Hello all!! On Friday evening, my time in Orlando for mid-semester break came to a close as I returned to the seminary to begin the second quarter. The break was not as restful as I had hoped it would be, but it was a good break nonetheless. It included volunteering at the parish office for a brief amount of time, vocations talks, and visits to old friends and family.

The first day I was home, I traveled up to St. Augustine to join in on the festivities for Sr. Kathleen Power’s 50th Anniversary as a Sister of St. Joseph. (For the last couple of years, Sr. Kathleen has been serving as Assistant Vocations Director for the Diocese of Orlando.) During the Jubilee Mass, I was given the opportunity to serve with two seminarians from the Diocese of St. Augustine as well as two other seminarians from the Diocese of Orlando. What a beautiful Mass it was!! Fr. Miguel, our Vocations Director, concelebrated at the Mass and gave the homily, recalling how the Sisters of St. Joseph have a played a pivotal role in the formation of countless young Catholics throughout the State of Florida–myself included.

On Monday of the break, I spent the majority of the day at St. Charles, helping around the office. Every chance I get, I try to do as much as I can for the parish that raised me; it is my way of saying thank you. While I was there, I got to spend some time with the parish staff and share with them a little bit of my journey this year at St. John Vianney.

On Wednesday, I was given the opportunity to say thank you to the students and faculty of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School for their prayers and support by playing my trombone with the school choir. I had an excellent time!! There is a lot of talent in that school! Being at the School Mass reminded me of all the times I had gone to Mass during my years at St. Charles School and how those masses helped develop my vocation. I only hope that there are a few kids in that group of students who are considering serving God in some way by becoming some kind of minister in the church. Who knows, maybe there is even someone who has a calling to become a priest.

Wednesday evening, I traveled to Merritt Island to have dinner with Fr. Karl, Fr. Mike, Sr. Mary, and Sr. Maura from Divine Mercy. What a great time we shared! I am truly thankful for being given the opportunity to walk with them for a little part of my journey. If they only knew what they have done for me–they have shown me that Christ dwells in the ordinary, little things, surrounding us at every moment of our lives. I look forward to seeing them during my Thanksgiving break. (I promised Sr. Mary that I would come and see all of them.)

Thursday was quite an interesting day. Three other Orlando Seminarians and I went to Bishop Moore High School to share with the male sophomore students a little bit of vocations. We shared our vocation stories after showing them Fishers of Men. Like last year, the talks reminded me of why I was in the seminary. Sometime I forget exactly who and what I am doing this for. It is always a great experience getting a reminder.

As you can see, the break was jam packed. When I was not doing things Diocesan related, I was spending time resting and chillin’ with the family. All-in-all, it was a good break…I just wish it wasn’t so short. Back to studies and classwork! Bye for now…

PHOTO 1 SOURCE: Diocese of Orlando

PHOTO 2 SOURCE: Bishop Moore Catholic High School