(Catholic Herald file photo)
Twenty-third in a series on the 75th anniversary of the Diocese of Madison
In keeping with Bishop William H. Bullock’s goal to evaluate efficient use of buildings, programs, and agencies, the Diocese of Madison hired Meitler Consultants, Inc., a Milwaukee firm, to study all diocesan offices and Holy Name Seminary in Madison.
The consultants looked at personnel, facilities, and finances. Priests, Religious, and laity from all the offices and the seminary were interviewed, and their input was included in a report completed in 1995.
Bishop Bullock invited the Presbyteral Council, priest deans of the diocese, and diocesan consultors to a meeting to review the entire report.
The Meitler report offered six options, not in any order of preference. Each option was presented with its positive aspects. A full and free discussion took place without any prejudicial comment by Bishop Bullock.
Decision on Holy Name Seminary
Before a final decision was made, Bishop Bullock again gathered the groups already mentioned along with the diocesan Corporate Board for a final review of the process.
It was the overwhelming majority decision to recommend that Holy Name Seminary be closed and that the facility be maintained as a diocesan center.
The overriding factor in the recommendation was the number of priests needed to effectively staff the high school seminary.
“It was obvious that this commitment was impossible now and in the foreseeable future,” said a statement which explained the decision from the Presbyteral Council on May 11, 1995.
Some people, including parents of Holy Name students, objected to the decision to close the seminary, but the decision went forward.
Bishop Bullock said, “The discontinuance of the seminary program in some way closes the door on all the tremendous good it has done in the lives of young men throughout its 31-year history. That goodness and the values it inculcated in the lives, both of those who attended and those who graduated, lives on.”
Holy Name Seminary’s last graduation was held on May 21, 1995, with 16 seniors graduating. After meeting with the graduates, Bishop Bullock presided at the graduation Mass and conferred the diplomas.
The Meitler report revealed that from 1966 to 1994, there were 714 graduates of the seminary. Of those graduates, 28 who attended the high school or college program (which closed in 1969) were serving as ordained priests in the Diocese of Madison in 1994.
Seven others were ordained as priests for other dioceses or Religious Orders.
Renovation of Holy Name Catholic Center
In September of 1996, plans were approved for the renovation of the newly-named Holy Name Catholic Center. It would include diocesan offices, education and conference facilities, and retirement housing for priests.
More on the renovation will be included in a future article.
Former rector reflects on Holy Name Seminary
The only living former rector of Holy Name Seminary is Msgr. Raymond N. Kertz, who is retired as a pastor emeritus and lives in Rockford, Ill.
Monsignor Kertz’s ties to the seminary comprise a quarter of his 54 years of priesthood. “I was at Holy Name Seminary for four years as the first full-time Diocesan Director of Vocations (1969-1973) and then 10 years as the second rector (1973-1983). Those 14 years were during the first couple of decades following the Second Vatican Council — a time full of change and of challenge. I truly am grateful for those times and the unique experience of a post-council seminary.”
However, Monsignor Kertz said that times changed. “Different philosophies emerged, enrollments declined, clergy personnel shortages began to have an impact, and financial concerns began nagging. All of those realities seemed to converge, and the seminary’s closing seemed to be inevitable in the eyes of many. Honestly, I still regret that decision, but I was not really any part of it.”
Monsignor Kertz said that Holy Name Seminary was an “excellent seminary high school,” noting that its alumni “still serve our Church as bishops, pastors, retired priests, as well as incredible numbers of dedicated laypersons in ministries of all kinds, as well as other service and humanitarian initiatives. Alumni have excelled.”
He also pointed out that the seminary “also developed as the heart of virtually everything diocesan,” noting that “everything happened there,” including activities for clergy such as continuing education, retreats, and socials, as well as meetings of parish groups, lay organizations, clubs, and diocesan movements and ministries that met and prayed there.
“Truly it was the place from which life flowed into the diocese,” said Monsignor Kertz. “For me, it was the Camelot of the diocese and hopefully not to be forgotten.”
Sources: Building Our Future in Faith: Commemorative History of the Catholic Diocese of Madison (1996); archives of the Catholic Herald newspaper.
Mary C. Uhler served on the staff of the Catholic Herald-Diocese of Madison for almost 47 years, the last 34 years as editor. She retired in July of 2020.