Hello everyone! I got back from the retreat at Morning Star Retreat Center in Miami earlier this afternoon – what a marvelous place to have a retreat. I really enjoyed being able to just sit and relax in the arms of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I realize that He continues to form me into the person He needs me to be, which I am truly thankful for. I am looking forward to the next few weeks as I continue to pray about the topics covered during the three days.

Over the next couple of days, the Orlando seminarians will be meeting with our Vocations Director, Fr. Miguel Gonzalez. I really enjoy my conversations with Fr. Miguel because it gives me a chance to hear a little news from home and to communicate how seminary life is treating me, which he is always very interested in hearing about. I ask that, throughout the next couple of days, you pray for Fr. Miguel, Sr. Kathleen Powers, Juanita Lacy, and Bishop Wenski as they have a huge responsibility in helping to minister to the next leaders of the church. Over the next few months, they will continually be meeting with young men who believe they have been called by the Lord to enter the seminary. Please pray for them as they discern the newest seminarians for the Diocese of Orlando.

Mid-semester break was a welcome relief! The month of February is generally a very difficult month for seminarians – not because of Valentine’s Day – because we tend to fall into the routine of things and become lethargic with all the everyday tasks we have to accomplish. (I did experience this as the month went on.) This is the time when more prayer is needed, especially through increasing the amount of time spent in front of our Lord. This is the only thing that really helps the seminarians get through this month of “cabin fever” (as Fr. Alvarez calls it). Thank God it is March!!

Over the break, I got to spend a little time with family, including the newest addition to the Pringle family, little Micah Denton. (Dad is going to call him “Doc” because his initials are M.D. – who knows, maybe it will stick.) The little guy has increased his weight from 6 lbs. 1 oz. to 7 lbs. and 5 oz. Next time I get to see him, he is probably going to be twice the size he is now. That is one of the toughest things about being away from home; you don’t get a chance to really be a part of your family members’ lives. But, thank God for the internet and instant communication – I can always get on Facebook or Myspace and see pictures that my brother uploads.

During the retreat, I decided that I would spend a little time each month on a special intention. Throughout the month of March, I am going to pray for the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Orlando. Because of the recent events surrounding our economy, school enrollments across the Diocese are expected to decline. So, I will pray that, even during these difficult economic times, parents recognize the value of a Catholic education and that our Heavenly Father finds a way for all the schools within the Diocese to function and stay afloat until these economic hardships are overcome. I ask that you all continue to pray for this as well.

May God bless you all and may He continue to bless the Diocese of Orlando. Bye for now…..