Msgr. John C. Cregan, former pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church
in Alexandria, was awarded the Academic Circle of Excellence at Mount St.
Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., March 24.
The award recognizes distinguished alumni who are leaders in
their communities or in their chosen profession.
Msgr. Andrew R. Baker, rector of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, said
Msgr. Cregan is an outstanding example of what it means to be a priest. “In his
years of service in the Diocese of Arlington, he worked tirelessly to bring
others to Christ and His Church,” said Msgr. Baker. “He was a popular and
well-known pastor and seen by the clergy as a ‘priest’s priest.’ He continues
to serve as an adjunct spiritual director for the seminarians at the Mount and
does so with great enthusiasm, wisdom and distinction.”
The
award came as a surprise to Msgr. Cregan who said he was honored. “Mount St.
Mary’s is a very special place to me. I call it the happiest day of my life the
day I went to the Mount,” he said. “I was still in the Marine Corps, spent the
day there but knew that evening beyond a shadow of a doubt I would be there by
the end of the year. I felt incredibly joyful driving back to Virginia. Every
day (after) was joyful.”