The Institute for Ministry Formation (IMF) at Saint Vincent Seminary is proud to celebrate the achievements of our graduates who were honored at the 179th Commencement of Saint Vincent College and Seminary, held Friday, May 9, in the beautiful Archabbey Basilica in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

Among this year’s graduates, two students earned the Master of Arts in Ministry degree — a program completed through the combination of the Certificate in Spiritual Direction and the Certificate in Catholic Theology. Additionally, ten students earned the Certificate in Spiritual Direction.

Greg Sherwood, Master of Arts in Ministry

Mary Ann Kaufman, Spiritual Direction Certificate

Jan Swedorske, Spiritual Direction Certificate

Kristine Yankee, Spiritual Direction Certificate

IMF students who attended commencement are pictured with Seminary administration, front, from left, Rev. Boniface Hicks, O.S.B., Director of Spiritual Formation and Director of the Institute for Ministry Formation; Rev. Nathanael Polinski, O.S.B., Academic Dean; Very Rev. Edward Mazich, O.S.B., Seminary Rector. And Dr. Helene Paharik, who teaches for the Seminary and the IMF program.

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.

 Master of Arts in Ministry Recipients

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 Recipients

Dr. Daniele Arcara 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.