You probably have heard by now that in May I will be leaving Sacred Heart Major Seminary to become the pastor of St. Andrew Parish in Rochester. As I look ahead to this new ministry, I have also been reflecting on the many accomplishments your support has made real over the six years of my rectorship here at the seminary.
When I put pen to paper recently, I was truly astonished to see what your loyalty and generosity toward our seminarians, our lay students and our sacred mission have helped to bring about.
Would you like to know just some of the highlights?
- This year’s seminarian enrollment of 117 students is the largest number since the early 1970s. More seminarians mean more future priests for our parishes.
- After the disastrous main chapel fire of February 2009, we were able to repair, clean and restore the artistically significant Gothic Revival chapel to its original brilliance.
- Five “smart classrooms” have been retrofitted with the latest educational technology—projecting-screen whiteboards, e-podiums with document cameras, and Wi-Fi connectivity—to enhance the learning experience of our students. (The remaining ten classrooms will be retrofitted as funding allows.)
- Parish satellite locations and online courses are providing more lay students an opportunity for theological education.
- Our Introduction to Theology course is now offered in Spanish, to better serve the catechetical needs of our growing Latino community.
The more I continued to write, the more it became clear to me what your gifts and prayers have accomplished. It is truly astounding.
- To house the expanding seminarian community, an entire third-floor wing (vacant since the 1970s) has been demolished and renovated. Immaculate Heart of Mary Hall now has ten extra dorm rooms with plans for another thirteen rooms as funding allows.
- A revised homiletics program—including a “preaching boot camp” for undergraduate seminarians—will help ensure your future priests will deliver more inspiring homilies centered on the undiluted Word of God.
- The development of a BA in Pastoral Theology that focuses on “practical theology”— applying theological learning in real-life settings. It is also a convenient way for diploma and associate degree holders to take the “next step forward” in their theological educations.
- The Holy See officially approved our Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL) in the New Evangelization. The STL is now an “ecclesiastical” degree, recognized by all Catholic academic institutions throughout the world
- Hosting two national theological conferences, on the landmark pro-life encyclical Humanae Vitae and on the theology of St. Paul, enhanced the standing of Sacred Heart as a national and international center of the New Evangelization—and a place you can be proud to support.
This list could go on, but I think you get the picture. Your generosity—in time, funding and prayer support—has helped to make Sacred Heart an educational institution of growing significance in the life of the Church.
More and more prospective priests and lay ministers are being attracted here in their hearts, who will then go out and transform their worlds. More and more bishops are entrusting their precious seminarians to our care, knowing they will be formed and educated in fidelity to the teachings of Christ and the Church.
In fact, the superiors of two religious communities—the Companions of the Cross and the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity—have entrusted us with the education of their seminarians this school year, twenty men in total. This is an awesome responsibility you can be sure I have taken with the utmost seriousness.
And your generosity will continue to make Sacred Heart even more attractive in the future—even more of a place where hearts are changed and leaders are formed—all for the good of the Church and the sanctification of souls.
It is true that in many ways a rector can have a significant influence on the direction and effectiveness of a seminary. On the other hand, it is never a permanent position. We are really servants called to do a job, and then sent by the Master to do another. You no doubt have found this to be true in your own personal or work life.
The real “bedrock” of a seminary, the real constant, is friends such as you. Your continued and open-hearted support makes it possible for the next generation of priests, deacons and lay ministers to serve in your parishes, ministering God’s loving kindness to you and your friends and your loved ones.
Another “servant” will be taking the reins of Sacred Heart in May. He is a wonderful priest and a good friend, Msgr. Todd Lajiness. He has been a leader at Sacred Heart as dean of studies since 2003.
Many of the academic initiatives listed above—and many more—have been spearheaded by Monsignor Lajiness. He is a man with a compassionate heart, a sharp intellect and a deep love for the seminary. You will learn more about Monsignor’s vision in upcoming correspondences and future issues of our award-winning magazine, Mosaic.
I only ask this one thing in my final thoughts to you. Please continue to support Monsignor Lajiness as much as you have supported the seminary during my tenure.
Your response to this letter will be a sign of encouragement to Monsignor Lajiness that the friends of Sacred Heart are like no others, and the “bedrock” of the seminary remains even firmer today than it was yesterday.
May I ask if you would prayerfully consider sending a generous gift of support today? Your gift will go a long way to form loyal servants—loyal priests, deacons and lay co-workers—filled with the love of Christ and the fervor to spread that love to all those they encounter.
And I promise you this. There will not be a day that goes by that I will not remember you and your graciousness toward Sacred Heart in my prayers. You can count on that. I remain,
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Very Rev. Msgr. Jeffrey M. Monforton
Rector/President
P.S.: Monsignor Lajiness and I have just returned from Rome seeking approval to deliver classes in the STL in the New Evangelization online. And approval looks encouraging.
When you support Sacred Heart in appeals such as this, you provide the funding that allows us to utilize the latest technology to respond to the educational needs of a changing student culture.
I thank you one last time for your kind support of me through the years. Peace.
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