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 In many ways, Herman Kinzler has always been a Carmelite. Firstly, he was born a Kinzler and that is a name long-associated with the Carmelites through his cousin, Father Leonard Kinzler, O.Carm., who was sixty years in the Order until his death ten years ago. Secondly, Herman has been a lay Carmelite (Third Order Carmelite) since he was a young adult serving in the Saint Therese Chapter at Holy Trinity Church in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. It only makes sense then that he would continue on the Kinzler path, serving as a Carmelite friar and now priest in the Order.
The next step was taken on Friday evening, May 9, 2008, in the Crypt Church of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, when Brother Herman Kinzler, O.Carm., was ordained to the priesthood. Washington in the springtime is lovely and the weather was perfect as family members and Carmelites gathered to participate in the ordination with the Very Reverend Michael LaFay, O.Carm., the Bishop of the Diocese of Sicuani, Peru, presiding. In his homily and instruction to Herman, he focused on a line from the preface of the Mass for priestly ordination—that the new priest is to serve with the loving concern of Christ himself.
 Herman remarked that, “after communion, when I went to sit with the concelebrating priests, there was a chair with my name and with ‘Father’ in front of it. Seeing ‘Father’ surprised a bit but it was kind of cool, too.”
Herman was born in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, on April 28, 1959. He received a Bachelor’s degree from Duquesne University in business, and earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh. He was employed by Delta Consulting in their ‘strategic planning for non-profit organizations’ sector.
He joined the First Order (i.e., the friars) in August of 2001 as a pre-novice and did his novitiate in Middletown, New York, from June 2002 through June 2003. After that he served at the Carmelite Spiritual Centre in Niagara Falls, New York, before resuming studies at Whitefriars Hall in Washington, DC, in August of 2005. He recently graduated with a Master’s degree in Divinity from the Washington Theological Union.
During the ordination Liturgy, Brother Tony Mazurkiewicz, O.Carm., was ordained to the diaconate, and then served as deacon on Sunday morning, at Father Herman’s first Mass at Saint Joseph’s Church in Beltsville, Maryland.
Father Herman will serve the parish community as parochial vicar (i.e., associate pastor) of Saint Cecilia’s Church in Englewood, New Jersey, and reside at the Carmelite priory there.
At four in the afternoon, on Saturday, August 16, 2008, an hour before the Mass and dedication ceremonies were to begin, the building was abuzz with workers. Janitors were twice sweeping the new floors; caterers were uncovering a huge layer cake and filling the flowing fountain with champagne. The musicians were setting up their instruments and performing mike checks. While all this was going on inside, outside the ice cream carts for the social were rolling into place and the welcome table was in place with its greeters ready to give a name tag and offer a smile of sincere thanks to their guests.
Making my first visit to Encino, California, I soon discovered why Californians love their state; the climate is delightful. But other than enjoying the pleasant weather, I came to Encino to witness the dedication of Crespi Carmelite High School’s new Fine Arts Building.
 The photographers, Trevor and Collin, both Crespi High School students, were on the job, ready to take photos of the event. Mr. Greg Cornell, Vice President of Institutional Advancement for Crespi was completing last minute details. Cornell led the charge to gather the supporters that were needed to accomplish the expansion of Crespi. Today, he will give strong handshakes coupled with a token of the school’s appreciation to those who helped make this dream a reality. During his remarks, Cornell spoke of the “resurgence of Carmelite pride” that was evident by the support for this addition to Crespi. He himself is a ‘74 graduate.
Father Paul Henson, O.Carm., the Principal of Crespi, was also attending to last minute items. He was running about, seeing that all was in order. Pausing, he stepped to the drinking fountain and drank deeply. Breathing a sigh of relief and anticipation, he gave the place a last look and nod of approval. All was ready.
 At five o’clock the music began, signaling the procession of priests and the start of the Liturgy. Led by students of the school who served as altar servers, seven Carmelite priests who were concelebrating the Mass followed, including the Very Reverend William Harry, O.Carm., Western Commissary Provincial, Father Augustine Carter, (the founding principal of Crespi), and the Most Reverend Gerald Eugene Wilkerson, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
“Today we come together to celebrate a major step forward for the school,” said Father Bill in opening remarks during his homily at the Mass that began the festivities of the day. “The Carmelites first came to Crespi in 1959 and the Carmelites are here today for the very same reason; to offer a holistic model of education emphasizing the spiritual, intellectual, moral, physical and social development of our students,” Father Bill said.
Relating to the new facilities, the art studio, a video production studio, and music studio, Father Bill spoke about the great Carmelite artists who have influenced our hearts and minds. “If you go through history looking for great painters or major influences in art, you will find an occasional Carmelite connection,” he said. “The Brancacci Chapel, painted by the early Renaissance painter, Tommaso Masaccio, in the Carmelite church in Florence is seen as a major transition in the art of fresco painting. Michelangelo was often seen in the chapel trying to learn Masaccio’s technique. The Carmelite painter, Fra Filippo Lippi, is seen by fans and detractors alike as the reincarnation of Masaccio. Your emphasis on music in this new building immediately made me think of some of the Carmelite contributions to sacred music. I always enjoy listening to the music of the Portuguese Carmelite, Manuel Cardoso, who is credited with being a major influence on the master of Renaissance sacred music, Giovanni Palestrina. I mention these Carmelite ancestors of ours because that tradition of using art and music to focus on the divine can continue today. And it can continue right here on this campus,” Father Bill said.
 After the Mass Bishop Wilkerson led the priests as all of them joined in sprinkling the building with holy water. After the blessing, speeches followed to thank the supporters that attended the Mass, reception, ribbon cutting and ice cream social.
Over one hundred contributors were present for the celebration, but many more assisted in the 7.2 million dollar fund-raising campaign to bring Crespi their proudest achievement in 29 years—a state-of-the-art building both in design and function.
Looking at the entire high school with buildings, track and field, I could really appreciate the facilities of Crespi. As one who played an instrument in the school band during my high school days, my first insight at viewing the Fine Arts building was that of a total “wow” factor! I was in awe over the media room with its new technology and the studio complete with a state-of-the-art recording system. These facilities are a stark contrast to those that were available to me during my years at school. I was happy for the students who would use the new practice room complete with its sound-proofing areas and modern sound equipment.
Of the many speeches the one that came to the front for me was that of architect Ray Franko. Not only was he proud of his achievement and the work of the hundreds of craftsmen, who labored on the building, he was especially proud of the gift he presented. “The humblest laborer can also be an artist,” Franko said. His gift was a three foot cross and corpus of Christ carved out of wood by one of the concrete professionals who worked on Crespi’s Fine Arts building.
This building is not just the adobe walls or clay tile roof. It is not just the copper gutters or hand crafted ceramic tiled stairs, nor the delicate arched entranceways and finely crafted mission style doors. This building is a beating heart of Carmelite pride; a future for doctors and lawyers and professionals of all occupations. It is a flowing of support for the next generation and for generations after them. Crespi High School will build the Crespi Man, leaders of today and tomorrow.
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