RECENT NEWS

Rev. Albert Giaquinto, PSS, a graduate of the Basselin Class of 1944 and the Theological College Class of 1948, died on October 27, 2014, at the age of 90. Ordained on May 27, 1948, he served the dioceses of Hartford and Norwich until he was released to the Sulpician Fathers in 1953. In 1969, Fr. Al joined the Theological College faculty, where he ministered for over 30 years in 1970–2003, including as rector in 1982–86. He resided at St. Charles Villa for Sulpicians in Catonsville, Md., after his retirement, though he frequently visited Theological College. See inside for the homily delivered at Fr. Al’s funeral on November 1st, and click here to read a letter of tribute from one of the scores of seminarians and priests he mentored over so many years.

This year’s annual alumni gathering at Theological College hosted almost 40 alumni for two days of reunion, beginning with the Sedes Cup Golf Tournament and Silent Auction on Sept. 30th (see below) and ending with the Awards Dinner on October 1st. While acknowledging reunion years for classes ending in 9 and 4, this year’s celebration was unique in that it took place during The Year of the Basselin, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Basselin Program endowment.

On September 30th, more than 80 golfers turned out for Theological College’s second annual Sedes Cup golf tournament fundraiser at Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City, Md. Seminarians, alumni, and benefactors enjoyed a long game of golf followed by a silent auction and awards luncheon on this glorious sunny day with temperatures in the 70s.

On September 27th, Theological College capped an extraordinary day of brotherly competition with an impressive showing in the 2014 Vianney Cup soccer tournament. Seminarians from four mid-Atlantic seminaries spent the day praying, eating, relaxing, and competing together in TC’s successful debut as the host of this annual event. The home team was narrowly defeated by Mount St. Mary’s, 2-1, in a thrilling championship game.

Nearly 150 people gathered at the academic year’s outset to celebrate the collaboration and mutual enrichment between Theological College and CUA’s Schools of Theology & Religious Studies, Philosophy, and Canon Law. TC’s annual reception and dinner are its way of expressing appreciation for the centrality of these schools to the academic and spiritual formation of its seminarians.

From Tuesday, August 19th, through Sunday, August 24th, 16 new seminarians experienced life here at TC, presented in a nutshell. Orientation 2014 and the year-opening celebrations offered a chockfull schedule: prayer, relaxation, and getting to know the people at TC and the beautiful campus at CUA as well as some of the memorable sites in the area. The Mass and dinner celebration at week’s end was a joyful beginning of a new academic and formation year for all at Theological College.

Sixteen Theological College graduates were ordained priests recently in a dozen dioceses across the country. TC’s staff and formators congratulate them and their bishops and rejoice in union with their Catholic University professors and advisors for their fruitful time of education and growth in Washington, DC.

Following their three brothers from the Diocese of Spokane ordained to the transitional deaconate in February, 15 more Theological College seminarians have made the passage from the lay to the clerical state this summer, publicly professing their promises to obedience, celibacy, and prayer during this most solemn rite celebrated with TC seminarians in 10 different dioceses across the country.

Theological College warmly congratulates Bishop Michael Olson (TC Basselin Class of 1989) on his appointment as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Fort Worth, Texas, and Bishop Mitchell Rozanski (TC Class of 1984) on his appointment as the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts. Our prayers join them on their new paths of service to the faithful of these dioceses.

Ten Basselin Fellow seminarians have left the halls of Theological College with new distinction as graduates of Catholic University’s august School of Philosophy. While the three Bachelor’s of Philosophy graduates will return to TC and CUA in the Fall for their master’s-level licentiate, the five Ph.L. Spring semester graduates and two Ph.L. Summer semester graduates will move on to other universities where their various dioceses have sent them to continue their theological studies before ordination.