Nineteen degrees and sixteen certificates were awarded at the 180th annual commencement of Saint Vincent College and Seminary, Latrobe, Pennsylvania, held on Friday, May 8, in the Archabbey Basilica.
Eleven men from the dioceses of Charleston, South Carolina; Ogdensburg, New York and Pittsburgh, as well as Saint Vincent Archabbey, earned the Master of Divinity degree. Three seminarians, two from the Archdiocese of Hanoi and one from Saint Vincent Archabbey, earned the Master of Arts degree in Catholic Philosophical Studies. Two students earned the Master of Arts in Ministry degree. Two seminarians earned the Master of Arts in Systematic Theology degree.
Certificates were awarded in the fields of Catechetics, Catholic Theology and Spiritual Direction, while Letters of Completion were awarded in Catechetics and Spiritual Direction.
His Eminence Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley, O.F.M. Cap., gave the commencement address and received an honorary doctorate. Cardinal O’Malley is Metropolitan Archbishop emeritus of Boston, and retired President of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.
MASTER OF DIVINITY
NEW YORK
DIOCESE OF OGDENSBURG
Rev. Mr. Tyler Martin Fitzgerald of Madrid, New York, earned the Master of Divinity degree, magna cum laude, from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026. At the fall honors convocation of Saint Vincent College and Seminary, he was awarded the Diakonia Award, presented to a fourth-year seminarian whom both the student body and the faculty recommend as exhibiting outstanding academic performance, service to the seminary community through contributing to student morale and spirit, leadership within the community and creative outreach to others. He is a 2018 graduate of Madrid-Waddington Central School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy and humanities from the Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus in 2022. His parents are Leo and Michele Fitzgerald of Madrid, New York. He was ordained to the diaconate on May 24, 2025, and will be ordained to the priesthood on May 30, 2026.
Rev. Mr. Dennis Mamwacha Ombongi of Massena, New York, earned the Master of Divinity degree, cum laude, from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026. He is a 2005 graduate of Saint James Gionsaria Secondary School, Kisii, Kenya. He earned an Associate of Arts degree in 2020 from Holy Apostles College and Seminary, Connecticut, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2022 from the Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus, Ohio, where he then went on to earn the Master of Divinity degree in 2024. His parents are Christopher Ombongi Ondwari and Mary Nyansiaboka Ombongi of Kisii, Kenya. He was ordained to the diaconate on May 24, 2025, and will be ordained to the priesthood on May 30, 2026.
PENNSYLVANIA
DIOCESE OF PITTSBURGH
Rev. Mr. Brian Matthew Myler earned the Master of Divinity degree, magna cum laude, and the Master of Arts degree in systematic theology, magna cum laude, from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026. He also received the Honorable Judge Bernard Scherer Award at the April 22 spring honors convocation of Saint Vincent College and Seminary. The award is granted by the faculty to the student who most exemplifies the qualities in the life and the mission of Judge Scherer, who was a professor at Saint Vincent and who dedicated much of his life to teaching and forming students at Saint Vincent College and Seminary. Consideration is not just based on the student’s grade point average, but the recipient must also share Judge Scherer’s love of learning, the ability to discern God in all things, and the desire to share the faith with all of God’s people. He is the son of John J. and Bonnie L. Myler of Pittsburgh. He is a 2004 graduate of Penn Hills High School. He studied civil engineering at Pennsylvania State University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 2008. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 2013. He was ordained to the transitional diaconate on June 7, 2025, and will be ordained to the priesthood on June 27, 2026.
Rev. Mr. Erik Lambert Pintar earned the Master of Divinity degree, magna cum laude, from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026. He is the son of Frank A. and Angie M. Pintar of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. He is a 2011 graduate of Wauwatosa East High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical and computer engineering and human computer interaction from Carnegie Mellon University in 2016. He was ordained to the transitional diaconate on June 7, 2025, and will be ordained to the priesthood on June 27, 2026.
SAINT VINCENT ARCHABBEY
Brother José Alex Rosa, O.S.B., earned the Master of Divinity degree, summa cum laude, and the Master of Arts degree in systematic theology from Saint Vincent College and Seminary, magna cum laude, in 2026. He graduated from Mount Saint Joseph High School in 2016, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, from Saint Vincent College in 2020, majoring in philosophy and politics. He is the son of Alex Rosa Jr. and Margaret Rosa of Odenton, Maryland. He was ordained to the diaconate on August 30, 2025 and will be ordained to the priesthood on May 23, 2026.
Rev. Gregory Visca, O.S.B. earned the Master of Divinity degree from Saint Vincent College and Seminary, Latrobe, in 2026. He is a 2007 graduate of Bloomingdale High School Valrico. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from Saint John Vianney College Seminary, Miami, in 2011, and a Master of Divinity degree from Saint Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach, Florida, in 2012. He was ordained to the diaconate on November 26, 2022 and ordained to the priesthood on June 10, 2023, and presently serves at Benedictine Military High School in Savannah. He is the son of Michael and Victoria Visca of Valrico, Florida.
Brother Francisco (Samuel) Whittaker, O.S.B., earned the Master of Divinity degree, summa cum laude, in 2026. He also received the Demetrius R. Dumm, O.S.B., Sacred Scripture Award, which is given by the Scripture faculty to the student who most demonstrates excellence in the study of Sacred Scripture. He received the Master of Arts degree in Catholic Philosophical Studies, summa cum laude, from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2022. He attended Mother of Divine Grace School, graduating in 2015. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry in 2019 from Saint Vincent College, magna cum laude. The son of Daniel and Kathleen Whittaker of Grove City, he was ordained to the diaconate on May 24, 2025, and will be ordained to the priesthood on May 23, 2026.
SOUTH CAROLINA
DIOCESE OF CHARLESTON
Rev. Mr. Philippe Dubourdieu earned the Master of Divinity degree, cum laude, from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026. He graduated in 2016 from Van Vleck High School in Van Vleck, Texas and completed two years of undergraduate studies at Saint Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict, Louisiana, then finished his undergraduate degree at the University of Dallas, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy and letters in 2020. He has done additional graduate studies in theology at the University of Dallas in Houston. His parents are Alexis Dubourdieu and Maria Valeria Dubourdieu of Bay City, Texas. He was ordained to the transitional diaconate on May 23, 2025, and will be ordained to the priesthood on June 19, 2026.
Rev. Mr. Reyes H. Palomares-Solis earned the Master of Divinity degree from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026. From Greenville, South Carolina, he is a 2017 graduate of Greenville Senior High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from the University of Dallas. His parents are Jose Palomares and Martha Solis of Greenville. He was ordained to the transitional diaconate on May 23, 2025, and will be ordained to the priesthood on June 19, 2026.
Rev. Mr. Paul Tyler-Lee Sizemore earned the Master of Divinity degree, magna cum laude, from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026. He also received the Omer U. Kline, O.S.B., Excellence in Preaching Award, given by the Rector’s Council to the student who has most clearly demonstrated excellence in preaching during his fourth year of study. From Belvedere, South Carolina, he is a 2009 graduate of North Augusta High School, North Augusta, South Carolina. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2014 from The Citadel, majoring in French. He earned the Master of Arts degree in philosophical studies in missionary discipleship from Saint Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Florida. His parents are Joseph L. Sizemore of Belvedere, South Carolina and Lee Anne Wright. He was ordained to the transitional diaconate on May 23, 2025, and will be ordained to the priesthood on June 19, 2026.
Rev. Mr. John Michael Tracy of Charleston, South Carolina, earned the Master of Divinity degree from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026. He is a 2004 graduate of Bishop England High School in Charleston. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Belmont Abbey College, Belmont, North Carolina, in 2008. He studied pre-theology from 2020-2022 at Saint Mary’s Seminary/University of Saint Thomas, Houston. His parents are Mark and Roseann Tracy of Charleston. He was ordained to the transitional diaconate on May 23, 2025, and will be ordained to the priesthood on June 19, 2026.
MASTER OF ARTS
CATHOLIC PHILOSOPHICAL STUDIES
PENNSYLVANIA
SAINT VINCENT ARCHABBEY
Brother Roman Pallone, O.S.B., of Columbus, Ohio, earned the Master of Arts degree in Catholic Philosophical Studies, summa cum laude, from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Cornell University in 1991, and a Master of Business Administration degree from The Ohio State University in 1999. He has been a monk of the Archabbey since 2021.
VIETNAM
ARCHDIOCESE OF HANOI
Van Dung (Joseph) Ngo of Hanoi, Vietnam, earned the Master of Arts degree in Catholic Philosophical Studies, magna cum laude, from Saint Vincent College and Seminary, Latrobe, in 2026. He is a 2017 graduate of A Thanh Liem High School, Vietnam and earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from Hanoi Law University in 2021. His parents are Van Vinh Ngo and Thi Huong Lai of Vietnam.
Duc Thang (Joseph) Vu of Hanoi, Vietnam, earned the Master of Arts degree in Catholic Philosophical Studies, summa cum laude, from Saint Vincent College and Seminary, Latrobe, in 2026. He is a 2016 graduate of Phu Xuyen A High School, Hanoi. He earned an engineering degree from the University of Transport and Communications in 2020, majoring in heat and refrigeration engineering. He began studies at Saint Joseph Seminary in Hanoi in 2021. His parents are Van Tot Vu and Thi Than Luong of Hanoi.
MASTER OF ARTS
MINISTRY
INDIANA
DIOCESE OF EVANSVILLE
Rev. Luke A. Hassler of the Diocese of Evansville, Indiana, earned the Master of Arts in Ministry degree from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026, cum laude, and completed Certificates in Catholic Theology as well as Spiritual Direction. Father Hassler is a 2011 graduate of Mater Dei High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from Marian University, Indianapolis and a Master of Divinity degree from Saint Meinrad Seminary in St. Meinrad, Indiana. He is the pastor of Corpus Christ Parish in Evansville, as well as the Director of Spiritual Formation for the Diocesan Propaedeutic Program and the Diocesan House of Discernment. He also serves as an adjunct spiritual director for Saint Meinrad Seminary.
PENNSYLANIA
DIOCESE OF GREENSBURG
Daniele Arcara, Ph.D., is a parishioner at Saint Paul Parish in Greensburg and professor of mathematics at Saint Vincent College. He earned the Master of Arts in Ministry degree from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026, summa cum laude, and completed certificates in Catholic Theology (2026) and Spiritual Direction (2025). He is a graduate of I.T.C. Caio Plinio Secondo in Como, Italy, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from the Universitá di Torni and a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Georgia. He is married to Angela Arcara and they are the parents of eight children.
MASTER OF ARTS
CATHOLIC PHILOSOPHICAL STUDIES
Brian Matthew Myler, Diocese of Pittsburgh. See Master of Divinity for full biography.
Brother José Rosa, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Archabbey. See Master of Divinity for full biography.
CERTIFICATE IN CATECHETICS
Steven Michael Kopasko earned the Certificate in Catechetics from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026.
Patrick J. Malley earned the Certificate in Catechetics from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026.
Joseph Michael Pencak Jr. earned the Certificate in Catechetics from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026.
Amelia Steele earned the Certificate in Catechetics from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026.
CERTIFICATE IN CATHOLIC THEOLOGY
Daniele Arcara, Ph.D., parishioner at Saint Paul Parish in Greensburg. See Master of Arts in Ministry for full biography.
Rev. Mr. John Campbell, a deacon in the Archdiocese of Atlanta earned the Certificate in Catechetics from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026.
Rev. Luke A. Hassler of the Diocese of Evansville, Indiana. See Master of Arts in Ministry for full biography.
CERTIFICATE IN SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
Nicole Marie Breit earned the Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026.
Rev. Mr. Robert Falke, a deacon serving in the Diocese of Kansas City, Missouri, earned the Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026. He earned the BSBA degree from Rockhurst College and is a member of Saint Robert Bellarmine Parish, Blue Springs, Missouri. He is married to Sherry Falke.
Rev. John Ferguson, S’24, a priest of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, earned Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026. He previously received the Master of Divinity degree, cum laude, in 2024, and at that time received the Omer U. Kline Excellence in Preaching Award, given to the seminarian who clearly demonstrates excellence in preaching, as determined by the Rector’s Council. He graduated from Saint Joseph High School, Natrona Heights, in 2015, and studied psychology at Butler County Community College. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, in 2019. He is the son of J. Raymond and Kimberly Ferguson of Butler. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 29, 2024 and is presently serving as parochial vicar at Saint Isidore the Farmer Parish.
Rev. Luke A. Hassler of the Diocese of Evansville, Indiana. See Master of Arts in Ministry for full biography.
Sr. Danielle Victoria Lussier of the Daughters of St. Paul in the Diocese of Lansing, earned the Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026.
Rev. Mr. Gary Molitor, a deacon serving in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, earned the Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026.
Michelle Murray earned the Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026.
Denise Marie Nuxoll earned the Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026.
Rev. Mr. Joe Vandervort, deacon in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City as well as coordinator of the Altum Institute in the Archdiocese, earned the Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent College and Seminary.
LETTER OF COMPLETION IN CATECHETICS
Carol Borland of Immaculate Conception Parish in Irwin, in the Diocese of Greensburg earned a Letter of Completion in Catechetics from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in education and a Master of Science degree in reading, both from California University of Pennsylvania. She is a member of the adjunct faculty in the Education Department at Saint Vincent College. She also volunteers as coordinator of Christian Initiation at Immaculate Conception.
Karen McDade earned the Letter of Completion in Catechetics from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026.
Adelle Slebodnik earned the Letter of Completion in Catechetics from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026.
LETTER OF COMPLETION IN SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
Lynn Burton earned the Letter of Completion in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026.
Amber Cybulski earned the Letter of Completion in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026.
Carole DiClaudio of Oakmont earned the Letter of Completion in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026. She is amember of Saint Paul Cathedral Parish in Pittsburgh and graduated from Uniontown Area Senior High School. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in home economics from Seton Hill University and does volunteer work in several local parishes. She is married to Richard DiClaudio. The DiClaudios have a son Alex, daughter and son-in-law Christen and Guy Russo, and two granddaughters Lorelai and Una.
Matthew Earle earned the Letter of Completion in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026.
Daniel Fisher earned the Letter of Completion in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026.
Brigitte Fortin earned the Letter of Completion in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026.
Bailey Frey earned the Letter of Completion in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026.
Mary Hickin earned the Letter of Completion in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026.
Rev. Mr. William Kolarik is a deacon serving in the Archdiocese of Detroit. He earned the Letter of Completion in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026.
Miriam Marston earned the Letter of Completion in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026.
Douglas Maser earned the Letter of Completion in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026.
Erika Richard earned the Letter of Completion in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026.
Rebecca Rodeheffer earned the Letter of Completion in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026.
Megan Seamann earned the Letter of Completion in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026.
Sharon Serratore earned the Letter of Completion in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026.
Debra Stoll earned the Letter of Completion in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026.
Shawn Sulak is a member of Saint Philip Catholic Church, Franklin, Tennessee, in the Diocese of Nashville. She earned the Letter of Completion in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026. A registered nurse for 28 years, she is presently working as a spiritual director at Fiat Integrated Health, A Catholic Integrated Healthcare Clinic in Franklin. She is married to Bill Sulak and they have two children, a son, Will, and a daughter, Lainey.
Rev. Mr. Craig Thomas is a deacon serving in the Diocese of Nashville. He earned the Letter of Completion in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2026.
Sandra Trimble of Penn Run, a member of Saint Thomas More University Parish in Indiana in the Diocese of Greensburg, earned a Letter of Completion in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026. She is a graduate of Clearfield Area High School and attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh as well as Indiana University of Pennsylvania, from which she earned the Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees. She is married to Daniel Trimble and the couple has two married sons and two grandchildren.
Rev. Mr. Lee Trudeau is a deacon serving in the Diocese of Ogdensburg. He earned the Letter of Completion in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026.
Caresse Wagner earned the Letter of Completion in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026.
Rev. Christopher Zelonis, a priest of the Diocese of Allentown, earned the Letter of Completion in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2026. After graduating from Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary High School in Pottsville in 1994, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy in 1998, a Master of Divinity degree in 2002, and a Master of Arts degree in Sacred Scription in 2003 from Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia. Ordained a priest in 2003, Father Zelonis served as a high school chaplain and teacher, a hospital chaplain, and an assistant pastor. He currently serves as pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Lehighton.