Comments on: Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Needs To Include All Graduates!

By: Greg McAllister

Greg McAllister — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:29:40 +0000

How sad to hear of your experiences. I spent nine years in the San Francisco archdiocese’s seminary and we have an alumni reunion every year. The alumni association raises a lot of money for the seminary and the reunion is always well-attended. Those old bonds are precious.
Good luck in getting something going.

By: Drognath

Drognath — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 02:00:24 +0000

I would highly recommend you look at the seminary’s website, http://www.scs.edu, as well as the Rector’s Blog that is now available. Keep an eye out for the Christmas Concert as well; it would be an opportunity for you to come back and see part of the seminary.

By: Martha Keeler

Martha Keeler — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 19:41:35 +0000

Is this the Borromeo in Wickliff, Ohio? If so, please contact me. My brother, Mark Michael, was a student there, but did not become a priest. I would like to speak to a friend of his from that time. Thank you in advance for any contact!

Martha

By: Tom McFadden

Tom McFadden — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:06:37 +0000

I totally agree. It would be nice to see some of the guys from the old days.

Thanks,
Tom

P.S. Kent and Scott, how are you guys doing. It’s been a long time

By: smullen

smullen — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 04:05:29 +0000

Yes
It would really behoove the Sem’s fund raising efforts to reach out to all grads. I have received fundraiser mailings before, but it’s been several years since I’ve seen one. I can think of some reasons for this kind of disconnect. I don’t think any of them reflect well on the culture of the Seminary, as much as I still love the place. Perhaps they just need a little shot of creative thinking.
I haven’t been on a mission of raising these issues with the seminary the way you have Hugh, so as a result, haven’t faced the frustration and rejection you seem to have.
As far as visiting the place goes, I’ve had an easier time. The Library is open to the public and during more than two or three visits I’ve told the guard I was an alumni and asked if it was ok to visit St. Martins or Immaculate Conception Chapel, and was permitted to do so. I have to confess that at one of those visits the guard was a long time employee and remembered me from my time there. They like to know where visitors are headed on the campus, alumni or not. Security is tighter there than it used to be and with good reason.
I graduated the College in 92. Entering was one of the best if not the best thing I ever did. I deeply cherish my years in the college. I thank God that among my closest friends are guys I met there 20 years ago. Priest and family man alike.
Over all, I have a lot of empathy for your experience and the tone of what you wrote. Most of all I enjoyed reading your letter because it described common experience and aspects of a place I love. I think that proves your point about an alumni association. If one existed the way you described it, I’d definitely join in
Thanks
Pax Cristi
Scott Mullen

P.S. Kent if you look at this web page again,
How the Heck are you Man!!!!!?
mullen_scott@hotmail.com

By: Kent J. Artigues

Kent J. Artigues — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 22:51:17 +0000

I agree…would be nice to find old friends. I would pay to be a part of the alumni association. This would also…hint hint to those running St. Charles, be a great way to raise money for the seminary!!! Hello, THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!!! Is that not what we were taught in philosophy?

Regards to all,

Kent J. Artigues

By: Joe Burch

Joe Burch — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 05:06:06 +0000

Hello Hugh.

I read your post and wholeheartedly agree that the non ordained alumni should be proactively invited to attend certain seminary functions.

Myself, I was at Saint Charles from 1960 to 1965, and my classmated were ordained in 1970.

I have been back to the ‘Brook’ many times bringing my wife and 3 children along with me. Like yourself, it was wonderful to gaze - once again - at the Magnificat on the ceiling of Saint Martin’s Chapel and to tred through the long hallways where we used to walk so many times while going about our daily business.

In many ways, it’s almost like 43 years ago was just yesterday. The familiar but subtle ‘furrows’ on the stairs next to the refectory leading to the back porch are still there as is the indentation on the marble floor in the ‘center of the house’ where the Dean used to wait for a student or two as we paraded by in silence.

The place even smells the same. The only material difference I noted was my pronounced inability to gallop up the 3 flights of stairs to the old 5th year dorm - which we used to call the ‘barn’.

Do you remember how effortlessly we used to make that trip at least 5 or 6 times a day??

Along with other ex-seminarians, I was able to attend a 2 day retreat back in 1988 or 1989. We stayed on the Upper Side in newer dorm rooms that were not there when I was a seminarian. It was really a wonderful experience praying aloud with the other men in the Blessed Mother’s Chapel.

One of the fellows with us had been a seminarian in the 40’s and brought with him the little black book in which our daily prayers were contained and which were written in Latin. How many nights did we hear the Deacon Prefect recite the last prayer of the nite which was to our Guardian Angel…Angele Dei, qui custos es mei………..it just gives me goosebumps!

Sorry about my brief reminiscing, but my two day retreat helped me to reconcile with myself some of the feelings I had apparently supressed since in left. Mind you, I have no regrets as I left voluntarily, and God has blessed be with a great family.

I feel that other ex-sems would likewise benefit from an Overbrook that it opens its arms to all of us whom Overbrook helped to nurture and form.

Cardinal Dougherty once called Saint Charles the ‘ heart of the Archdiocese…’ and the ‘…apple of his eye…’

It still is.

Joe Burch
k3jls@verizon.net