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From the Students of St. Vincent de Paul Regional SeminaryBoynton Beach, FL

Issue xI FALL 2014

the Rome expeRience

photo by Jan cairnes

Family: A priest’s first seminary

The Wood of The desk Meets the Wood of the Cross

RoMe expeRienCe

The peaRl of GReaT pRiCe

The Road ahead

6p.BLAke BrItton

DAnIeL DAzA-JALLer, Ion ChAmorro, mAtthew Gomez

DAvID keeGAn

JACk CAmpBeLL

� FALL 2014 | St. Vincent de PAuL RegionAL SeminARy SEEDSOFHOPE� FALL 2014 | St. Vincent de PAuL RegionAL SeminARy SEEDSOFHOPE SEEDSOFHOPE St. Vincent de PAuL RegionAL SeminARy | FALL 2014 �

W r i t e r s

rev. Mr. LaWrence PeckDiocese of St. Augustine - IV Theology

Mr. Jonathan stePhanzDiocese of St. Petersburg - III Theology

Mr. Patrick kaneArchdiocese of Hartford - III Theology

Mr. DaviD keeganDiocese of St. Augustine - III Theology

Mr. ion chaMorroArchdiocese of Miami - II Theology

Mr. MattheW goMezArchdiocese of Miami - II Theology

Mr. DanieL Daza-JaLLerDiocese of Palm Beach - II Theology

Mr. chris hasseLDiocese of Savannah - II Theology

Mr. Jack caMPbeLLDiocese of Pensacola/Tallahassee - II Theology

Mr. bLake brittonDiocese of Orlando - II Theology

Mr. brian LeeArchdiocese of Atlanta - I Theology

Mr. Jack knightArchdiocese of Atlanta - I TheologyManaging Editor / Writer

Mr. John soLLeeDiocese of St. Augustine - II TheologyEditor-in-Chief

JuDy JohnsonGraphic Designer

STAFF CONTENTSIssue XI Fall 2014

14p.

“My vocation to the priesthood was born out of a family. It was not merely given to me like an unwrapped gift, but

rather cultivated over the years.”

FRIENDS OF THE SEMINARY

16p.

More family and friends photosi n s i D e

Editorial

RefleCTions fRoM The ReCToR / p. 5

David L. Toups

thE romE ExpEriEncE

on seeinG The pope / p. 6Ion Chamorro

livinG Up To The exaMple of The MaRTyRs / p. 8

Matthew Gomez

The saCRaMenTaliTyof CleRiCs / p. 9

Daniel Daza-Jaller

The North Shall Rise Again: hope fRoM

pasToRal yeaR / p. 10Patrick Kane

seMinaRian pRofile / p. 12 Chris Hassel

The peaRl of GReaTpRiCe / p. 14

David Keegan faMily: Where the

Calling was Heard / p. 16Jack Knight

sUMMeR assiGnMenT phoTos / p. 18

RooMMaTes: MakinG RooM in oUR heaRTs / p. 19

Brian Lee

The Road ahead / p. 20Jack Campbell

a feW Good svdp Men Who Answered That Call

Later In Life / p. 21

CoMpanions: Katie & April’s Excellent Adventure To The ConvenT

p. 24 Lawrence Peck

ConneCTinG WiTh God ThRoUGh his WoRd:

oUR Chapel’s neW aMbop. 26

Jonathan Stephanz

The Wood of The desk MeeTs The Wood

of The CRoss / p. 28Blake Britton

MoRe seMinaRy faMily phoTos / p. 30

fRiends of The seMinaRy Breaks attendance

Records / p. 31

Msgr. DaviD touPsDiocese of St. Petersburg / Rector

Fr. reMek bLaszkoWskiDiocese of St. Augustine / Dean of

Human Formation / Vice Rector

Msgr. MichaeL MuhrDiocese of St. Petersburg

Administrative Moderator

Ms. DanieLLa coyDevelopment Office

e D i t o r s

rev. Mr. christoPher DorseyDiocese of Orlando - IV Theology

rev. Mr. LaWrence PeckDiocese of St. Augustine - IV Theology

Mr. thoMas kenneLLDiocese of Pensacola/Tallahassee -

III Theology

Mr. DanieL Daza-JaLLerDiocese of Palm Beach -

II Theology

David Keegan celebrates 4th of July with godson, Jacob,

and his brother, Landon.

“Don

’t you

ever

get l

onely

?” th

is qu

estio

n was

aske

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ently

by a

waitr

ess once

she d

iscov

ered

that

the si

x men

havin

g dinner were not escaping from their wives f

or a

“boy

s nigh

t o

ut” but were actually seminarians in form

ation for the catholic priesthood. it took awhile before she f nally found the words to the thought she was pondering—these guys will never get married.

FA

mIL

y w

eeke

nD

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oto

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mA

rtIn

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mo

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AG

e 30

pG 31 / photos: tom trACy


EDITORIAL

REFLECTIONS FROM THE RECTORDear Friends of the Seminary,

Archdiocese of AtlantavoCAtIons DIreCtor:

Fr. Tim [email protected]

Archdiocese of MiamivoCAtIon DIreCtor:

Fr. David [email protected](305) 762-1136

Diocese of OrlandovoCAtIon DIreCtor:

Fr. Jorge [email protected](407) 246-4875

Diocese of Palm BeachvoCAtIon DIreCtor:

Fr. Tom [email protected](561) 775-9552

Diocese of Pensacola-TallahasseevoCAtIon DIreCtor:

Fr. John [email protected](850) 435-3552

Diocese of St. PetersburgvoCAtIon DIreCtor:

Fr. Carl [email protected](727) 345-3452

Diocese of VenicevoCAtIon DIreCtor:

Fr. Cory [email protected](941) 484-9543

Diocese of St. AugustinevoCAtIon DIreCtor:

Fr. David [email protected](904) 262-3200, ext. 101

Diocese of SavannahvoCAtIon DIreCtor:

Fr. Pablo Migone [email protected](912) 201-4113

Can’t stop thinking maybe you are being called to be a priest? Do you feel the Lord tugging at your heart to serve the people of God through the ministerial priesthood of Jesus Christ?

Don’t miss the boat, contact your local vocation director to find out more about discernment groups, come and see weekends & more. Discerning God’s call is only a phone call or email away.

Are you willing to answer that call?

contact Your Local Vocation Director.

The fall edition of Seeds of Hope is truly “catholic.” The word catholic comes from two Greek words: kata and holos, meaning literally “according to the whole” or “universal” or even, “of interest to all.” Our seminary is certainly Catholic in the sense of our Roman Catholic faith - training our men in sound teaching and theology deeply grounded in the 2,000 year Tradition handed on to us by Jesus Christ Himself (orthodoxis), which leads our seminarians to ever greater discipleship and service in the Church (orthopraxis). It is imperative that we assure you, our readers and supporters,of this fact because you want and rightly deserve the very best from your future priests. However, today I use the word catholic in a much broader context; there is something for everyone in this edition! Our articles speak of most of the vocations in the Church: priesthood, consecrated religious life, holy matrimony and family life. The authors of this edition’s articles also represent much more than the seven dioceses in Florida; they are also from Savannah, Atlanta, and Hartford. This shows our growth and inclu-sion of dioceses well beyond the Florida/Georgia border - other dioceses represented at the seminary this year are Brooklyn, Chicago, Kalamazoo, Kingston (Jamaica), and Nassau (Bahamas). In a way, the broader our scope the more catholic we become as seminarians from various cultural backgrounds bring different perspectives and the richness of their experi-ence of the Church to St. Vincent’s. In addition, part of our catholicity and uniqueness is manifested in our mission as a bilingual and multicultural institution. We are only one of two theological seminaries in the nation that claim this unique characteris-tic. Every other day the seminary alternates its liturgical language between English and Spanish, and around 30 percent of the seminary’s core courses are offered in both languages. This ensures that both the native English and native Spanish speakers become proficient and functionally bilingual;

both groups need to be able to minster to the faithful in the parishes they will serve in the years to come. The focus on learning a pastoral language eventually dissipates any fears of ministering to “the other” - especially those in most need on the peripheries of our society. On September 26th, the Vigil of St. Vincent de Paul, we had a very successful Board of Trustees meeting as well as our annual Friends of the Seminary event, which was successfully chaired by Ralph

and Eris Arza (photo below). Although the board meeting ended Archbish-op Wenski’s tenure as Chairman, as Archbishop of Miami, he remains the Chancellor of the seminary. The seminary could not have embarked on the project of renovation and expansion without the Archbishop’s leader-ship and support. We now welcome the newly elected Chairman, Bishop Dewane of the Diocese of Venice, and we look forward to his guidance in the years to come. The same night, at a beautiful Eucharistic celebration, the seminary bestowed our highest honor, the St. Vincent de Paul Award, on two extraordinary people: Sr. Carmella DeCosty, SNJM, and Bishop Victor Galeone, Bishop Emeritus of St. Augustine. These two servants of the Lord have been close to the mission of St. Vincent de Paul through their support of the formation of priests and their love for the poor - we thank God for their witness of the love of Christ in the midst of the world. Please pray for the smooth completion of our new dorms which will be dedicated on December 7th by the Bishops of the State of Florida. If you would like to attend the dedication, please contact our development office ([email protected]). To our readers, thank you for being Catholic in every sense of the word - faithful to the mission of Christ, to the Church Universal, and to those in most need, and supportive of the mission of the seminary whose task is to prepare the servants of tomorrow who are to become “all things to all people” (1 Cor. 9:22). Now that is Catholic!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Monsignor David L. Toups

photo courtesy of tom tracy / the Florida catholic

God needs laborers for the harvest...is that you? !


on our frst Sunday in Rome, Dan, matt, and i decided to go to mass at a local Franciscan parish across the street from St. peter’s Basilica. As we left the parish of San Gregorio Vii later that morning, we realized that pope Francis would be leading the Regina caeli from the top floor of the papal Apartments which overlook St. peter’s Square in half an hour! We knew we could not pass up this opportunity (the Square was only a two minute walk away). When we arrived, we saw a few thousand people standing at different points in the Square, some sitting in the shade. About twenty minutes before the pope’s entrance, i realized, to my great disappointment, that i was not as excited as i thought i would be in anticipation of seeing the pope. i was very much aware of my privileged situation, yet my emotions did not match my thoughts. After all, not many people have the blessing of living only a few minutes walk from the pope and the possibility of seeing him.

i also recognized that i had done nothing to deserve the opportunity of being a part of the program that i was participating in—which was the rea-son why i was in Rome in the frst place!—and that many people had gener-ously donated money to allow me to be part of the program. Recognizing all of these reasons why i should be a little more excited at the opportunity of seeing the pope (i.e. the Vicar of christ on earth), one which many people long for but are not able to experience, i decided to distance myself from the group and recollect myself. As i stood apart from my group, and as more people came into the Square, i began to think of the “petrine ministry.” i thought to myself that, in seeing the pope, i am seeing a ministry that christ himself, the God-man, instituted while he was physically walking on earth. in seeing the pope, i am seeing the realization of God’s abiding love for us. “Behold, i will be with you

until the end of time,” (mt 28:20) were his departing words before the Ascension. these words are not realized in a vacuum but in the concrete reality of our lives. these words are realized in christ’s mystical body, the church, of which we are a part and of which the pope is a key fgure. At some point, i heard the yells of excitement emanate from all around me. i looked up at the window of the papal Apartments and saw a fgure dressed in white position himself in front of the microphone. it is then that, to my great surprise, i caught myself shouting, “il papa! il papa! Viva il papa!” As i reflect on that moment now, i am amazed at how much the ex-perience of seeing the pope has marked me, though before i was not very excited about seeing him. it has been my experience over the years that when we understand something better, we appreciate it all the more. i un-derstood a little better the importance of the pope that day.

by Ion Chamorro(II Theology, Archdiocese of Miami)

On Seeing the Pope

the ROME EXPERIENCE As seminarians, we are often asked what we do during the summer, and if we have vacation time. In that sense, seminary is much like the average secular university where students receive about three months of summer vacation. Also, like the average university student, it is not good for us to sit idle for three months. Instead, each diocese has different assignments which it gives to its seminarians for part of the summer. the most common of these is being assigned to a parish for eight to ten weeks, so as to experience parish life. there are also

A cultural and spiritual pilgrimage for diocesan seminarians

several programs which offer further formation for seminarians: attending the Institute of priestly Formation, going abroad for spanish immersion, par-ticipating in Clinical pastoral education, etc. this past summer, three of our seminarians partook in the rome experience. the rome experience is a six-week program in the eternal city, which allows seminarians to see the universal Church from its very heart. In rome, they take classes at the pontifical university of the holy Cross; visit, pray in, and learn about many historic churches; attend papal liturgies; and attend conferences with various clergymen who work in and around the vatican.

members of the Rome experience 2014 look on to St. peter’s Basilica as they pray the Rosary.

one of the most memorable experiences was mass at the catacombs of St. calixto where many martyrs were laid to rest.


While on the Rome Experience, there were many wonderful moments where we saw firsthand the legacy and witness which many of the saints left for us. Naturally, be-ing at the tombs of Sts. Peter and Paul and so many other martyrs was very moving, but it also prompted much reflection. I found myself before the Blessed Sacrament in one of the many churches in Rome asking myself if I had the guts to endure the hardships that many of my newfound friends—Sts. Philomena, Maria Gorretti, Sebastian, Cecilia, Sixtus—endured. My prayer was answered during the last leg of the trip in Spain. Upon arriving to the Barcelona airport, a bus greeted us and took us on a three hour bus ride across the Spanish country side. On that bus ride, we watched a film called Un Dios Prohibido (A forbidden God). The film told the story of the 51 Claretian seminarians who were mar-tyred near the beginning of the Spanish civil war in 1936. It was a very well made, moving, and thought-provoking film. The next day we visited a Shrine that St. Josemaría Escrivá—the patron of the Rome Experience and founder of Opus Dei—built in honor of Our Lady of Torreciudad. We also visited Barbastro, St. Josemaría’s hometown and the house where he grew up. After visiting the house, the program director took us down the street and, upon entering the doors, I knew exactly where we were. They gave us a bit of an overview in a con-ference room and then they led us to a museum. We were in the original

Up to the Example of the by Matthew Gomez

(II Theology, Archdiocese of Miami)

Living Martyrs

location of the seminary where the 51 seminarians had been martyred. I remember being overcome with emotions upon seeing their blood-ied clothes, their mementos from their seminary days, and the letters they wrote to their families telling their mothers and fathers “do not worry for me for you will soon have someone interceding for you, signed Your son, a Martyr.” I was amazed at every detail in the museum, but some of the men on the program motioned me to continue. As I passed the doorway, I entered a chapel. I prayed and asked for the intercession of these brave men to have courage if my faith is ever tested in that way. As I finished my prayer, I noticed that there was a staircase leading under the altar of the chapel. As I descended the flight of stairs I was greeted by my classmates with teary eyes sitting in front of a wall of urns holding the blessed remains of these faithful men. I wish I could tell you that I felt consolation after leaving that Chap-el, but I didn’t. I was upset and unsettled because I felt that I did not have the courage to stand up for my faith if the time came. A few days later my frustration came to a screeching halt as I remembered the scene in the film where one of the seminarians asked his brothers to help him keep the faith. My prayer of frustration with myself turned into a prayer of thanksgiving for the fraternity we build in seminary and in programs like the Rome Experience. I know that if I fail in any circumstance I will have my brothers there to remind me who I am and that Christ will provide the graces in due time (Lk 21:12-15). All in all, it was beautiful to experience Ars, Rome, and Barbastro with brothers from all over the country who aspire to answer God’s call to be priests of Jesus Christ, laying down their lives for His Church.

The Sacramentality of Clerics

Along with the many opportunities which the rome ex-perience provided for us, we were given some free time for extracurricular activities. one weekend, matthew, Ion, another seminarian, and I travelled three hours south of rome to visit a few places. During this short, weekend trip, we visited the ex-cavations at pompeii, the Cathedral of st. Andrew the Apostle in Amalfi, the Cathedral of st. matthew, the Apostle in salerno, and the sanctuary of st. philomena at the Church of our Lady of Grace in mugnano del Cardinale. the first stop on our weekend pilgrimage was to the exca-vations at pompeii. In a sense, this was objectively the least reli-gious visit (arguably, not religious at all) on our itinerary. to my surprise, it ended up being the most impactful. not only is our God never outdone in generosity, but he is also never outdone in wit. what impacted me was not the ruins we saw, but rather an encounter we had as we were leaving. As we exited the ruins, one of the vendors approached us and began speaking to us. my first impression was that he was trying to sell us something (after a few weeks in rome you be-come accustomed to this), and I began to dismiss him. we then noticed that he actually wanted to speak to us. he told us that he was a sinner who struggled greatly, but he wanted to live a good life. he, renato, then asked us to give him a “quadruple” bless-ing in hope that he could live a better life. After a hearty chuck-le, we explained to him that we were seminarians, and unfor-tunately could not (yet) give him a blessing. nevertheless, we continued to speak with him, we in our broken Italian, and he in his thickly-accented english. he shared with us his struggles to live life as a faithful Catholic man: married, with two children, and a third on the way. we encouraged him to continue pray-ing, not to give up hope, and to go to Confession and mass. this small, “God-incidental” conversation was as much a blessing to him as it was to us. As we walked away to continue on our journey, the thought hit me: this man would never have opened his heart to us, and we would have never been able to speak with him, if we had not been wearing clerics. In “civil-ian” clothes, we would have just been another group of tourists walking through pompeii. our Catholic faith is founded on sacramental realities: nat-ural phenomena which transmit supernatural grace. In Jesus Christ, we encounter the supernatural, uncreated, and eternal

eDitoR’S note: the Rome experience asks the participating seminarians to

wear clerics wheneverin public. this is not entirely particular to this program

since the church leaves the attire of seminarians at the

discretion of the conferences of bishops and individual

seminaries. For us,though, this was a wholly novel experience since here in Florida, only transitional deacons and priests wear

clerics in public.

by Daniel Daza-Jaller (II Theology, Diocese of Palm Beach)

word in his natural, created, and terminal humanity (Jn 1:14). From this primordial sacrament of God flows the seven sacraments of the Church through which Chris-tians continue to personally encounter Jesus Christ in his eternally merciful love. while the eucharist is the exam-ple of this par excellence, through our encounter with renato, I realized that clarical attire also participate in the sacramental structure of the Church. through the sacraments and sacramentals, Chris-tians properly receive God’s saving and sanctifying grace. yet, the Church also has many signs and symbols (images, processions, rosaries, etc.), which are material objects or actions that, flowing from the liturgy, draw our minds to the triune God. In this manner, a simple piece of clothing awakened renato to an extraordinary presence within ordinary men, which was a stark reminder for me and all seminarians being formed as priests: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Gal 2:20).

mural of the martyrs of Barbastro in Barbastro, Spain. Under the image of our Lady reads “For you my Queen, i will shed blood.”

Seminarians pray before the urns holding the bones of the 51 seminarian martyrs of Barbastro.

matthew Gomez and Daniel Daza-Jaller await pope Francis’ Wednesday audience with thousands of pilgrims.

matt, ion, Daniel, and Andrew pachecovisit pompeii.

cardinal harvey (second from left) gives a tour of the Apostolic palace

All the Rome experience seminarians in front of St. peter’s Basilica.

10 FALL 2014 | St. Vincent de PAuL RegionAL SeminARy SEEDSOFHOPE10 FALL 2014 | St. Vincent de PAuL RegionAL SeminARy SEEDSOFHOPE SEEDSOFHOPE St. Vincent de PAuL RegionAL SeminARy | FALL 2014 11

the church in the north-east was once the hub of Catholicism in

the united states. Cities such as philadelphia, new york, and Boston were the home of many waves of european

immigrants who came to our shores. the northeast became home to not just these immigrants, but to hundreds of ethnic, or national, parishes which served these immigrant populations. Because of these immigrants, the church in the northeast became strong. however, this isn’t the case anymore. most of the immigrants have as-similated into American society, and church attendance in the northeast, particularly new england, has been sagging in recent years. As a result, churches have been closing, and the future of the church in new england seems uncertain. having grown up in new england, this was the only Church in which I knew. I presumed that what was happening there was happening every-where else. however, after spending my first two years of theological studies at st. vincent de paul regional seminary, I encountered a church in Florida that appeared to be growing. In recent years, new parishes and schools have been built in Florida, while the last new parish to be started in the Archdio-cese of hartford was in 1990. Along with that, several parishes and schools have merged or closed in recent years. Furthermore, the practice of linking parishes has been going on for a number of years, and there has even been several “clusters” formed, consisting of three or more parishes. thus, I began to wonder about the status and future of my home archdiocese. so with all that in mind, in september of 2013, I began my pastoral year at the torrington Cluster of roman Catholic parishes in torrington, Connecticut. I really did not know what to expect when I arrived in tor-rington last september. with four parishes, three of them ethnic, the as-signment appeared daunting to me. however, I discovered something I did not expect. my first day in torrington ended as I attended eucharistic Adoration at st. peter’s church. As I entered the church, I noticed a high schooler there. In all of my years of attending adoration in Connecticut, I could not recall ever seeing someone so young. As the year went on, I continued to see the same teenager there every monday. I also began to notice a few more teenagers at adoration. I would soon discover that this was only the tip of the iceberg.In the beginning of october, our Faith Formation program began, and I was

by Patrick Kane(III Theology,

Archdiocese of Hartford)

going to be teaching seventh grade. upon arriving, I met the other teachers, and I was surprised, once again, that one of the eighth grade teachers was the high schooler I had seen in adora-tion my first night in torrington. In october, I also began to get in-volved in the cluster youth groups, one which was primarily middle school age and the other high school age. the middle school youth group met once a month. the night consisted of dinner, adoration (15 minutes or so), and games/activities. Approximately 35-40 kids came each month. the high school youth group also met once a month but had a different format to it. they had a movie night (along with dinner), but would also go to different events throughout the

year, such as Fan the Fire in newtown, Ct, or steubenville east. As the year progressed, I continued to encounter more and more of the youth who were really interested in their faith. whether it was attending ado-ration, social justice opportunities (soup kitchens, visiting nursing homes, etc.), assisting at vacation bible school, and even attending daily mass, the youth in torrington continued to amaze and inspire me in their love of the faith. my year culminated with a trip to steubenville east in kingston, rhode Island, where 18 of the high school students attended the three-day con-ference. there at the university of rhode Island, we encountered an ad-ditional 3,500 other high school students from around new england. this made me realize that what was happening in torrington was not unique; it was happening in parishes all over new england. thousands of youth throughout the six new england states are encountering Jesus Christ each and every day. After attending this conference, I became convinced of one thing: that the church in new england is entering a springtime of faith. the youth are discovering that the Catholic Church is not merely a set of rules and regula-tions that we must abide by, but rather, it is the means to an encounter with Jesus Christ himself. It is a transformational relationship in which Christ

The North Shall Rise Again: Hope from Pastoral Year

comes to meet us and share with us the wonderful gift of his love. this is the new evangelization, which pope st. John paul II talked about when he said “the purpose of our ministry is to lead the members of the Church into a living com-munion with God and with one another” (Ad Limina march 17, 1998).so how does this happen? there are several reasons for the successes in tor-rington. the first of which has been clergy involvement. torrington in recent years has seen clergy who are willing to get involved with the youth. In addi-tion, the cluster has had numerous seminarians involved as well. this first as-pect is crucial. young people need to see clergy who are not only willing to give of themselves fully in their ministry, i.e. be present, but also to do so with joy. this is not only evangelization, but it also helps to promote vocations. the second has been the introduction and subsequent increase in regu-lar eucharistic Adoration. since Lent of 2013, the cluster has offered Adora-tion every monday evening at st. peter Church for 2 hours, and it has since added tuesday-thursday evenings at st. Francis Church. the cluster has also been blessed with dedicated and enthusiastic youth ministers and volunteers who have helped the youth to encounter Christ. this is another vital aspect; clergy cannot do this alone, but need the help of these ministers and volunteers in order for there to be any success. As a result of these factors, the youth themselves have begun to reach out to their own friends and classmates at school, by being witnesses and models of the Faith. more and more of the youth are discovering Christ each and every day. Consequently, the Faith in torrington is continuing to grow to this day. the cluster has recently added a sunday evening youth mass, and more and more kids are getting involved in their Faith. In-deed, the future of the Church there and throughout new england looks bright.

patrick at masada while on pilgrimage in the holy Land.

patrick receives the ministry of Lector from Bishop Dewane.

patrick (back row , third from left) and the cluster youth group participate in Steubenville east.

1� FALL 2014 | St. Vincent de PAuL RegionAL SeminARy SEEDSOFHOPE1� FALL 2014 | St. Vincent de PAuL RegionAL SeminARy SEEDSOFHOPE SEEDSOFHOPE St. Vincent de PAuL RegionAL SeminARy | FALL 2014 1�

by Chris Hassel(II Theology, Diocese of Savannah)

All through this time I didn’t go to mass or practice my faith. though I did do one thing every year since I was a child; it was the only thing that I did close to practicing my faith. I still observed the Lenten fasting – I didn’t eat meat on Fridays and I gave something up for Lent. I didn’t know why I did it but it was the only thing that I did over all those years. though looking back, it was probably a way for my faith to stay alive. In 2007, I was hit hard with some deaths in my family. over the course of three years I lost my last three grandparents, each literal-ly a year and a month apart from each other. one of those deaths was my grandmother whom I was very close to. my mom, sister, and I lived with her for a few years after my parents’ divorce, so I had been close to her most of my life. I do not have family in Georgia, so to work through the grieving process, I turned to my friends. But I realized then that they weren’t true friends. they told me they were sorry for my loss but just wanted to go out and party. It was during this time that I realized that I needed some new friends. It was also during this time that I began to frequent a particular establishment. I am embarrassed to say this, but I love Chick-Fil-A. that is not embarrassing in itself, but I loved it so much I went there monday through saturday (because it’s not open on sunday of course – though I’d go sunday if it was). when you go to a place that much you get to know the staff. I became great friends with one of the staff members. he started to encourage me to go back to mass and introduced me to an-

SEMINARIAN PROFIlE

other friend who also encouraged me to go to mass. At this time I also met anoth-er person who became a friend who also encouraged me to go to mass. I didn’t know it at first, but all three of these peo-ple were seminarians for the Diocese of savannah. so I started to go back to mass, and it

was during this time that I realized that I had been missing something in my life; it was something that I had been looking for but didn’t know what it was. I felt at home there at mass and it turned out this was what my heart was yearning for all these years. so I started getting involved in the parish, and through the friends I had met, was introduced to a new set of supportive friends that I still have today.

Around this time my contract with the Air Force was ending. there wasn’t good hope for a new contract, so I ended up in Church in front of the tabernacle asking, “what next Lord?” And again the priesthood came up as the first and only thing in my mind. this time I said, “Are you sure?” and it was still there, the priesthood. so I said, ok, and I began to pray and think about it. About a year later I decided to start applying to the Diocese of savannah to become a seminarian. A year after that I was accepted and began seminary formation, of which I have now completed three years. my faith and vocation continue to grow as I fol-low what the Lord has called me to. In 2018, I will be ordained a priest for the Diocese of savannah.

my vocation story, as many are, is not one of a clear vision of Christ coming and calling me to the priesthood. I grew up Catholic. my mother was Catholic but my father was not; so every sunday my mom, sister, and I went to the nine o’clock mass. we were there every sunday and holy Day. when I was about 14 or 15 years old people started asking, “what are you going to do when you grow up?” the thought that came into my mind was ‘priesthood,’ though I never told anyone that. I didn’t know why it came into my head at the time. I just didn’t think the priest did much. All I saw was the priest say mass on sun-day and maybe do a funeral or wedding, occasionally. I didn’t know fully what a priest does (as I do today). But because of my misconception of the priesthood, I decided that I would go to college instead. when I arrived at college I started going to mass, but I quickly stopped attending because mom wasn’t there getting me up in the morning to go. I quickly got involved in campus activities and hanging out with the friends that I met there. I decided that sleeping in on sunday was better than going to mass. with that, I quickly stopped practicing my faith. And with the exception of holidays when I was home with mom, I didn’t go to mass at all. As college ended I had to start deciding what I was going to do

next. I graduated in 2002 with a computer science/programming de-gree, and at that time the “.com bubble” had just burst; finding a job in the career field was hard. there were guys that graduated before me that still hadn’t found a job. so I started thinking about what I was going to do, and the priesthood came back into my mind again. this time I just said flatly, “no.” It was not what I wanted to do at all. But I decided that in order for the priesthood to stop coming up I would make a compromise with God. (As we all know God is willing to make compromises on things ... not really.) But I thought I could compromise and get this priesthood thing to go away. I had always wanted to go into the military service. so I joined the Air Force as a commissioned officer, and in part to say to God, “I’ll serve my country and that will count as service to others and you can stop bringing up the priesthood.” so off to the Air Force I went thinking I was done with the priesthood. I did four years in the Air Force (which is how I ended up in Georgia) and then continued to work as a contractor for the government after that. During that time, as the saying goes, “I worked hard and played harder.” I worked a lot but would go out with friends on the weekends to party and relax from the work. I really enjoyed my life and had some great friends to hang out, travel, and just have fun with.

chris hassel, atopcorcovado mountain,

travelled to Rio de Janiero, Brazil for WYD 2013.

chris graduated from officer training School in 2002.

chris is installed to the ministry of Lector by Bishop of Savannah, Bishop Gregory J. hartmayer oFm, conv.


“Don’t you ever get lonely?” This question was asked recently by a waitress once she discovered that the six men having dinner were not escaping from their wives for a “boys night out” but were actually seminarians in formation for the Catholic priesthood. It took awhile before she finally found the words to the thought she was pondering—these guys will never get married. After five years of being in formation I have been asked this ques-tion countless times. There have been different scenarios, different people, different wording, but it is always the same basic question. It seems to be one of the first things that come to mind once someone realizes that I will be making a promise to live in chaste celibacy for the rest of my life. For so many it just seems like an impossible deci-sion that will lead to loneliness, misery, and frustration. They can’t even begin to fathom why anyone would voluntarily choose to live a sex-less life. Back in my mid-twenties I heard a song by Rich Mullins titled, “One Thing.” It starts off like this:

Everybody I know says they need just one thing And what they really mean is that they

need just one thing more And everybody seems to think

They’ve got it coming These lines are a great summation of my life at that time. I was always in need of just one more thing to satisfy my latest desire or yearning. But that one thing always led to the next one thing. And that next one thing was never enough. I had spent all those formative years searching for something more than what I had, but was never sure ex-actly what I was in need of.

THE PEARl OF GREAT PRICEby David Keegan (III Theology, Diocese of St. Augustine)

I was like one of those old weathervanes, being blown around by the winds of the latest fad, by the desire to be popular, to be well-liked, to be rich. I was so afraid of being sad and alone that I was willing to do whatever the world told me would lead to happiness and fulfillment. And as you can imagine, it never worked. Sure, there were moments of passing and fleeting pleasure, but it never lasted and there was no peace. I knew I was missing something but I had no idea what it was or where it was to be found. Like most of the people who are concerned about me being lonely in the priesthood, I had placed my efforts in avoiding physical isola-tion, but the very fears that I was trying to avoid were much deeper than that. I was not paying attention to spiritual loneliness, that longing deep within that can only be met by a relationship with God and His Church. That was the main reason that I was constantly frustrated and always looking for that next “one thing.”

I’m pretty sure this spiritual loneliness is what most people are actually referring to when they ask me about being lonely, even if they are focused on the physical. I wonder how many of them have fol-lowed the cultural dictates for happiness and fulfillment and are still battling loneliness themselves. It was not until I first encountered Christ in a real and intimate way that I was able to find that “One Thing” (Lk 10:42) that I had wasted so many years looking for. I had finally found that fulfillment I had been in search of. As I discerned a call to the priesthood, know-ing that it would require celibacy, I was willing to accept it; Christ had already satisfied my desire. I could trust that, despite any challenges I might face, He would continue to do so.

One of my favorite parables in Matthew’s Gospel is when Jesus says that “The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it” (Mt 13:45-46). Without a doubt I have found my pearl of great price, my “one thing”, and in the world’s eyes it must seem that I have given up everything to buy it. Sure, it has required some renunciation of things, even some good things, like natural marriage

and family, but as Jesus promises (Lk 18:29-30), I have received well more than I have given up. And not every day is easy. These years of formation—as with everyone’s life—have had their fare share of struggles. However, the joy, the peace, and the stability that has come with embracing this life of chaste celibacy is more than I could have ever imagined. The Church requires this promise knowing that it is initially a charism bestowed upon priests by the Holy Spirit. Celibacy is not, as many assume it to be, a restriction on my freedom that I must force myself to follow by making a strong act of the will or through a stub-born determination. It is a gift of the Father graciously bestowed upon me that allows me to live and to love in true freedom, no longer at the mercy of passing whims, fears, and lustful passions. Gone are the endless fears of being alone and sad, of not having enough, of not being enough. Returning to that question from the be-ginning, do I ever get lonely? Yes, there are times when I do, but those moments are fleeting and pass quickly. And they are not because of my choice to live in chaste celibacy; it’s only when I lose focus and forget that I have found my pearl of great price, He who is always with me (Mt 28:20). In Jesus and in my vocation to the priesthood, I have found my “one thing,” and have come to know that peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil 4:7). As the day of ordination draws near and I grow in my understand-ing of the life that celibacy entails, I appreciate it more and more as an amazing gift, an invitation to a life of freedom and joy. I can think of no other way in which I could better love and serve God and Holy Mother Church.

While in philadephia, David spends time with his 104 year old grandmother, Gertrude.

During 40 days for life, David (far right) stands for life with men from St. Joseph’s parish in Jacksonville, FL.

David (bottom left) rejoices with brother seminarians at the ordination of Fr. Richard pagano.

David and his goddaughter, emma, pose for a picture after her baptism.

David leads the procession for mass during the eucharistic congress in Jacksonville, FL.


I grew up in a multicultural family: my father being from De-troit, Michigan, and my mother from Puerto Rico. I was truly “blessed among women,” for I was the only boy and the youngest of four. From a very young age, I held family to be one of the most important things in life, and I knew mine was special. This life would have been very difficult without a supporting family that loved and pushed me to be the young man that I am today. My vocation to the priesthood was born out of a family. It was not merely given to me like an unwrapped gift, but rather cultivated over the years. As I share glimpses into life with my family, it will become clear how God called me to the priest-hood through them. For if you know my family, then you know who I am (Lk 6:43-44). Now, being the only boy out of my siblings left me searching for fraternity and masculine identity. There were two men in my life that provided a wonderful witness and formed me to be the man that I am today: namely, my father and grandfather. Known to us as Abuelo, my grandfather moved in with my family when I was seven years old. Hav-ing my grandfather around, who spoke very little English, was an absolute gift. I can remember all of us having to drive him to get his cigars and lottery tickets every day. This little act of charity gave us children many precious memories. Many times I would walk past his room at night and he would quietly be sitting on the edge of his bed saying his prayers. Although he was a man of few words, I learned a lot from him, especially his hard work ethic, and I miss him from time to time. My life is filled with little memories, gems if you will, that have provided me in my young adult life with a foundation to stand upon. One in particular was a camping trip with my father. I don’t remember much of that trip but I do remember that he gave up his pud-ding cup for one of my best friends. This small gesture

seems unimportant to most people, but to a young impressionable boy, it meant the world to me that my father gave up his dessert; to me that was huge. Sure, it was just a simple gesture, but I remember that one moment as a moment of sacrifice so that I could enjoy dessert with my friend. It was in this formation which I first received from my own earthly father that I know my future vocation as a spiritual father was formed. It was because of my Dad’s daily sacrifice that I am able to find joy in sacrificing for the Church. My parents did everything in their power to provide for whatever we needed. I constantly pray for them and hope that I can love in the way they love, serve in the manner they serve, and give all that I am to my Bride, the Church, as they gave all of themselves to each other in Christ. Another fond memory was Saturday mornings at the Knight household. My sisters and I could hear the rhythms of salsa music rolling down the hallways and Mom coming into our rooms and say-ing, “Time to let God’s light shine,” while we pulled the covers over

our heads. The smell of coffee would envelope the kitchen and my dad would always be reading the newspaper in “his chair.” We knew that Saturdays were days of chores, work, and then fun. My parents worked as a team and lined us up for our weekly chores, which had to be com-pleted while they went grocery shopping. When they would return, my father, who was in the Navy for some time, would line us up for an inspection as though we were sea men. Through my parents, we learned a sense of discipline which we tried to apply to everything. This memory of Saturday seems or-dinary in itself, but if you look past that you can see that God put me in this family for a particular reason: holiness through the ordinary.

My family wasn’t perfect yet we always knew where to turn in times of trouble: the Church. I can remember when my Dad had a heart attack in 2009, and it seemed as if it were all a dream. My Mom can remember clearly that we dropped everything and worked together to set a plan for bills, jobs, and all the logistics. My sisters and I knew we could rely on the Church because our parents had their foundation in faith. And with the support of many, my Dad made a full recovery. As a family we have met many challenges: alcoholism, debt, stress, anxiety, depression, etc. But it was through those struggles that the Lord tested us like gold in a fire (1 Pt 1:7). Even now, when something goes wrong or I don’t know where to go, I immediately can visualize both of my parents praying. It was through their prayerful example that my sisters and I constantly turned to the Church in times of need. My parents have been involved in the Cursillo Movement for nearly 30 years now. This movement focuses on showing Christian lay people how to become effective Christian leaders. This provided a basis of formation for my parents from which they focused their parenting on forming us to be young, active Catholics. My dad took formation seriously with me being the only son. Because of him I learned that in order to be a good father, I must first be a good son. Growing up I always knew I wanted a big family of my own, yet

little did I know that I would be pursuing a celibate vocation. This was a hard reality for me to learn after the honeymoon period of college seminary; I would never be a biological father. One Christmas night while I was in college seminary, my sisters and their spouses had gath-ered around the kitchen island sharing stories, and they quickly picked up the feeling that I was struggling with my vocational discernment. Seeing all my nieces and nephews that Christmas just made it difficult knowing I would never have children of my own. However, my oldest sister, Kathleen, got our attention when she addressed me on behalf of everyone present. Her words have rung in my mind for the past couple of years in my prayers. She told me, “Jack, no matter if you are a priest or a lay man, our children will be your children. Our families are your families.” I still get chills when I replay that in my mind. It is so true, and God is so good for allowing me to see that my vocation will bear fruit (Mt 19:29). Growing up, I always felt as though my heart was too big to be contained. And so the Lord called me from my family, so that I could be a father, a father with no limit of children but rather having all the children I could ever hope for. I owe thanks and gratitude to first God and secondly to my family with which He has blessed me. He called me through the ordinary, through the struggles, through the joys, all which were found in my family.

by Jack Knight (I Theology, Archdiocese of Atlanta)

eDitoR’S note:the church has concentrated its

attention on the family this past year in preparation for the gathering of

bishops from around the world at the extraordinary Synod on the Family in

Rome from october 5-19.

in light of the Synod, Jack’sreflection speaks to the role of family in

nurturing vocations to the priesthood, as an “initial seminary.”

Family:Jack and his family at his graduation from St. Joseph Seminary in covington, LA.

Jack at a pumpkin patch

with some of his nephews and

nieces.

Jack (right) and his sister Kelly showing their gran

dfath

er lov

e.

Jack (left) and his sister Kelly were always together as kids.

Jack with his three sisters: Kristine, Kathleen, and Kelly.

WHERE THE CAllING WAS HEARD


ROOMMATES: Making Room in Our Heartsever seen, and it seemed comforting to know that in January all of the dirt, grass, and trees would be molded into my brand new home. the one thing I did not expect, however, is that having a roommate would provide an opportunity for my own heart to receive the renovation it needed in order to become something new (ezek 36:26). Certainly having a roommate can at times be tedious, especially when we are on different sleep or reading schedules, but, in just the short two months that I have been here, my roommate, eric, has opened my eyes to how I can better know, love, and serve God in the inner room of my own heart. For instance, he has made me more aware of the time I waste doing nothing. there are times in the evening when he calls me out saying, “Brian, have you been on Facebook/youtube for two hours?” “of course not,” as I answer to my shame, “it’s been three!” Instead of allowing my laziness to continue, I have begun to do more reading, letter writing, and phone calls with old friends. having a roommate has reminded me to sanctify my entire life. he has been the physical presence of Christ calling me to become a better man (Col 3:17; prov 27:17). the benefits of having a roommate do not end with the call to holi-ness. It also enriches fraternal life which is so important for priests. It can be as simple as watching movies or football, traveling, or even talking to one another about the most recent news article flashing in front of us as we check our emails. there is something very human about sharing life with another person, and as a priest we are blessed to share in a fraternity which is centered in our brotherhood in Christ (1 thess 2:8). this January all of the brothers will be moving into the new buildings. we will be given our own rooms and even have a few extra to spare as the seminary plans for future growth. Although I am sure everyone will be very thankful that the need for roommates will be past, I know that I personally will continue the renovation that has begun in my own heart this semester: striving to become a better, holy man and cultivating fraternity among my seminarian brothers.

by Brian Lee (I Theology, Archdiocese of Atlanta)

Arriving at saint vincent de paul in August, I have a fond memory of pulling into the grounds and being welcomed by a host of seminarians eager to help me unpack. the guys were very hospitable, and although they seemed to have many carts available to help me unload, everything I owned fit onto one small push pulley. I wish I could say that this was due to my own humility and simplicity, but unfortunately that was not the case. no, this is because of the many emails, phone calls, and letters I received over the sum-mer reminding me to pack very light. this semester, my class-

mates and I were asked to come prepared to have a roommate. Being guided to my new room by one of the senior guys, the first observation I made was that the grounds were obviously under renova-tion. unpaved sidewalks, courtyards lacking any grass or trees, and a large mountain of dirt the size of mt. rushmore (a slight exaggeration but you get my point) were all sights we passed along the way. speaking with him, I could sense a great excitement about the future, and it made me excited to be enrolled at a seminary that was preparing for growth. I heard that this year my class was one of the largest incoming classes the seminary has

S u m m e r A S S i g n m e n t

guatemala

Institute of Priestly Formation

Jamaica

honduras

eric Stelzer (left) and Brian (right) study for an

exam in their room.

photoS / DAnieL AnGeL

�0 FALL 2014 | St. Vincent de PAuL RegionAL SeminARy SEEDSOFHOPE�0 FALL 2014 | St. Vincent de PAuL RegionAL SeminARy SEEDSOFHOPE SEEDSOFHOPE St. Vincent de PAuL RegionAL SeminARy | FALL 2014 �1

There was a time in my life when I felt the call of God, but I didn’t pay much attention; or better said, I did not want to hear the “inconvenient” call of God. I wanted to live my life my way, free and unattached. I left home when I was nineteen years old after my mother had passed away from leukemia, running from all the distress and confusion that comes from the loss of a parent and best friend. My way of escape came through the military. It provided everything in life I needed at the time: discipline, brotherhood, purpose, and a place to fo-cus my attention and time. But, it did not provide everything, and after a few years I left looking for more. This routine lasted most of my life, starting on a path, only to leave it in hopes of something bet-ter. This way of life played perfectly into a career as a chef. I was able to go anywhere that seemed ad-venturous; I’d find work, stay as long as I wanted, and then move on when I thought it was time. It was a gypsy’s life, and I enjoyed it immensely … so much so, that I never even considered any other way, ex-pecting to always lead this life of freedom, travel, and following my passions. Then, God stepped in. I had been living out west when my brothers, who were running our family busi-ness, made it known that my father was coming to a point in his life where he would start needing constant help, and that it may be wise for me to be closer to home. So I moved back, and with the help of my family, was able to care for him at home until he passed. You might wonder how this was a blessing, leaving a well-paying job and putting a ca-reer on hold to come home and help take care of an elderly parent. I know there were many times that I wondered that, too. I felt the anxiety of not living “my” life and of not being where I wanted to be, doing what I wanted to do. Yet, God had a plan that I was unaware of, and I can appreciate it more clearly now. His gift was of allowing me to spend time with my father, where I was able to learn things about him (and life, in general) that I had never known before. I witnessed what true strength looks like, and I learned the importance of patience and what the true measure of love entails. By being with him, I learned the most important thing in life: how to love just by being present. During this time, I was also able to go back to school, earn a degree, spend time in prayer, and just think. I let go of the need to be in control, and I asked Jesus to show me a better way: His way. What I learned more than anything is that when you ask for God’s help, and are willing to hear, He speaks. He spoke to me by putting me in a place where I had the time and ability to get closer to Him through prayer and daily Mass; closer to my father by seeing him and spending time with him every day; closer to my family by watch-ing how they devoted their time to his care. I spent this time wisely, seeking the guidance of friends, family, and my pastor who led me to a vocational director for the diocese, who

TheRoadAheadby Jack Campbell (II Theology, Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee)

then eventually brought me to the bishop’s door. Every potential seminarian must present themselves before a diocesan “review board,” consisting of clergy-members, lay-men and women, religious, and the bishop in a forum meant to see face-to-face if one is capable of the priestly life. One mem-ber asked what I believe was the most important question of the meeting: “How do you know if this isn’t just a mid-life crisis?” My answer to that was simple. “It is!” By the very definition, crisis is a time when something very important for the future happens or is decided. Without crisis there is no change. There is no new road. Jesus has definitely put me on a new road; actually, more like an expressway! … I was accepted into formation at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in 2013, four months after my father passed. Being at seminary consists, in part, of waking up in a dormi-tory with seventy-five other men, sharing a bathroom down the hall, attending Morning Prayer bright and early while navigating the all-elusive intricacies of the Breviary (a prayer book for the Lit-urgy of the Hours), and eating in a cafeteria (sorry, a “refectory”). Most of my day is spent in a classroom with men half my age and twice as knowledgeable, studying topics that might as well be in Greek … or Spanish … or Latin. And sometimes they are!

Just like anywhere, there are good days and bad days, but the tougher days are far outweighed by the better. As my spiritual director has told me, “If you love everything about seminary, you don’t need me, you need a psychiatrist.” I’m in a place God has brought me into, because for once in my life I started praying for His will to be done rather than what I felt I needed or wanted. I have the privilege

to live, study, and work with men committed to one thing: serving our Lord Jesus Christ through dedication and service in the Catholic Church. I am honored to be here. But, most of all, I am grateful. God has given me a second chance to make more out of my life than building a retirement fund. He has heard my prayers and answered them with amazing clarity. I am here, I am happy, and I am ready. I write this story not to put a spotlight on myself, but for another reason. The least I can do is to try and give back to God with every opportunity that presents itself. This article seems like a good start. Hopefully it ends up in the hands of a man or woman who has lived a life similar to mine, has heard the call to religious life, and for whatever reason has left it unanswered. If you think it’s too late, you’re too old, you’re not smart enough, you’re not holy enough … or for whatever reason may plague your thinking – you’re wrong! Now is the time to give to God all the experience and gifts you have gained from life. Maybe it’s time to change course; time to put your trust and energy into something other than yourself. God does not need another philosopher/theologian in His ranks, but He does want souls dedicated to seeking and doing His will with passion and conviction. All that is required is devotion and commitment to being open to His word. Wherever your life has gone, there has also come with it wisdom and experience. These are invaluable. God wants them! As the rector told me after our first meeting, “God is the Great Recycler!” At first, I was a bit taken aback by the remark, but now I can see that this is exactly what He is: a transformer from the old into the new – of which I am: body, soul, and mind. I have come to realize that one way the evil one works on you is through fear, making you doubt your potential and worthiness. He breaks down your foundation so you are never able to live the life God wants for you, leaving you doubting and stagnate. Only when you place your trust in God will that foundation finally be built and your fears fade. God builds quickly and with purpose. I’m not sure where this road ends, but God is paving the way… and that’s good enough for me. So, if any of this pertains to you, take a chance. Talk to your pastor, and ask to get in touch with a vocational director in your diocese. You just may find yourself on the road ahead.

Jack sits in front of the restaurant which he owned and ran.

Jack enjoys a hike while on Spanish immersion in Guatemala over the summer.

“MY LORD GOD, I have no idea

where I am going. I do not see the

road ahead of me. I cannot know for

certain where it will end. Nor do I

really know myself, and the fact that I

think that I am following your will does

not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please

you does in fact please you. And I hope

I have that desire in all that I am doing.

I hope that I will never do anything

apart from that desire. And I know

that if I do this you will lead me by the

right road though I may know nothing

about it. Therefore will I trust you

always though I may seem to be lost

and in the shadow of death. I will not

fear, for you are ever with me,

and you will never leave me

to face my perils alone.”

thomAs merton – Thoughts in Solitude

�� FALL 2014 | St. Vincent de PAuL RegionAL SeminARy SEEDSOFHOPE�� FALL 2014 | St. Vincent de PAuL RegionAL SeminARy SEEDSOFHOPE SEEDSOFHOPE St. Vincent de PAuL RegionAL SeminARy | FALL 2014 ��

Aenean a magna vel pede

vestibulum rhoncus.

Nulla cursus orci quis

YOUNG ADULT RETREAT

Saturday, January 31, 2015

[Date]

RETREAT PRICE $10 INCLUDES FOOD AND T-SHIRT!

Reflections, Talks & Testimonies

o By Priests, Seminarians, Sisters, and Faculty

Mass, Exposition of the Eucharist, Reconciliation

Small Groups, Theology on Tap, Praise & Worship

Where? St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary

10701 S Military Trail, Boynton Beach, Fl. 33436 Registration?

www.20somethingretreat.wordpress.com

DIVE DEEPER INTO THE MYSTERY OF THE INCARNATION! Luis Salazar

iii theologyDiocese of orlamdo

PREvIOuS vOCATION/CAREER:Banker

Gary De Los Santosii theology

Archdiocese of miami

PREvIOuS vOCATION/CAREER:parish manager,

owned a catering business

David Keeganiii theology

Diocese of St. Augustine

PREvIOuS vOCATION/CAREER:Restaurant manager /

Landscaper

Ruben nuñez i theologyArchdiocese of Atlanta

PREvIOuS vOCATION/CAREER:carpet industry

Rev. mr. Robert popeiii theology

Diocese of palm Beach

PREvIOuS vOCATION/CAREER:married / Accountant

A Few Good SVdp men Who Answered that call Later in Life

Rev. mr. Julio De JesusiV theologyArchdiocese of miami

PREvIOuS vOCATION/CAREER:hotel manager

J Scott Adamsiii theologyDiocese of palm Beach

PREvIOuS vOCATION/CAREER: public Accountant /hotel management

martin Dunne pastoral Year

Diocese of palm Beach

PREvIOuS vOCATION/CAREER:Accounting /

Business management

Lucas elangoii theologyArchdiocese of Kingston, Jamaica

PREvIOuS vOCATION/CAREER: System Administrator, Accounts manager

chris hasselii theology

Diocese of Savannah

PREvIOuS vOCATION/CAREER: USAF officer /

Government contractor


“What are you doing? Go inside, quickly, Bishop has to leave soon.” I said as I saw my friend, Katie McCloskey, who I call my little sister, outside of the chapel that Monday morning at Marywood Retreat Center near St. Augustine, FL. “Ok, ok,” she said and hurried in with a group of students and former stu-dents from St. Augustine Catholic Church and Student Center at the University of Florida. They entered the chapel filled with seminarians for the Diocese of St. Augustine, who had just finished a Mass. I went out to find April, but her family was still en route, so I entered the chapel. Bishop Felipe J. Estévez was very proud of her and April’s decision to join the Mercedarian Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, and he was delaying his departure to the airport because he desired to give them his blessing before they left the diocese. Bishop called Katie and her companions forward. We came forward and Bishop prayed for Katie and April and their vocations. That was the beginning of a trip that seemingly had nothing go right, but was still one of the most incredible and blessed journeys of my life. I had worked with both Katie and April when I was assigned to the Student Center in Gainesville. I enjoyed getting to know them, and it seemed they each had a call to serve the Lord. After being accepted, Katie asked me if I could go with her and

by Rev. Mr. Lawrence Peck(IV Theology, Diocese of St. Augustine)

drop her off at the convent. I was honored to be asked to go and I said of course I would love to do that. Later, she said that April would love to come with us. This would be easier on her family. A bit later, Katie told me that some other people desired to go as well, so, in true Catholic Gators fashion, we made it an event. Or rather I made a Facebook event and called it Katie and April’s Excel-lent Adventure to keep track of the planning leading up to the event. Besides our two little sisters, our group grew to 6 other people, myself, Fr. David Ruchinski, Director of the Student Center, Ashley D’Emo and Sandy DeTeresa (both cam-pus ministers), Scott Gulig, Laura Demangone, and Daniel Conigliaro. To prepare for the trip, I did research to find the route we needed to take

and a place to stay. I discovered the Jubilee House Retreat Center in Virginia, which was more than halfway to our destination, and, equally importantly, fit the college kid/seminarian budget of cheap. I was excited for the trip, had all the bags packed, and I was ready to go as soon as our seminarian retreat ended on Monday morning, but on Saturday night I received a text from Katie. Her brother, Ryan, real-ly wanted to see her before she en-tered. She asked if she could make that change. I cringed at the thought of changing the plan but said, “Of

TO THECONVENT

COMPANIONS: course!” I calculated a new route and noticed that, as long as we got on the road by 9:30 am, right after the Mass, which the group was planning on attending, we could still make it to the campground that night. When Monday rolled around, after the Bishop’s blessing, Fr. David told everyone the great news that he was going to be able to drive up with us, and he just needed to get some things. I was very happy, and thought, well that won’t change the plan too much. Of course the community Mass ran long, we didn’t get load up the cars immediately, and Fr. David got delayed by everyone want-ing to chat with him. Our 9:30 departure slowly slipped away. As we prepared and waited to leave, there was discussion on how, if we all died on the trip, we would be known as Saints Katie and April and Companions, since that’s what Bishop Estevez called us. As 11 am rolled around, we drew lots to decide who would travel in which car, which became our ritual with most every stop. Fi-nally, we were in the cars, and praying as we left. Normally, I get annoyed when my plans don’t work, it’s a character flaw I’m still working on, but at that point, it didn’t seem to bother me much. I was just happy to be going on this trip. We had two cars loaded with food, luggage, and lots of rosary making supplies. I called the retreat center to see if they could take us much later, and they could - they were so very good to us, but we spent a lot of time driving in Georgia. We needed to get to Ryan, who was working as a counselor at Life Teen Camp, who I soon discovered was not at Covecrest but another camp called Hid-den Lake. It is a little disheartening to discover you just drove 7 other people to the wrong spot, and passed the place you were supposed to be about 2 hours ago. So, I spoke with a leader at Covecrest, who tried to find Ryan for us. She was wondering why it was important as people do not usually take a trip out to the middle of nowhere Georgia to find counselors. I explained that his sister was en-tering the convent and we really needed to make this happen. She was impressed that 6 people would drive across country to Ohio take their friends to a convent. She gave us great directions and we drove back through Georgia. I called the Jubi-lee House and told them we just couldn’t make it and they were very forgiving. At the new camp, we went down to the place we were told Ryan would be and everyone was very nice and excited to see us. They too were impressed we were taking this journey with our friends. As we waited for Ryan, we met some new people including some Catholic Gator Alumni - some we knew and some we did not, which was just awesome; our little group loves making new friends. We discussed vocations and campus ministry and all the great things the Lord has been doing in our lives. I noticed a theme at every place we stopped. People were happy to see vocations and those vocations being supported. Ryan eventu-ally showed up when his group finished the activity they had. It was nice that he and Katie had their time. We drove into the night through the mountains of Georgia and finally into another state, and we stopped for the night at Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Ashley and Sandy did a great job finding us a place to stay. When we left the next morn-ing, we made minimal plans, which is not my style. We decided we wanted to have Mass when we arrived at the convent. As we stopped for lunch and found ourselves a little off schedule so we decided to stop at Fr. David’s old school, the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus. It was a beautiful place, and we had fun looking around and visiting their different chapels. I was happy we didn’t try to stick to a strict schedule, as that might have left this stop off. For the last leg of our journey, I had the privilege of having Daniel, April and Katie in the car I was driving. It was a lot of fun. You could sense the excitement building as we got close to Cleveland. I joked we had gone through Cleveland 5 times now, four of those being Cleveland, Geor-gia. As we got on the final few streets I said, “OK ladies, get it all out of your system now,” to which Katie and April made loud noises and screams. As we pulled up to the convent behind the church into the driveway, Sister Jeanette opened the door and rushed out to greet us. I joked with her that I had a note I needed her to sign to prove delivery of the new sisters so Bishop Estevez would know we got them there safe. It was great to be there and meet the community our little sisters had joined. Some of them celebrated the Mass with us, while others prepared dinner. Overall, it was a nice night to get to know the sisters. Soon,

however, the guys left the girls in the convent and went to the guest house for the night. After a great night sleep, we had Mass in the morning with the whole com-munity and had a nice breakfast after. We told the sisters we’d be leaving that day, but they wanted us to stay longer and visit; they were so nice and hospitable. But we had to get going, and Fr. David, whose family is from the area, was going to stay with his father for a few days. We needed to drop him off before driving back to Florida. The Mercedarians decided to come with us to meet Fr. David’s family, so he quickly contacted his father to let him know to expect more guests. We were off on the road again, followed this time by a mini-van full of sisters. We arrived at Fr. David’s childhood city and he showed us the highlights on the way to his house. It was great to meet his father and his nephew there and we had a nice time talking. Soon though, it was afternoon and we needed to leave. The drive back to Florida had 3 less people and was rainy, but it was still fun. Back in Georgia the group finally broke up - I went towards Jacksonville, and the students headed to Gainesville on different routes. It was bittersweet that the journey had ended and the companions had each gone to their homes. I will always remember this journey. It was a journey of faith, fun, and fel-lowship. It has been one of the best trips I have taken in my life, and during the voyage it occurred to me that this journey was really an act of love. It was the final act of one community saying goodbye to good friends and another com-munity saying hello. Life is full of these moments, and I am grateful for them. The Lord reminded me on their trip that life is full of these hellos and goodbyes - especially for those of us who aspire to serve Him in ministry. The time we have together is what is important, not the plan. Journeys are often full of unexpected twists and turns, and whether they are difficult or blessings, it is always good when we travel together. I look forward to the many new journeys the Lord has in store for me, and I hope to let Him do all my planning.

Katie and April’s excellent Adventure was the graphic Lawrence made for the Facebook group.

(L to R) Sandy, Laura, Sr. Rita, Katie, and Ashley at the convent.

in front of the pontifcal college Josephinum from left to right - April, Laura, Fr. David, Sandy, Ashley, Katie, Daniel, and Scott.

the Sisters in the minivan on their way to Fr. David’s house.


There is great irony in the messages that are often seen in social media today. I am thinking of the videos that seem to overwhelm my newsfeeds that are advo-cating for each of us to take a step back from the use of social media. The mes-sages seem to overlap, screaming out: “Social media has destroyed social life!” We no longer know how to sit down and have a conversation with one another. We fail to engage on a personal level the human being that is standing right in front of us; instead, we prefer to text a friend hundreds of miles away, or we “like” a photo or status that someone has just posted to their Twitter feed, Facebook wall, or Instagram. In fact, our social skills have fallen so far that we feel as if we can communicate more effectively by way of apps like Snapchat. In no way am I trying to demean the use of these “social” media tools. In fact, they are excellent ways to rekindle friendships lost due to time and space. Personally, they have allowed me to keep up with friends and family that have moved away, or even friends and family that are back home that I cannot see while at seminary. These tools of social media can be excellent resources that bring us together. They can even be great instruments of evangelization. My point is that, by way of our daily social interaction via applications on our phones or social media outlets, we have seemingly lost sight of what it means to truly be social. We have forgotten what it means to interact with real human beings at times. When we forget how to interact with individuals that we can physically see, hear, and touch, how can we ever think that we will ef-fectively engage in our relationship with our all-loving God? One of my brother seminar-ians here at St. Vincent’s said in a homily, “God’s language is silence, and we have forgotten how to speak it.” Very recently I had the opportunity to take some time to go on retreat. I had no expectations other than to take some time to prayerfully reflect and thank God for the gift of my Pastoral Year assignment, for all of the experiences that it afforded me, and to ready myself for an-other year of academics – one which will end with my class being ordained to the diaconate. The retreat provided ample op-portunity for silence. This silence was filled with prayer before the Blessed Sacrament (the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Je-sus Christ) and the contemplation of Sacred Scripture (the Living Word of God).

I had never encountered the Word of God in such a real way before. Sure, we hear readings from Sacred Scripture on a daily basis in Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours, but how often did I truly sit down and allow the Word of God to sit with me and penetrate my heart? St. Jerome is famous for having said, “Ig-norance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” Previously, I was able to remember some passages of Sacred Scripture and have some form of intelligible conversa-tion, but most of my understanding of Scripture mimicked the way I read and understood the things that pop up on my Facebook page. I would read individual passages as disconnected from the others and fail to truly encounter the living person on the other end. I would fail to recognize the beautiful and, at times, simple wisdom contained in the Word. I missed the reality that this Word was truly alive. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God … And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1,14). The Catechism of the Catholic Church speaks about the Christian religion as not being a “religion of the book,” but rather as “the religion of the ‘Word’ of God, a word which is ‘not a written and mute word, but the Word which is incarnate and living’” (CCC #108). When I fail to read Scripture in a way that provides an opportunity to encounter the God who constantly seeks to reach out to me, then I fail to really “read” Scripture; and in failing to “read” Scripture, I fail to encounter God.

God’s Word is alive! The proof is in the reality that I can read the same passage year after year and still receive something altogether new each and every time. Just as I encounter a friend on a regular basis, and yet that encounter changes each time, so too my encounter with God is “ever ancient and ever new” (St. Augustine). God’s familiarity is not meant to deaden our rela-tionship with Him. It is meant to enliven us in a new way each and every day. When we come to Mass and enter the Church, we genu-flect to the Living Presence of God in the most Blessed Sacra-ment reserved in the tabernacle. During the celebration of the Holy Mass, we have a special table – an altar – reserved for the sole purpose of offering the

Connecting with God through

His Word:OuR CHAPEl’S NEW AMbO

by Jonathan Stephanz(III Theology, Diocese of St. Petersburg)

sacrifice of Jesus’ Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Likewise, the Living Word of God has a proper place from which it is proclaimed. This liturgical place is the ambo, or lectern. The Church recommends that, due to its sacred function, the ambo should be unmovable and of “a design wor-thy of its function.” Yet, not until this year did our seminary, a place in which the Scriptures are read multiple times every day, have an ambo that fit this criteria. Thanks to the generosity of the faithful, the seminary was able to purchase and install an ambo that is truly worthy to carry out the function of the proclamation of the Word of God. In the blessing of a new ambo there is a beautiful description of this piece of liturgical “furniture.” The prayer states: “… we have come together to bless this lectern and to begin its sacred use, namely, as the symbol to us all of the table of God’s word that provides the first and necessary nourishment for our Christian life…” (emphasis added). In other words, this ambo is meant to serve as an “altar” of the Word of God, a Word that in its own life transmits new life to its hearers. When we think about conversations, great importance is typically placed upon the location chosen to hold a conversation of grave matter, versus the loca-tion chosen for a friendly get-together. We take time to share the depths of our lives in a private setting (rather than posting it for the whole world to see), so too in our churches there is a place that provides the proper reverence for the message being shared. The ambo is the place where we truly encounter the living Word. The Word of God is alive and well. “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth” (Psalm 119:103). When we hear the words of Sacred Scripture and truly allow them to penetrate our hearts, we will begin to see the life that they possess. If we truly believe that the Word is alive, then it fol-lows that we would desire that proper care be taken to ensure that others have the opportunity to come to this realization. Hence, the majority of our churches, and now our own St. Vincent’s chapel, have an ambo that is truly fit for the worthy proclamation of Jesus Christ, the Word Incarnate.

through the generosity of the palm Beach permanent diaconate candidates, the new marble ambo was added to the sanctuary

of St. Vincent de paul chapel.

Flanked by Dustin Feddon (L) and David Keegan [R), deacon Bryan Garcia proclaims the Gospel from the new ambo. photo / mARtin nGUYen

Jonathan recollects himself before the sacrifce of the mass.photo / DAnieL AnGeL


It is no surprise that the seminary is a place of study. When you are not busy writing a ten page paper on the finer nu-ances of Greek syntax in the Gospel of Mark, then you are most certainly focused on the memori-zation of Canon Law or

properly understanding the redactions of Liturgical texts. It is inter-esting to see how many “early birds” become “night owls” during finals week as light spills through the drawn blinds of many a semi-narian’s room even until the early morning and as “active participa-tion” in 6:45 a.m. Mass becomes a bit more, shall we say, meditative. Yes, studies demand much of those who are in seminary. Amidst these strenuous tasks of academia, one can begin to raise the question: Why bother with all this? Is it really necessary to know these things to be a good priest? Should I put in a sincere ef-fort or just settle for passing the course so that I can get ordained? As one who has been in priestly formation for over five years, I must admit that I have often grappled with these questions seeking to understand and imbue within my own heart the Church’s wis-dom in regards to intellectual formation in seminary. The following article is one of the many fruits I have received from this endeavor. I share it with you now in hopes of enriching your appreciation for the seminary’s academic program, always remembering that the Church asks nothing of her children which lends itself to any-thing less than a deep and fervent love for her spouse, Jesus Christ. With this confidence readily in mind we enter into a discussion of the question: What does intellectual formation have to do with the priesthood and why does the Church hold it as such a priority? The identity of the Catholic priest is most adequately experi-enced and revealed at the altar of sacrifice. It is through the priest’s participation in the Eucharist as both its loving adorer and unworthy presider that he comes to epitomize his vocation to live in the person of Christ, Head and Spouse of the Church. The ministry of priests, therefore, is directed to this sacrifice and finds consummation in it. Thus, it can be rightly asserted that every action of the priest-ly life flows from and tends towards that unadulterated gift of self to the Father made by the Son on Calvary and captured in those fi-nal words from the cross, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit!” (Lk. 23:46). It is the manifestation of this final breath of Christ made fully accessible to us in the Holy Mass which stands as the defining attribute of the priestly character. Put simply, the priest exists to be consumed in the person of Christ crucified so that all those around him may be consumed in the person of Christ resurrected. Anything less is unpriestly.

by Blake Britton (II Theology, Diocese of Orlando)

I once heard it said that “the desk of study is the seminarian’s first al-tar.” This simple, yet pro-found statement beautiful-ly embodies the spirit of priestly identity portrayed in the reflection written above. Furthermore, it sheds light on a crucial dimension of intellectual formation which is often overlooked, namely, that it serves as a disciplining practice meant to augment that sacrificial character which is so essential to the life of a priest. As seminarians we are called to conform ourselves according to the priestly ideal of victimhood. Everything that we do in seminary is meant to forge us in the mold of the pierced heart of Jesus. This carries over into intellectual formation as well. When you say the word “study” within the context of seminary, you are talking about a lot more than passing a test or getting a good GPA. These things pale in comparison to what is actually implied: the salvation of souls!

The Wood of the Deskmeets the Wood of the cross

Through his studies, the seminarian is called to more eagerly en-gender within his own heart the joy of the Resurrected Christ so that he may acclaim with Mary Magdalene, “I have seen the Lord!”(Jn. 20:18). The candidate in formation for priesthood must strive to en-counter and be encountered by the Truth, remembering that Truth is not some stagnant idea he hoards in his mind, but rather a living Person who grasps him by the heart. Truth has a face, a tender gaze that pierces into the depths of our humanity. Truth is Jesus Christ and it is His reaching out to us from the cross that makes tangible those desires for wholeness which all too often fade into darkness among the many concerns of our lives. It is His name and His person for whom the People of God are yearning. The ultimate task of intel-lectual formation, therefore, is “to acquire a personal knowledge of

the Lord Jesus Christ who is the fullness and completion of God’s revelation and the one true Teacher.” As a future priest, it is my duty to give myself un-reservedly to the responsibilities that seminary entails. I do not want to simply “pass” a class to get ordained; I want to be consumed in Truth to sanctify souls. I do not want to be a popular priest who preaches stale platitudes; I want to be a holy priest who shares the sanctifying joy of the Gospel. The treasure trove of the Church’s wisdom and life demands study: the study of Greek syntax in order to en-hance our understanding of God’s word so as to proclaim it more passionately, the study of Canon Law to ensure the just treatment of God’s Church and the study of Li-turgical texts to guarantee the dignified, sacramental en-counter of Christ with His people. There is no academic subject in seminary that is not worthwhile especially for men who are called to remind the world of the fact that it is redeemed and loved by God. Being a good priest does not begin at my first par-ish assignment after ordination. It begins now with every book I read, every class I attend, and every test I take. It is now that I am called to offer my life for each of you at the desk of study so that one day I may authentically lay down my life for you at the altar of sacrifice.

“Through his studies...the candidate in formation for priesthood must

strive to encounter and be encountered by the Truth,

remembering that Truth is not some stagnant idea he hoards in his mind,

but rather a living Person who grasps him by the heart.”

St. Bonaventure shows St. thomas Aquinas his desk.

While in the Library, Blake fnishes reading his assignments. photoS / mARtin nGUYen

the Seminary’s academic mace on display during the opening academic exercises. An ancient symbol of authority, the mace reminds us of the Seminary’s authority to hand on the wisdom of the church.

�0 FALL 2014 | St. Vincent de PAuL RegionAL SeminARy SEEDSOFHOPE�0 FALL 2014 | St. Vincent de PAuL RegionAL SeminARy SEEDSOFHOPE SEEDSOFHOPE St. Vincent de PAuL RegionAL SeminARy | FALL 2014 �1

The loyalty and love that our benefactors feel for St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary was quite apparent at the annual Friends of the Seminary benefit on Friday, September 26. More than 260 guests joined our seminarians and faculty for an evening filled with spirit and community. The evening began in St. Vincent’s Chapel where Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami, celebrated Mass along with the Bishops of the Province. After Mass, the St. Vincent de Paul Award was pre-sented to Bishop Victor Galeone, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of St. Augustine, and Sr. Carmella DeCosty, SNJM from the Diocese of Venice. Bishop Galeone served as a pastor in Baltimore, missionary in Peru, and for eleven years the shepherd of St. Augustine; he has lived his life in imitation of St. Vincent de Paul, always caring for those in most need. Sr. Carmella was recognized for her generous witness to Christ as an educator, mentor and an encourager of priests and seminarians throughout her life as a consecrated religious. Following the awards, the sold-out crowd enjoyed a cocktail re-ception and formal dinner. Msgr. Toups expressed gratitude to the sponsors of this year’s event; among them, Mrs. Catherine “Sis” Murphy, a friend of the seminary for more than 30 years. Chair-persons Ralph and Eris Arza, from the Diocese of Palm Beach, were recognized for their commitment to the seminary and the success of this year’s Friends. “Eris and I were very humbled when Msgr. Toups asked us to chair the event,” noted Ralph, “Friends of the Seminary is a celebration of the incredible gift of St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary; it is a celebration of God’s love, God’s Mercy and His ever abounding grace.” One person commented to the Rector, “Tonight has been like a shot in the arm of faith!” Thus we have achieved what we set out to accomplish.

Friends of theSeminary bREAkS ATTENDANCE RECORD FOR 2ND YEAR

by Daniella Coy(Director of Development and Public Relations)

Dedication Of New Dormitories Each year we honor friends and supporters at our Annual Donor Mass and Brunch. This year we extend a special invitation to our donors to attend the

blessing and dedication of our new dormitories followed by a Donor Mass and Recep-tion. Join the seminary com-munity on Sunday Decem-ber 7, 2014, at 5:30pm (note the time change this year) as Archbishop Wenski and the Bishops of the State of Florida dedicate our beau-tiful new dorms and cel-ebrate the Mass of the Sec-ond Sunday of Advent.

FAmiLY WeeKenD photoS / mARtin nGUYen

FRienDS photoS / tom tRAcY

photoS / tom tRAcY

�� FALL 2014 | St. Vincent de PAuL RegionAL SeminARy SEEDSOFHOPE

St. Vincent de paul Regional Seminary10701 S. military trailBoynton Beach, FL 33436

If you are interested in honoring a friend or loved one with a gift of prayer,

St. Vincent’s Seminary has a mass card program.

Your intention will be prayed for at one of the daily

masses at the Seminary.

St. Vincent’s Mass Card p r o g r a m

To order a mass card online go to www.svdp.edu(ways to support SVdP) or call barbara at (561) 732-4424

honoring a friend, loved one,

or one of thefaithful departed.

& Drinks Live & Si- lent Auc-

Italian & Irish Entertainment, Food & Drinks Live & Silent Auctions

Celebrate the Feasts of St. Joseph & St. Patrick Thursday, March 19, 2015

6:00 - 9:00 PM ~ $50 per person An Outdoor, Casual Event

on the campus of St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary

To Purchase Tickets go to: www.svdp.edu or call 561 732-4424

the Rome expeRience - TrustedPartnercdn.trustedpartner.com/docs/library/StVincentDePaul2015/Seeds of... · Issue xI FALL 2014 the Rome expeRience photo by Jan cairnes ... English

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