Rector's Ruminations, November 4, 2021

 

Rector’s Ruminations November 4, 2021 Dear Seminary Community, Greetings from the Mount! So much has been happening on Mary’s Mountain that I just don’t know if there is enough room in an email to write about it. Seminarians did several exciting things during their Fall Break (October 2-10). Some went camping, others joined Msgr. Heintz and me in the Diocese of Ogdensburg, NY, for the diaconate ordination of Leagon Carlin and his father (to the permanent diaconate). Seminarians John Winslow and John Brusa had the opportunity to join Bishop Reed, Auxiliary Bishop of Boston, on the CatholicTV Network speaking about Blessed Carlos Acutis.  A group of seminarians spent the first days of their fall break on the Evangelization Mission Trip. It was held at West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV, with the very able guidance of two Mount grads, Fr. Brian Crenwelge and Fr. Phillip Szabo, who are the pastor and parochial vicar respectively at the local parish and center for campus ministry. Our seminarians carried out “street evangelization” by engaging with students on campus in conversations about faith. There were many grace-filled encounters which culminated with a Eucharistic procession on campus. Between October 11 and 13 Bishop Louis Tylka, coadjutor Bishop of Peoria, made his second visit to the Seminary. He celebrated Mass for the entire Seminary community. Since the Bishop Jenky baseball game between the Diocese of Peoria and the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend was such a “hit” last year, it has become a classic and a tradition. The 2nd Annual Bishop Jenky Classic was played on October 12. Bishop Tylka threw out the first pitch (a strike) and his Peoria men went on to win the game. Following Bishop Tylka’s visit, we were blessed with a visit from Archbishop William Lori, S’77, Archbishop of Baltimore. He had the opportunity to visit with each of his seminarians and then we were honored to have him celebrate Mass that afternoon. Family Weekend was October 22-24. We had 140 family members and 50 seminarians participate in the events. It was wonderful to see so many parents and family members in person this year. Parents and family members had the opportunity to hear from formators about the formation process and the daily life of the seminarians. If you would like to see some of the images from the weekend, thanks to seminarian Michael Pray, we have a slideshow. Just click here: 2021 Seminary Family Weekend Slideshow - Large 540p.mov We had two big house socials in the past month. One to celebrate Columbus Day and another called “Oktoberfest.” Our lives at the Mount are filled with much prayer and study but we also need time to relax and enjoy each other’s company.  On October 28 we welcomed Fr. Gene Ritz, chancellor of the great Diocese of Allentown (I’m from Allentown so that’s why I say “great”) and co-postulator of the cause of canonization of the Servant of God, Fr. Walter Ciszek, SJ. Fr. Ciszek spent 15 years in confinement and hard labor in Russia as he simultaneously ministered clandestinely to the faithful. He was finally able to return to the United States in 1963. He is the author of “With God in Russia” and “He Leadeth Me,” both of which provide a powerful witness to his work in Russia and the power of God’s grace. Fr. Ritz provided some moving insights into Fr. Ciszek’s heroic life and work in Russia. He is an inspiration to all, especially to seminarians. We are looking forward to November 18-19. Bishop Stephen Parkes of the Diocese of Savannah, GA, will lead us in a day of recollection and then be the main celebrant of the Mass of Candidacy. Candidacy will be given to the seminarians in First Theology, and it is considered to be the indication that a seminarian has finished the Discipleship Stage (Pre-theology or College Seminary) and that his bishop accepts him as a candidate for Holy Orders as he enters into the Stage of Theological Studies or the Configuration Stage of formation. Finally, the Mount is planning for a special conference in January. The new universal guidelines for priestly formation (called the Ratio Fundamentalis) calls for a Propaedeutic (meaning “preparatory”) Stage of formation. This stage will take place before a seminarian would enter Pre-theology. We are planning a Roundtable at the Mount bringing together our partner vocation directors and others to discuss, exchange ideas, and begin thinking more deeply about this stage of formation. It will take place January 17-18, 2022. Please pray for its success. May Our Lady, Queen of the Mount, continue to watch over our Seminary community.  In Christ, Msgr. Andrew Baker Rector

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