Taking the helm
Msgr. Jeffrey Monforton installed as Sacred Heart Major Seminary's 12th rector in 'joyous, solemn' ceremony Oct. 29
Kristin Lukowski of The Michigan Catholic
Published November 3, 2006
Photo by Larry Peplin | Special to the Michigan Catholic
Msgr. Jeffrey Monforton, with Fr. Steven Boguslawski, OP, behind him stands in the chapel at Sacred Heart Major Seminary on Oct. 29. Msgr. Monforton succeeds Fr. Boguslawski as the seminary's rector. | Detroit — Two months after he took over the duties as head of Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Msgr. Jeffrey Monforton was officially installed as its 12th rector/president on Oct. 29.
He said the Mass was both joy-filled and solemn, honored with the presence of Cardinal Adam Maida, about 60 priests and an additional 300 people in the pews. He said he was both humbled and delighted by that show of support and that he was grateful for the opportunity to thank people at the end of the ceremony.
"I'm extremely happy with how everything has gone up to this point," he said of his two months at the seminary.
The faculty, seminarians and staff have been kind enough to provide advice, both solicited and unsolicited, he said. That counsel has provided him with the opportunity to raise the learning curve, he said.
Msgr. Monforton said he wants to step back from the day-to-day operation of the seminary to take the time to evaluate the programs before he modifies programs or creates new ones. He credited his predecessor, Fr. Steven Boguslawski, OP, with doing a "tremendous" job.
Photo by Larry Peplin | Special to the Michigan Catholic
Msgr. Monforton places his hand on the Bible during his installation Mass. | So far, his favorite part of the job is the opportunity he's had to engage with the people involved at Sacred Heart. He was able to visit all of the classrooms, more than 90, and visit with instructors on staff. He's also been making a point to greet any large group that visits the seminary, so they can put a face to name, he said, and know they are welcome at the seminary.
Msgr. Monforton said when someone enters the seminary, he should have a certain level of maturity and a solid relationship with the Lord. Although not everyone who enters the seminary is 100-percent sure he will become a priest, they should believe they are being called, he said.
One reason he was so grateful to see the 60 priests at his installation was that although vocations begin at home, they're crafted by parish priests, who help locate future shepherds, he said.
Photo by Larry Peplin | Special to the Michigan Catholic
Msgr. Monforton greets guests at a receptionfollowing his installationas rector. | Msgr. Monforton said the seminary is definitely not a typical nine-to-five job, although he's "delighted, honored and blessed" to be there. A typical day would include prayer, Mass, office work, making the rounds around the seminary and taking meals with students, staff and faculty so he stays connected.
Although he tries not to spend too much time at his desk, he gets plenty of e-mails, faxes and phone calls to keep him busy.
"I'm kept occupied by the good people of God," he said.
Msgr. Monforton replaced Fr. Boguslawski, who left earlier in August to serve as acting director of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington, D.C. Before being appointed to Sacred Heart, Msgr. Monforton served at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish in Shelby Township, as assistant pastor at National Shrine of the Little Flower, Royal Oak, where he also taught religion at the high school, and as the weekend assistant at St. Paul of the Lake Parish, Grosse Pointe Farms and St. Jane Frances de Chantal Parish, Sterling Heights. He also served for seven years as Cardinal Maida's secretary.
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