Hey, everyone! My name is Katie Trojanowski, and I am the 2009 CCM Director of Administration. On behalf of the CCM Team and all of CCM's friends and family, I would like to congratulate the Class of 2009 on their completion of a tough but amazing four year journey. Although it may be time for your new adventures to begin, CCM would like to remind you that you are always welcome to come home to the Newman House, as we will miss you all!

I would also like to extend a huge welcome to the returning students for the upcoming school year, and to the new members of the Class of 2013. CCM is very excited to have you join our family in August, and we can't wait to become better acquainted with you all at our fun events in the fall! Being a part of CCM is a very special experience, as it provides you with the opportunity to have a second home on campus, and meet some truly incredible people through service and social activities. It is definitely not an experience that you want to miss out on, so keep an eye out for e-mails and letters throughout the summer. I can't wait to meet you all! Have an awesome summer!

Iconographer Marek Czarnecki of Seraphic Restorations in Meriden, Connecticut, has graciously given the United Sates Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) the rights to use the icon of Christ the Great High Priest during the Year for Priests.

This icon (egg tempera and gold leaf on wood panel, 28" x 22") is “based on a fifteenth century Greek prototype; here Christ is shown in Latin Rite vestments with a gold pelican over His heart, the ancient symbol of self-sacrifice. The borders contain a winding grapevine and altar prepared for the celebration of the liturgy of the Mass; in the borders are smaller icons of Melchizedek and St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney.”

Czarnecki explains: “I wrote the icon about seven years ago [for seminarians and priests] to be able to see Christ in themselves, and themselves in Christ. We often hear that the icon is called a window; in this case, it's also meant to be a mirror.” The Good Shepherd reminds the priest that he is to “lay down his life for his sheep.”

June 19, 2009 - June 19, 2010

Pope Benedict XVI has declared a “Year for Priests” beginning with the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 19, 2009. The year will conclude in Rome with an international gathering of priests with the Holy Father on June 19, 2010.

With the announcement of this Year for Priests, the Pope has declared St. John Vianney the Universal Patron of Priests on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of the Curé d'Ars.

Please pray for our priests that they might always be faithful to their sacred calling.

Prayer for Priests

Dear Lord,
we pray that the Blessed Mother
wrap her mantle around your priests
and through her intercession
strengthen them for their ministry.

We pray that Mary will guide your priests
to follow her own words,
“Do whatever He tells you” (Jn 2:5).

May your priests have the heart of St. Joseph,
Mary's most chaste spouse.

May the Blessed Mother's own pierced heart
inspire them to embrace
all who suffer at the foot of the cross.

May your priests be holy,
filled with the fire of your love
seeking nothing but your greater glory
and the salvation of souls.
Amen.

Saint John Vianney, pray for us.