The Final Vows Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of the University of Notre Dame had an international flavor this year as two seminarians from Sacred Heart of Jesus Province joined two seminarians from the U.S. Province of Priests and Brothers in making their Final Professions on Saturday, 30 August.
Mr. Thomas James “T.J.” Groden, C.S.C., and Mr. Christopher Nicholas Mulholland, C.S.C., from the United States, and Mr. Soikat Benedict Kulentuno, C.S.C., and Mr. Promod Thomas Rozario, C.S.C., from Bangladesh were classmates for the past four years at Moreau Seminary and Scholasticate while completing the Master of Divinity at Notre Dame.
Fr. William M. Lies, C.S.C., Superior of the U.S. Province, presided and preached at the Mass. He also received the vows of Mr. Groden and Mr. Mulholland, while Fr. Anthony Sushanto Gomes, C.S.C., Assistant Superior of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Province, received the vows of Mr. Kulentuno and Mr. Rozario.
Immediately following Mass, there was the usual reception in the Main Building of the University for all those in attendance. Then in the evening, the Holy Cross community gathered with the family members and close friends of the recently finally professed for a celebratory dinner in the refectory of Moreau Seminary and Scholasticate. The celebration went well into what was a beautiful evening at Notre Dame.
The following morning, 31 August, all four were ordained to the diaconate by the Most Rev. William Wack, C.S.C., Bishop of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee. The Diaconate Ordination was held in the chapel of Moreau Seminary and Scholasticate.
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Deacon Christopher Nicholas Mulholland, C.S.C., a member of the United States Province, is a native of Atchison, Kansas. He took First Vows on 31 July 2021. Christopher studied electrical engineering at the University of Notre Dame. A deeply prayerful person, he focused his Synthesis Seminar for the Master of Divinity on “My Heart is Ready, O God: Cultivating the Disposition for Prayer in the 21st Century”. He has learned “to critique thoughtfully, speak with nuance, engage new perspectives, and defend what I have found to be true.” Christopher had cross-cultural experiences in Mexico, where he studied Spanish, and Peru, where he served at Fe y Alegria 25 School. He also worked in a Spanish-speaking parish in South Bend. As a deacon, Christopher is serving at St. Ignatius Martyr Parish in Austin, Texas.
Deacon Thomas James “T.J.” Groden, C.S.C., a member of the United States Province, hails from Glenview, Illinois. He pronounced First Vows on 31 July 2021. T.J. holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Education, both from the University of Notre Dame. Thomas spent a summer studying Spanish in Mexico. His cross-cultural experience was deepened when he spent time in Bangladesh, primarily at our parish in Jalchatra. T.J. has had broad pastoral experience, including assisting at Elkhart General Hospital in the Chaplaincy department and serving as Assistant Rector at Dillon Hall, Notre Dame. He is also a strong student with interests in history, law, and political science. As a deacon, he is working as Rector of Baumer Hall at the University of Notre Dame.
Deacon Promod Thomas Rozario, C.S.C., comes from Dhaka in Bangladesh. He professed First Vows on 27 July 2018 in Bangladesh. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Tejgaon College in Dhaka. After studying philosophy in Bangladesh, he went to the United States to study theology at Notre Dame. Promod believes that the Vow of Poverty enables him to “recognize God as the source and provider of everything in my life.” He believes that “community life is one of the roots of my vocation.” Pastorally, Promod has had broad experience, working with children, young adults, senior citizens, marginalized individuals, and refugees. He has devotion to St. Anthony and the Blessed Virgin Mary. For his diaconate ministry, Promod has returned to Bangladesh and been assigned to St. George Catholic Church, Mariamnagar in the Diocese of Mymensingh.
Deacon Soikat Benedict Kulentuno, C.S.C., was born in Natore, Rajshahi, in Bangladesh. He made First Vows on 27 July 2018. Soikat graduated from Tejgoan College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. He studied philosophy at Holy Spirit Major Seminary in Banani, before going to Moreau Seminary and Scholasticate at Notre Dame to pursue a Master of Divinity. Soikat always “aspired to be a shepherd in the spirit of Jesus.” His goals have consistently centered around servanthood and embodying compassion through joyful and caring leadership. During his time in the United States, Soikat has been involved in multiple ministries, including Holy Cross Rehabilitation and Wellness Center in South Bend and St. Pius X Parish in Granger. For his diaconate ministry, Soikat has returned to Bangladesh and been assigned to Shanti Raj Catholic Church, Thanchi, in the Archdiocese of Chottogram.