Photo Gallery Archive

President Michael F. McLean; Head Chaplain Rev. Cornelius M. Buckley, S.J.; and Mother M. Assumpta Long, O.P. walk toward the academic quadrangle for the Commencement ceremony.

 

Members of the Class of 2012 …

… process down the staircase by the Guadalupe Fountain.

Rev. Paul Raftery, O.P., offers the invocation.

Michaella E. Pape (’12) sings the National Anthem.

Noel K. Bulger (’12) leads the Pledge of Allegiance.

James W. Thompson (’12) delivers the Senior Address …

… eliciting laughter from his classmates.

Co-founder Peter L. DeLuca receives the Medallion of Saint Thomas Aquinas from Chairman of the Board of Governors R. James Wensley.

Co-founder John W. Neumayr also receives the Medallion, the College’s highest honor.

Mr. Wensley presents Mother Assumpta with the Medallion.

Mother Assumpta prepares to deliver the Commencement Address.

  Fr. Buckley blesses the diplomas.

Dean Brian T. Kelly hugs his daughter, Grace (’12) after fitting her with her graduate hood.

Fr. Buckley distributes the diplomas.

Avery M. Upchurch (’12) ceremoniously flips her tassel after receiving her diploma.

Dr. McLean offers the Charge to the Graduating Class.

Members of the Class of 2012 sing Non nobis, Domine, Domine non nobis, Domine Sed nomini, sed nomini, tuo da gloriam — “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory.”

Chaplain Rev. Hildebrand Garceau, O.Praem, delivers the benediction.

Congratulations to the Class of 2012!

Student acolytes lead the procession into Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel.

The women of the Class of 2012 process in …

… followed by the men.

Dean Brian T. Kelly and Commencement Speaker Mother M. Assumpta Long, O.P.

Chairman of the Board of Governors R. James Wensley and President Michael F. McLean

Members of the Class of 2012

Co-founder and tutor Dr. John W. Neumayr delivers the first reading …

… and Joshua Altic (’12) delivers the second.

Head Chaplain and Assistant to the Dean for Religious Affairs Cornelius M. Buckley, S.J., offers the Eucharistic prayer.

Director of Admissions Jonathan Daly offers the prayers of the faithful.

Philip Knuffke (’12) and Mary Wise (’12) present the gifts of bread and wine.

Fr. Buckley distributes Holy Communion to members of the faculty and the Class of 2012.

The graduates at prayer

Graduates sing, one last time, as members of the Thomas Aquinas College Choir.

The Noster Family (Simon,’09 and Nicole ’07) — Easter 2012

Maureen Noster welcoming Sonya Elayna Noster home from the hospital (born October 21, 2011)

Damian Patrick Murphy, son of Michael and Mary Murphy (’05)

Mary, Joseph, and Jon Syren, children of Les (’85) and Nicole Syren, in the Anchorage Opera’s production of The Sound of Music

Lucia Josephine Francis (a.k.a Lulu), daughter of Rose (’05) and Daniel Lindsey

Lucia Lindsey with her older sister Chiara

Rev. John Higgins (’90) giving the invocation at the New York Reception (4/28/12)

Rev. Nicholas Callaghan (’96) giving the Benediction at the New York Reception

Emily (Barry ’11) Sullivan speaking about her TAC education

Joe (’09), Emily (Barry, ’11) and Brigid Sullivan

Greg and Becky (Daly) Pfundstein (’05) with children Sebastian and Marguerite

Group photo at the New York Reception. Left to right: Sam Schmitt (’92), Steve Daly (’94), Joe (’09) and Emily (’11) Sullivan, Greg Pfundstein (’05), Rev. Nicholas Callaghan (’96), Michael Byrne (’04), Kate Trinko (’09), Meghan Duke (’08), Marian Kuemmerlein (’04), Matthew (’95) and Nona (Haggard, ’00) Kelsey, and Paul O’Reilly (’84)

Brigid Sophia Sullivan, daughter of Emily (Barry ’11) and Joseph Sullivan (’09)

The Peters Family (Jonathan ’00 and Jennifer)

Joshua Peters (7)

Benjamin Peters (5)

Zachary Peters (3)

Hannah Peters (1)

Cindy (’77) and Andy Montanaro (’78) at their son Thomas’ ordination in Rome

Thomas Montanaro

Thomas Montanaro ordained with 48 other deacons of the Legionaries of Christ in Rome

Rosalie Marie Grimm, daughter of Betty (Drogin ’06) and Mike Grimm

Rosalie Marie Grimm

Elizabeth Ambuul (daughter of Joan ’93) and Daniel Ambuul

The Lee Family, Ada (Doi) Aaron Lee (both ’07) with children Aria and Alyssa

The Lee Family

The Lee Family

The College’s Dominican chaplain, Rev. Paul Raftery, O.P., delivers the homily at the early-morning Dominican Rite Mass.

Head Chaplain Rev. Cornelius Buckley, S.J., serves as the principal celebrant and homilist at the morning’s Community Mass in the Ordinary Form.

Tutor Dr. John Nieto gives this year’s St. Thomas Day Lecture, “Nil Hoc Verbo Veritatis Verius: A Christian Reflection on Lying.”

Dr. Nieto

Dr. Nieto answers a question from fellow tutor Dr. Glen Coughlin.

In the evening students don costumes for the annual good-humored, campus-wide game of “Trivial and Quadrivial Pursuits.”

Members of the teaching faculty serve as the game’s judges.

Trivial and Quadrivial Pursuits meets Braveheart.

Caesar renders his team’s answer unto the judges …

... and the judges render their verdict.

the post-game party

the post-game party

the post-game party

Rome in the snow! Rev. Frater Maximilian C. Okapal, O.Praem. (’02) with other international residents of the Norbertine College in Rome.

It seldom snows in Rome — a view from the Norbertine College in Rome

Paul and Mary (Coughlin) Shields (’07) with their two daughters at Ave Maria

Crispin Peter Joseph Lemmon, son of Peter (’85) and Kari Lemmon

Cajetan Lemmon (14 months)

Working on Peter (’85) and Kari Lemmon’s new log home in Northern California

Lemmon home in progress

Brigid Christine Mohun arrived healthy and happy on January 17, 2012.

Brigid Christine Mohun

Mass in Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel

Chaplains Rev. Paul Raftery, O.P., and Rev. Hildebrand Garceau, O.Praem.

The Thomas Aquinas College Choir

Rev. Cornelius Buckley, S.J., distributes Holy Communion.

Judge Leon Holmes and Thomas Aquinas College President Michael F. McLean at the reception for members of the faculty, Board of Governors, and Board of Regents

Reception for members of the faculty, Board of Regents, and Board of Governors in St. Bernadine of Siena Library

Tutor Andrew Seeley with Brian Hill, a member of the Board of Regents.

Regent Larry Reilley, Governor Tom Krause, and President Michael F. McLean

President McLean welcomes guests at the dinner in St. Joseph Commons.

Rev. Cornelius Buckley, S.J., offers the invocation.

The Hon. J. Leon Holmes delivers his address.

A standing ovation following Judge Holmes’ address

As Providence would have it, Judge and Mrs. Holmes were also celebrating their own 40th anniversary; Dr. McLean presents them with a bouquet of roses.

St. Joseph Commons

The room applauds Founding President Ronald P. McArthur and his wife, Marilyn, as well as the College’s other founders and their spouses.

Rev. Paul Raftery, O.P., offers the benediction.

The evening concludes with a dance in St. Joseph Commons.

The Tim Buley Swing Band

Dancing in St. Joseph Commons

Dancing in St. Joseph Commons

Ambuul children with their two new siblings

Ambuul family (Joanne, '91 and Daniel) with newborn twins Elizabeth and Peter

Edmund Jeremiah Feil with big sister Beatrice (children of Catherine and Joel, '06)

Newborn twins Kathleen and Irene Milligan-daughters of Francis ('85)  and Germaine ('88) Milligan debuted in their first family photo

Regina Marie Hart, daughter of Thomas ('91) and Anne Marie ('93) Hart

The Wall Family- Walter, '91 and Christy (Tittmann '89)

Rolfe and Katherine Kratz (’97) with TAC Alumni at their wedding

Rolfe and Katherine Kratz

Carol Elizabeth and Ann Lawless (daughters of Michael, '08 and Moira, '07 Lawless)

Carol Elizabeth and Michael Lawless

Carol Elizabeth and Ann Lawless

Frater Maximilian Okapal, O.Praem. ('02), Marie Nuar ('02), and Frater Nathaniel Drogin ('01) at an American Thanksgiving in Rome

Erin (Mackey) Caughron ('96) holding new son Charles Xavier with other Caughron children

Charles Xavier Caughron-son of Samuel and Erin Caughron ('96)

Samuel Caughron holding his new son Charles Xavier

Roderick Rae Maximilian Allen's baptism, son of Patrick and Bonnie Allen('07) With godparents Marie Lyons and Ben Almeida ('07)

Big sister Genevieve Allen loves her baby brother! (Roderick)

Dowell Family (Shane and Chiara, '04) shoveling manure at their new farm

Dowell Family (Shane and Chiara, '04) shoveling manure at their new farm

Dowell Family-Thanksgiving

Francesca Rita Marie-daughter ofAnthony and Anne-Marie Grumbine ('00)

Jay Family (Tim and Haley, '10)

Gabriel Joseph Fitzpatrick, son of Sean(02) and Sophie ('04)

Isinger Family (Mark, '10, Sarah, new daughter Mercedes Arielle Teresa) and son

Sebastian Pfundstein, son of Gregory and Rebecca Pfundstein ('05)

Marguerite and Sebastian Pfundstein

Steenson Family (Thomas, '96 and Melissa, '91)

Andrew Fyodor and Charles Abraham Keeler (sons of Alan, '05 and Claire, '06 Keeler)

William and Michelle Bertain (’08) with newborn son Padraig Jeremy Thomas and other son Liam.

William Bertain with sons Liam and Padraig

Mary Cain (’87) Karen Kelly (’88) and Pat Barry (’88) with Father Steckler

Father Steckler’s famous “snile”

Mary Cain with Father Steckler

Pat Barry and Father Steckler

Benefactor Paul Griffin with Peter L. DeLuca, Vice President for Finance and Administration

Vice President for Development Paul J. O’Reilly with his wife, Peggy, and President’s Council members Jean and Michael Maiuri

 

The newest member of the College’s Board of Governors, Lloyd Noble II, with President Michael F. McLean

Rev. Msgr. Francis J. Weber, the archivist for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, with the College’s librarian, Viltis Jatulis

Board of Governors Member Robert J. Barbera with his wife, Josephine

Chaplain Rev. Cornelius Buckley S.J., with two longstanding friends of the College, Anita (Grimm ’79) Zepeda and Norman Goyette

Msgr. Weber offers the invocation.

Chairman of the Board of Governors R. James Wensley and President McLean propose a toast.

Dan Grimm (’76) reads St. Luke’s account of the Nativity

A student quartet performs Bach’s Christmas Cantata.

The room unites in the singing of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” …

… and “Away in a Manger.”

St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491 – 1556)

St. Charles Borromeo (1538 – 1584)

St. Vincent de Paul (1580 – 1660)

Bl. Junipero Serra (1713 – 1784)

St. Alphonsus Liguori (1696 – 1787)

St. Vincent Mary Strambi  (1745 – 1824)

Bl. John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

St. Frances Cabrini (1815 – 1917)

St. John Bosco (1815 – 1888)

St. Pius X (1835 – 1914)

Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910 – 1997)

St. Charles de Foucauld (1858 – 1916)

Reception for members of the faculty and the Board of Governors in St. Thomas Plaza

Governor Michael Grace with Germaine and R. James Wensley, chairman of the Board of Governors

Reception in St. Thomas Plaza

Reception in St. Thomas Plaza

Mr. DeLuca greets Governor Robert Barbera

Governor Don Swartz, Vice President for Development Paul J. O’Reilly, General Counsel Quincy Masteller, and Governor Mark Montgomery

College Chaplain Rev. Cornelius Buckley, S.J., with Lannette Turicchi (wife of Vice Chairman of Board of Governors R. Scott Turicchi) and Governor Bernarda Neal

Mr. O’Reilly and Governor Maria O. Grant

Three alumni: Mr. O’Reilly (’84), Dean Brian T. Kelly (’88), and Governor Andy Zepeda (’79)

Director of Gift Planning Thomas J. Susanka with Rev. Michael Sweeney, O.P., president of the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley, Calif. and  guest chaplain and speaker for the retreat weekend

 Dinner in St. Joseph Commons

A performance by the student choral group Chrysostomos

Maureen Ryland (’12) leads the singers in a traditional Shaker song

Tutor Karen Zedlick is honored for her 20 years of service on the Thomas Aquinas College faculty.

Tutors Carol Day and Richard Ferrier are honored for their 30 years of service on the Thomas Aquinas College faculty.

From left to right: Founder John W. Neumayr, Dean Brian T. Kelly, Founder Peter L. DeLuca, President Michael F. McLean, Founding President Ronald P. McArthur, and Librarian Viltis Jatulis; the founders and Mrs. Jatulis were honored for their 40 years of service

President Michael F. McLean watches as Founding President Ronald P. McArthur addresses students, faculty, and the Board of Governors

Newest member of the Board of Governors Robert Barbera tells of his interest in and dedication to the College.

Fr. Sweeney speaks about St. Thomas Aquinas

Chaplain Rev. Paul Raftery, O.P., offers the benediction.

Dr. McLean and his wife, Lynda, with one of the arrangements of flowers presented to faculty spouses in gratitude for their support

Kristin Personius (’14): “Con Que La Lavare” (Anonymous)

Martin Beers (’15): Piano Sonata n. 3, 1st movement, (L. von Beethoven)

Andrew Pfeiffer (’14): Nocturne in F minor “La Separation” (M. Glinka)

Rebecca Wycklendt (’12): “Caro Mia Ben” (G. Giordani)

Andre Shepherd (’15): Piano Sonata in A major, 3rd movement (W. A. Mozart)

Angelique Atchley: (’14): “O del mio amato ben” (S. Donaudy)

Joseph Montanaro (’14): Piano Sonata n. 21, 1st movement (L. von Beethoven)

Philip Wilmeth (’15): “Vittoria, mio core” (G. Carissimi)

Michael Bors (’15): Waltz in C# minor (F. Chopin)

John Paul Thurau (’14): “We Call on Him” (Karger, Weisman and Wayne)

Nicolette Sutherland (’12): “Farewell” (Original Composition)

Sarah de Laveaga (’14): Sonata n. 31, 2nd movement (W. A. Mozart)

Sarah Cotugno (’13): “The Nightingale” (Deborah Henson-Conant)

The Thomas Aquinas College Student Orchestra, conducted by Rudolf Budginas: Melodies from Carmen (G. Bizet) and Tango Serenade (R. Budginas)

Applause!

Our warm thanks to Mr. Rudolf Budginas and Mr. Vincent Sorisio! Thanks also to Mrs. Viltis Jatulis, Miss Richena Curphy and the library staff; Mr. Pierre Rioux, Mr. Steve Six and the maintenance crew; and the Bon Appetit kitchen staff.

Sunset at Pine Mountain

Building an altar and cross for Sunday Mass

At Pine Mountain

At Pine Mountain

Music and relaxation after dinner

Sunrise

Preparing the altar for Holy Mass at the summit

Kneeling before the consecration

"This is My Body"

Holy Communion

Returning to the campsite after Mass

Breakfast

Breakfast

Heading home ...

William Fabian Hart, age 2, Son of Thomas ('91) and Anne Marie (Brooks, '93) Hart, meets his namesake Bishop Fabian W. Bruskewitz

The Hart Family (Thomas '91 and Anne Marie '93) with Bishop Fabian W. Bruskewitz

Captain Tom Short ('06) and Ensign Bill Short ('09) in Afghanistan

Carolyn Jean Dowdy (R) with Lyla (L). Parents William and Erin (Sale) Dowdy ('05)

Harald Mathie, son of Michael ('03) and Bernadette (Sockey '04) Mathie

Max and Dierdre Becher Wedding. Left to right: Gregory Becher ('80), Dierdre Becher (Wood '09), Max Becher ('10), and Janet Becher

Maximilian Gustin Cardenas, son of Robert and Maria (Rangel) Cardenas ('99)

Natalie Hudson's ('95) wedding. Married John Paul Sonnen.

Natalie Hudson's ('95) wedding. With TAC alumni Fr. Rob Fromageot ('94), Adam ('96) and Michelle (Coutu, '95) Gardiner, Peter Knuffke ('04), Evan Simpkins ('98).

Sofie Elizabeth MacIsaac, daughter of Chad ('98) and Sarah MacIsaac

Sofie Elizabeth MacIsaac

The annual cardboard-boat race

And they’re off!

Some vessels fare better than others …

Alumni past and future

Alumni basketball tourney

Taking a break

Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel in the background

The spectators

Kids’ soccer match

Next?

Barbeque on the athletic fields

Ice cream in St. Joseph Commons

Every once in a while, we get a cloudy day in Southern California, but that does not deter Thomas Aquinas College students from enjoying a fun day at the beach ...

The Most Rev. José H. Gomez, Archbishop of Los Angeles, joined at the altar by numerous concelebrants at the Mass of Thanksgiving

Archbishop Gomez delivers the homily.

Dinner Committee Co-Chairs Maria and Richard Grant present the gifts to Archbishop Gomez at the Offertory.

The evening’s keynote speaker, Rev. Wojciech Giertych, O.P., theologian of the papal household, with Archbishop Gomez

Terri Dillon, the wife of late Thomas Aquinas College President Thomas E. Dillon, with Archbishop Gomez and Berni Neal, a member of the Board of Governors

At the reception following the Mass

The student choral group Chrysostomos performs for attendees.

Dinner Committee Co-Chairs Maria and Richard Grant

Brenna Scanlon (’05), principal of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish School in Oxnard, Calif., speaks from the podium.

Rev. Sebastian Walshe, O.Praem, a professor of philosophy at St. Michael’s Abbey Seminary in Orange, Calif., speaks from the podium. (’94)

The keynote speaker: Rev. Wojciech Giertych, O.P., theologian of the papal household

Fr. Giertych and Thomas Aquinas College President Michael F. McLean

Dinner Co-Chair Maria Grant and Chairman of the Board of Governors R. James Wensley visit with a guest

Fr. Giertych, Dr. and Mrs. McLean, and Mr. Wensley

The Tim Buley Band

President McLean dances with his wife, Lynda.

Friday night’s Fall Concert: The Camarata del Camino Real, an 11-member group of current and past students of the College specializing in baroque music

Friday night’s Fall Concert: The Camarata del Camino Real, an 11-member group of current and past students of the College specializing in baroque music

Following the concert: the annual students vs. tutors game of Trivial Pursuit

Following the concert: the annual students vs. tutors game of Trivial Pursuit

Following the concert: the annual students vs. tutors game of Trivial Pursuit

And the students win!

And the students win!

And the students win!

Sophomores prepare for the annual dance at which they welcome the members of the freshman class.

Sophomores prepare for the annual dance at which they welcome the members of the freshman class.

Freshmen await the entertainment at the annual Freshman-Sophomore Dance.

College Chaplain Rev. Cornelius Buckley offers the invocation.

Sophomores perform their very own Greek comedy, based on portions of the freshman curriculum, about how the Olympian gods would manage were they students at Thomas Aquinas College today.

Sophomores perform their very own Greek comedy, based on portions of the freshman curriculum, about how the Olympian gods would manage were they students at Thomas Aquinas College today.

The faculty of Thomas Aquinas College

The College’s two newest tutors make the Profession of Faith and pledge the Oath of Fidelity.

President Michael F. McLean

President McLean and Abbot Hayes greet one of the new members of the Class of 2015.

President McLean and Abbot Hayes greet one of the new members of the Class of 2015.

President McLean and Abbot Hayes greet one of the new members of the Class of 2015.

President McLean and Abbot Hayes greet one of the new members of the Class of 2015.

President McLean and Abbot Hayes greet one of the new members of the Class of 2015.

President McLean and Abbot Hayes greet one of the new members of the Class of 2015.

A freshman formally registers as a member of the Class of 2015.

A freshman formally registers as a member of the Class of 2015.

The Right Rev. Eugene Hayes, O.Praem.

Student acolytes line up outside Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel.

The Right Rev. Eugene Hayes, O.Praem.

Procession into Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel

Nathan Dunlap (’12) delivers the first reading (Acts 2:1-11).

Tutor Andrew Seeley delivers the second reading (1 Cor. 12:3b-7, 12-13).

College Chaplain Rev. Cornelius Buckley, S.J., proclaims the Gospel (Jn. 20:19-23).

The Right Rev. Eugene Hayes, O.Praem., offers the Eucharistic prayer.

The Right Rev. Eugene Hayes, O.Praem., delivers the homily.

Tutor Christopher Oleson offers the prayers of the faithful.

Bringing up the gifts of bread and wine

Members of the faculty of Thomas Aquinas College

A statue of the Library’s patron, St. Bernardine of Siena, greets visitors in the foyer.

A floor plan St. Bernardine of Siena Library at Thomas Aquinas College

The nave ceiling, donated by the Honorable and Mrs. William P. Clark of California, was crafted in 1620 for a convent in Granada, Spain.

Because music plays an important role in the curriculum and in the cultural and liturgical life of the College, the library has a collection of classical and other recordings of exceptional quality. Individual listening carrels and a listening lounge draw students for both study and relaxation.

The Rare Book Room: Here, in a sealed, humidity-controlled environment, reside fine art pieces, historically significant documents and a number of original letters written by various saints, all donated by Thomas Aquinas College’s generous benefactors. The following slides depict but a few of these treasures.

Miniature antique ivory carving of a battle scene.

One of 47 known illuminated reproductions of the Gutenberg Bible.

One of two cylindrical Hittite seals, circa 1200 B.C.

Madonna and Child, original by Bartolome Esteban Murillo (1617-1682). Copy by V. Bianchini (1797-1880)

 

The Golden Treasury of the Best Songs and Lyrical Poems in the English Language is one of thirteen books with fore-edge paintings in the Library’s collection.
 

A petition to President Abraham Lincoln, dated 1864 …
 

… with a responding directive in his hand on the reverse
 

This ivory carving of the head of St. Ignatius is just one of many fine pieces in the Library.
 

Dating from 1481, this Book of Hours is an exceptional example of an illuminated vellum manuscript.

Alumni Remember Bl. John Paul II
“The Love that Saves,” by Maria Rangel (’99), www.rangelstudios.com

“Our whole family had the pleasure of spending Easter 2003 in Rome. We attended the same audience that Dr. and Mrs. Dillon attended, when the drawings of the Chapel were presented to Pope John Paul II on Easter Wednesday. Maria (Dillon ’97) and Dom Forte (’00) were also there, and we all shared Easter dinner together, at Enza and Dino (’04) Valente’s home.”

— Jesse (Ellis ’86) Van Hecke
 

Photo: Jessie (Ellis ’86) Van Hecke and her son Nicholas in 2003

“Jennifer and I had an audience with Pope John Paul II on August 7, 2002. When he heard we spoke English he smiled and said, ‘Ah, English.’ He blessed us, making the Sign of the Cross on each of our foreheads, and touched Jennifer’s cheek. He also blessed our rosaries. I told him that we had been praying for his intentions and for his health, and asked that he pray for our intentions and our future children. His eyes were very kind, and you could just feel the holiness all about him. You knew and felt that you were in the presence of great and holy man.”

— Jonathan Peters (’00)
 

Carl and I attended a private Mass at Castel Gondolfo in 1990. Afterwards we were able to be blessed by Pope John Paul II.

— Margaret (Short) Schmitt (’90)
 

“This is a picture of me about to meet Pope John Paul II in May of 1987. I was there laying groundwork for some journalistic work I did later during the Synod on the Laity in October. It was a wonderful opportunity.… I told the Pope my name, and said I was from California. My memory (reinforced by many retellings, of course) is that he responded, ‘Ah, California forever!’ I took this as a sort of prophecy, and I moved backed from Washington, D.C., to California a year later.”

— Angela (Grimm ’85) Lessard
 

“I remember vividly the day he died and the funeral a few days later. I was selected to distribute Holy Communion at the funeral Mass, and had a bird’s eye view. The moment that really brought me to tears was as they were carrying the casket in to St. Peter’s for burial: the pallbearers paused, turned the casket toward the faithful, and raised it up. The sun came out and illuminated the casket as the faithful broke into shouts of gratitude and sobs of sorrow. We all felt that we had lost a father.”

— Rev. Sebastian Walshe, O.Praem. (’94)

Photo: Fr. Sebastian served as the deacon for Bl. John Paul II on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God — the last time His Holiness presided from the high Altar of St. Peter’s Basilica

Maria and Ricky Ellis (’91) meeting Pope John Paul II on their honeymoon, July 5, 2000

John Kunz (’02) met with Bl. John Paul II on May 23, 2004, while studying in Rome.

“I was privileged to receive Holy Communion from Pope John Paul II on Easter Sunday in St. Peter’s Square in 1980. (I had just graduated from the College and was working as a religion teacher at St. Paul High School in California.) As I was approaching His Holiness, I was overwhelmed with emotion at the thought that I was receiving Our Lord on the central feast day of the year, in the center of the Catholic world, in the central plaza of His Church, from His personal representative, JPII. Wow! I will always be grateful to Cathy (Ford ’77) and Tim O’Donnell who made that experience possible.”

— Marguerite (Ford ’79) Grimm
 

 “This photograph was taken with Pope John Paul II at a meeting in Rome in June 1996. I was a member of the Vatican Delegation to the United Nations for three world conferences. The delegation reported to the Pope after the conference (the 1996 conference was held in Istanbul on the topic of habitation). What struck me about being with John Paul II was how comforting and warm he was toward everyone. You didn’t feel nervous or shy around him; he made you feel that he cared deeply about you and your concerns and what you thought.”

— Pip (Puccetti ’78) Donahoe
 

“My wife, Erin (McEachern ’04), and I were led to a love for the Church’s wisdom about marriage and family because of John Paul II. When we first started dating during our sophomore year at the College in 2002, we needed to turn to someone for a vision of marriage, family, and sexuality. We wanted our relationship to be beautiful, and Pope John Paul II was a man of God who had a vision of the human person that inspired us. Because of him, we learned just why the Church places such a profound emphasis on the vocation of marriage. His teachings about life and love gave us the courage to overcome many misconceptions that we had about love that threatened to destroy our newly discovered relationship. Shortly after we were married in 2004, we had an opportunity while studying at the International Theological Institute in Austria to travel to Rome and receive his blessing on our marriage. I remember looking into his eyes and encountering a person who cared deeply for the couple that was before him. It was a significant experience to share a moment of consciousness together.”

— Peter Baklinski (’04)
 

“In April 1984, following Norm’s surgery and radiation treatment for an aggressive brain tumor, we received the wonderful gift … a week-long pilgrimage to Fatima and Rome. The greatest of these blessings was an invitation late Sunday evening to attend Pope John Paul II’s early morning Mass the next day in his private chapel…. Norm had previously thought about what he would say to the Pope, if ever given the opportunity. First of all, he wanted to promote Thomas Aquinas College, so he proceeded to tell the Pope that he taught at the College and that the College was faithful to the Magisterium of the Church. The Pope answered, ‘Yes, I already know you.’ Then Norm told the Pope that much of his sufferings were being offered for the Pope’s intentions and for the Church. The Pope replied, ‘For this, I am deeply grateful.’ And finally, Norm requested the Pope’s blessing, to which the Pope responded, ‘Yes, I will give you a special blessing.’ I, meanwhile, was incapable of doing anything except to grin in the presence of this holy man”

— Maureen (Barlow/DeSilva) Finley (’76)

 

Commencement Day: Thomas Aquinas College, May, 14, 2011

The Baccalaureate Mass

Awaiting the procession ...

Processing onto the academic quadrangle, Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel in the background

Jane Forsyth leads the National Anthem.

The 2011 Senior Class Speaker, Luke Bueche

The 2011 Commencement Speaker: The Most Rev. José H. Gomez, Archbishop of Los Angeles

 “As graduates of this fine Catholic college, you have a unique responsibility for the New Evangelization. You must promote a new dialogue of reconciliation between faith and reason.”

The awarding of the diplomas

The graduates sing, Non nobis, Domine, Domine non nobis, Domine  Sed nomini, sed nomini, tuo da gloriam — “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, But to Your name give glory.”

Departing the quadrangle, diplomas in hand ...

Hats off to the Class of 2011!

Among the estimated 50,000 men, women, and children who participated in this year’s Walk for Life West Coast in San Francisco were more than 200 students from Thomas Aquinas College.

Joined by the College’s head chaplain, several tutors and their families, and dozens of Bay Area friends and alumni, the students marched two miles from Justin Herman Plaza through Fisherman’s Wharf to Marina Green.

With about two-thirds of the student body present, the Thomas Aquinas College delegation was the single largest student group at the Walk.

As they did last two years, the organizers asked a large group of the College’s women to lead the march.

Peacefully, and in stark contrast to the taunting and heckling of pro-abortion protesters who lined parts of the route, they walked, they sang hymns, and they prayed the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy on behalf of abortion’s many victims, both born and unborn.

The College’s students have participated in every Walk since the first in 2005. Because of their numbers and dedication, they have increasingly taken on leadership roles in the event, such as serving as assistant marshals along the route.

A densely packed crowd walked 20 across in a line that stretched well over a mile.

The Walk took place on January 22, 2011 — the 38th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision.

The students were assisted through the great generosity of Germaine and Jim Wensley, chairman of the Thomas Aquinas College Board of Governors, who once again contributed toward the cost of chartering the coach that made the 300 mile-trip to San Francisco and back.

Invigorated by the experience, the students vow to return next year, so as to bear witness once more to the Gospel of Life.

Nestled among the foothills of California’s Los Padres National Forest is the campus of Thomas Aquinas College …

… a place where, guided by the twin beacons of faith and reason, students pursue a liberating education in an authentically Catholic environment.

There are no textbooks. Students read the foundational works of western civilization — the great books.

Instead of lectures, students learn via the Socratic method, in classes of fewer than 20 guided by members of the College’s renowned faculty.

The learning, however, extends far beyond the classroom. It carries on through music …

… theatrical productions …

… a vibrant intramural athletics program

… and the glorious environs of Southern California.

Its alumni have gone on to be leaders in every conceivable field, from media…

Mary Rose Bacani (’03), Producer and Reporter for Salt + Light Television

.. to medicine and public service …

Major Paul W. White, M.D. (’95), vascular surgeon, U.S. Army

… to the priesthood and the religious life.

The Very Rev. Fr. John M. Berg, F.S.S.P. (’93), Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter

We encourage you to spend some time learning more about this truly unique place — and perhaps even to place a visit, and come see for yourself.