Starting this week, we are bringing you Vincentian Voices on a weekly basis. You will get current insights from our Province, concluding with a message from Provincial Fr. Steve Grozio, CM. We also want to hear from you and engage. Our hope is this email further creates an environment that makes you feel connected with the Vincentians in our Eastern Province.
God bless.
Fr. Gregory Gay, CM, presides over Eucharist in France for Vincentians’ 400th
In Folleville, France, a small village well beyond the Northern outskirts of Paris, St. Vincent de Paul preached about the importance of Confession on January 25, 1617. He later credited that day as when he understood his life’s purpose: creating the Congregation of the Mission. This purpose would be realized in 1625.
Four-hundred years later, the Eastern Province’s Fr. Gregory Gay, CM, presided over the Eucharist in Folleville celebrating the Vincentians’ 400th anniversary. Here is a transcript of his homily:
Vinsights
Vincentian insights from the Province
Fr. Tom McKenna, CM
“God is Love. This love represents the profound connection between the Father and the Son. This divine affection is coming to us in and through this Son, Jesus Christ. His arrival shatters this shell of ignorance. Through Jesus, we have that fuller understanding of God.“
Fr. Pat Griffin, CM
“At the opening of my homily during the Easter Vigil, I used an expression of Pope Francis that I like very much. He had spoken about Easter as ‘the tomorrow of God.’ He focused that expression through the experience of a human heart—the Blessed Mother—and he invited our reflection and participation.”
Empowering the people of Panama
Lay formation goes beyond community members attending Mass. Learn how for Fr. John Carney, CM, lay formation in Panama is a priority.
From our Vincentian universities
Support the work of the Vincentians!
The Vincentian Priests and Brothers of the Eastern Province serve those on the margins in areas often forgotten by the world.
Make a recurring gift to the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal. Your generosity provides the Vincentians with much-needed stability and lifts us into the future with the confidence of your consistent support.
As a thank you for joining our Rays of Hope giving society, we’ll send you this tote bag in hopes you enjoy it and use it often to help share the Vincentian mission and Blessed Mother with everyone you meet.
A
message
from
Father
Steve
Grozio,
CM
Dear friends,
Congratulations to Fr. Walner Diaz, CM, and Fr. Bindel Mary Nnabuife, CM
Last week was notable for our confrere, Fr. Walner Diaz, CM. On Tuesday, May 13, he celebrated his 38th birthday with a chocolate cake he shared to the delight of his confreres at St. Vincent’s Seminary. The next day he participated in “Concursus,” the graduation ceremonies of St. Charles Seminary, receiving the degree of Master of Arts in Theology. The diploma was presented to him by Archbishop Nelson Pérez, with whom Fr. Walner briefly spoke with afterward. Congratulations, Fr. Walner! Click here to see photos from these events.
Fr. Bindel Mary Nnabuife, CM, our confrere from Nigeria who ministers at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Philadelphia, also graduated on Tuesday. Fr. Bindel received a Master of Science in Psychology from La Salle University. Congratulations, Fr. Bindel!
Niagara University
On Saturday, May 17, about 650 seniors graduated from Niagara University. Donna DeCarolis and Pamela Ryan Jacobs-Vogt, who both serve on the Board of Trustees, were each awarded honorary doctorates. The Address to the Graduates was given by Maryalice Demler, also a Trustee and an anchor on Channel 2 News at WGRZ-TV, the NBC affiliate in Buffalo, N.Y.
St. John’s University
In Queens, three of our seminarians from the Miraculous Medal House, Carlos Baten, Saul Bonifacio, and Jinmer Martinez, were among the almost 2,000 graduating seniors at the commencement ceremony on the great lawn of St. John’s University on Sunday afternoon, May 18, 2025. Spirits were high, the weather was perfect, and joy reached a crescendo as the graduates moved their tassels from the right to the left, signifying that they were now Johnnies alumni.
The university conferred honorary doctorate degrees on Msgr. James J. Kelly, Pastor Emeritus of St. Brigid Roman Catholic Church; Kathleen F. Meehan, retired from the Department of Athletics at St. John’s; Sr. Margaret Mary O’Doherty O.P., Dominican Sister of Sparkill; Lewis Rice, Jr., Trustee Emeritus; and James McCann, Chairman of 1-800-Flowers.com, Inc., who was the distinguished speaker.
After the ceremonies, the confreres and seminarians at the Miraculous Medal House hosted the families of Carlos, Saul, and Jinmer at a party for our graduates. Several of their relatives took the opportunity to comment on the warm and welcoming spirit of the formation house. We look forward to welcoming them again as these men move to the internal seminary in Manayunk in August.
Installation of Fr. John Kettelberger, CM
On May 19 during the midday Perpetual Novena and Eucharist, Fr. John Kettelberger, CM, was installed as the Rector of the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Bishop Efren Esmilla presided and preached, after which Fr. John made a profession of faith and took the Oath of Fidelity before a full church, which gave him a rousing ovation.
Yours in St. Vincent,
Fr. Steve Grozio, CM
Trivia time!
results will be shared next week
1. Who sat in seat 2 of row 19 in section 140 for Game 1 of the 2005 World Series in Chicago?
2. What Paris landmark has been added to the conclusion of the Tour de France?
3. What is the state animal of New York?
Prayer requests
Please pray for the repose of the souls of:
All the Vincentian Priests and Brothers who have gone before us
Please remember in your prayers:
Our confreres in St. Catherine’s Infirmary
All those affected by war
All those affected by natural disasters
All victims of violence and their families
We want to hear from you!
How can our newsletter better serve you? Send a message and share your thoughts and suggestions for engaging stories or Vincentian topics you would like to read or learn more about.