The Redemptorists of the Baltimore Province welcome 15 seminarians to St. Alphonsus Formation Reside

The Redemptorists (Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer) welcome four returning and 11 new seminary students on August 27, 2007, with a Mass and a reception at St. Alphonsus Formation Residence, Whitestone, NY. The Residence is the undergraduate philosophy community for men entering Redemptorist religious life. The students will study at St. John’s University, Queens, NY. This celebration formally merges the pre-novitiate programs of two Redemptorist provinces in the United States. The Baltimore Province ministers primarily on the East Coast, and the Denver Province ministers primarily west of Ohio.

Very Rev. Fr. Patrick F. Woods, Provincial Superior of the Baltimore Province, said, "Over the last ten years, we have seen some great developments in Congregation solidarity." Very Rev. Thomas D. Picton, C.Ss.R., Provincial Superior of the Denver Province, said, "The move will also allow us to demonstrate responsible stewardship by consolidating resources whenever and wherever possible."

The newly merged formation community witnesses to a diversity of geographic locations and cultures. The returning seminarians are: Kevin Bellot, C.Ss.R., Commonwealth of Dominica; Nicholas Andruzzi , Charlotte, NC; Michel Pezantes, Ecuador and Fort Lauderdale, FL; Miguel Valerio, Dominican Republic; Benedict Kelly, C.Ss.R., Chicago, IL; Landon Cao, Arlington, TX; Adam Sieja, Toledo, OH; Thanh Nguyen, Kansas City, MO. The new seminarians are: Douglas Amber, Chicago, IL; Calvin Auguiste, Commonwealth of Dominica; Russell Kelly, Belleville, IL; Luke Manalo, Houston, TX; Jacky Merilan, Haiti; Aaron Meszaros, Grand Rapids, MI; and Son Tran, Houston,TX

Formation staff are: Very Rev. Paul Borowski, C.Ss.R., Director of Formation; Rev. Patrick Keyes, C.Ss.R., Asst. Director of Formation, Bro. Jeffrey Rolle, C.Ss.R., Asst. Director of Formation; Rev. Philip Dabney, C.Ss.R., Vocation Director; and Mr. Edward Reyman, Vocation Director.

In the United States and Canada over 700 Redemptorist priests and brothers spread the Good News of Jesus Christ the Redeemer. The spirit of St. Alphonsus Liguori, the Congregation’s founder, continues to animate more than 5,600 Redemptorists worldwide, as they carry in their hearts the motto of the Congregation: "With Him there is plentiful redemption" (Psalm 130).