1 PRIESTS FOR TOMORROW SPRING 2020

Covid-19: A Prayer of Solidarity For all who have contracted coronavirus, We pray for care and healing. For those who are particularly vulnerable, We pray for safety and protection. For all who experience fear or anxiety, We pray for peace of mind and spirit. For affected families who are facing difficult decisions between food on the table or public safety, We pray for policies that recognize their plight. For those who do not have adequate health insurance, We pray that no family will face financial burdens alone. For those who are afraid to access care due to immigration status, We pray for recognition of the God-given dignity of all. For our brothers and sisters around the world, We pray for shared solidarity. For public officials and decision makers, We pray for wisdom and guidance. Father, during this time may your Church be a sign of hope, comfort and love to all. Grant peace. Grant comfort. Grant healing. Be with us, Lord. Amen.

Diocese of La Crosse 3710 East Avenue South | La Crosse, WI 54602-4004 Phone: 608-791-2667 | diolc.org/vocations 2

Every Sunday evening, priests, Lord says to me, “Alan, no need deacons, religious and many to fear the plague that prowls lay people join in praying Night in the darkness, for I am with Prayer from the Liturgy of the you.” And, “Trust that upon you Hours, also known as the no evil will fall, and no plague breviary. Sunday Night Prayer approach where you dwell, for has, as part of the prayer, a my angels are watching over recitation of Psalm 90. I am you.” I do not know if I will struck by a couple of lines in the get the Covid-19 Virus (maybe psalm that are so apropos to us I already did and had no at this time in history: symptoms?), or what it will do to Father Alan Wierzba “You will not fear the terror me if I do catch it. Regardless, Director of the Office for Vocations of the night, … nor the plague God knows, and God is with that prowls in the darkness… each of us. Now is simply a For the Lord is your shelter time for patient trust – to take “You will not fear the terror and refuge; upon you no evil responsible precautions – but shall fall, no plague approach to trust that Jesus is with us, of the night, … nor the where you dwell, for you has he and that nothing, certainly no commanded his angels to keep plague that prowls in the virus, is more powerful than His you in all your ways.” love or the power of His cross darkness…For the Lord is I, as so many of you, feel and Resurrection. Through periods of worry, fear, and the power, compassion, and your shelter and refuge; uncertainty of what the future authority of our Lord, we will upon you no evil shall fall, holds for me, for our Church, overcome this just as He and for our country. I watch overcame death itself. no plague approach where the news and feel discouraged Thank you for your support by unemployment numbers. of our priests for tomorrow. you dwell, for you has he I see the footage of people Please keep them and your commanded his angels to on ventilators in New York priests and deacons and hospitals struggling to breath religious in your prayers. Pray keep you in all your ways.” and I get scared thinking, “What for the health and safety of all will happen to me if I get it?” I who are working with Covid-19 get anxious at the grocery store patients, for the researchers when someone gets “too close” and scientists to find a vaccine. to me, or when I touch a public May God’s angels keep you and doorknob. My heart breaks at your loved ones safe and well; MARK YOUR CALENDARS the long lines for food and as I may we soon have an end to May 2, 2021 pray for those who succumb to this pandemic and the suffering Diaconate Ordination the effects of the virus. It is a it is causing our world. And may reminder of how fragile we are we find strengthen in our faith June 26, 2021 and how much we need faith. that the Lord is our shelter and Priestly Ordination These are difficult days, but refuge, now and forever. Amen. these are also times when the words of Psalm 90 resonate so — Rev. Alan Wierzba strongly, and comfort me the Director of the Office most as I pray with them. The for Vocations 3 How has the pandemic affected you?

My experience of the Coronavirus She said, “God does not want to take good things outbreak has occurred in three away from you, and if he takes, it is only to give you stages: the initial outbreak in Ita- so much more.” Obviously, I cannot wait to go back ly, the two-week quarantine upon to , or receive a parish assignment here in our returning to America, and then diocese, but it would be wrong to only long for those the statewide stay-at-home order things without thanking God also for the good things that started right as I left quaran- he has given me in the meantime. tine. Each has come with its own — Isaac Pecha graces, which I share below. In late February, a few towns For us seminarians who study in the north of were put on lockdown, but in Rome, it was very unexpected Rome continued as normal. I even remember telling to be called back to the U.S. by a classmate on March 4th, “I don’t think classes will our bishop. We found out that we be cancelled unless someone in the university gets were coming home around din- sick.” The next day, the government announced that ner time and were at the airport they were suspending all school activities. Then on about 12 hours later. This, for March 9th, the lockdown was extended to the whole me, was a simple lesson in obedi- country. We were called back to America, with a ence. There is a necessity for fast flight out in 11 hours. I said my goodbyes, packed a acting obedience in the priest- single suitcase, and we left Rome. An hour after we hood. Like the Apostle Andrew who dropped his nets landed on the 11th, the U.S. suspended travel from and instantly followed Christ, so too the priest needs Europe. During this stage, my biggest graces were to be ready to take a new parish assignment at a call the clear reminder of how little we are in control of from the bishop. Formation never stops! Even when things, and having a bishop who acted so wisely as we can’t be in a seminary. to call us home when he did. — Eric Mashak When we got back to America, the four of us La Crosse seminarians had to quarantine together for Greetings, brothers and sisters in two weeks before we could go to our families. In the Christ. I pray that everyone is do- unused rectory where we stayed, we established an ing well and is staying healthy. If horarium and continued to pray, study, and enjoy you or your family or your friends fraternal time as usual. There was a sliding glass have been deeply affected by the door, and on Sundays a nearby priest would say Coronavirus, please know that on the porch outside (with us safely con- they are being prayed for in a tained in the house). This was the greatest grace special way. of the personal quarantine—a concrete reminder of Like other places, St. Francis how lucky we are to have the sacraments, and the de Sales Seminary had to ad- lengths to which priests will go to bring them to us. just to the Coronavirus situation. After finishing our The day before our release from personal quar- spring break, we had classes the week of March 9th. antine, Governor Evers issued the statewide stay-at- On Friday, March 13th, around 11 a.m., we received home order, so as soon as the health department an email stating that the plan was to continue with cleared us to leave, we all went straight back to classes on the following Monday. Later that evening our families. Since then, I have been at home, still around suppertime, all that changed when emails taking classes online, spending time with my family. were sent about going to online classes until Easter Having little to do besides pray, study, and hang out and that formation would be suspended for a couple with my family members has been a great grace. of weeks. Seminarians would be allowed to St. Fran- I am reminded of the words of one of my favorite cis Seminary under quarantine during that time if holy women, Servant of God Chiara Corbella Petrillo. they so wished. For the seminarians of the Diocese 4

of La Crosse, we received an email after supper scattered success and have found time to pray stating that we were to go home as soon as pos- each day. With the rest of my time, my family has sible. I have been home since March 14th. played various board and card games. This time Since then, classes will be conducted online has definitely been one bringing my family closer through the end of the semester, and seminar- together. ians are to remain where they currently are until — Jared Clements St. Francis Seminary tells us otherwise. At home, I have found balance in completing my school- For me the quarantine has work while maintaining prayer times and other been a trying time in not healthy habits (e.g., eating well, exercise, and having the Mass and not being leisure activities). I have been catching up on able to do ministry. The very some good movies and enjoying home-cooked two things I enjoy the most. meals with my parents. Further, I help out around But also it has been a time of the house. Other than that, my life is somewhat learning to trust and to grow uneventful and routine, and there is a peace deeper in Faith. Understanding with that. The stress and pressure of a normal that even with doing “nothing” seminary life, which does give me life, have been I can still enjoy the fruits of removed, and I have a more comfortable position what it means to be Catholic and a member of the to reflect on the good that God has given me dur- Body of Christ. The fruits, being of course, striving ing my time as a seminarian. God has given me for holiness and becoming a Saint. good gifts during this time of trial and tribulation. — Brian Ward I would like to conclude by asking everyone to continue to keep faith. Although this is a difficult After the shutdown of every- time for everyone, let it bring forth good fruit that thing, I went home, and now can only be achieved by uniting oneself to the I am helping my parents with will of God. Trust God, and He will do good things chores around the house. It is for you (in ways that you may not expect). While quite amazing how many proj- we brave this storm, let us pray for one another. I ects one can find. Every day I will continue to pray for the families of the par- try to call someone I have not ish, and I ask you to pray for my family and for talked to in a long time, and my brother seminarians. May the merits of Jesus’ the Lord has given much fruit Passion enliven our faith during this . from it. — Matthew Bowe — God bless, Steven Weller

Coming home was a crazy I have had good silent time for time. Going from the chaos prayer, and the Lord is meeting of Rome to a two week Quar- me where I am. It saddens me antine in a Rectory where I not to be able to see people was incarcerated with 3 good face-to-face very often, and it friends to being at my home was difficult to leave people filled beyond capacity until in La Crosse during Regency. I further notice. It has been miss socializing more, but am both a blessed and crazy developing a good routine here time. My family has bonded at home. in this once in a lifetime opportunity in incred- — Philip Grygleski ible ways. While being at home, I have attempted to continue my full time school schedule with 5 Meet the New Seminarian Hello, I am Maxwell Turzinski. I grew up mainly in Almond, Wisconsin with my parents and younger sister. Almond is a small town in the Stevens Point area. Going up through middle and high school, I enjoyed playing baseball. I was mainly an outfielder and a second baseman, though I did get some pitching in during my junior and senior years of high school. In my spare time I enjoy learning piano and watching car races at the local speedways and on TV. Since I was in 4th or 5th grade, I have been an altar server at the St. Maximilian Kolbe parish. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to serve Mass with many priests throughout the years, and they have been the biggest influences in my life. I recently completed the Journey Program at the Diocesan Center of La Crosse. I am looking forward to the studies and continuing formation as I go through my first year in seminary.

The biggest impact for me has Besides, not being currently in been the lack of access to the seminary, being quarantined the Sacraments for everyone. has allowed me to spend more Though we cannot receive Christ time with my family. I have been Sacramentally, this has been a especially enjoying playing with great opportunity to trust in the my niece (3yrs old) and nephew Lord’s grace outside the Sacra- (2 yrs old). Besides continuing ments. It has also given my doing my school work online this family an opportunity to increase time of isolation has been fruit- devotion in the domestic house- ful as it has allowed me to have hold with , Chaplets of Divine Mercy, and a deeper appreciation for my vocation. I have been the like. We have been blessed with these devo- able to spend a lot more time in prayer and reaching tions to the Blessed Virgin and Christ’s Mercy that, out (via phone and online) to friends and relatives although they don’t replace the Eucharist, can help and provide spiritual support as they continue to sustain our faith in this tumultuous time. endure the different difficulties they face in their — David Nowicki lives during this time. — Arturo Vigueras Quarantine has made me real- ize how much I appreciate being The Covid-19 changes came about quickly for all of able to spend time with people! us, myself included. Being called out of seminary This is something I took for formation for an indefinite amount of time I have granted before and am looking found to be both challenging and, at the same time, forward to once all of this is over. has opened new horizons not available in formation. — Peace, Deacon Sam McCarty With daily Mass or a morning holy hour in front 6

of the blessed sacrament no theology studies, shut down longer an option, the proverb, and required me to move “Distance makes a heart back to the diocese. Since grow fonder” takes on new then I have been residing and meaning. Distance from the assisting at Notre Dame Par- presence of Our Lord in the ish in Chippewa Falls with Fr. Eucharist has increased my Jesse Burish. This has been a desire to be in the presence quicker transition from semi- of the Eucharist as well as my nary into parish life than I was understanding of the great expecting, but the Lord uses gift which we receive so complacently. these things for our greater good. I have enjoyed On the onset, this distance could easily be my time in the parish although it is very different devastating, but I have also found by entering with the restrictions on gathering for Mass. I have into the liturgy of the hours faithfully and fre- been completing my seminary classes online quently, spiritual reading, and devotional prac- and have been finding creative ways to serve tices (such as the ), while not making up the people of the parish while I am here. Please for the absence of Mass, have deepened my pray for me and my classmates as we approach relationship with the Lord in a new dimension. ordination. Know of my prayers for an end to this The Liturgy of the Hours is a public work for the pandemic so that we may all again join together people by the people, and while said in homes for Mass. “privately” across the world, the unifying nature — Deacon Daniel Williams of the prayer has become much more apparent. Finally, the webcasts of Sunday Mass with This close to ordination, it’s Bishop Callahan have allowed myself and others been a peculiar few weeks. to clearly see the unity of the church of LaCrosse. Halfway through March, What a wonderful opportunity we have during Mundelein called the whole this time to “attend” Mass each weekend with university in for a big meet- our bishop and hear a unifying homily from the ing, where they told us the pastor of church of LaCrosse. campus was closing down God’s blessings be with everyone during this for the year. A week later I difficult time. May you come to find a deepening was moving into St. Pat’s in of relationship with Our Lord Jesus Christ in this Onalaska, and this has been time as I have so we are ready to be united more home-base ever since! I’ve been splitting my time fully that before once our churches open once since then pretty evenly between the parish and more! classwork online. What’s been most strange for — Joseph Glatczak me is hearing from young families how difficult they’re finding it to keep building themselves up The on-going Coronavirus pandemic has affected as a domestic church while waiting to be able to many of our lives in ways we never expected it come back to the sacraments again. The whole to. Early on in the midst of the lockdown that experience has been resonating with me as one has taken over our state and nation, St. Francis extended Holy Saturday, an occasion for deeper de Sales Seminary, where I was completing my prayer into the Lord’s passion and resurrection. — Deacon Joseph Richards 7

Currently, I am back on the farm COVID-19 threw seminary for a chasing cows and doing semi- bit of a loop, like it has with most nary online. It was a big jump things. A few weeks back classes to have to return suddenly from switched to an online platform, Rome, but now I have settled and I was assigned to St. Mary’s into the new schedule here. parish in Altoona, WI. The change Everyone was very helpful in had its challenges early on, but the transition and in setting up now that I’m established things the two week quarantine at the have been going quite excellently. “bunker”. I am looking forward The lighter schedule has given to continue preparing for my diaconate ordination. me a greater opportunity for prayer and reflection — Timothy Reither leading up to ordination this summer. — In Christ, Deacon Levi Schmitt The coronavirus has affected me just as it has a lot of other Quarantine has brought some people, especially college challenges but it also has brought students. I had to quit my job, with it some blessings. Some move back home, and basically challenges that I have faced is be at home all the time. It’s not adjusting to online classes, not too bad, and my parents’ work being able to receive the Eucha- has continued so they weren’t rist daily, and just the brother- hit too hard by this thing. hood environment the seminary — John Duranso provided. There were a lot of changes in our “normal” routine With the COVID-19 quarantine, in such a short period of time. Although there has homeschooling 2.0 has started! been challenges, it’s been a blessing to be able to (I was homeschooled before spend some quality time with my parents and broth- entering seminary). I do miss ers. With the business of daily life it can be difficult being with my professors and to find time to spend that quality time with family. classmates, but I have been able I’ve also been able to play some golf so I can’t com- to connect with many of them plain to much about the current situation. But in all online. The online school plat- seriousness, please stay safe, stay strong, and God form has allowed me to spend bless. more time reading, fishing, and — Alex Kren occasionally helping with my family’s business (Gilbert Creek Woodworks). It has also been great to spend time with the family, and the quarantine almost feels like an extended spring break. — Thanks, John Zweber 8

We encourage you to write to our seminarians as a way of showing your support and prayers throughout the school year using the addresses provided below.

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES SEMINARY 3257 South Lake Drive | St. Francis, WI 53235 Happy Birthday PONTIFICAL NORTH AMERICAN COLLEGE Via del Gianicolo, 14 | Rome, Italy 00165 May 3 Steven Weller May 15 Brian Ward MUNDELEIN SEMINARY June 5 Deacon Levi Schmitt 1000 East Maple Avenue | Mundelein, IL 60060 June 7 Conner Franz July 26 Deacon Daniel Williams IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY SEMINARY 750 Terrace Heights | Winona, MN 55987 Check out our website! Diocese of La Crosse 3710 East Avenue South | La Crosse, WI 54602-4004 Phone: 608-791-2667 | diolc.org/vocations