“For the Sake of the Gospel”: Saint John’s Seminary Celebrates Msgr. Salocks at Annual Spring Reception

On Wednesday, May 6, the Saint John’s Seminary community gathered for its Annual Spring Reception, this year honoring Msgr. Stephen E. Salocks on the occasion of his retirement after nearly four decades of devoted service to the seminary and the Church.

The seminary community was joined by bishops, abbots, more than 80 priests, trustees, seminarians, faculty, staff, alumni, benefactors, parishioners, and friends for an evening of prayerful thanksgiving and fraternity in honor of Msgr. Salocks’ years of faithful priestly ministry and service to Saint John’s Seminary. Among those present were Archbishop Richard G. Henning of Boston, Bishop Robert J. McManus of Worcester, Bishop Peter J. Uglietto, Bishop Peter Anthony Libasci of Manchester, Bishop Bruce Lewandowski of Providence, Abbot Marc Crilly of Saint Benedict Abbey, and Abbot Mark Cooper of Saint Anselm Abbey.

The evening began with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Henning, who reflected in his homily on Christ’s call to “abide” in Him, emphasizing that the Christian life is not passive, but one of shared communion and mission. Speaking directly to Msgr. Salocks’ priestly ministry, Archbishop Henning reflected on the many dimensions of his service to the Church:

“We gather in this place to give thanks to God for what God has done in you and through you for the sake of the Church.”

Archbishop Henning highlighted the deeply Christological and ecclesiological nature of Msgr. Salocks’ ministry, pointing especially to the generations of priests formed under his guidance and the many lives touched through his teaching, leadership, and pastoral care.

Ordained to the priesthood in 1980, Msgr. Salocks began his ministry in parish service before joining the Saint John’s Seminary faculty in 1987. Over the decades, he served as professor of Sacred Scripture, Dean of Students, Academic Dean, Interim Rector, and ultimately Rector beginning in 2018. His tenure has been marked by faithful leadership, academic excellence, and a steadfast commitment to priestly formation in service to dioceses throughout the region.

During the reception following Mass, Fr. Stephen Scorzello offered reflections on Msgr. Salocks’ years of service and friendship, while Fr. Michael MacInnis spoke movingly about how Msgr. Salocks inspired in him a profound love for Sacred Scripture.

In his own remarks, Msgr. Salocks repeatedly returned to a phrase that has clearly shaped his priesthood and vocation: “I do all this for the sake of the Gospel.”

Reflecting with gratitude on his years at the seminary, he spoke of the many priests, faculty members, staff, and seminarians with whom he shared the mission of formation:

“I have not done or achieved anything alone. Like St. Paul, I’ve been blessed to serve alongside so many.”

He also reflected on the mission entrusted to the seminary and the importance of forming men who are open to hearing and responding to God’s call:

“This is the place where men are able to hear God’s call, and where they can seriously discern if God is calling them.”

A representative of the seminarian community, Rev. Mr. Alex Charow, also offered remarks of gratitude on behalf of the seminarians whose lives and vocations have been shaped by Msgr. Salocks’ witness, wisdom, and fatherly care.

As the evening concluded, one theme emerged again and again — a phrase not only spoken by Msgr. Salocks, but one clearly embodied throughout his years of priesthood and ministry: “I do all this for the sake of the gospel.”

For nearly 40 years, Msgr. Salocks has helped form priests for dioceses throughout the region through his teaching, leadership, pastoral care, and faithful witness to Jesus Christ. His ministry has shaped generations of seminarians and strengthened the mission of Saint John’s Seminary in service to the Church.

While this occasion marked his retirement as Rector, Msgr. Salocks will continue to remain an important part of the seminary community as he returns to a teaching role, continuing the work of priestly formation that has defined so much of his vocation.

The Saint John’s Seminary community gives thanks to Almighty God for Msgr. Salocks’ faithful service and asks continued prayers for him, for the seminarians entrusted to the seminary’s care, and for the continued mission of forming holy, faithful, and zealous priests for the New Evangelization.