North American College Celebrates Opening Banquet

Marking the beginning of the academic year, the Opening Banquet was held on Sunday, October 14th. The banquet was preceded by Sunday Mass, celebrated by His Eminence Donald Cardinal Wuerl. The joyous occasion recognized the many blessings the community has already experienced and looked forward to many more as the men begin their classes.

Although the European calendar for university classes does not begin until October, students have been at the College in language studies, formation workshops and spiritual retreats since the beginning of September. Some of the New Men came over even earlier, beginning intensive Italian courses in late July. The first big event of the year that everyone at the College prepares for is the Diaconate Ordination on the first Thursday in October. The College hosted family, friends and guests from the United States, Australia, and the world for this joyous occasion. All of this happens before the academic classes at the Universities begin.

The Opening Banquet, at the end of the first week of university classes for most students, gives an opportunity to look back with gratitude to commemorate the beginning of the new academic year, the ordination of new transitional deacons, the return of all the students and faculty from assignments in home dioceses and apostolates from around the world. The college was blessed with the presence of two cardinals: His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan ’76 and His Eminence Donald Cardinal Wuerl ’67.

The banquet was hosted by Rev. Mr. John Connaugton of the Diocese of Bridgeport. The banquet came to its conclusion with two speeches delivered by representatives from the New Men and the Fourth Year Class. Mr. Nathan Ricci of the Diocese of Providence, RI, spoke on behalf of the New Men and expressed gratitude for the welcome they have received from the community as well as excitement for the lives ahead of them. Rev. Mr. Daniel McCaughan of the Diocese of Sydney, spoke on behalf of the Fourth Year Men, who are also newly ordained transitional deacons.  Rev. Mr. McCaughan spoke about the strong sense of brotherhood that his class shares and attributed it to the prayers and work of the College’s faculty, staff, and fellow seminarians. Rev. Austin Vetter of the Diocese of Bismarck, ended the banquet in prayer. The community seems to have already bonded so well after only a few weeks! It seems the 2012-2013 year at the North American College will a most blessed one indeed!