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Fr. Mark Brummel Named Liaison to Alumni Council

Fr. Mark has been appointed Liaison to the alumni by Provincial Superior Fr. Paul Keller. Fr. Mark continues the work of Fr. John Raab. A recent arrival to Dominguez, Fr. Mark is the longtime Director of the National Shrine of St. Jude in his native Chicago. A graduate of St. Jude’s Seminary, where he later taught Greek, Fr. Mark has been the spirit behind alumni gatherings and connections of SJS alumni over many years. He helped organize and lead their recent reunion, held every ten years, in Chicago. We are grateful to Fr. Mark for joining us on the Alumni Council and appreciate his giving of time. Fr. Mark can be reached at [email protected]

Dominguez Community Grows

The community grew this past year with new retirees: They include Fr. Mark Brummel from Chicago, Fr. Gerry Caffrey from Prescott AZ, Fr. Greg Kenny from Stone Mountain GA, Fr. Fred LeClaire from Chino Valley AZ, Fr. Manny Marrufo from El Paso TX, Fr. Carl Quebedeaux from Juarez, and Br. Richard Wilga from Chicago. Fr. Quyen Nguyen is assigned to Dominguez, but is active as the hospital chaplain in nearby Downey.

New Members of the Alumni Council

Tom Leveque ‘69/’71 and Dennis Dillon ’63 recently joined the Alumni Council. Tom lives in Lancaster, CA. He is a published author of historical mysteries and a college professor. Dennis lives in Pearl River, just outside New York City. He is a former high school teacher who practiced law. Both bring new energy and insights to the Council. Welcome!

Raffle Tickets Coming Soon

Be on the lookout for the Claretian Alumni Raffle tickets which will  be coming your way soon. The annual raffle supports the retired Claretian priests and brothers living at Dominguez Seminary. In past years, the raffle has provided funds to place electronic door openers on main doors at the seminary, replace door keys with an electronic card system, and improve lighting and security. Please buy or sell the two books you will receive.

Dominguez Adobe Readies 200th Birthday Party in ‘26

With Dominguez Seminary celebrating its 100th this year, another birthday celebration is being planned. The Dominguez Rancho Adobe, used for decades as a seminary and now a museum run by the Friends of Rancho San Pedro, will celebrate its Bicentennial in2026. It was built by Manuel Dominguez in 1826 after he inherited the rancho from his uncle, Juan Jose Dominguez, a retired Spanish soldier on the Portola Expedition. Rancho San Pedro was the first Spanish land grant, made in 1784. The land grant included most of southwestern Los Angeles County. Descendants deeded the 17acre homestead to the Claretians in 1924. Stay tuned for information on the celebration.

SAVE THE DATE

44TH ANNUAL CLARETIAN ALUMNI REUNION

SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, 2025

CONCLUDING THE CENTENARY YEAR