Two Norbertines to pronounce their final vows

James Herring, O.Praem. and David McElroy, O.Praem., will profess solemn vows as Norbertines Aug. 28 at St. Norbert Abbey, De Pere, where they will be ordained as deacons the next day.

Abbot E. Thomas De Wane, O.Praem., will preside and preach at the 4 p.m. Mass of profession in the Abbey Church on the Solemnity of St. Augustine.

Bp. Robert Banks will ordain them Aug. 29 the 4 p.m. Mass.

Herring was born on Easter - April 9, 1944 - in Philadelphia, the only son of James and Una (Shackleford) Herring, and the eldest of five children in the blended family of James and Harvay (Sinkler) Herring of Medford, N.Y.

After graduating from Cardinal Dougherty High School in 1962, Herring worked as a television and film producer/director and actor in New Haven and Philadelphia, before moving to Los Angeles in 1975, where he also worked as a realtor.

Herring earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia in 1968, a master's degree in theology and a Master of Divinity from DeSales School of Theology (The Cluster) in Washington, D.C.

He also received a licentiate in canon law from St. Paul University (Ottawa) and a master's in canon law from the University of Ottawa and St. Paul University.

He serves on the Green Bay Diocesan Marriage Tribunal.

In 2000-01, Herring was interim director of the Peace and Justice Center and an adjunct instructor of theology - a position he continues to hold - at St. Norbert College.

He is pastoral associate at St. Norbert College Parish.

McElroy was born June 2, 1963, at Dublin, Ireland. He is the son of William and Marjorie (Lawrence) McElroy. He graduated in 1981 from St. David College, Artane, and in 1986 earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy, history and classics from University College, Dublin, where he earned an advanced degree in 1990.

He received a bachelor's of divinity from Angelicum University, Rome, in 1991, and a master's in philosophy in 1997 from Heythrop College, University of London.

From 1990 to 1996, McElroy served at several parishes in the Archdiocese of Westminster, London, England, as a pastoral associate, and as a member of Viatores Christi (Travelers for Christ), a lay Catholic missionary group.

For the last three years, he has worked at St. Willebrord Parish, Green Bay, and as an adjunct instructor at St. Norbert College.

Both Herring and McElroy entered the Norbertines Aug. 27, 1996, and made first vows Aug. 28, 1998.