Eleven degrees and fourteen certificates were awarded at the 179th annual commencement of Saint Vincent College and Seminary, Latrobe, Pennsylvania, held on Friday, May 9, in the Archabbey Basilica.
Eight men studying for the priesthood from the dioceses of Charleston, Covington and Erie, as well as from Saint Vincent Archabbey earned the Master of Divinity degree. One seminarian from the Diocese of Charleston earned the Master of Arts degree in Sacred Scripture, and another Charleston seminarian received a Certificate in Priestly Formation.
Students from the Seminary’s Institute for Ministry Formation were priests from the dioceses of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Trenton, New Jersey; parishes in the Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon; the Archdiocese of Detroit and the Diocese of Lansing, Michigan; Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Greensburg. Two students from the Seminary’s Institute for Ministry Formation earned the Master of Arts in Ministry degree. This degree is awarded to students upon completion of two certificate programs. These students both earned the Certificate in Spiritual Direction and the Certificate in Catholic Theology.
Additionally, ten students earned the Certificate in Spiritual Direction.
MASTER OF DIVINITY
DIOCESE OF CHARLESTON
Justin Daniel Damask earned two degrees in 2025, the Master of Divinity, magna cum laude, and the Master of Arts in Sacred Scripture, magna cum laude. He was ordained a deacon on May 24, 2025, and will be ordained a priest on June 6, 2025, in Columbia. Deacon Damask is a 2015 graduate of Newman Catholic High School, Wausau, Wisconsin. He studied philosophy at the University of Dallas, Irving, Texas, in 2018. He also studied mechanical engineering at the University of South Carolina. In 2020 he earned a Ph.B. (Bachelor of Arts) degree in philosophy from the Catholic University of America, where he studied philosophy and Classical civilizations. In 2021 he received the Ph.L. degree from CUA in philosophy. His parents are Paula Damask of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, and the late Michael Damask.
Michael Ghattas earned the Master of Divinity degree, magna cum laude, in 2025. He was ordained a deacon on May 24, 2025 and will be ordained a priest on June 6, 2025, in Columbia. Deacon Ghattas is a 2013 graduate of Myrtle Beach High School. He graduated from Horry Georgetown Technical College with an associate degree in science/civil engineering in 2015. He continued his education at Trident Technical College (2016-2017). He entered the seminary at the University of Dallas and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 2020. Then he attended The Citadel from 2020-2021. He continued his studies at Saint Vincent de Paul Seminary, Florida, in 2022 before transferring to Saint Vincent Seminary, Latrobe. His parents are Boshra and Sahar Ghattas of Myrtle Beach.
Daniel L. Perry earned the Master of Divinity degree, magna cum laude, in 2025. He was ordained a deacon on May 24, 2025, and will be ordained a priest on June 6, 2025, in Columbia. Deacon Perry is a 2014 graduate of Landrum High School, Campobello, South Carolina. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in information management systems from the University of South Carolina in 2018. He earned a Master of Arts degree in philosophical studies for missiology discipleship from Saint Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in 2021. His parents are Daniel and Beth Perry of Boiling Springs, South Carolina.
DIOCESE OF COVINGTON
Joshua Heskamp earned the Master of Divinity, magna cum laude, degree in 2025. 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. 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 was ordained a deacon on May 18, 2024, and will be ordained to the priesthood on June 7, 2025, in Covington. He is a 2006 graduate of Wadsworth High School, Wadsworth, Ohio. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from the University of Akron in 2010. He has also studied philosophy at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio State University, and has been enrolled in paralegal studies at Cuyahoga Community College, Parma, Ohio. Deacon Heskamp is the son of David and Therese Heskamp of Wadsworth.
DIOCESE OF ERIE
Brandon Matthew Feikles earned the Master of Divinity degree, summa cum laude, in 2025. A seminarian from the Diocese of Erie, he is a 2013 graduate of Cathedral Preparatory School, Erie. He was ordained to the diaconate on April 13, 2024, and will be ordained to the priesthood on May 23 in Erie. Deacon Feikles earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from Gannon University, Erie, in 2017. He has also studied theology at Saint Mary’s Seminary and University. He is the son of Patrick and Mary Feikles of Erie.
Michael Christopher Scanga earned the Master of Divinity degree, magna cum laude, in 2025. At the spring honors convocation of Saint Vincent College and Seminary, he was presented with the Judge Bernard Scherer Award, granted by the faculty to the student who most exemplifies the qualities in the life and the mission of Judge Scherer, who was also a professor at Saint Vincent. Judge Scherer 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 was ordained to the diaconate on April 13, 2024, and will be ordained to the priesthood on May 23 in Erie. Deacon Scanga is a 2015 graduate of Kennedy Catholic High School, Hermitage. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology in 2019 and a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from Gannon University, Erie, in 2021. His parents are James V. and Kimberly A. Scanga of Sharpsville.
SAINT VINCENT ARCHABBEY
Brother Romanus (Brenden) Davitt, O.S.B., earned the Master of Divinity degree, summa cum laude, in 2025. A monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey who transferred from Saint Bernard Abbey, Cullman, Alabama, he was ordained to the diaconate on May 25, 2024, and will be ordained to the priesthood on May 24, 2025. He attended Pleasant Valley High School in Jacksonville, Alabama, completing his studies in 1994. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2021 from Wallace State Community College/Belmont Abbey College in philosophy. His parents were the late Lawrence Davitt and the late Pamela Jean Clements-Chaney.
Brother Gilbert (Kagan) Heater, O.S.B., earned the Master of Divinity degree, summa cum laude, in 2025. Brother Gilbert 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. In 2021 he received the Master of Arts in Catholic Philosophical Studies degree, summa cum laude from Saint Vincent Seminary. He was ordained to the diaconate on May 25, 2024, and will be ordained to the priesthood on May 24, 2025. He is the son of Richard W. and Diane O. Heater of East Stroudsburg. He studied at Lancaster Bible College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in music composition in 2009. He also studied at Liberty University.
CERTIFICATE IN PRIESTLY FORMATION
DIOCESE OF CHARLESTON
Lucius LeGrande Bultman Jr. received the Priestly Formation Certificate in 2025. He is a 1980 graduate of North Augusta Senior High School, North Augusta, South Carolina. He studied philosophy at the University of Scranton from 1982-1985 and earned the S.T.B. and J.C.B. degrees in theology from the Catholic University of Louvain, where he studied from 1985-1989. He also undertook studies at the University of South Carolina before going to Scranton to study. He enrolled in Saint Vincent Seminary, Latrobe, in 2022.
MASTER OF ARTS IN MINISTRY
Karen Marie Ervin earned the Master of Arts in Ministry degree, summa cum laude, and received the Certificate in Catholic Theology and the Certificate in Spiritual Direction in 2025.
Gregory Glen Sherwood earned the Master of Arts in Ministry degree with a concentration in Spiritual Direction, and the Certificate in Catholic Theology in 2025. He received the Certificate in Spiritual Direction in 2024. He earned his undergraduate degree in Education from Oregon State University in 1986. After entering the Catholic Church in 2017, Greg joined Saint Michael’s Parish staff in downtown Portland. He plays a vital role in adult faith formation, serving as a leader and instructor for the Ambassadors/Galilea ministry, the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), and the Adult Confirmation program. In addition to his parish work, Greg is also a retreat speaker for various ministries, including the Saint John’s Society and the Newman Center. Greg has been married to Debbie since 1983. They have five children and eight grandchildren. He’s a recently retired investment executive after a 35-year career.
CERTIFICATE IN SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
In addition to Ervin, ten students received the Institute for Ministry Formation’s Certificate in Spiritual Direction in 2025:
Dr. Daniele Arcara mathematics professor and chair of the mathematics department at Saint Vincent College, earned the certificate in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2025. He graduated from the Università di Torino (Turin, Italy) with a degree in Mathematics and then came to the United States and earned a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Georgia. He is currently a professor at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe. He and his wife Angela have eight children.
Rev. James Arthur Caldwell Jr., S’02, earned the certificate in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2025. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Tulsa in 2003. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and theology from Saint Bonaventure University, New York. He presently servces as chaplain of Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa.
Stacie L. DeBenedictis of Cleveland earned the certificate in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2025. She is continuing her studies at Saint Vincent Seminary as part of the Master of Arts in Ministry program, with a concentration in Spiritual Direction.
Rev. Michael G. Dunn earned the certificate in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2025. He presently serves as pastor of Saint John Neumann Church, Mount Laurel, New Jersey, in the Diocese of Trenton.
Claire Elizabeth Dwyer earned the certificate in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2025.
Jennifer Ann Elizabeth Gentile earned the certificate in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2025.
Mary Ann Kaufman of Pittsburgh earned the certificate in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2025. She is a Benedictine Oblate and lay leader of the Blessed Columba Marmion Deanery in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Pennsylvania State University.
Mary Margaret Sue earned the certificate in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2025.
Jan Marie Swedorske earned the certificate in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2025. Jan is a Master Catechist, an ESM graduate and educator. She is an alumna of Eastern Michigan University, most recently serving as a Title 1 teacher at Saint John Vianney Catholic School in Flint, Michigan. Jan is married to Michael and they and their family are members of Saint John the Evangelist Church in Fenton. Michigan, Diocese of Lansing.
Kristine Yankee earned the certificate in Spiritual Direction from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2025. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with a Bachelor of Arts degree. A member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Plymouth, Michigan, she is actively involved in healing prayer ministry and serves on the core team for OLGC’s women’s LIFT ministry. She is married to Eric Yankee, and they have two grown adult sons.
Photo caption:
Pictured are front, from left, Rev. Nathanael Polinski, O.S.B., Academic Dean; Gregory Glen Sherwood, serving a parish in the Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon, Master of Arts in ministry, and Certificate in Catholic Theology; Jan Marie Swedorske, serving a parish in the Diocese of Lansing, Michigan, Certificate in Spiritual Direction; Archabbot Martin de Porres Bartel, O.S.B., Seminary Chancellor; Most Rev. Larry J. Kulick, Bishop of the Diocese of Greensburg; Mary Ann Kaufman, Pittsburgh, Certificate in Spiritual Direction; Kristine Marie Yankee, serving a parish in the Archdiocese of Detroit, Certificate in Spiritual Direction; Very Rev. Edward Mazich, O.S.B., Seminary Rector.
In the second row, from left, are Rev. Boniface Hicks, O.S.B., Director of Spiritual Formation and Director of the Institute for Ministry Formation; Rev. Mr. Lucius LeGrande Bultman Jr., Diocese of Charleston; Priestly Formation Certificate; Rev. Br. Romanus Davitt, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Archabbey, Master of Divinity, summa cum laude; Rev. Mr. Brandon Feikles, Diocese of Erie, Master of Divinity, summa cum laude; Rev. Mr. Michael Scanga, Diocese of Erie, Master of Divinity, magna cum laude.
In row three are, from left, Rev. Mr. Joshua Heskamp, Diocese of Covington, Master of Divinity, magna cum laude and the Omer U. Kline, O.S.B., Excellence in Preaching Award; Rev. Mr. Michael Ghattas, Diocese of Charleston, Master of Divinity, magna cum laude; Rev. Mr. Justin Damask, Diocese of Charleston, Master of Divinity, magna cum laude and Master of Arts in Sacred Scripture, magna cum laude; Rev. Br. Gilbert Heater, Saint Vincent Archabbey, Master of Divinity, summa cum laude, and the Demetrius R. Dumm, O.S.B., Sacred Scripture Award.
Not pictured but also recognized at commencement were Rev. Mr. Daniel Perry, Diocese of Charleston, Master of Divinity, magna cum laude; Karen Marie Ervin, Master of Arts in Ministry, summa cum laude, Certificate in Catholic Theology and Certificate in Spiritual Direction; Dr. Daniele Arcara, Latrobe, Certificate in Spiritual Direction; Rev. James Arthur Caldwell Jr., Diocese of Tulsa, Certificate in Spiritual Direction; Stacie L. DeBenedictis, Cleveland, Certificate in Spiritual Direction; Rev. Michael G. Dunn, Diocese of Trenton, Certificate in Spiritual Direction; Claire Elizabeth Dwyer, Certificate in Spiritual Direction; Jennifer Ann Elizabeth Gentile, Certificate in Spiritual Direction; Mary Ann Kaufman, Pittsburgh, Certificate in Spiritual Direction; Mary Margaret Sue, Certificate in Spiritual Direction.
The link to the commencement video is https://vimeo.com/1081913284?share=copy.
Additional photos may be found at https://saintvincentseminary.smugmug.com/2025-Seminary-Commencement.
