Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
August 16, 2000
Six profess vows during vespers at St. Dominic
By Peter Droege
Six men made Profession of Vows as Dominicans during Solemn Vespers on the Memorial of St. Clare of Assisi, Aug. 11, at St. Dominic Church in Denver.
Welcoming the assembly in English and Spanish were Dominican Sister Kathleen Andrews of Great Bend, Kan., and Leticia Aguilar of St. Dominic Parish.
"These six men have searched their hearts throughout their lifetimes and during their novitiate year and have found it in their hearts to dedicate their lives to God," said Sister Andrews.
During the ceremony, the life and generosity of Father Robert Zusy was recalled. The Dominican priest died in Denver on Aug. 6 after a lifetime of service (see article, page 2).
Dominican Father Jose Santiago presided at the solemn vespers. The former pastor of St. Dominic Parish, it was his last official act in Denver before moving on to a new assignment.
"My seven years in Denver have been wonderful, and presiding at this ceremony as my last official act is a great blessing," he told the Register before the ceremony.
The novices made their profession before the Very Rev. Edward Ruane, prior provincial of the Dominicans. Dominican Father Michael Kyte, novice master, offered the homily.
After making their profession, the six new Dominicans joyfully walked down the center isle to receive congratulations from other professed members of the order.
The new Dominicans include: Richard Litzau, O.P., from Denver, holds a bachelor of science degree in Education Rehabilitation; Matthew Mejia, O.P., of Pueblo, holds a bachelor of arts degree in Psychology and Philosophy from the University of Southern Colorado in Pueblo.; Robert Greer, O.P., of Roanoke, Va., a former teacher and campus minister at Mt. Carmel High School, Chicago, who holds a master's degree in Theology; Brendan Manley, O.P., of St. Louis, Mo., formerly a music director at a St. Louis Parish, who has a Philosophy degree from St. Louis University; Thomas Remiker, O.P., from East Troy, WI, a former researcher in the United States Air Force and holder of a degree in Economics from the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater; and Cedric Starbuck, O.P., also of St. Louis, who is a former teacher of Philosophy at Fontbonne College in St. Louis and who holds a master's degree in Philosophy from St. Louis University.
The six completed a year of preparation at St. Dominic Parish for entrance into the Dominican Order. They will now move to St. Louis, Mo., where they will pursue studies in philosophy and theology at Aquinas Institute of Theology, the Dominican theological school there. In four years they will be eligible to make final vows in the Order.
The Dominican Order (formally known as the Order of Preachers) was founded in 1216 by Dominic Guzman, a Spanish priest. Members of the Order take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and live a community life of ministry, prayer and study. The Dominican Province of St. Albert the Great is one of four Dominican Provinces in the United States and covers the territory from Michigan to Colorado and from Canada to New Mexico.
