Prep Seminarians Offer First-Hand Look at Cathedral

By Marie Elena Giossi

Thirty seventh- and eighth-grade boys at St. Stanislaus Kostka School, Maspeth, found out everything they wanted to know about Cathedral Preparatory Seminary in Elmhurst on a recent afternoon without ever leaving their classroom.

Students were excused from regular classes when Prep seniors Jakub Herdzik and Maciej Sadowski stopped by St. Stan’s as part of Cathedral’s Visitation Program.

At the request of elementary school principals, Cathedral sends teams of seniors, juniors, sophomores and even freshmen into local grade schools during school hours to spread the mission and message of the diocesan high school seminary.

Marie Elena Giossi Photo 

Prep Seminarians Offer First-Hand Look at Cathedral

Under the guidance of Cathedral’s Rector-Principal Msgr. Joseph Calise, visits are arranged by Father John Cush, theology teacher and program coordinator, along with faculty and student volunteers. Over 50 diocesan grade schools have been visited since September.

During the summer months, Cathedral sent notices about the program to every pastor and school principal in the Brooklyn Diocese. This year, they’re also opening the program to Nassau County schools, with the permission of Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio and Rockville Centre Bishop William Murphy.

“This program helps foster the leadership ability and speaking skills of the students themselves, as well as utilizing what Msgr. Calise believes is the best advertisement for Cathedral Prep – her students,” noted Father Cush. “The positive responses from pastors/administrators and principals have been overwhelming.”

While students usually visit schools on their own via public transportation, Msgr. Calise also has gone to several schools: Holy Family and St. Mel, Flushing; Holy Trinity, Whitestone, and Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, Bayside. Vocation Director Father Kevin Sweeney visited three schools; newly ordained Father James Kuroly led a team; and Father Cush also has escorted the young men.

At St. Stan’s, Principal Sister Rose Torma, CSJ, and Father Joseph Palackal, CMI, parochial vicar, welcomed Herdzik and Sadowski, who arrived via the Q58 bus.

The young men were escorted to Linna McDonald’s classroom, where they began by introducing themselves and asking students about their aspirations in life.

After listening to the responses, Herdzik acknowledged that the boys had great plans to pursue careers in important fields, but suggested they also consider “what God has in store” for their lives.

Herdzik and Sadowski explained Cathedral Prep’s role in helping young men discern their vocations in life. They handed out folders outlining the Prep’s academic, social and spiritual offerings, which the junior high boys were able to bring home to their parents.

Over the next hour, the young men shared their extensive knowledge of the Prep’s academic offerings, including Honors, Advanced Placement and college-credit courses.

For students who need extra assistance, Herdzik said, “Teachers are there to help you. … They’ll always make the time for you.”

In a school with a little over 160 students, Sadowski added, “everybody knows each other.”

Friendships formed in the classroom continue to grow through Cathedral’s many extracurricular activities, including sports teams, special-interest clubs and service-oriented organizations.

Both young men noted that what is truly unique about the Prep is the spiritual education, which provides “all of the basics every Christian man should know,” Herdzik said.

Students asked dozens of questions about school rules, uniforms, tests, homework, and tuition, which is currently $6,200. Students learned that Cathedral Prep considers boys who list them as first, second or third choice on the TACHS Exam and that scholarships and financial aid are available.

McDonald said the presentation was “wonderful” and she hopes some boys follow in the footsteps Patrick McCague, who graduated from St. Stan’s in June and is now a freshman at Cathedral.

Seventh-grader Dylan Powers reported that his father Stephen is a Prep alumnus, and Christopher Freitag, also a seventh-grader, boasted that his cousin, Teddy Jankowski, is a junior at the Prep. Both boys said they’ll apply to the Prep next year.

“Cathedral is a Prep Seminary but that doesn’t mean you have to be a priest. They ask you to open your eyes and listen for God’s call. Even if you don’t become a priest, they teach you how to be a good Catholic man,” said Herdzik.

Principals wishing to schedule a visit to their schools can contact Father Cush at 718-592-6800 ext. 120 or frcush@cathedralprepseminary.com.