is the son of Ivan Alexander of Harrisburg and Ruth Alexander of Highspire. He is a 1980 graduate of Steelton-Highspire High School and earned an Associate of Science degree in electrical engineering technology from Harrisburg Area Community College in 1997. He will be ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, June 1 at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral by Bishop Larry J. Kulick.
Previously, two honors from Saint Vincent Seminary were awarded at the annual commencement exercises, but this year were given out at the spring and fall honors convocations. In the fall, Alexander received the Diakonia Award, following nomination by the student body and faculty for outstanding academic performance, service to the Seminary community, contributing to student morale and spirit, leadership within the community, as well as creative outreach to others. His time has been characterized by the word Diakonia, that is, service, a man dedicated to prayer, study and a commitment to God and the Church.
John S.G. Torres, S’23, earned the Master of Arts degree, magna cum laude, in systematic theology from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2024, after earning the Master of Divinity degree from the Seminary in 2023. He is a 2001 graduate of Professor Clodoveu Barbosa High School, and earned a bachelor’s degree from the Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas in 2017. His parents are Antonio Torres Farias and Lucia Galisa Torres. He hails from the Diocese of Amparo, Brazil. He will be ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, June 1 at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral by Bishop Larry J. Kulick.
Sister Maria Johanna Uhlott, O.S.B., of Saint Emma Monastery, Greensburg, earned the certificate in spiritual direction from Saint Vincent Seminary’s Institute for Ministry Formation. A graduate of Oil City High School, Oil City, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology/chemistry and anthropology and a teaching certification in secondary science education from the University of Pittsburgh. At Saint Emma, she serves in a number of roles, including sub-prioress, novice mistress, treasurer, vocations and spiritual direction.
DIOCESE OF PITTSBURGH
Nicholas R. Clinton of Allison Park earned the Master of Divinity degree, cum laude, from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2024. He is a 2013 graduate of Hampton High School, Allison Park. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from Grove City College, Grove City, in 2017 and has also studied theology at the Catholic University of America. He is the son of Joel and Lorraine Clinton of Allison Park. He will be ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, June 29 at Saint Paul Cathedral by Bishop David A. Zubik.
John F. Ferguson earned the Master of Divinity degree, cum laude, from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2024. He graduated from Saint Joseph High School, Natrona Heights, in 2015, and studied psychology at Butler County Community College. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, in 2019. He is the son of J. Raymond and Kimberly Ferguson of Butler. He will be ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, June 29 at Saint Paul Cathedral by Bishop David A. Zubik. During the commencement, he was awarded the Omer U. Kline Excellence in Preaching Award, which is given to the seminarian who clearly demonstrates excellence in preaching, as determined by the Rector’s Council. Father Omer was a professor of homiletics from the Seminary. The award has been presented since 1991 in his honor.
Barbara Cyphers Kralik earned the certificate in spiritual direction from Saint Vincent Seminary’s Institute for Ministry Formation. A graduate of Keystone Oaks High School, Pittsburgh, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in information science and a Master of Science degree in telecommunications from the University of Pittsburgh. She earned a Master of Arts degree in pastoral ministry from Duquesne University and a certification from the CatholicPsych Institute, Stamford, Connecticut, in CatholicPsych Model of Applied Personalism (CPMAP). She has also studied at Carlow University. She is a CatholicPsych certified mentor and partner, and mentor coordinator at Foundation of HOPE, which provides prison ministry, and is a professed lay Missionary of Charity. A member of Resurrection Parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, she is married to Deacon Joseph Kralik Jr.
Rev. Jeremiah T. O’Shea, S’64, a retired priest of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, received the Alumni Master of Divinity degree in 2024. He was pastor of Saint Winifred Parish in Mount Lebanon for 26 years. He has also served at Saint Bernadette Parish, Monroeville, Saint Bartholomew in Penn Hills and as a senior priest in Bethel Park before finally retiring in 2013. He currently resides in the Diocese of Greensburg. Father O’Shea noted that he was deeply influenced by the late Father Demetrius Dumm, O.S.B., a well-known Scripture faculty member and former rector of Saint Vincent Seminary, to work as a parish priest. When ordained, he said, he wanted to go directly to the parishes, so he declined the Master of Divinity degree. Now, on the 60th anniversary of his graduation, he said, he is ready to receive the degree.
DIOCESE OF SCRANTON
Jacob P. Mutchler earned the Master of Arts degree, summa cum laude, in Catholic philosophical studies from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2024. He is a 2011 graduate of Stroudsburg High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Lehigh University in Bethlehem in 2016, where he studied supply chain and information systems. His parents are Richard Mutchler of Stroudsburg and Rita Scheirer of East Stroudsburg.
DIOCESE OF SPOKANE
Sister Mary Eucharista, S.M.M.C., of the Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Church, Spokane, Washington, earned the certificate in spiritual direction from Saint Vincent Seminary’s Institute for Ministry Formation. She is a graduate of Saint Michael’s Academy, Spokane, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Whitworth University, Spokane, in English/literature/teacher certification. She also earned a Master of Philosophy degree from Gonzaga University, Spokane. She works in program management and spiritual direction at Immaculate Heart Retreat Center. She is from Saint Peter Parish, Spokane, in the Diocese of Spokane. Her parents are Carl and Mary Dolores Mazurik.
SAINT JOSEPH MONASTERY
Minh Ngoc Pham, O. Cist. S’19, of Saint Joseph Monastery, Lucerne Valley, California, earned the Master of Arts degree, magna cum laude, in ministry from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2024, and also earned certificates in Catholic theology and spiritual direction from the Seminary’s Institute for Ministry Formation. He earned the Master of Divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2019. He is the son of Peter Pham and Maria Nguyen of Nghe An, Vietnam. He graduated in 1999 from Minh Khai High School, Ha Tinh, Vietnam, where he was a member of Bui Ngoa parish, Hung Trung, Hung Nguyen, Nghe An, Vietnam.
SAINT VINCENT ARCHABBEY
Brother Romuald (Joseph) Duchene, O.S.B., earned the Master of Divinity degree, summa cum laude, and the Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree, summa cum laude, from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2024. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, in 2002, and a Master of Arts degree in systematic theology from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2021, summa cum laude. He is the son of Patti Gentz of Minneapolis and the late William Duchene. He will be ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, May 25 at Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica by Bishop Larry J. Kulick.
Brother Anselm (Xinran) Zhang, O.S.B., earned the Master of Divinity from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2024. He studied marriage and family in 2013 at the International Theological Institute, Austria, and English and international communication in 2003 at Yantai Norman University, China. He earned an A.A. degree in international business from the School of Business, Peking University, China, in 1996 and an A.A. degree in applied English from North China Electric Power University in 1995. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy and theology from Saint Vincent College in 2021. He is the son of Yibo Zhang of Xingtai, Xiangdu District, and the late Chaoying Han.
MASTER OF ARTS
Bradley S. Whittle of Union, Kentucky, earned the Master of Arts degree, cum laude, in Catholic philosophical studies from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2024. He is the son of Scott and Elaine Whittle of Union. He is a 2015 graduate of Saint Henry District High School, Erlanger, Kentucky. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from the University of Cincinnati in 2020.
Anne Brooke Ryan earned the Master of Arts degree, summa cum laude, in ministry from Saint Vincent Seminary, as well as certificates in Catholic theology and spiritual direction from the Seminary’s Institute for Ministry Formation.
CERTIFICATE IN SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
Maria Jomelia Brondial earned the certificate in spiritual direction from Saint Vincent Seminary’s Institute for Ministry Formation. She is a staff member of the Apostolate for Family Consecration, Bloomingdale, Ohio.
Sheila Margaret Dwyer-Grove earned the certificate in spiritual direction from Saint Vincent Seminary’s Institute for Ministry Formation. A graduate of Mercyhurst Preparatory School, Erie, she earned the A.B. degree from Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, in special education and elementary education and a Master of Arts degree from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, summa cum laude. A member of Saint Peter Cathedral Parish, Erie, where she assists in parish ministry, she is a retired licensed psychologist and retired multi-media journalist from the Diocese of Erie.
Michael Joseph King earned the certificate in spiritual direction from Saint Vincent Seminary’s Institute for Ministry Formation. He is a graduate of Madonna University, Livonia, Michigan, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology/mental health, and Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit, where he earned a Master of Arts degree in pastoral studies. He is an adjunct professor and spiritual director at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit, and vision and mission coordinator at Our Lady Star of the Sea, Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan. He is a member of Saint Francis Cabrini Parish, Allen Park, Michigan and is married to Shawn Renee King.
Emily McAllister earned the certificate in spiritual direction from Saint Vincent Seminary’s Institute for Ministry Formation. She is a graduate of Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, with a Bachelor of Arts degree, with high distinction and earned the Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School, Ann Arbor. A member of Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in the Diocese of Des Moines, she and her husband Coleman McAllister reside in West Des Moines.
Angela M. Rosson earned the certificate in spiritual direction from Saint Vincent Seminary’s Institute for Ministry Formation. The resident of Vancouver, Washington, is a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, where she earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in mental health/theology and a Master of Arts degree in counseling. She is a lay Franciscan and works in integrity counseling and also is involved with the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults at Mount Angel Abbey, Oregon.
Gregory Glen Sherwood earned the certificate in spiritual direction from Saint Vincent Seminary’s Institute for Ministry Formation. The Aurora, Oregon, resident is a graduate of South Salem High School, Salem, Oregon. He earned a degree in education/geology from Oregon State University, Corvallis. He is currently on staff at Saint Michael the Archangel Parish, Portland, which is also his parish. He leads various ministries, including Alpha, adult confirmation, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, faith formation circles and provides spiritual direction.
