LATROBE, PENNSYLVANIA Ten students received the Master of Divinity degree, eight students were awarded a Master of Arts degree and three students earned a Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree at the Saint Vincent Seminary commencement held on May 5.

His Excellency Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, received an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree.

Receiving the Master of Divinity degree were Horacio Alejandro Ayala, Diocese of Charlotte; Slawomir Bystrzykowski, Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown: Joseph A. Carr, Diocese of Pittsburgh; Marion Charboneau, O.S.B., of St. Benedict’s Abbey, Atchison, Kansas; Mark Thomas Gallipeau, Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston; Aron M. Magsoudi, Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown; Charles Eugene McGinnis, Jr., Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston; Paul Paproski, O.S.B., of Saint Peter’s Abbey, Canada; Mark A. Purcell, O.S.B., of Mary Mother of the Church Abbey, Richmond, Virginia; and Charles Ugo, Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.

Receiving the Master of Arts degree were Matthew Joseph Albright, Diocese of Youngstown; William R. Barron, Diocese of Erie; Marion Charboneau, O.S.B., St. Benedict’s Abbey, Atchison, Kansas; Ilse T. Hilliard of Homer City; Ann Steiner Holmes of Ligonier; Jeffrey Andrew Patrizio of Pittsburgh; Sébastien H. Renault of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and Ronald Stephen Zoracki of Mount Pleasant.

Awarded the Bachelor of Sacred Theology were James C. Campbell, Diocese of Erie; Maurus B. Mount, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Archabbey.

Four academic awards were presented. William R. Barron of the Diocese of Erie received the Honorable Judge Bernard F. Scherer Award. Ronald Zoracki of Mount Pleasant was named recipient of the Sacred Scripture Award. Joseph A. Carr of the Diocese of Pittsburgh was presented with the Diakonia Award, and fourth-year student, Rafael Carballo of the Archdiocese of Atlanta was named the recipient of the Omer U. Kline, OS.B. Homiletics Award.

Archbishop Sambi was named Apostolic Nuncio to the United States by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on December 17, 2005. Archbishop Sambi was born on June 27, 1938, in Sogliano sul Rubicone, Forli, Italy. He was ordained a priest in the Diocese of San Marino-Montefeltro on March 14, 1964. He holds doctoral degrees in Sacred Theology and in Canon Law from the Lateran University in Rome.

He started his service in the Diplomatic Corps of the Holy See in April, 1969, in Cameroon. He was transferred to the Apostolic Nunciature in Jerusalem on July 19, 1971, and subsequently to the Apostolic Nunciatures in Cuba in 1974, in Algeria in 1978, in Nicaragua in 1979, in Belgium in 1981, and then in India in May, 1984 with the rank of Counselor.

Archbishop Sambi was consecrated Bishop and made Titular Archbishop of Belcastro on November 9, 1985.

He was nominated Pro-Apostolic Nuncio in Burundi on October 10, 1985, Pro-Apostolic Nuncio in Indonesia on November 28, 1991, and Apostolic Nuncio in Israel and Cyprus, and Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem and Palestine on June 6, 1998. A Nuncio represents the Holy Father to the hierarchy and the Church of a particular nation and to its civil government.

Known as a man of peace, humility and strong will, Archbishop Sambi most recently was honored in Jerusalem for his efforts to return pilgrims to the Holy Land after the Palestinian uprising that began in 2000. He was lauded for his ability to follow his own faith while building a bridge between religious leaders and respecting the faith of others.

Archbishop Sambi negotiated to free the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem after it became the site of a standoff between Palestinian militants and Israeli forces. He stressed that “this is the time to abide by the words and concepts that were born here: love, forgiveness, reconciliation, justice, peace, resurrection.”

During his difficult tenure as Nuncio in Israel, Archbishop Sambi pushed for a special status for Jerusalem that would safeguard the freedom of religion for all, equality before the law for the three monotheistic religions, the proper identity and sacred character of the city and its universally significant religious and cultural heritage, as well as freedom of access to and worship in the holy places.

ARCHDIOCESE OF ATLANTA

Rafael Carballo is the son of Rafael Carballo of Caguas, Puerto Rico and María Arroyo. He is a 1980 graduate of Colegio Espíritu Santo, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture from Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, in 1985. He was ordained a permanent deacon, February 2, 2002, and is a fourth-year student. He received the Omer U. Kline Homiletics Award. The Rector’s Council chooses the recipient of the award. It is given to the fourth-year student who has most clearly demonstrated excellence in preaching during his fourth year of study.

DIOCESE OF ALTOONA-JOHNSTOWN

Slawomir Bystrzyskowski is the son of Kazimierz and Wieslawa Bystrzykowski of Rozalin, Poland. He studied philosophy and theology at the Major Seminary at Czestochowa, Poland, from 1996 to 2000. He also studied systematic theology at Seton Hall University from 2002 to 2004. He earned the Master of Divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2006.

Aron M. Maghsoudi is the son of M. Ebraham Maghsoudi of Vienna, Virginia and Colleen A. Carr of Ligonier. He is a 1998 graduate of Greater Latrobe High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in religious education from Saint Vincent College in 2002. He earned the Master of Divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2006.

Charles C. Ugo is the son of Mrs. Cordelia Chizuba Ugo of Nigeria and the late Kevin Ugo. He is a 1995 graduate of Nguru Secondary Commercial School, Nigeria, and earned a bachelor of philosophy and R.A. degree from Claretian Institute of Philosophy in Nigeria in 2000. He earned the Master of Arts degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2005, with high honors. He earned the Master of Divinity degree with honor from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2006.

DIOCESE OF CHARLOTTE

Horacio Alejandro Ayala is from Asheville, North Carolina. He is the son of Elena Beatriz Pena of Argentina and the late Horacio Gilberto Ayala. He is a 1978 graduate of Colegio Nacional Bartolomé Mitre. He attended the Universidad del Norte Santo Tomás de Aquino in Argentina from 1979 to 1980. He earned the Master of Divinity degree with honor from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2006.

DIOCESE OF ERIE

William R. Barron is the son of Patrick and Michelle Barron of Erie. He is a 1999 graduate of Cathedral Preparatory School, Erie. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Gannon University in 2003. He earned the Master of Arts degree with highest honors from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2006, when he also received the Honorable Judge Bernard F. Scherer Award. The student who most exemplifies the qualities evident in the life of Judge Scherer is given this award by the faculty. Criteria for this award include a breadth of learning, knowledge which allows one to integrate theology and the life of the People of God with academic areas, wisdom and the ability to see the interconnectedness of all life, the practice of corporal works of mercy, witness to faith and a hope-filled attitude.

James C. Campbell is the son of John P. and Dolores M. Campbell of Erie. He is a 1998 graduate of Cathedral Preparatory School in Erie and a 2002 graduate of Gannon University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and philosophy. He earned the Master of Arts degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2005, with highest honors, and the Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree with honors from the Seminary in 2006. He also received the Diakonia Award in 2005, based on academic performance, service to the community by upbuilding student morale and spirit, leadership, and creative outreach. The award is given by the faculty.

DIOCESE OF PITTSBURGH

Joseph A. Carr is the son of Mr. Joseph Carr of Pittsburgh and the late Mrs. Carr. He is a 1975 graduate of Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from West Virginia University in 1980. He has done graduate studies in philosophy and pre-theology at Duquesne University and at the Heinz School of Public Policy and Management at Carnegie Mellon University. He earned the Master of Divinity degree with honors from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2006, when he also received the Diakonia Award. All members of the Seminary community nominate the graduating student who most fulfills the criteria for this service award, which is given by the faculty. Included in the criteria are academic performance, service to the community by upbuilding student morale and spirit, leadership, and creative outreach.

DIOCESE OF WHEELING-CHARLESTON

Mark Gallipeau is the son of Robert B. and Mary E. Gallipeau of Groton, Massachusetts. He is a 1974 graduate of Groton Senior High, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio. He earned the Master of Divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2006.

Charles E. McGinnis, Jr., is the son of Charles E. McGinnis Sr. and Sandra Kay McGinnis of Wheeling, West Virginia. He is a 1984 graduate of Wheeling Park High School. He earned a regents Bachelor of Arts degree from West Liberty State College in education in 1990. He earned the Master of Divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2006 .

DIOCESE OF YOUNGSTOWN

Matthew Joseph Albright is the son of George J. and Margaret E. Albright of Alliance, Ohio. He is a 1999 graduate of Marlington High School, Alliance. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from the Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus, in 2003. He earned the Master of Arts degree with high honors from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2006.

LATIN PATRIARCHATE OF JERUSALEM

Sébastien H. Renault is the son of Hubert H. Renault of Rennes, France and Daniéle B. Stoffels of Evreux, France. He is a 1996 graduate of Centre National d’Enseignement a Distance, Rennes, and has studied philosophy at Ecole Cathédrale de Paris, Paris. He earned the Master of Arts degree with high honors from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2006.

MARY MOTHER OF THE CHURCH ABBEY

Mark A. Purcell, O.S.B., is the son of Frank X. and Christine T. Purcell of Codville, Ohio. He is a 1989 graduate of Parkersburg High School, Parkersburg, West Virginia. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education, with a major in mathematics, from Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, in 1994. In 2004, he earned the master of arts degree from Saint Vincent Seminary, with highest honors. He earned the Master of Divinity degree with honors from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2006.

SAINT BENEDICT’S ABBEY

Br. Marion M. Charboneau, O.S.B., is a monk of Saint Benedict’s Abbey, Atchison, Kansas. He is the son of Donald Charboneau of Council Grove, Kansas and the late Joyce Charboneau. He is a 1989 graduate of Council Grove High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history in 1993 and a Master of Arts degree in American History in 1995 from Emporia State University, Kansas. He earned the Master of Divinity degree with high honors and the Master of Arts degree with highest honors from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2006.

SAINT PETER’S ABBEY

Br. Paul B. Paproski, O.S.B. of St. Peter’s Abbey, Muenster, Saskatchewan, is the son of Ardel and Freda Paproski of Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan. He is a 1981 graduate of Hudson Bay Composite High School. He studied journalism at the University of Saskatchewan from 1981 to 1983 and earned a degree in journalism in 1985 from the University of Regina. He earned the Master of Divinity degree with honors from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2006.

SAINT VINCENT ARCHABBEY

Br. Maurus Mount, O.S.B., is the son of Frank E. and Alina M. Mount of Indialantic, Florida. He is a 1996 graduate of Melbourne High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in classical languages from Marquette University in 2000. He earned the Master of Arts degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2005, with highest honors. In 2006 he earned the Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree with high honors from the Seminary.

MASTER OF ARTS

Ilse Hilliard resides in Homer City and is a retired professor of sociology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She earned both a bachelor and a master’s degree at IUP. She earned the Master of Arts degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2006.

Ann S. Holmes earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in English and Asian Studies from Hood College in Frederick, Maryland in 1981. She is currently the Concert Manager and Fine Arts Associate for the Department of Fine Arts at Saint Vincent College, a position she has held since 1995. Ms. Holmes and her husband, Henry K. Holmes III, reside in Ligonier with their daughters, Sarah and Elizabeth. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis A. Steiner, also of Ligonier. She earned the Master of Arts degree with high honors from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2006.

Jeffrey Patrizio is the son of Pat and Roberta Patrizio of Pittsburgh. He is a 1994 graduate of Plum Senior High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in human development and family studies from Penn State University in 1999, and has done graduate work in theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville. He earned the Master of Arts degree with highest honors from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2006.

Ronald S. Zoracki of Mount Pleasant is a 1973 graduate of Mount Pleasant Area High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy, with distinction, from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, in 1978, and a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from the University of Pittsburgh in 1981. He also has studied library science at the University of Pittsburgh. Mr. Zoracki is a member of Visitation Roman Catholic Church in Mount Pleasant, Diocese of Greensburg. He is the son of Anna Lisik Zoracki of Mount Pleasant, and the late Michael Raimund Zoracki.

Mr. Zoracki is the recipient of the Sacred Scripture Award. The Sacred Scripture faculty chooses the recipient of this award which is given to the graduating student who has demonstrated excellence in the study of Sacred Scripture. He earned the Master of Arts degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2006.