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Plans Discussed for Regional Alum Meetings
The Board of Directors of the Alumni Association held an interesting meeting on January 23. The rector, Msgr. Jeffrey Monforton, addressed the board and shared some of his thoughts for the future. He announced that currently thirteen dioceses are represented among the students of the seminary (all seven Michigan dioceses have seminarians here). We have, in fact, become a regional seminary.
While it is true that traditionally the purpose of a seminary is to prepare young men to serve as priests in our parishes, Sacred Heart also has a focus of providing leadership for parishes and dioceses through training lay leaders. The training encompasses religious education, parish management, programs of spirituality and other related areas.
Monsignor Monforton emphasized that because we have alumni in many places, we ought to have alumni representation far and wide. Here in the state of Michigan, each of the dioceses could well have alumni meetings based on the numbers of alumni throughout the state. To expect former students from Marquette or Gaylord to come to Sacred Heart for a meeting would be to expect the impractical. But, it would not be unreasonable to hold regional alumni meetings, and alumni could thus be aware of the happenings at their alma mater.
Congratulations to the newest members of the Alumni Association. On April 27, at the annual Graduate Awards Dinner, we had the privilege of welcoming the graduates of the Class of 2007 to the association. It was an honor for me to represent the alumni and to speak on your behalf. The Alumni Association grew by seventy-six members in the blink of an eye. Welcome one and all!
We still need class agents, representatives who will be the contact person between the seminary and the members of the various classes. Since our Alumni Awards Dinner in February, several alumni have come forward and volunteered to serve as class agents. We are grateful for their willingness to serve. Any potential class agents can contact Ms. Kate Bua, director of marketing for the seminary, 313-883-8533.
A final thought: membership on the Alumni Board of Directors is open to any alumnus or alumna. To be considered, just contact Ms. Bua. Fresh approaches are always welcome. A special invitation is extended to the new alumni and alumnae, Class of 2007. Please don't hesitate to step forward and become active in the Alumni Association.
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