For more information, contact:
Sister Joseph Spring, SCC
973-957-0188 Ext. 102
[email protected]


Assumption College for Sisters Holds Commencement Exercises


On Saturday, May 13, Assumption College for Sisters held Commencement Exercises at St. Mary Church, Denville, NJ at 1  PM.  Rev. Martin Glynn, pastor of St. Mary’s Assumption College for Sisters Holds Commencement ExercisesChurch, Rev. James Termyna and Rev. Rick Hardy concelebrated Mass, assisted by Deacon John Flynn and Deacon James Rizzos. A reception followed in the Riverview School Annex.

Sister of Christian Charity, Sister Joseph Spring, ACS president announced that six graduates were awarded an Associate in Arts degree and five students were awarded a Certificate in Theological Studies. 

Associate in Arts Degree
Sister Maria Ngat Dinh LHC-PD
Sister Maria Lich Do, LHC-TT
Sister Mary Paul Nhung Duong, FMSR
Sister Martha Sang Nguyen, LHC-PD
Sister Theresa Tram Nguyen, LHC-TT
Sister Nelcida Macuacua, CPS

Certificate in Theological Studies
Sister Juliana Alfonso, FMA
Sister Jessica Castillo, FMA
Sister Chelsy Sanchez, FMA
Sister Jacqueline Sardina, FMA
Sister Pamela Rose Suresca, FMA

The Commencement address was delivered by Dr. Dianne Traflet, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Administration, and Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology, Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology.

She earned a BA from Montclair State University, a JD from Seton Hall University School of Law, and an MA in Catholic Theology and Pastoral Ministry from St. John’s University. After practicing law, she moved to Rome, Italy, where she earned a licentiate and a doctorate in Sacred Theology.

Teaching at the School of Theology for more than twenty years, Dr. Traflet has offered such courses as Theology of the Spiritual Life; Christian Spirituality and Suffering; History of Christian Spirituality; Marian Spirituality; Prayer, Discipleship and Community, and Women Mystics.  In addition, she is the author of Edith Stein: A Spiritual Portrait, Dr. Traflet has given countless lectures, days of recollection, and parish missions on topics related to the spiritual life, and has facilitated and given numerous retreats and presentations related to forgiveness and mercy.

She has been a frequent guest on Relevant Radio’s Morning Air (1430 AM), and has been featured on television shows such as Faith and Culture, Bookmark, Sunday Night Prime, and Living His Life Abundantly. Currently, she serves on the Board of Governors, St. Joseph’s Seminary, New York. Dr.Traflet is a recipient of the Archdiocesan Sesquicentennial Cathedral Jubilee Medal for Dedicated Service to the Archdiocese of Newark.

Each year the College takes a retrospective look at alumnae. This year, ACS recognized Sister Emmanuel Phan, class of 2007 as “Alumna of the Year.”.

Sister was born in Saigon, Vietnam and entered the congregation of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, After professing her final vows in 2004, she traveled to Mendham where she studied at Assumption College for Sisters for 3 years and received her Associate in Arts degree.  She continued her education D’Youville College where she attained her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and her Master of Science in Adolescent Education.

At the completion of her studies in 2019, she returned to her Motherhouse in Vietnam.  Residing there, she joined the Ho Chi Minh University of Foreign Language and information Technology as professor of British and American Literature.  The following year she also joined the Ho Chi Minh University of Economics and Finance, also as professor of British and American Literature.

In addition to this, she had been selected as provincial Councilor in 2012 and became Directress of the Formation house in 2013.  She continues to hold these positions. She assists the Sisters in her congregation with English language skills as they are accepted as students at ACS. She really lives her motto:  “Without cost you have received.  Without cost you are to give.”  (Mt. 10:8)

A highlight of ACS’ graduation program each year is a brief talk by one of the graduates who reflects on her class’ experiences during the three years of study at the College. This year’s address is given by Sister Mary Paul Nhung Duong, FMSR.

At the conclusion of the Commencement Ceremony, Mayor Tom Andes of Denville awarded each graduate a proclamation declaring each an “Honorary Citizen of Denville.”

Mass and Commencement Exercises was live-streamed for viewing at https://stmarys-denville.org/ and is available at that website.

Assumption College for Sisters is a two-year liberal arts college for religious women, founded in 1953 by the Sisters of Christian Charity, Mendham, NJ.  Each year, the college offers 20 scholarships to Sisters from developing nations. Assumption College for Sisters also welcomes lay people. For more information see www.acs350.org