On Friday evening, the guests arrived to the seminary. At about 11:00 p.m. we all gathered in the main chapel for a welcoming/blessing ceremony with a modified version of Night Prayer. Saturday was packed with all kinds of different activities. On Saturday morning, the guests watched a very…interesting movie created by the Dean of Students/Vice Rector of the seminary. Following the movie presentation, the guests listened to several seminarians describe the four pillars of formation as prescribed by the Program of Priestly Formation (PPF). The seminarians added a personal touch to the pillars to make them more real for the guests.

On Saturday evening, several seminarians were asked to lead small group sessions where the guests could ask any questions about seminary life, the process of discernment in our own lives, etc. During the small group sessions, I experienced the willingness of these young men to open their hearts. Compared to the last VAW in November, the conversation that took place in these small groups was much deeper and more geared towards discernment.

Following the small group sessions, the priests, seminarians, and guests participated in the Stations of the Cross. The guests were asked to carry the cross from one station to the next. It was a very powerful experience for all of us. Following the Stations of the Cross, we re-entered the chapel to find a statue of the corpse of Jesus on the altar. That always seems to take my breath away–it was very powerful.

On Sunday morning, the guests came together with the Vocations Director and seminarians from their diocese to talk about the weekend more in depth. During the Orlando meeting, the seminarians shared a bit of advice to the guests. I simply reminded the guests to be open to whatever the Lord is asking them to do with their lives. I also shared with them that, when I was discerning entering the seminary, I would sit in front of the Blessed Sacrament and simply listen to the Lord. The weekend came to a close with the celebration of the Eucharist in St. Raphael’s Chapel immediately after the meetings.

Over this past week, we have all heard about the news of priest sexual abuse scandals in the Church in Europe, most especially in Germany. Even amongst all of that negative news that is being directed towards the Church, we still have young men who are discerning giving their lives for the spreading of the Gospel. Now, more than ever, we need men–healthy men–who have a desire to love, serve, and inspire others. Now, more than ever, we need men who want to serve the church, who are tired of society telling us to turn away from the love of God. The men that came on the weekend, even as young as they may be, get it! They understand that there is more to life than what society portrays; there is more to life than material things; there is more to life than becoming rich, famous, and powerful. Ultimately, God calls all of us, men and women, to follow him and spread his Gospel message. No matter what we are called to in life, we must remember that Jesus Christ came down to this earth, dwelt among us, and died for the salvation of all.

I know that all of you have prayed that the Lord will send shepherds to guide His Church. Continue to pray for an increase in vocations to the Church because the Lord is answering them. There is hope!!!

Pax.

This week the Church in the United States celebrates National Vocation Awareness Week; a week that the Bishops have set aside in which all Catholics are asked to pray for an increase in vocations. Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston who is the current chairman of the Bishops’ Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations said that, as Catholics, “it is our responsibility to encourage young people to be generous in their response as they discern the possibility of a call to service in the Church.”

As we begin this week, it is fitting that the Gospel reading from Mass this morning was on the call of the Apostles: Simon, Andrew, James, and John. Jesus asked all of them to leave everything they possessed behind to “Come after me.” Sometimes we don’t understand or we can’t clearly see where the Lord is calling us. In these instances, we must put all of our trust and hope in the Lord , asking Him to show us the path He wants us to follow that will best serve the church.

On other occasions, we clearly hear where the Lord wants us to go and we are fearful to respond to his call. In these times, it is important to remember the life of Mary, who, though filled with fear at the message of the angel declaring her to be to virgin Mother of God, answered with a yes. Let us not forget that, in Mary’s time, women who were not married and became pregnant were literally stoned to death. However, despite all of this uncertainty, Mary trusted that God would take care of her.

Throughout this week, please pray that the young men and women of the Church in the United States will consider what our Heavenly Father wants them to do with their lives. When they do hear the Lord’s will for their lives, pray that they will respond without fear or anxiety, no matter what vocation they are called to. Pray for those who are discerning the priesthood of Jesus Christ, the consecrated religious life, married life, and single life. Pray that the Lord will grant them peace and perseverance. Finally, encourage the young people of your parishes to seriously consider what the Lord is calling them to do–sometimes all it takes is a simple invitation.

“The observance of National Vocation Awareness Week (NVAW) began in 1976 when the National Conference of Catholic Bishops designated the 28th Sunday of the year as the beginning of NVAW. In 1997, this celebration was moved to coincide with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

“The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which falls on January 10 in 2010, marks the initiation of Jesus into public ministry. At his baptism Jesus is named the beloved Son of God. With this celebration the faithful recommit themselves to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. They are also initiated through their own baptism to be the Beloved of God, commissioned to proclaim Good News with their lives.”

SOURCE: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

PHOTO SOURCE: National Coalition for Church Vocations

This semester is going to be a little different from the Fall semester, mainly because we do not have any major events planned, except our bi-annual Vocations Awareness Weekend in March–I am already expecting to have another well attended weekend. I always look forward to hosting the countless young men who come to the seminary to discern God’s will for their lives for that brief period of two days. I never took the opportunity to come on one of the weekends even though I had been invited numerous times by people in my parish. So, if there is a young man out there from the Diocese of Orlando who is thinking about serving the church as a priest, please seriously consider contacting Fr. Miguel at the Vocations Office about coming down March 12-14, 2010.

Vocations Awareness Weekend is just one event in the calendar for the remainder of the academic year. Below is the rest of the events that the seminarians will be taking part in over the next four to five months.

• Inter-Seminary Day of Communion: The priest, deacons, and seminarians from St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary make a trip down to Miami to have a friendly soccer match with us (St. John Vianney usually wins). We also all come together for Solemn Vespers and dinner.
• Day of Recollection on January 15th and 16th–Please keep us in your prayers these two days.
• Mid-Semester Exams take place from February 15th through February 18th.
• Mid-Semester Break waked place from February 18th through February 24th when we return and immediately go on a three-day retreat. Please keep us in your prayers February25-28th.
• The seminary community will host the John Paul II Vocation Monstrance from March 1st-7th.
• As mentioned above, Vocations Awareness Weekend takes place from March12th-14th.
• From March 26th through April 5th the seminarians will be in their Dioceses celebrating Holy Week with their Bishops, Pastors, parishes, etc.
• Final Semester Exams take place from April 26th-30th followed by “Community Days” from April 1st-5th.
• The seminary community will gather on April 5th to say farewell to the Class of 2010, which includes two young men for the Diocese of Orlando-Joshua Swallows and Chris Dorsey. Beginning in August 2010, these seminarians will begin at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary.

As you can see, throughout the Spring semester, the seminarians will be quite busy. However, we do have breaks built into the schedule to keep us refreshed and ready to take on whatever the Lord throws our way.

Bye for now….

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

In fact, at St. John Vianney College Seminary this year, the number of seminarians is at 35-year record high. The seminary welcomed 35 new seminarians at the beginning of August, bringing the total number of seminarians to 76 for the year. We are witnessing hope.

MIAMI | When former Air Force pilot Ryan Boyle, 32, finished his stint in the military to pursue a 10-year call to the priesthood, he inadvertently helped make history.

Boyle, who hails from St. Petersburg, is part of the largest group of seminarians – a total of 76 – that St. John Vianney College Seminary has seen in more than three decades.

“The last time we had numbers like this was more than 35 years ago,” said Msgr. Michael G. Carruthers, rector-president of the seminary, which is marking its 50th anniversary this year.

St. John Vianney opened in 1959 as a high school seminary for the then newly created Diocese of Miami. It now takes in students from throughout Florida, other U.S. dioceses and the Bahamas who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree in philosophy or a two-year degree in pre-theology in preparation for the priesthood.

The larger-than-usual entering class has created some extra work for the faculty and staff.

“It’s been a lot of hard work, but we’re very excited. We’ve been adding extra tables, chairs, and preparing to accommodate these young men here,” Msgr. Carruthers said.

He credited Archbishop John C. Favalora’s support for the seminary – particularly his resistance to the idea of moving the education and training of priests-to-be away from the seminary setting – for “enabling the growth of a healthy environment and a strong model of priestly formation” that made the growth in enrollment possible.

“Some suggested that we have a study house attached to a university,” Archbishop Favalora said, where future priests would attend classes with other college students while living and being instructed on the particulars of the priesthood in the study house. “However, neither the U.S. Catholic bishops nor I agreed with that. Seminarians need to be trained in the seminary. That is how it is done and how the bishops want it done.”

The historic number entering the seminary also seems to defy the economic reality.

“I’m proud these men are answering God’s call. There is a lot of pressure, especially during these hard times, to go and do something else. However, they are here seeking (Christ),” Archbishop Favalora said. “It really shows that God’s ways are not our ways.”

The archbishop visited the seminary Aug. 22 to officially open the academic year with the traditional Mass of the Holy Spirit, during which he invoked the guidance of the Spirit upon the seminarians, their professors and the seminary’s staff.

“We’re invoking the Holy Spirit to transform us into something greater than what we appear to be,” Archbishop Favalora said. “We’re asking the Holy Spirit to make holy the work we’re going to do.”

“The Holy Spirit is the breath of the seminary. It is a string that connects us to Christ whom we follow,” said Martin Nguyen, 20, a third-year seminarian from the Diocese of Orlando.

“It is an honor to pass on the priesthood from one generation to the next. Passing on the faith is what this seminary is all about, and I’m very proud to see so many taking on that tradition,” Archbishop Favalora said.

–The Florida Catholic, “St. John Vianney Seminary enrollment at 35-year high”

Bye for now…

PHOTO SOURCE: The Florida Catholic

Even though the majority of the seminarians have been enjoying the last few weeks at home, the new seminarians from all of the dioceses of Florida have already begun their year of formation. Altogether, there are 35 new seminarians from across the state, including eight from the Diocese of Orlando. (A breakdown of the numbers will be coming shortly.) Along with these 35 men, the additional 44 returning seminarians reenter St. John Vianney College Seminary on Thursday of this week. This makes a total of 79 seminarians for this academic year.

As we return to the seminary this week, please remember to keep us and those responsible for our formation in your prayers, especially during this Year for Priests. Please know that all of our benefactors are prayed for on a daily basis at the seminary. We voice our gratitude in our intercessions during our communal Evening Prayer. Thank you for your prayers and support.

As most of the readers are aware, Pope Benedict XVI declared 2009 as the Year for Priests. In commemoration of this declaration, I have decided to publish a new vocation support blog. The blog will go live sometime in the next few days, probably early next week and will be titled, “Whispers of the Spirit.”

Whispers of the Spirit will not only cover vocations stories and thoughts, but will feature interviews with priests and seminarians  from St. John Vianney College Seminary, seminary statistics, etc. The site will also  include any remarks made by Pope Benedict XVI regarding the Year for Priests. If there is something you want covered, please email me and I will do my best to put it up on the site. A special email address will be created for this purpose (to be determined at a later time).

Now, to another major announcement about the blog: Seminarian Cliff Whitty, from the Diocese of St. Petersburg will be a co-writer on the blog. Cliff is the author and creator of Catholic Eye Candy, blog that features different liturgical aspects of the Catholic Church. It is an awesome site and I am very thankful that Cliff has decided to help out in this ever important and necessary endeavor.

I would like to take this time to thank all of you, my readers, for your support and prayers over the last few months. I am quite new to this whole blogging thing and your feedback is much appreciated. Please keep it coming!!

May God bless all of you and may He continue to bless the Roman Catholic Church. St. John Vianney…Pray for us!