Distinguished Alumni Awards
Nominate the next Distinguished Alumni award winner
The REV. JAMES J. CARRIGAN Distinguished Alumni Award for Clergy
Father James Carrigan, STD (1943) served on the Seminary faculty from 1946 until 1981 as a professor of Dogmatic Theology. He was a spiritual director at the Seminary as well as for the hearing impaired community in the area.
In 1966 he was appointed rector and oversaw the changes in Seminary formation called for by the Second Vatican Council. He guided the Seminary and promoted the beginnings of lay formation programs. In all his years at the Seminary, he was known for his steady guidance, sound judgment and fair leadership. Father Carrigan died on May 10, 2003. 
RECIPIENTS:
2022 - Rev. Steven Wlusek - Fr. Steve was announced to be the seminary rector when Fr. Bill McGrattan was named a bishop. He now had the task of overseeing the seminary during a time of renewal. Under his leadership, the renovations begun by Fr. McGrattan took place. Though we endured the things associated with a building renovation, like noise, dust and location changes, nevertheless hope sustained us. At the beginning of each year, Fr. Wlusek would address the seminarians. Invariably, he would express his affection for the seminary family. It was through charity - affection for the people he served - that Fr. Wlusek viewed his responsibility as rector during his tenure. He poured himself out for the seminary family. It was faith that motivated him to give himself to this unique ministry that was entrusted to him by Christ and by the Church. The renewal of the seminary building under Fr. Wlusek would be the first moment of bold new vision foreseen by Bishop Fabbro.
2018 - Rev. Francis O'Connor - Fr. O’Connor hails from a large family from Strathroy, Ontario. He was ordained in 1966. He served as a parish priest in a number of parishes as well as two periods totalling 13 years in our diocesan mission in Peru. He taught Spirituality, Evangelization, the Sacrament of Holy Orders and Social Justice at St. Peter’s Seminary for 26 years, along with being the House Spiritual Director. His expertise includes preaching missions and priests’ retreats, spiritual direction, helping the poor and ministering to religious sisters. He has been much involved in groups advocating social justice issues. Using his Peruvian experience, he regularly serves the Spanish communities in the diocese. He also has a deep love for the poor and a profound respect for the dignity of every person. He is presently “retired”, but loves serving “the brotherhood” of priests, especially senior ones. He is truly a “priests’ priest”.
2015 - Rev. Michael Prieur (65) - Fr. Prieur boasts of being born at 8:45 a.m. in Paquette Corners, ON, accounting for his bright “morning” disposition. Ordained in 1965, he spent one year at Ste Rose Parish in (then) Riverside, ON, followed by three years of post-graduate studies in Rome and England. He was on the seminary faculty as a group leader and spiritual director for the all-time record of 51 years, also specializing in Bioethics and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He worked on three editions of the Catholic Health Alliance of Canada, Health Ethics Guide, Ottawa (1990, 2000, 2012), being the chair of the third one. He also represented Canada for almost 20 years on the International Catechetical Council in Rome. He began the Permanent Deacon program in the diocese in 2000. He has authored over six books, in particular, Panes of Glory (2005) on the seminary stained glass windows. This resulted in a four-part Salt and Light TV series, also called Panes of Glory, which won the international “Gabriel Award” in Indianapolis, Ind. in 2012. His latest book is The Art of the Confessor – A Vademecum for Seminarians and Priests, 2017.
2012 - Bishop Marcel Gervais - Born in St. Élie, MB, the Gervais family of 13 children moved to Sparta, ON to begin anew on a farm. Soon after his ordination as a priest in 1958, he studied in Rome and Jerusalem in Sacred Scripture. He was an inspiring scripture professor at the Seminary, often sending the students from class powerfully moved by the word of God. He served on the International Committee for English in the Liturgy [ICEL], which was given the task by Rome to translate the renewed liturgical texts into English. He also directed the Divine Word Centre for ongoing Catholic formation of priests, religious and laity with a program that blended the themes of scripture and social justice. He authored the famous scripture-study series, Journey, which was translated into various languages including French and Chinese. After his episcopal ordination in 1980 as auxiliary bishop of London, he served in the diocese of Sault Ste. Marie and then as Archbishop of Ottawa. He served as vice president and president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. He is renowned for his deep faith, gentle disposition and wonderfully wise understanding of scripture.
2008 - Rev. John Caswell ('62) - The Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie proudly boasts of Fr. John for his birthplace. He completed his studies at the Seminary and was ordained in 1962. He was renowned for his sharp intellect and extremely voluble, jocular sense of humour. He was a member of the famous “Flying Fathers” Hockey Team. In addition to serving in many parishes, he also established a radio station in Sudbury, featuring religious communication for the area. He was a strong supporter of seminarians, especially those of St. Peter’s. On his retirement, he donated all of his electronic equipment to the Seminary.
2005 - Rev. Adrian Jansen ('52) - Coming from Windsor, ON, Fr. Jansen served in World War II on the hospital ship Laetitia, interrupting his seminary career. He was ordained in 1952 and served in several parishes and chaplaincy assignments before beginning an extensive period as retreat director of Holy Family Retreat House in Oxley, Ontario from 1970-88. He had a remarkable gift for touching young people’s hearts, especially for their Confirmation retreats. “Sacraments, sacraments, sacraments”, he would trumpet to everyone. His deep love for culture, music, and art enriched all of his presentations. He was a valiant supporter of the seminary.
2002 - Rev. James J. Carrigan - Fr. James J. Carrigan was the Seminary’s fourth rector and the first recipient of the award named after him, astounded that this accolade would come to him first! Born in Woodstock, ON, he was ordained in 1942 and only served briefly in parish life before obtaining his doctorate in Quebec. He began teaching at the Seminary in 1945. His classes in Dogmatic Theology were direct, insightful and aimed at the heart of the matter. His leadership as Seminary Rector (1966-1981) and words of advice were appreciated by everyone, noted for its fairness and accuracy regarding Church teaching and pastoral practice. He steered the Seminary through the tumultuous years of transition and renewal following the Second Vatican Council, supported the restoration of the Permanent Diaconate long before the Diocese finally adopted it, and oversaw the implementation of the group system within the seminary. He was instrumental in the reorganization of the Seminary’s Affiliation Agreements between The University of Western Ontario and King’s College. He also forged closer ties with Huron College, the Seminary’s Anglican counterpart. Under his leadership lay people were able to register for full-time studies in theology. He also had a ministry to the hearing impaired.
The SR. MARGARET FERRIS Distinguished Alumni Award for Laity
Sister Margaret Ferris CSJ, a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Diocese of London, began her career on faculty at St. Peter’s Seminary in 1985 as Director of Lay Student Formation and professor of Pastoral Counseling. For many years she counselled students, helped prepare students and their supervisors for the Pastoral Year, directed yearly retreats at Oxley and from 2000 to 2006 was Director of Human Formation for the seminary. She is the author of Compassioning: Basic Counselling Skills for Christian Care-Givers, (1993). She retired from full-time duties at the Seminary in 2005 and is known for her wise counsel and listening heart.
RECIPIENTS:
2022 - Mr. Joe Bezzina - Since receiving his Master of Divinity degree from St. Peter's Seminary in 1987, Joe has worked tirelessly in the name of, and for; the Church. What became evident, even at a younger age, was Joe's love and concern for the poor and marginalized. As a teacher with the London District Catholic School Board, Joe brought the faith to his students regardless of the grades (elementary or high school) or which subject he was teaching. Later, Joe was seconded by Althouse College where he prepared young Catholic men and women who themselves would one day hope to be teaching religion. Before retiring from LDCSB, Joe served as the Religion and Family Life Consultant. During all of this, Joe volunteered and sat on various committees that would focus on social justice issues such as working in partnership with Development & Peace; always keeping in mind the need to minister to the poor and the marginalized.
2018 - Michael Tremblay (BTh '72) - South Windsor claims the birthplace of Michael. After high school, he headed for the seminary, but God led him to his wife Sue and two adopted children. He has been married for over 45 years. He was the first full-time lay student to register in Theology in the early ‘70s, strongly supported by Fr. Jim Carrigan, the Rector of the Seminary. He then continued his studies in Ottawa obtaining a Master of Arts in Theology in 1973. Then in 1988, he obtained his Licentiate in Canon Law. He served as Vice-President of the Canadian Canon Law Society from 1994-96. Meanwhile, he was the Director of the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal for 44 years, a record. He also taught part-time at King’s College for 35 years and at the Seminary for ten years. Over the years Mike has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Catholic Family Services. He also was actively involved with Street Connections in London. He was one of the authors of Shepherds According to my Heart – A History of St. Peter’s Seminary (2012). Recently, he published The Marriage Tribunal of the Diocese of London: A Ministry of Healing, A Forty-Five Year Journey. He is now engaged in compiling a history of the experience of the London diocesan priests and religious who served for over 25 years in Peru. Mike is a man of great hope, compassion and sense of justice, shown especially in his long work for those suffering from broken marriages, is a tribute to his deep Catholic faith and practice.
2015 - Mary Cahalan (MDiv '96) - Born in the Emerald Isle, Mary, spouse Sean and their two children came to Canada in 1968 following an interview in Dublin for Mary to consider teaching in Canada. The interviewers suggested London, Ontario, and they accepted. Arriving on Labour Day weekend, Mary was in a classroom with the Catholic School Board on the following Tuesday and continued teaching for over three decades.
In the teaching world, she became “the teacher’s teacher” in both the regular academic year as well as a staff member for the Summer Ministry Course for Catholic teachers. She served in an administrative capacity as Assistant to the Religion Coordinator from 1987 to 1991. During her teaching years, she studied at King’s University College and at St. Peter’s Seminary earning her M.Div. degree in 1996. She also led many Days of Reflections for school staffs over the years. The Seminary, identifying her many gifts, hired her as an “academic consultant” for faculty and seminarians, especially for those students upgrading their skills in English. In her work with the students, she probably helped to write more essays than any other faculty member.
Mary has always been involved in community work, leading a small faith community at the Cathedral Parish for 14 years and as a committee member of the Visitation Ministry to the Homebound. She is a volunteer at St. Joseph’s Hospice, London, and in 2012 received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee award for her community contributions.
2012 - John Van Dommelen (BTh '72) - Coming from a good Dutch family, John entered the Seminary in the late 60s. However, God had other plans for him. He has been married to his wife Cathie for over 40 years and has three children. In 1972, he graduated from the Seminary, then from Kings College in 1974 and from the UWO Faculty of Education in 1975. He worked for the London Catholic School Board for 35 years, retiring in June 2010. He specialized in religious education and was the Religious, Family Life and Health Education Coordinator for 14 years with the London District Catholic School Board. He proved to be a real mentor for teachers, especially in the area of religious studies. He was instrumental in planning and delivering countless workshops, days of prayer, retreats for students, writing for committees, and summer school activities, all aimed at deepening the Catholic faith in our teachers and in the diocese. He was the recipient of the London District Principals Association Award for Advocacy for Catholic Education in 2003 and 2010. John also was awarded the Fr. Angus McDougall Family Life Award given by the Catholic Association of Religious and Family Life Educators of Ontario in 2006. His warm personality and gentle approach in leading people amply illustrated the dictum of two recent Popes, namely to “propose, not impose” the faith.
2008 - Michael Trueman (MDiv '97) - This Award winner comes to our area from the Maritimes. At the Seminary, not feeling called to be a priest, he then married and has a family. After obtaining his M. Div. from the Seminary, he went on to do post-graduate studies in Canon Law at St. Paul University in Ottawa, Ontario. This ultimately landed him a position as director of the Marriage Tribunal in the Archdiocese of Detroit, Michigan. He co-authored Surprised by Canon Law and Surprised by Canon Law II, tempting ordinary people to appreciate the sensitivity of Church law to our human condition.
2005 - Lois Côté (MDiv '79) - The first Seminary female lay graduate originally comes from Montreal. She trained as a librarian and was hired in 1968 by Fr. Carrigan for the Seminary in a forward-looking move to involve the laity more. She was the first woman to finish her M. Div. at the Seminary, which gave her a tremendous advantage in selecting, and obtaining the library resources required to build the Seminary’s renowned Theological Library. Never married, she became a member of the Spanish secular institute working in the Diocese. Lois was greatly influenced by Fr. Michael Ryan’s course in Christian Social Teaching and became involved with many social justice groups working in the Diocese. Accepting an invitation from Fr. Sebastian Adayanthrath, then Director of Save a Family Plan, headquartered in the Seminary, she traveled to India in 1989 to experience first-hand the work of the organization. Falling in love with the country, the people, and tremendously impressed by the life-giving work of the organization she eventually became President of SAFP. She loves to visit Kerala and to be involved there with the Indian people.