This Week

Hello all!! Today we start a Day of Recollection, which is basically a mini silent retreat where we can focus on prayer and our discernment. The Day of Recollection will run from about 5:00 this evening to about 4:30 tomorrow afternoon. I am looking forward to it!!! But, I will be unavailable for the duration of the retreat so if you need to get in touch with me, send me an email or call my cell phone and leave a message. While we are on the retreat, I ask that you all pray for me and my seminarian brothers as we listen to God’s spirit within us to help us deepen our faithful devotion to Him and deepen our vocation to the priesthood.

Yesterday, all the Bishops from across the State of Florida, except for the Bishop of Saint Augustine, were here at St. John Vianney for their Board of Trustees meetings. It was nice to have the Bishops come and have lunch with us after their meetings. We got to talk about some very interesting subjects, especially Bishop Wenski and his I-Phone. We had a fantastic time!!

Mid-Semester Break is approaching very quickly and I look forward to seeing everyone. I should be back in Orlando on October 11th at around two or three in the afternoon. I will be conducting the Altar Servers meeting on October 11th and then will be at all the Masses that weekend. Unfortunately, I do not have very long of a time in Orlando because I have to get back on Friday, October 17th.

That is all for now. I will be sure to let everyone know how the Day of Recollection goes. God Bless!!

Bye for now……

Our Lady of Charity

Hello everyone!! This week has been very busy so far and it is only half over!

On Saturday, Fr. Miguel came down to stay with us for a few days here at SJVCS. He was the homilist for the 50th Anniversary celebration at Columbus High School (neighbor to St. John Vianney Seminary), his alma mater, and was present for the dedication of a new building on the campus on Sunday. This celebration also correlates with the 50th Anniversary of the Archdiocese in October.

On Monday evening, Bishop Wenski came down to give the homily at the Our Lady of Charity Mass at the University of Miami. The seminarians were responsible for escorting the priests to their assigned locations for the distribution of communion. No one got lost, thankfully!! All of the seminarians had a magnificent time listening to the people of Cuban heritage scream “Viva la Virgen” and “Salve Cuba” as a statue of Our Lady was processed around the arena before and after Mass. When the songs were being sung, we all were waving white handkerchiefs in the air. What an experience!! In fact, I was telling my brothers here that participating in the Mass was the most fun I have had at a church event in the last six months! I can’t wait until next year’s celebration!

(For more information on Our Lady of Charity and her significance, go here!!)

We have received our house jobs for the first semester and the one I got is right up my alley – Sacristan. There are quite a few of us that are responsible for setting up the chapel for Morning Prayer, Mass, Evening Prayer, etc. I am looking forward to it. But, today is worklist, so I have to go to the chapel to cleanup and get ready for Holy Hour (Adoration and Benediction).

Bye for now…….