On Thursday, May 13, the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, three men were honored for their completion of Cardinal Muench Seminary’s program of priestly formation. The Most Reverend Paul Swain, Bishop of the Diocese of Sioux Falls celebrated Mass in the seminary chapel during which certificates were awarded to the seminarians. He was joined by the Most Reverend Paul Zipfel, Bishop of the Diocese of Bismarck, the Vocation Directors of the Dioceses of Bismarck, Fargo and Sioux Falls, and seminary and guest priests and deacon.
Photos, from left to right: Lee and John, cantors, with Dr. Weiler at the piano; Adam, lector;
Priests during the Eucharist prayer; and Bishop Swain and Bishop Zipfel at the altar.
The three graduates, each studying for a different diocese, were joined by family and friends.
Jerry Geraets (top left photograph) from Colman, South Dakota, a seminarian of the Diocese of Sioux Falls, with Fr. Paul Rutten (Vocation Director) and Bishop Paul Swain. Jerry will continue studies for the priesthood at St. Paul Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Adam Maus (top right) from Golva, North Dakota, a seminarian of the Diocese of Bismarck, with Bishop Paul Zipfel and Fr. Tom Richter (Vocation Director). Adam is being sent to Kenrick Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, to continue studies for the priesthood.
Sean Zimprich (bottom left) from Aneta, North Dakota, a seminarian of the Diocese of Fargo, with Fr. Jasinski (Formation Director), Fr. Duchschere (Vocation Director for the Diocese of Fargo), Msgr. Skonseng (Spiritual Director) and Msgr. Schlesselmann (Rector). Sean is taking some time away from the seminary to discern God’s will for him.
After the celebration of Mass, a banquet was held (bottom right). After the meal annual awards were bestowed upon the seminarians. Msgr. Schlesselmann, the rector, made special mention of a number of people: Dr. Nichipor and Dr. Weiler, who retire this year (see story below), Msgr. Dennis Skonseng, who returns to parish work after 17 years at CMS and in the Vicar General’s office, and Bishop Zipfel, for his support of the seminary. Since CMS will close next year (see story below), no new seminarians are being accepted. Graduate Adam Maus is the last seminarian from the Diocese of Bismarck to study at CMS. Over its 38 year relationship with CMS, the Bismarck Diocese sent 90 seminarians to CMS; at least 20 have been ordained priests (the two priests from the Diocese of Bismarck present at the graduation are CMS alumni).
With a combined total of 70 years of dedicated service, Dr. William Weiler and Dr. Walter Nichipor retired as Cardinal Muench Seminary professors at the end of the 2009-2010 academic year. On Wednesday, May 5th, Bishop Aquila celebrated Mass at CMS for the retirees. Afterward a party was held in their honor. Fr. Leo Stelten, himself a retired seminary professor, recognized the achievements of the long career of Dr. Weiler, and Dr. Carol Andreini, Academic Dean, paid tribute to Dr. Nichipor.
Thank you Dr. “Doc” Weiler for the 48 years!
Dr. William Weiler was present at the foundation of Cardinal Muench Seminary in 1962. His working relationship with the Diocese of Fargo began in 1955, when he became the diocesan Director of Music and choir director at St. Mary’s Cathedral. He worked at CMS for 48 years, first in the High School Program, then in the College and Pre-Theology programs. He taught various areas of the humanities — literature, music and art — and directed the seminary choir. He was also involved in many other activities, such as overseeing the production of the student magazine, senior plays, etc. While he was the seminary’s Academic Dean, Dr. Weiler was instrumental in establishing the unique arrangement between CMS and North Dakota State University, which has been in place since CMS started its College Program in 1966. With Mary, his devoted wife, he raised four sons and four daughters.
Dr. Nichipor, agimus tibi gratias!
Dr. Walter Nichipor came to CMS after teaching classics at the University of Minnesota for nine years and Crozier Seminary, Onamia, Minnesota, for seven years. At the time Crozier Seminary closed in 1988 CMS was in need of a classics professor. For the last 22 years Dr. Nichipor taught the Latin and Greek languages and Greek and Roman culture as a CMS faculty member on the NDSU campus.
Each in their own unique way, Dr. Weiler and Dr. Nichipor sought to form CMS seminarians as liberally educated men. Their efforts are evident in the lives of the men they shaped.
Bishop Aquila, left; Msgr. Schlesselmann, right
Gifts were presented by Bishop Aquila and Msgr. Gregory Schlesselmann, the seminary’s rector, a small token of our gratitude for the countless hours these two professors selflessly gave. The evening concluded with the seminarians singing “Gaudeamus igitur” (a song in Latin poking fun at college life), and a few words by Bishop Aquila and his episcopal blessing.
On April 8, 2010, Bishop Aquila announced that the program of priestly formation at Cardinal Muench Seminary will be discontinued after the 2010-11 academic year. Following are some excerpts from press release (complete press release from the Diocese of Fargo). Additional information is given in the Question & Answer section, below.
After consultation with the College of Consultors, the Diocesan Finance Council, the Seminary Finance Council and the Deans of the diocese, Most Rev. Samuel J. Aquila, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Fargo, announced today that the diocese will discontinue its college seminary program at Cardinal Muench Seminary, Fargo, at the end of the 2010-2011 academic year (May 2011).
Due to the low number of seminarians at Cardinal Muench Seminary, the annual cost of educating a college seminarian at CMS fluctuates depending on the number and currently averages $115,000; whereas the annual cost of educating a seminarian in major seminary averages $35,000. The student at the college level pays $15,000 per year in tuition, room and board. “It is not good stewardship to underwrite each college-level seminarian at $100,000 per year,” Bishop Aquila stated. “While subsidies would decrease with higher enrollment, the question of stewardship remains.”
Bishop Aquila commended those who have provided financial support toward the education of seminarians. “While donors to Cardinal Muench Seminary have been very generous over the years, we are now at the point when we have to recognize that the best use of donations toward seminarian education is to provide scholarships for our seminarians to attend seminaries elsewhere, rather than trying to fund our local program at an excessive level of expense.”
Additional information:
What number of seminarians would be required to bring the cost of education at Cardinal Muench Seminary to a reasonable level?
About 40 college-level seminarians. This number would need to be sustained over several years’ time. A one or two-year spike to this level would not make it financially feasible to reinstate the college-level seminary program at CMS.
Has there ever been that many seminarians at CMS?
Beginning as a high school seminary, Cardinal Muench Seminary has gone through many transitions over the years. In those days, enrollment was high and costs of education were lower. Since 1988, the number of seminarians has risen above 20 only twice (see the History of the Seminary for a graph showing past enrollment).
Are you considering closing or selling the seminary building in addition to discontinuing the seminary program?
No, we are not considering closing or selling the seminary properties. We feel the facility could be put to good use by a number of diocesan and parish programs. A review will help us identify those uses.
What possible uses do you foresee for the seminary?
Currently the seminary is used for activities and events outside of typical seminary formation, such as marriage preparation weekends, classes for those studying for the permanent diaconate, retreats and summer camps. We are beginning a review which will help us determine how to best utilize the facilities once the seminary program ends.
The spring thaw of 2010 in Fargo was less dramatic than first anticipated. Read more about the preparations for and the progress of the flood in 2010.
Visit the Flood 2009 page for information on how Cardinal Munech Seminary survived the record flooding of 2009.
On Friday, January 22, 2010, the 16th annual basketball game between the CMS seminarians, the ‘Cardinals’, and priests of the Diocese of Fargo, the ‘Shooting Shepherds’, took place. For a second year it was held at the Shanley High School gym. Despite a threatening blizzard, a good-sized crowd turned out. A large number of students came from St. Paul Newman Center, Fargo, to encourage Fr. James Cheney, their chaplain; a number of students also drove from St. Thomas Newman Center, Grand Forks, to encourage their chaplain, Fr. Jason Lefor.
The Cardinals took an early lead, but began to tire in the second half. With 9 minutes left in the game, the Shooting Shepherds took the lead. From that point on the lead switched back and forth. With 2.2 seconds left in the game, seminarian Jayson Miller was fouled. The score was 37-38; the seminarians were down by one point. Jayson tied the game by making his first free-throw. After the priests took at time out, Jayson stepped up to the line and made his second shot, putting the seminarians on top: 39-38. Fr. Luke Meyer made a valiant attempt to make a basket in the final second, but his shot was short.
The seminarians triumphed for a fifth year in a row! The overall record of the matchup still favors the priests, who have won 8, lost 7, and tied 1.
For a second year, the game was broadcast live on the local Catholic radio station. A podcast of the game is available at from the KWTL / KVXR archives: Collar Classic 2010.