“...He transformed the cross from a symbol of torture and suffering to a symbol of hope From the Students of St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary and love. ...” Boynton Beach, FL page 8 Issue VIII Fall/Winter 2013

The Hidden Life of Jesus Today Alexander Rivera & Daniel Daza-Jaller Wor ld youth day John Sollee 50th Anniversary Archbishop Viganò, Apostolic Nuncio Approach to Friendship Michael Garcia & Bryan Garcia The Journey to Priesthood Rev. Tim Holeda & Mr. Josh Swallows

Seminarians get ready to serve the 50th Anniversary Mass of St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary with Alumni in the background pages 16 - 19 p. 9-11 alumni profiles Msgr. James Fetscher El Padre Jorge Perales STAFF Msgr. David Toups Diocese of St. Petersburg Rector Fr. Remek Blaszkowski Diocese of St. Augsutine Dean of Human Formation/ Vice Rector Msgr. Michael Muhr Diocese of St. Petersysburg Administrative Moderator Daniella Coy Development Office

E d i t o r s Rev. Mr. Matthew Busch Diocese of Pensacola-Talahassee IV Theology Rev. Mr. Bryan Hotlz Diocese of St. Augustine IV Theology Mr. Christoper Dorsey Diocese of Orlando – III Theology Mr. Fernando Chang p.12-13 Diocese of St. Augustine – I Theology W r i t e r s Rev. Mr. Bryan Fabiszewki Diocese of St. Augustine – IV Theology Rev. Mr. Matias Hualpa Archdiocese of Miami – IV Theology Rev. Mr. Ivan Rodriguez Archdiocese of Miami – Neocatechumenal Way Mr. Stephen “Chuck” Dornquast Diocese of St. Petersburg – III Theology What We p.14-15 Really Encountered WYD Rio 2013

 FALL 2013 SEEDS OF HOPE Mr. Alexander Rivera Archdiocese of Miami – II Theology Mr. Blake Britton Diocese of Orlando – I Theology Mr. Daniel Daza-Jaller CONTENTS Issue VIII Fall 2013 Diocese of Plam Beach – I Theology Mr. John Sollee Diocese of St. Augsutine – I Theology Editorial Reflections From The Rector / p. 5 Judy Johnson Graphic Designer / p. 6 Mr. John Sollee New Bronze Crucifix Blake Britton Diocese of St. Augustine – I Theology Managing Editor Mr. Lawrence Peck Reflection on THE Crucifix / p. 8 Diocese of St. Augustine – III Theology Rev. Mr. Brian Fabiszewski Editor in Chief / p. 9 Visit our Website The Hidden Life of Jesus Today Alexander Rivera www.svdp.edu Daniel Daza-Jaller Like us on Facebook! Search “St. Vincent de Paul Lectors/Acolytes Regional Seminary” Alumni Profile / p. 12 Mass Rev. Mr. Matias Hualpa Questions or Comments can be directed to: [email protected] World youth day | Rio 2013 / p. 14 John Sollee

Caminando con el Señor / p. 15 Rev. Mr. Ivan Rodriguez and Lucio Rogel

50th Anniversary Remarks / p. 16 Archbishop Viganò – Apostolic Nuncio

Approach to Friendship / p. 20 Michael Garcia & Bryan Garcia The Institution of Lectors and Acolytes / p. 23 Bishop Gregory J. Hartmayer

gory J. Ut Unum Sint: That They Be One / p. 24 Bishop Gre Hartmayer Que Sean Uno / p. 25 Steven “Chuck” Dornquast p. 23 The Journey to Priesthood / p. 26

ght Rev. Tim Holeda i CrawfordII Theology, Bennett diocese of Venice Mr. Josh Swallows t to r t f ElixavierII Theology Castrodiocese of St. Petersburg development / p. 30 JohnI Theology, Sollee diocese of St. Augustine er v ans - back le i ChristopherIII Theology, Di oceseDorsey of Orlando nar

mi Wisman Simeon se on theon co I Theology, Diocese of Palm Beach

 FALL 2013 SEEDS OF HOPE SEEDS OF HOPE FALL 2013  Can’t stop thinking maybe you are being called to be a priest? Have you Do you feel the Lord tugging at your heart to serve the people of God through the ministerial priesthood of Jesus Christ?

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

Are you willing to answer that call? the Order of Contact Your Local Vocation Director Jesus Christ?

Archdiocese Diocese of of Miami St. Petersburg Vocation Director: Vocation Director: Fr. David Zirilli Fr. Carl Melchior [email protected] [email protected] (305) 762-1136 (727) 345-3452

Diocese of Orlando Diocese of Venice Vocation Director: Vocation Director: Fr. Jorge Torres Fr. Cory Mayer [email protected] [email protected] (407) 246-4875 (941) 484-9543

Diocese Diocese of of Palm Beach St. Augustine Vocation Director: Vocation Director: Fr. Tom Lafreniere Fr. David Ruchinski [email protected] [email protected] (561) 775-9552 (904) 262-3200, ext. 101

Diocese of Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee Savannah Vocation Director: Vocation Director: Rev. Will Ganci Fr. Mark Van Alstine [email protected] [email protected] (850) 243-3742 (706) 871-4463

 FALL 2013 SEEDS OF HOPE EDITORIAL

REFLECTIONS FROM THE RECTOR

Dear Friends of the Seminary,

I recently heard a very apropos acronym for the largest number of alumni gathered in our history, and all of word HOPE, especially in light of our mission at the the seminarians in the Florida; the Day of reflection by Presi- dent James Towey of Ave Maria University; Cardinal Edwin – Helping Others Prepare for Eternity. seminary: HOPE O’Brien’s visit from Rome and his presentation on Pope Fran- Isn’t that exactly the reason for which we train our priests? cis; a renovated community center; and the beginning of con- The priestly vocation is one of standing with people in the struction on two new dorms – and we are only just finishing moments of their lives when they most need hope: praying at the first quarter! In this edition, you will also read about the the bedside of the dying and bringing comfort to the grieving summer adventures of our seminarians and the installation family; baptizing children in the waters of Eternity; feeding of first and second theologians as Lectors and Acolytes at the the spiritually hungry with the Medicine of Immortality; rec- hands of Bishop Gregory Hartmayer of Savannah. onciling and healing lost sheep to help them get to Heaven. Please know of my gratitude for your support of our sem- These great sacramental moments bring hope for Eternal inary both spiritually and financially. Indeed, we are seeing Life, as do the many moments of silent priestly presence in miracles occur in the lives of our men and in the continued the lives of the faithful. growth of our seminary. The toast at the 50th Anniversary Hope is the very reason our students produce this won- reception by Msgr. James Fetscher of our first graduating derful magazine. The seminarians want to give you hope class reminded us that everything we do is about Jesus “who in the future of our Church, hope for your own future, and is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Jesus is the rea- hope through the witness of their vocational response to the son for our hope – may each of us stay deeply rooted in Him! Lord. This Golden Jubilee Year of our seminary has been I am, one celebration of hope after the other: the experience of continued growth in our number of seminarians in the State Sincerely yours in Christ, of Florida; the Patronal Feast celebrated with the seven bish- ops of Florida, the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Viganò, the Monsignor David L. Toups

 FALL 2013 SEEDS OF HOPE SEEDS OF HOPE FALL 2013  New Bronze Crucifix in St. Vincent de Paul Chapel

It is, perhaps, one of the most prominent additions made to our sem- inary campus since its conception some fifty years ago: a solid bronze crucifix majestically suspended above the sanctuary of St. Vincent de Paul Chapel. Weighing in at over 1000 pounds and standing more than nine feet tall, this depiction of Christ’s passion from the cross is not only a stunning piece of art, it is a sacramental reminder and stark testament of the seminary’s mission to form men who live the Gospel of salvation by “preaching Christ crucified” (1 Cor. 1:23). The fact that this beautiful crucifix now hangs in our chapel is the fruit of 15 years’ worth of discussion and prayer among the board of trustees and seminary faculty. Many opinions and varying ideas were brought to the table throughout the dialogue, but it was the discovery of a conceptual illustration of the original chapel that brought the con- versation to a head. The concept art had many similarities to the current chapel structure. However, there was one obvious variance. In the illus- tration which captured the original intent of the chapel architect, there was a crucifix hanging in the main sanctuary, a detail that had been noticeably absent in the current chapel for some 50 years. This revela- tion helped guarantee the final approval of the board of trustees who no longer saw the crucifix as an addition to the chapel structure, but rather a completion of its original design. After getting the “green light” to move on with the project as well as receiving the financial support of a donor, the seminary was tasked with commissioning an artist to design the cross and corpus (body). This opportunity was offered to Sheryl Moran of Minneapolis, Minne- sota. This talented artist would spend the next three months of her life designing and sculpting the crucifix which now hangs in St. Vincent de Paul chapel. For Mrs. Moran, the work was truly an act of prayer and an opportunity for her to grow in her own relationship with Jesus Christ. “I remember when I was adding the different details of our Lord’s suf- fering to the sculpture” said Mrs. Moran. “I honestly had a difficult time putting the scourge marks on the corpus’ back. Every time I would add a scar, I was reminded that Jesus did this for me.” When asked what the crucifix means for her own spirituality, Mrs. Moran gently replied, “I always have to remember that what makes this depiction of our Lord’s passion beautiful is love and only love.”

 FALL 2013 Photo courtesySEEDS of S OFcott HOPEFisher by Blake Britton I Theology (Orlando)

Artistically, the crucifix has several notable features all of which pos- sess a certain theological significance. The first and most touching of these features is that, unlike other crucifixes which portray Jesus after His death, the crucifix in the seminary chapel depicts our Lord alive amidst the suffering of the cross, His head raised and looking up to Heaven so as to cry out to the Father, “Abba!” This moving representation invites the viewer to participate in those precious moments of Christ’s last breath, to enter into that intimate dialogue He shared with His Father before “hand- ing over His spirit” (John 19:30). If one were to take a close look at the positioning of Christ’s hands, they would notice the right hand is positioned in the manner of a traditional priestly blessing, the thumb, ring and pinky fingers touching to symbolize the Trinity and the middle finger coupled with the index to represent the dual but united nature of Christ as fully human and fully divine. The Lord’s left hand is held wide open almost as if to embrace those souls for whom He is suffering. There are scars and scourge marks covering the body of Christ bring- ing to mind the words of the prophet Isaiah: “Upon Him was the chastise- ments that makes us whole, by His stripes we were healed” (Is. 53:5) St. Peter asserts the fulfillment of this prophecy when he proclaims that Christ, “Himself bore our sins in His body upon the cross” (1 Pt. 2:24). Even the fact that the crucifix is made of bronze is quite significant, alluding to the Book of Numbers, when Moses constructed the bronze serpent on a pole and “anyone who looked upon it was healed” (Num. 21: 4-9). For, “just as Moses lifted up the bronze snake in the desert, the Son of Man shall be lifted up” (John 3:14). Christ is the new source of hope and healing. All who look upon Him are healed from their sinfulness and given hope for their salvation. In the end, the crucifix is most importantly a model of the sacrificial love to which each seminarian is called as a man discerning the priesthood of Jesus Christ. It serves as a daily reminder of that vocation which beck- ons a man to offer up every aspect of his being for the sake of God’s People and the salvation of souls. In the words of Msgr. David Toups, “This image of Christ stands as an icon for all of the priests and seminarians, of how we are to be men laying down our lives while remaining in constant dialogue with the Father.” This is the priesthood and what a gift it is to live from the cross of Christ Jesus the Lord!

 FALL 2013 SEEDS OF HOPE SEEDS OF HOPE FALL 2013  Reflection on THE Crucifix

by Rev. Mr. Brian Fabiszewski IV Theology (St. Petersburg)

What do I see when I see the crucifix? I see a beautiful piece of sacred art with a window to transformation, hope, and love. Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross transformed the cross from a symbol of torture and suffering to a symbol of hope and love. At the time of Christ, the cross was something to be avoided and feared, not embraced. We can take for granted the image of the crucifix and diminish it to just a piece of art that we wear around our neck or hang on the rear view mirror of our car. It would have been unthinkable at the time of Jesus to place this image around your neck. Jesus transformed it into a window of how to live our lives as authentic followers of Christ. Jesus tells us in order to follow him on a path to eternal salvation a person “must deny himself and take up his cross daily.” What does Jesus mean by this? Often we hear that taking up our cross is simply bearing some struggle or pain. We may see it as just putting up with a pain and suffering in the same way Christ suffered. But it is much deeper than that. The cross is a sign of selfless love. It points to the total self-giving that Jesus offered for all of us. In his act of sacrificial love each of us receives a chance at eternal life. John Paul II says that taking up your Cross “means to be united with him in offering the greatest proof of love.” This is sacrifice and requires a person to deny oneself. To deny ourselves is to give up our plans, which are often focused on us. We give up our plans for Christ’s plan and follow his path: a path of sacrificial love directed to another. The ultimate other is God. Following Jesus as his dis- ciple means that we respond to him out of obedience not compliance. We follow the example of Jesus’ sacrificial obedience on the cross. This obedience might appear as a burden or difficult because of the way our modern world sees obe- dience. Obedience has a negative connotation in our present culture. It brings about images of a superior who says “just do it” or “keep in line.” This is not real obedience this is compliance. Compliance is just doing what you are told. Doing things out of compliance can lead to anger or resentment. The term “obedience” comes from the Latin obedire which literally means to “listen to,” or “hear.” To be obedient is to hear what you are being asked and openly following what is being asked. When I am obedient I am fully engaged in my heart with what I am asked to do. I obey because I truly hear and respond to God’s call in my life. When we look at the cross that Christ bore out of love, we see that he was all in for us. He gives the same opportunity to each of us to do the same for him. His love we receive in return is a great gift. We just have to be willing to receive it. What do I see when I see the cross? I see a window showing me the way I need to transform my life in order to journey towards God. I need to constantly be trying to transform my life to see the world as Jesus sees the world, with eyes filled with hope and love. This is a never ending-transformation for us all. In order to follow Christ we all need to transform our lives in the same way Christ transformed the Cross. This leads us to truly love as Christ loved. Then we can obediently follow Christ.

 FALL 2013 SEEDS OF HOPE The Hidden Life of Jesus Today by Alexander Rivera II Theology (Miami ) and Daniel Daza-Jaller I Theology (Palm Beach) Baptism in Tangier: After Mass at the Cathedral of Tangier, Thomas (in the white shirt), who was baptized For as long as there have been Christians, it seems that the years of during the Mass, invited Alex to join his family and friends in celebrating his reception into the Church. Jesus’ life between his early childhood and the beginning of his public ministry have been a mystery that has inspired many different interpre- blanca. I marveled at the joy and the simplicity of the sisters, who crossed tations. As is the case with all of Scripture, and with all of the events in an ocean to live out their call to “sit at the Lord’s feet” like Mary did at the life of Jesus, these “hidden years” have not remained frozen in the Bethany. Awe-struck, I thought, “How many people know or even have a historical past: the mysteries of His life are present in a real way even clue that, in Morocco’s economic powerhouse, a metropolis that has the today. In our travels this past summer, we uncovered this “hidden life” feel and ambiance of a gloriously dilapidated Miami Beach, among the in distant lands and in unexpected places. smartly dressed financiers and amid the muezzin’s call to prayer, a group of seven Franciscan nuns pray for the city, its peo- ple, and for men and women of good will Alex’sMy trip to experience: Morocco this past sum- all around the world?” mer marked the first time that I had ever Having encountered the con- been to a predominantly Muslim country. templative vocation of the Poor Clares However, as I found out, Christianity, in Casablanca, I discovered a different and the Catholic Church in particular, group of religious sisters in Tangier. In has made its mark in its own special way this city that is just an hour-long ferry ride in Morocco. A French protectorate until across the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain, 1956, Morocco has a small but vibrant the Missionaries of Charity work and live Roman Catholic community whose warm among the poorest of the poor, in the tra- welcome and active involvement in the dition of Blessed Mother Teresa of Cal- community surprised me. cutta. I met two of the sisters at Sunday In the weeks leading up to my visit, Mass at the Cathedral of Tangier, and they I did my research to find out where the invited me to join them later that day for Catholic parishes were located in the cit- Vespers and a Holy Hour at their convent, Seeds Goes Global! Alex gave the latest edition of Seeds of Hope to the Poor Clares of the ies I would be visiting. In Casablanca, al- Monastery of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Casablanca. located right in the middle of the Medina, though I had no problem finding a church that labyrinthine sector of the city that for Mass on a Friday, I found only one place where Mass would be cel- looks like it came straight out of Aladdin. ebrated on Saturday morning (something difficult to find in some parts When I entered their simple, beautiful chapel, my eyes were drawn of the United States!): the Monastery of Our Lady of Guadalupe, home instantly to those words of Jesus from the Cross that are printed on the to a community of Mexican Poor Clares! wall of every chapel of every convent of the Missionaries of Charity all Given our special relationship here at St. Vincent de Paul with the around the world: “I Thirst.” Indeed, these six sisters share in and live Poor Clares in Delray Beach, I told myself, “This is no coincidence!” out Christ’s thirst for souls, seeking out the most marginalized of God’s After Mass, I took the opportunity to speak with the “Lady Clares.” For children on the streets of Tangier. In a special way they care for impov- the past twenty-five years, this community has dedicated itself to con- erished single mothers, which is no light matter in an Islamic nation, templative prayer and monastic life in the Franciscan tradition in Casa- even one as relatively tolerant and liberal as Morocco. ...  FALL 2013 SEEDS OF HOPE SEEDS OF HOPE FALL 2013  As happened at Casablanca, I pondered the fact that these religious hidden continued sisters came from all around the world, from France, Sub-Saharan Af- rica, and India, to be that active presence of Christ and His Church on the streets of Tangier. They minister quietly yet forcefully by going out physically to the poorest of the poor, in much the same way that the Poor Clares, through their contemplative prayer, encounter Christ and His Church. Both are “hidden” in their own way, be it behind the walls of their convent or behind a culture and a society that seem, at first, so different from Western culture and society. Ultimately, both are helping bring about the Kingdom of God.

Daniel’s“How can you experience:say there are too many children? That is like say- ing there are too many flowers in the garden of God.” This quote, often attributed to Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, comprises the opening words of Danielle Rose’s song “Little Flower.” While I was traveling through Asia this past summer, I had the opportunity to visit the founda- tion to which it pays tribute. This foundation is a testament to the hidden presence of Christ in the world today. Their work is multi-faceted, but it basically consists of lovingly caring for some of the most vulnerable

“I Thirst”: Alex had the blessing to join the Missionaries of Charity of Tangier for Vespers and a Holy Hour in their chapel. Notice the words “I Thirst” to the left of the crucifix.

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10 FALL 2013 SEEDS OF HOPE in the world today: babies. These are not just any babies, but rather orphan children who are abandoned because they are born with disabilities, physical and/or mental. This all began almost twenty years ago when a young American couple living in China, saw a need, and felt the call to help. One day they wanted to do a good deed so they visited an orphanage. Upon their arrival, they real- ized the horrible state that the orphanage was in—not very different from many others in China. They felt the desire to help and began by fostering some children. They then invited other couples to do the same. It became clear, though, that more had to be done. This led them to begin working on what today is a well-established foundation. It is not an orphanage in the proper sense. From what I saw and learned while visiting, it is more like a halfway house/intensive care unit for babies born with se- rious problems, who cannot receive proper medical atten- tion in their current orphanages. They take these babies in and give them the help they need to survive. When the babies are healthy, they are sent back to the orphanages where they came from, to hopefully be adopted soon. In the case that the babies are not adopted, they are received again, and eventually placed in foster homes. These foster homes are headed by a Chinese couple, usu- ally Catholic, who are hand-picked by the founders. Four to six children are placed in each home. Here they will receive a normal upbringing, with a father and mother, and siblings, as well as, attending the local grade school. Many of these children will be adopted while they are in the foster homes. Yet, in the case that they are not, the foundation will foster them into adulthood and assist them getting into universities or getting jobs. Un- fortunately, though, some of the babies do not get to ex- perience any of the aforementioned. A small percentage of the babies will die due to the severity of their illness. This, too, is part their work, ensuring that these little crea- tures of God receive the love they deserve during their short lives. This work is done mainly by local Chinese volunteers. The founders have made sure that in the case that they must abandon the work; the local community may continue to keep it alive. During the few hours I spent with this organization, learning their history and seeing their work, I immediately saw the hand of God in it all. Every step of their way has been marked by divine intervention. This entirely non- profit organization, though, does little to boast about its work. They serve God’s little flowers in the background, as industrious China goes about its busy way.

Conclusion: In the places we visited, we discovered some of the ways Christ remains hidden, but at the same time active, among his brothers and sisters in the world today. Un- doubtedly, these two experiences represent only the tip of the iceberg. In ways we may never be able to imagine, in places all around the word, there are countless “hidden Christs” who quietly witness to the Church’s mission to The side entrance to the Basilica of Our Lady of Sheshan. The basilica is one of the largest pilgrimage sites in all of China. serve in love as our Lord surely learned to do in those hid- den years of his life in Nazareth.

10 FALL 2013 SEEDS OF HOPE SEEDS OF HOPE FALL 2013 11 theology the seminary changed the program and went into a modu- lar semester-based system. In 1971, after he was already ordained, he returned as faculty member when the seminary transitioned from the Vincentians Fathers to a faculty team put together by Archbishop Coleman Carroll. Alumni When Msgr. James Fetscher first started seminary, the whole state of Florida was the diocese of St Augustine. When Bishop Hurley, then bishop of St. Augustine, visited Miami, he used to stay at Holy Family. As a boy Msgr. Fetscher used to serve when he celebrated Profile mass. Many years later, Msgr. Fetscher remembers being in St. Vin- cent, sitting in the back of the chapel playing the organ when someone by entered. He looked and, in total surprise, said to himself, “that’s Arch- Rev. Mr. Matias Hualpa bishop Hurley.” He got up, went over to greet him. When Archbishop Hurley turned around and saw him, he said, “You’re James Fetscher IV Theology (Miami) from Holy Family.” He remembered him! It was a very touching mo- ment because it had been ten years since he last saw Archbishop Hurley at Holy Family Church and it was the last time Msgr. Fescher would see him. Msgr. James Fetscher was born in Jamaica, NY and, in 1949, moved to Miami, where he was a parishioner of I asked Msgr. Fetscher what are the memories that he treasures Holy Family in North Miami. An alumnus of Archbishop Curley High most during his time at seminary. He remembered that he was the School in Miami, he was a member of the first graduating class at St. choir director. Every seminarian had to show up for his two hour credit Vincent de Paul Seminary in 1968. During his time as a seminarian, course. He did it for the five years he was there. The most interesting Msgr. Fetscher was present for the construction of St. Vincent’s chap- part of being the choir director was that there was no music in English. el and some of the surrounding dormitory buildings. Hence, he was writing little pieces of music for the liturgy on Sundays such as simple chants. While he wasn’t an organist, there were people who could play it so that, together with the organist, Msgr. Fetscher could muster simple yet beautiful music each Sunday morning. Archbishop Carroll enjoyed very much when the seminarians sung in the choir. Msgr. Fetscher recalls a day when the Archbishop was celebrating mass and he was directing the choir. They were play- ing a communion song that had as a refrain, “do this in remembrance of me.” Msgr. Fetscher had his back to the altar so he could not see that the Archbishop was already standing ready to do the closing prayer. The choir kept repeating the refrain “do this in remembrance of me”. Finally, when the song was over, Archbishop Carroll said, “I’ll 1968 remember, I’ll remember.” He was not known as a man of great humor When I asked Msgr. Fetscher what were his memories of that in public but that day he gracefully made a joke out of the situation and special time, he remarked that it was an amazing experience to see the everybody enjoyed it. seminary being built. Everything came on tracks. The construction Another fond memory Msgr. Fetscher remembers is at the end was like watching a big tinker toy being put together. First, the chap- of the first year of St. Vincent de Paul, the twenty-seven students at el’s pillars with the arches on top and a key stone in the middle of each the seminary gave each of the faculty members a pair of cufflinks as were placed on the foundation. These columns rested on huge steel a Christmas gift with the inscription “27 Apostles.” It was a way to apertures which were secured by big bolts. Then cement was poured say thank you to those men who had taken the first responsibility of on the whole thing. After that, they put the panels which weighted 11 seminary formation in Florida, and a reminder for these twenty seven tons; each panel came on a flat bed truck. Huge cranes picked these seminarians that they were the first apostles in the seminary, the first panels and carefully dropped them on huge bolts. Then the steel bins fruits, as Archbishop Coleman Carroll referred to them. were welded, and finally the stained glass windows put together. The moat around the chapel served not only as a pleasing sight but a practi- cal function as well: the cooling system for the air conditioning. In all, the chapel came together beautifully. Edigio Vagnozzi, the apostolic delegate to the United States, pre- sided at the dedication of the new chapel. Msgr. Fetscher mentioned that when Vagnozzi was entering the seminary with Archbishop Cole- man Carroll, the first thing he said was “where are the walls of this seminary?” The reality was that the seminary stood in the middle of a rural area in South Florida, surrounded by cows and crop fields; walls wouldn’t have made much sense back then. In 1963, Archbishop Carroll celebrated the rite of first tonsures. After that, Msgr. Fetscher received the minor orders of porter, lector, exorcist, and acolyte at the seminary. Archbishop Carroll regarded that class as the first fruits of St. Vincent de Paul Seminary. Msgr. Fetscher lived through the many transitions of the semi- Msgr. James Fetscher of the first graduating class of St. Vincent De Paul Regional Seminary stands nary. When he began, theological studies were done from a five vol- with current Rector Msgr. David Toups just before Msgr. Fetscher offers a toast celebrating ume dogmatic theology series. In the middle of his second year of the 50th Anniversary of the Seminary (see index for toast) 12 FALL 2013 SEEDS OF HOPE Msgr. Fetscher remembers a phrase he saw at the seminary in Hartford, Connecticut; “Spes messis in semine,” The hope of the har- Cuatro años después de ser ordenado al sacerdocio, el Padre Pe- vest is in the seed. As he reflected on that phrase he asked himself, rales comenzó estudios avanzado de Liturgia en St. John University “What have I done to support the seminary and to plant more seeds?” en Collegeville, Minnesota, y volvió al seminario como miembro de la It is something that has motivated him to consciously promote and facultad, enseñando Introducción a la Liturgia y Practicum en liturgia para los diáconos en el tercer año de su formación. pray for vocations in the parish. He began the vocation cup at St Louis El Padre Perales recuerda que el pueblo de Boynton Beach estaba Parish in Miami, and since then many vocations entered the seminary muy poco desarrollado durante los años en que estudió allí. Military and religious life. The hope of the harvest is in the seed. Trail tenía solo dos vías. Alrededor del seminario se criaban cabal- As Msgr. Fetscher reflects on his years at the seminary, he real- los, vacas y había algunos sembradíos. La vida en el seminario seguía ized that seminary prepared him for a lot of things, but, at the same un ritmo de oración y clases similar al que se tiene hoy en día. Du- time, he was not ready for a lot of the things he had to face in ministry. rante los fines de semana todos los seminaristas tenían un apostolado Msgr. Fetscher said, “That’s the case now, forty five years later, every que muchas veces consistía en dictar catequesis en las parroquias. morning when I get up I am never ready for what will come up in that El programa de formación incluía las áreas de formación espiritual, day, but at the same time I am surely ready for whatever I will have pastoral y académica. El ambiente de las clases, las amistades que se to face that day.” He adds that “when you become older you get new fueron forjando durante los años de formación en el seminario, y que perspectives and focus on things that really matter such as the person después siguieron cultivándose ya como sus hermanos sacerdotes of Jesus in our lives. Each day is an opportunity to invite people to have son de grato recuerdo y aliento en su ministerio sacerdotal. a close relation with Jesus Christ and the community of faith. If priests El Padre Perales comenta que debido a que algunos de los libros are called to be Alter Christus, I need to get to the litúrgicos aprobados por el Concilio Vaticano II es- point that I am so transparent that when people see taban siendo publicados por entonces, el seminar- Jim Fetscher, hopefully they see Christ.” io ofrecía conferencias sobre estas nuevas publica- ciones. También recuerda cuando en el año 1972 el Papa Pablo VI hizo la revisión de las órdenes menores. Ese año tuvo la oportunidad de partici- El Padre Jorge Perales par en la última ceremonia de tonsuras, órdenes nació en La Habana, Cuba. En el año 1961 se mudo menores y el subdiaconado. a Miami y fue parroquiano de Saint Raymond. El El Padre Perales reconoce la gran visión Padre Perales comenzó en el seminario San Vice- del arzobispo Colman Carroll de tener seminarios nte de Paul en el año 1972 y fue ordenado sacer- para la formación de los futuros sacerdotes en el dote en la Catedral Santa María de la Arquidióce- estado de La Florida. En primeros años de exist- sis de Miami en 1978. encia del seminario, la administración y formación Los que conocen al Padre Perales saben de su de los seminaristas estuvo a cago de los Padres amor y conocimiento de la liturgia. Le pregunté al Vicentinos. En 1971, cuando los Padres Vicenti- Padre Perales, ¿de dónde le viene ese amor por nos se retiraron, el clero diocesano asumió la di- la liturgia? Me contestó que después del Concilio Fr. Perales during his seminary days rección del mismo. Durante un tiempo el número Vaticano II, se comenzó a desarrollar la reno- de seminaristas bajó, pero el Arzobispo Colman vación litúrgica en la iglesia siguiendo la enseñaza de los documentos Carroll insistió contra viento y marea para que los dos seminarios, San conciliares. Al Padre Perales siempre le interesó seguir de cerca todo Juan María Vianney, y San Vicente de Paul se mantuvieran abiertos, este desarrollo que se estaba llevando a cabo en la liturgia. Otro fac- eran el futuro de la Iglesia en La Florida. tor importante fue que en el seminario de San Vicente tuvieron un El Padre Perales comenta que, “lo bien que están hoy los dos profesor muy bueno que enseñaba liturgia, el Padre Thomas Carroll. seminarios de La Florida es porque en los momentos difíciles se man- Por dos años consecutivos este sacerdote enseñó a los seminaristas, tuvieron abiertos. Para el arzobispo Carroll los seminarios eran la haciendo un gran énfasis en la liturgia como teología y como oración, niña de sus ojos.” Durante estos 50 años de existencia del seminario, recordando la importancia de los Padres de la Iglesia en el desarrollo los obispos de La Florida se han unido a esa visión del arzobispo Cole- de la historia y la práctica de la liturgia. Esta perspectiva de la litur- man Carroll y han dado su apoyo incondicional al seminario. Esto ha gia como teología y oración influenció mucho al Padre Perales como permitido que hoy San Vicente de Paul sea uno de los pocos semi- también a la mayoría de los seminaristas que recibieron las clases del narios bilingües que existen en el país y pueda seguir desarrollando Padre Thomas Carroll. su misión de formar sacerdotes según el corazón de Cristo.

El Padre Jorge Perales, centro, celebra una procesión eucarística en la parroquia de San Andres en Miami. 12 FALL 2013 SEEDS OF HOPE SEEDS OF HOPE FALL 2013 13 WYD Rio 2013: What We Really Encountered Where were we?—Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, under the vigilant eyes ing horizon. Stopping at pilgrimage churches along the way to the of Christ the Redeemer, the famous statue that rests atop Corcovado airport, we took off at ten o’clock at night on Sunday, July 28, closed Mountain overlooking the “Marvelous City.” our eyes and slept for what seemed like days. Who were we?—Pilgrims, an estimated three million, who had Over the next few weeks, my thoughts constantly returned to traveled from the four corners of the world. As you can imagine, the that once-in-a-lifetime encounter of the Catholic Church and our Lord airport was a madhouse! called World Youth Day. Since then, many people have asked me: And finally, why?—We were pilgrims in Rio de Janeiro because what is World Youth Day? How would you describe it? of World Youth Day 2013 (WYD) in the hopes of meeting our new Equipped with the words of Archbishop Mark Coleridge, I an- Pope, Francis, of sharing in solidarity with Catholic youth from all swer that World Youth Day was not merely a gathering of pilgrims at over the world, and of hearing the gospel preached anew over three Rio to hear sermons by a collection of bishops. Rather, the fundamen- days of catechesis. tal reality that we encountered finds its foundation in the WYD theme Along with our three million friends, my seminarian brother, Eric, and taken from the Gospel of St. Matthew 28:19, “Go and make disciples I were eager for this biennial, global event. And it did not disappoint! of all nations.” Here is a snapshot, a taste really. Where were we really?—At the holy mountain in Galilee with Arriving at six o’clock in the morning on Monday, July 22, Eric Jesus (Mt 28:16). and I maneuvered through the city—a city neither of us had ever vis- Who were we really?—Disciples of Christ like the eleven apos- ited nor learned the language. We picked up our pilgrim pack (which tles present at His Ascension. consisted of a backpack, t-shirt, meal card, transportation card, liturgy And the real reason why?—To be commissioned by Jesus as mis- book, events guide, rosary, hat, and other accessories), met our host sionaries of the Gospel; to be His apostles in a world oppressed by sin family, and appreciated a first-hand view of the Christ the Redeemer and veiled in darkness (Mt 28:18-20). statue. Over the next three days, we enjoyed three powerful morn- Through the ministry of Pope Francis, Jesus commissioned each ing reflections, Q & A sessions, and Masses with Archbishop Mark one of the three million young people present on Copacabana Beach Coleridge of Australia, Cardinal Wilfred Napier of South Africa, and to evangelize and bear witness to Him so that all people may “feel Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York—imagine three million young the warmth of His mercy and His love.” In fact, we were given the people scattered throughout the city and arranged by language being Church’s deepest identity, the vocation to evangelize, for as Pope Paul evangelized by successors of the apostles over the course of three dif- VI says, “The Church exists in order to evangelize.” ferent mornings; it gives a whole new meaning to that first evangeliza- Now, at this very moment, there are three million young people, tion by the apostles at Pentecost. full of joy and enthusiasm, scattered throughout the world with this We laughed with, prayed with, and ate with countless people from commission reminding Christians that they exist “in order to preach all kinds of countries. On Friday night, we journeyed with our Lord and teach, to be the channel of the gift of grace, to reconcile sinners through His Passion during live Stations of the Cross. After holding with God, and to perpetuate Christ’s sacrifice in the Mass, which is vigil with Pope Francis and our Lord exposed in the monstrance on the memorial of His death and glorious resurrection.” Indeed, there is Saturday, we spent the night under the stars on Copacabana Beach af- much cause for hope because Jesus is alive and His Church is evange- ter which we celebrated Mass with the Pope amidst a beautiful, morn- lizing with youthful vigor.

by John Sollee I Theology (St. Augustine)

14 FALL 2013 SEEDS OF HOPE Caminando con el Señor by Rev. Mr. Ivan Rodriguez and Lucio Rogel Arquidiócesis de Miami Camino Neocatecumenal

Todo comenzó en la Jornada Mundial de la juventud en Río de Janeiro. El viaje fue un regalo, que hasta el dia de hoy no se quien lo pago. Desde el comienzo de la peregrinación, yo me hice estas preguntas: Si la peregrinación es una pere- grinación vocacional, porque que voy a Brasil? Será, quizás, para encontrar mi vocación? Pero yo mismo me respondía; No, porque yo ya estoy en el seminario. Para que voy en- tonces? Esta pregunta estuvo conmigo durante todo el viaje y no tenía una respuesta. Pero seguía con la intriga. Será que para ver al Santo Padre? Pero si he venido a ver al Papa, lo veré miles de millas de distancia. Y me seguí preguntando, cual será el motivo por el cual Dios quería que yo viniera a este viaje? Entonces, un día antes de terminar la peregri- nación, fuimos al santuario de la Virgen de Aparecida. Eran las 9:45am y el responsable del grupo nos dijo que teníamos media hora para ir a rezar. Yo hice la fila para ver a la Virgen de Aparecida y le pedí a la Virgen que me ayudara a saber para que yo estaba ahí! Estaba solo y con esta pregunta en el St. Timothy Roman Catholic Church corazón fui al Santísimo. Yo me sentía un poco desanimado is pleased to support y entonces recé dos veces esta oración del corazón: “Señor hijo de David, ten piedad de mi que soy un pecador.” Cuando the seminarians at abrí los ojos, vi una imagen de Jesús lavándoles los pies a los apóstoles. De inmediato, me acordé que la vida en el semi- St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary nario es una manifestación del amor de Dios para que yo me sienta amado por él. Esto fue una iluminación a la pregunta que yo tenía en el corazón. “Sentirme amado por él para yo después pueda servir y amar al otro.” Y comencé a pensar que Dios me decía, “Es necesario ser amado para amar.” En Very Rev. Ed Waters, Pastor ese mismo momento cuando salía del Santísimo, el sacer- dote estaba diciendo “pidamos a la Virgen María que nos and the Staff of dejemos amar por Dios.” Salí del Santuario de la Virgen de St. Timothy Catholic Church Aparecida con mucha alegría porque Dios había respondido a la pregunta que llevaba en mi corazón desde que comencé 1351 Paige Place, Lady Lake, FL 32159 la peregrinación. Y esto fue sólo una de las muchas gracias (352) 753-0989 • Fax (352) 753-9602 que recibí en la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud.

14 FALL 2013 SEEDS OF HOPE SEEDS OF HOPE FALL 2013 15 St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary 50th Anniversary / September 27, 2013

16 FALL 2013 SEEDS OF HOPE Remarks Archbishop Viganò – Apostolic Nuncio

My Dear Friends in Christ, It is a special pleasure for me to be here at this Regional Seminary in the Province of Miami named in honor of Saint Vincent de Paul, whose feast we celebrate today. It is a source of great joy and gratitude Procession: The Bishops of Florida line up to enter the chapel for the 50th Anniversary Mass. to join with all of you for this Jubilee Year together with Archbishop Wenski, Chairman and Chancellor, and all of my brother bishops, encounter Jesus Christ on a very personal level so that His face can be priests, families, friends and benefactors. A special word of recogni- revealed to God’s people. The work of Jesus must be the priest’s work, tion to Msgr. Toups, your Rector, for his hospitality and to the faculty not for personal gain or advantage. The Holy Father recently said in representing each of the Suffragan Sees of this Florida Province. The a talk to seminarians; “The Church, as Benedict XVI has often reiter- presence of so many seminarians both from St. Vincent de Paul and ated, is not ours, but God’s; and how many times do we…think that St. John Vianney College Seminary gives us a vision of a future filled the Church is ours! We make of it… something that we invent in our with much promise. Already the Church has been blessed by over five minds. But it is not ours! It is God’s. The field to be cultivated is his. hundred men coming from this seminary who have been ordained in This mission is grace. And if the Apostle is born of prayer, he finds in the past fifty years. prayer the light and strength of his action” (July 7, 2013). This evening, as the personal representative here in the United The ordained minister is sent in the name of the Church to make States of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, I convey to you all his special the Gospel come alive in the midst of those he serves. We are not sup- blessing and heartfelt congratulations. May you always remember that posed to draw people to ourselves, but to the very person of Christ Jesus. he holds all of you in his embrace with paternal affection, and is in We proclaim a crucified Christ, and therefore, like St. Paul, we must prayerful communion with you. Let us continually listen to the Holy Fa- be willing to be crucified with Him. Again the Holy Father says: “Pas- ther’s voice, the voice of the Teacher himself, the voice of the Shepherd toral fruitfulness, the fruitfulness of the Gospel proclamation is meas- himself. Ubi Petrus, ibi Ecclesia. Where Peter is, there is the Church. ured neither by success nor by failure according to the criteria of human We are all reminded, on this patronal feast, of the great concerns evaluation, but by becoming conformed to the logic of the Cross of Je- that St. Vincent de Paul had for the training of men for the priesthood sus, which is the logic of stepping outside oneself and spending oneself, and for the many needs of the poor. Seminarians would be at a great the logic of love. It is the Cross – always the Cross that is present with loss in the exercise of their priesthood if they considered their learn- Christ, because at times we are offered the Cross without Christ: this has ing experience as only academic, and if they used the priesthood only no purpose! – it is the Cross, and always the Cross with Christ, which to satisfy their own wants and desires, and forget the needs of those guarantees the fruitfulness of our mission. And it is from the Cross, the who reach out them every day. A seminary is meant to form the whole supreme act of mercy and love, that we are reborn as a ‘new creation’ person, and therefore everyone who is trained in the seminary should (Gal 6:15).” ...

Editor’s Note: These remarks were given to the seminary community during the Mass to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Founding of the Seminary on the Feast of St. Vincent de Paul, Priest con-celebrating the 50th Anniversary Mass at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary Friday, September 27, 2013. 16 FALL 2013 SEEDS OF HOPE SEEDS OF HOPE FALL 2013 17 The concelebrants of the 50th Anniversary Mass outside of St. Vincent de Paul Chapel / AlumniGroup The Bishops and Priests of the Province of Florida, many of whom are graduates of St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary

Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami segment of original Jacek Gancarz photo

nUNCIO’S Remarks continued And the Holy Father adds, in speaking to the seminarians: “The more the mission calls you to go out to the margins of existence, let your heart be the more closely united to Christ’s heart, full of mercy and love. Herein lies the secret of pastoral fruitfulness, of the fruitfulness of a disciple of the Lord!... The spread of the Gospel is not guaranteed whether by the number of persons, or by the prestige of the institution, or by the quantity of available resources. What counts is to be permeated by the love of Christ, to let oneself be lead by the Holy Spirit and to graft one’s own life onto the tree of life, which is the Lord’s Cross” (July 7, 2013). Right now this seminary is preparing for renovation and expansion, thanks to the tire- less work of the bishops and priests and the many sacrifices of the faithful. Their goodness is never forgotten. It is indeed a project that brings with it a great deal of hope for the Church, especially in this area of our vast country. As we look toward the next fifty years of giving new priests to the work of salvation, let us go forward inspired by the Light of Faith, to use the term of the recent encyclical of the Holy Father; let us continue to rebuild and renew the Church first from within ourselves, so that we can touch others by the example of our lives. Concelebrating priests exit St. Vincent’s Chapel.

18 FALL 2013 SEEDS OF HOPE Seminarians Yamil Miranda, Yean Reyes, Wilson Colmenares, Misabet Garcia, Maria Lucas Gunalan, and Felipe Gonzalez celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the seminary.

18 FALL 2013 SEEDS OF HOPE SEEDS OF HOPE FALL 2013 19 The C hr i st i an Approach to Friendship

BbryanGARCIA michaelGARCIA

Left to right: Michael, Chuck, Bryan Photo by Phillip Tran 20 FALL 2013 SEEDS OF HOPE The Approach to Friendship

by Michael Garcia & Bryan Garcia III Theology (Archdiocese of Miami)

Who would we be without our friends? Who do we actually consider to be our friends? In an age where so-called “friendships” are made with the click of a button, it seems quantity is emphasized over quality. How is it possible that a person may have over 1,000 friends in their social networking site and yet feel utterly alone?

20 FALL 2013 SEEDS OF HOPE SEEDS OF HOPE FALL 2013 21 In the words of Aristotle: “Should a man make as many friends as avoid becoming enclosed in on ourselves. In this way, a friend be- possible? Or, just as it has been wisely said about travelling, ‘May I be comes a fellow pilgrim, a companion, throughout life’s journey. More called neither a great traveller nor a homebody,’ perhaps it would be so, a true friend becomes an image of Christ. fitting in friendship that a man should be neither without friends nor A give-and-take relationship, strictly speaking, is not real friend- with an excess number.” ship, but rather a type of servitude. A servant does things to obey a So what is true friendship? A true friend shows us who we are. command; a friend does things out of love. It is because Jesus loved A friend is much more than someone we are acquainted with because His disciples that He was able to share his most intimate thoughts, the relationship itself poses responsibility on both our parts. A friend which is why He said: “I no longer call you slaves, because a slave is not a “yes man,” or someone who always agrees with what we say does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, be- and do. If this were the case, a friend would be nothing more than an cause I have told you everything I have heard from my Father” (John instrument for our own self-affirmation. It is precisely because there 15:15). In the end, friendship is sacrificial. As Christ said and showed is a vulnerability that comes with sharing and recognizing each oth- us: “There is no greater love than this, that a person should lay down er’s strengths and weaknesses that we place such weight on what our his life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). friends have to say about us. As C.S. Lewis wrote, “Theirs is the praise Friendship allows for a deepening in our understanding of our own we really covet and the blame we really dread.” Because there exists humanity within the context of a community of persons. An intimate such openness and honesty within the relationship, the foundation of union between true friends is a gift to be treasured because the real any friendship, therefore, is fidelity. After all, would you share some of value of the friendship is that it is not self-serving, but rather, an act your intimate secrets with just any of your many online “friends?” by which they both lay down everything for the sake of one another. If we hold everyone we knew at the same level of trust, with the This friendship is a bond that stands both the test of time and distance same level of closeness, we would be spreading ourselves too thin to because of their desire to have that bond continue. So when you find the point where we lose any appropriate level of intimacy. Intimacy a true friend, treasure them, love them deeply, and fight to defend the itself implies exclusivity. No person’s life is an open book, or at least it bond that binds you. shouldn’t be. As human beings, we naturally put up defenses to protect ourselves from those who could harm us. Having a close friend allows i us to be transparent and express ourselves in a safe and comfortable Aquinas, O. P.. COMMENTARY ON THE NICOMACHEAN ETHICS. Chicago: Henry Regnery atmosphere. This level of friendship can lead to real spiritual nourish- Company, 1964. p. 843 ment because having a friend to process life experiences can help us ii Lewis, C.S.. The Four Loves. New York: Harvest Books, 1971. p. 79

Left to right: Bryan, Chuck, Phillip, Michael 22 FALL 2013 SEEDS OF HOPE The Institution of Lectors and Acolytes Bishop Gregory J. Hartmayer OFM Conv. Savannah Photos by Mike Miller Excerpts from the Homily of Bishop Hartmayer to the Bishop Hartmayer incenses the altar at the beginning of the Mass to institute newly instituted Lectors and Acolytes of the new lectors and acoltyes. St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary the Church today. But surely it will bear features, too, of the New Evan- gelization that will bring it forth. This is not the church I was born into. This is not the Church in which I was ordained a priest. Because the Church is living, she is also changing and growing. How shall we prepare for the Church still un- born? The skills and resources to be demanded of you are more thorough and broader than ever before. While philosophy and theology must still be the foundation of your preparations, in addition, you must develop and master a broad range of pastoral skills, from counseling to manag- ing, from second languages to computer programs. I urge you to use these years of preparation well, not only for the good of the Church, but for your own future success and happiness as well. But knowledge and skills alone do not make a good priest. You will Bishop Hartmayer, Msgr. Toups and the permanent deacon candidates instituted as lector and acolyte also have to develop the gift of love, and the capacity for love, that is the mark of great priests. Your love for the Church, your love for your peo- In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with ple, will reveal itself in the conviction and compassion with which you God, and the Word was God. All things came to be through exercise your skills. Where will you acquire this love? From whom will Him, and without Him nothing came to be (Jn. 1: 1, 3). you obtain this conviction and compassion? Has the answer ever been Jesus Christ made all things known to us and then entrusted His Church any different? The paradoxical wisdom revealed to us in Jesus Christ is with the mission of preaching the Word to the whole world. that the one who seeks to save his live will lose it, while the one who My dear brothers, and lectors and bearers of God’s word, you will loses his life for the sake of the Lord will find it. assist in this mission, and so take on a special office within the Chris- When Jesus’ Word confronts us, we need to act swiftly and in some tian community; you will be given a responsibility in the service of the cases take even radical means to change our understanding as to “why church, which is rooted in the word of God. You will proclaim that word did God make us?” and “why was He born?” and “why did He have to in the liturgical assembly, instruct children and adults in the faith and suffer and die?” “Why did He rise from the dead?” “Why would God call prepare them to receive the sacraments worthily. me to be a priest?” You will bring the message of salvation to those who have not yet How do we understand these questions? And what are the answers? received it. And with your help, men and women will come to know God What is life all about? Are we put on this earth to simply earn a living our Father and His Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent, and so be able to and improve the quality and comfort of our lives? Is the gospel calling reach eternal life. us to be more accountable for our charity, mercy and reconciliation? In proclaiming God’s words to others, accept it yourselves in obe- This week, Pope Francis challenged all of us in ministry by stating dience to the Holy Spirit. Meditate on it constantly, so that each day you that if we are centered on advancing in status in our ministry, then we will have a deeper love of the Scriptures and in all your say and do show have lost sight of the gospel. We may need to make some swift and radical forth to the world our Savior, Jesus Christ. changes in our lives to be more in keeping with the gospel and our calling My brothers who are about to be instituted as acolyte, you are re- as His ministers and servants of His Word and His Body and Blood. ceiving a special commissioning to distribute the Holy Eucharist to the faithful on a regular basis. Bring this precious gift of Christ’s body to the sick and those who cannot participate in the Sunday liturgy. Strive to be worthy of this office Editor’s Note: by your own life of piety and devo- The ministries of Lector and Acolyte are tion to the Holy Eucharist. two of the mile markers of a seminarian’s My sons, I pray that you will journey to the priesthood. The ministry of be future priests. And I pray that Lector is for the proclamation of the you will nurture and care for the Word of God during the liturgy, and is Church which is still unborn. This given during the Theology I. The ministry newborn Church will, no doubt, of Acolyte is to assist at the Altar of the bear the unmistakable likeness to Lord, and is given at Theology II. Bishop Hartmayer, Msgr. Toups and all the men instituted as acolyte 22 FALL 2013 SEEDS OF HOPE SEEDS OF HOPE FALL 2013 23 Ut Unum Sint: That They Be One by Steven “Chuck” Dornquast III Theology (St. Petersburg)

Chances are that if your parish community has a Spanish presence, it also experiences a division. English music, Spanish music; English mass, Spanish mass; English Emmaus, Spanish Emmaus, and so on. From September of 2012 The Thursday night Rosary until August 2013 I was assigned to a parish called Light of Christ, in Clear- water. It was the hope of the pastor, Rev. Jacob Monteleone, that the Light of keep safe and benefit our community. While there are the minor- Christ, which has brightly shown for 50 years on those who spoke English and ity who have not shared this mindset upon entering, the majority were registered members, would grow to shine on all those who were his duty I’ve encountered have. to minister to. He and I agreed that despite language, education or immigration I proposed that regardless of immigration status, Christ status Christ desires His light to shine on all. called us to care for our neighbor. This is a call that is heed- Before going further, I feel it is important to divulge that I’m a gringo. I’ve less of sex, creed or immigration status. Within the Clearwater learned the Spanish language thanks to a passionate teacher in High School, community was a need to bring the Light of Christ into the lives seminarian brothers who were patient enough to share with me, and an affinity of those who live in darkness and fear. I am very proud and tre- for Spanish culture...particularly food. Up until my 5th year of Seminary being mendously grateful for the response of the parish. Unfortunately bilingual meant being able to understand a Spanish homily, help other gringos and as is the case in many parishes attempting a similar project, and being comfortable in traveling to World Youth Day, Madrid. However, while there were the few who voiced comments, wrote letters or sent working as a chaplain at St. Mary’s Hospital in West Palm Beach and later in emails challenging or opposing the mission to care for the His- Tampa General Hospital, I was face to face with the need of those who didn’t panic community. I did and continue to invite such voices into speak English and were my sister and brother. Time and again in translating dialogue and encounter. tragic news or being present to those isolated by language I learned that being Friction sometimes arose as debates occurred as to how we bilingual had become a duty for others. are to care for our neighbor. Other arguments abound in parishes It was with this understanding that I approached my time at Light of Christ. as to whether “these people” would change our community. I I was given the task of creating a Spanish ministry/community where there cur- heard expressions of “I’ve been coming to this parish for 30 rently was not one. In researching the necessity for such a community, I found years and I don’t want it to change” or “They can come in, as that at least 30% of the local population is of Spanish speaking origins in the long as they don’t change us.” parish boundaries. In trying to discover who these people were and where they Truth be told though, the Gospel calls us to change. We are come from I found a sad situation. Many who had found their way to Clearwater supposed to be challenged. We are called to conversion. We can- came from rural areas of Mexico. These are places where government, education not stay there. Complacency is the enemy of love. It is the enemy and healthcare systems were incapable of caring for those they were responsible of a love that is active, real and goes beyond a “favorite pew.” for. Many were undocumented, present within our borders without papers. Al- This goes for both Spanish speakers and English Speakers. though our borders serve a noble purpose to protect, identify and define us, they In the parish we created an English as a Second Language have been permeated by many people who have done their best to contribute, or ESL course with childcare in order to give those who speak

Students of the ESL class 24 FALL 2013 SEEDS OF HOPE Spanish a chance: a chance to communicate with teachers, a chance to Jesus Christ does not call for the easy. He prayed and prays that we call police in emergencies, a chance to communicate in an ER, a chance “might all be one.” I am indebted to those of the English speaking com- to enter into a predominantly English speaking community. Those who munity who were willing to step into the uncomfortable. They were and participated grew leaps and bounds in their confidence to engage with are the only way this ministry is possible. These parishioners entered the American culture. Fears and darkness were scattered as they felt re- into the same sense of isolation lived day in and day out by our sisters spected, cared for and important. Moms and Dads were more confident and brothers who don’t speak English. They came to rosaries, Las Posa- in their ability to converse with their children’s teachers at school. Chil- das and fiestas where Spanish was predominant. In so doing, they com- dren were less and less becoming transla- municated respect and encouragement, tors for the important issues of their fam- showed that we are safe and kind, and ily. Light of Christ became a safe place created friendships and peace. for Spanish families. The parish itself We are not called to be ministers experienced more baptisms in 4 months to specific people. The Light of Christ is than it had the entire previous year. An to shine on all those who will receive it. entire population no longer felt neglected We are not called to complacency. We by their local Church and Light of Christ are not called to reside in comfortable was and still is living up to its name. communities. We are called to care for We struggled, discerned and strove our neighbor, to open our doors, to share to ensure that a parish within a parish was our pews, even to care for those called Teacher Alejandra Maldonado Nguyen teaching how to use emergency services. not created. It was not easy. It is not easy. “Illegal.” Que Sean Uno La comunidad Católica en los Estados Unidos está cambiando de En la parroquia hablé muchas veces de la importancia de participar una manera que no ha experimentado desde la migración de los italianos y ayudar a este ministerio nuevo. Aunque muchas veces podría haber sido e irlandeses. Parroquias que han cesado de hablar el idioma de su origen incómodo, ambas comunidades llegaron al punto de ver la Luz de Cristo, y ahora solo se comunican en inglés están recibiendo una nueva comuni- a compartir la Luz de Cristo y a ser la Luz de Cristo en las vidas de gentes. dad que hablan otro idioma, Español. Hay frustraciones, malentendidos, Todo esto debido a su apoyo incondicional de las diferentes comunidades y divisiones entre cualquiera parroquia con gente de varios idiomas. Du- aunque esto implicaba estar incomodo un rato. Debido a esto, sus vidas y la rante mi año pastoral trabajé en una parroquia que tenía la necesidad de mía resplandecieron y siguieron la llamada de Jesús, que seamos uno. traer la luz de Cristo a una comunidad descuidada. Estuve en Clearwater en la parroquia Luz de Cristo con el Padre Jacob Montaleone. El me pidio que yo comenzara un ministerio para personas de habla hispana, para poder lograr la unión de dos comunidades. Congratulations Luz de Cristo es una parroquia que ya tiene más de 50 años. Fun- dada por un irlandés, esta ha servido a la comunidad de Clearwater fiel- mente y exitosamente. Pero su comunidad local ha cambiado en estos On a últimos 10 años y han necesitado adaptarse. Al mismo tiempo, también, toda la comunidad hispana necesitaban del apoyo de una parroquia, de Great un lugar donde pudieran practicar y aprender su fe. Necesitaron una comunidad donde ellos, sus niños y sus amigos pudieran recibir los sac- ramentos sin miedo. Magazine! Este trabajo tomó dos etapas. El primero, crear un grupo que pudi- era continuar una vez yo volviera al seminario. Realmente esa era el trabajo más difícil. Era absolutamente necesario que gente ya bilingüe sintieran la llamada de Dios para tomar la responsabilidad de cuidar por otros. Tuve que esperar por gente decisiva con la capacidad de asegurar su tiempo y esfuerzo, y esperé meses. Teníamos reuniones regionales, reuniones parroquiales, reuniones de los pastores y reuniones del consejo parroquial pero no podíamos The Priests, Deacons, Staff hacer nada hasta que alguien se ofreciera como voluntario para liderar el grupo. No fue hasta que las mismas personas que necesitaban el min- And community of St. Mary isterio pusieron su confianza en el párroco, en mí y en ellos mismos para poder comenzar este ministerio. Ellos mismos fueron los que tomaron el compromiso; trabajando por una solución a largo plazo que involucrara el bien común. St. Mary Catholic Church La segunda etapa comenzó con un rosario en español cada jueves. 15520 North Boulevard Recibíamos familias que hablan español e inglés. Compartíamos tiem- pos en oración y comunidad. También creamos una clase de inglés como Tampa, Florida 33613 segunda idioma con cuidado de niños. Los voluntarios eran ya parte de Ph. (813) 961-1061 las comunidades de español o inglés, y ellos decidieron tomar responsa- bilidad para tener una integración comunitaria.

24 FALL 2013 SEEDS OF HOPE SEEDS OF HOPE FALL 2013 25 From left to right: Josh, Tony, Anthony, Fr. Tim, and Dave. This picture is from the retreat where Fr. Tim had his big conversion. Anthony and Dave are close friends of Fr. Tim and Josh from high school. They came up for this retreat and had an amazing experience as well. The Journey to Priesthood by Rev. Tim Holeda – (Pensacola-Tallahassee) and Mr. Josh Swallows – III Theology (Orlando) Where do seminarians come from? Are they hatched from an both describe their families as incredibly loving and supportive, nei- egg? Actually, the students here at St. Vincent DePaul Regional ther views his upbringing as particularly religious. Josh was baptized Seminary come from widely different backgrounds and first heard Catholic, attended religious education classes as a child, and had his their call to the priesthood in many different ways. However, in every First Communion. However, when his parents gave him the freedom case, each seminarian can point to people in his life, whether it is fam- to choose whether or not he wanted to go to Church in high school, ily or friends, who played a crucial role in his spiritual journey. In he opted to stop going altogether. Although Tim’s family did not at- other words, we never make this journey alone. One great example of tend Church, they did teach him about Christianity. In high school, al- this reality can be seen in the lives of Rev. Tim Holeda, a recently or- though he had never been baptized, he did consider himself a Christian dained priest who graduated from St. Vincent DePaul, and Josh Swal- and would read his Bible from time to time, but that was the extent of lows, a current student in his third year of Theology. These two men his religious affiliation. have been friends for most of their lives and their own personal stories Josh and Tim both grew up in Casselberry, Florida, a suburb north of have influenced one another’s in profound ways. We recently had a Orlando. They met one another in sixth grade, living on the same street, conversation with Fr. Tim and Josh and they told us their story. they often played sports together with the other neighborhood, but it was Many might imagine that most men who choose to enter the semi- in high school that Josh and Tim became good friends. They were both on nary come from extremely religious backgrounds. While this might the debate team and Tim began a Political Club at the school that Josh got often be true, such is not the case with Josh and Tim. Although they involved with as well. It is here that Tim began to “evangelize” Josh.

26 FALL 2013 SEEDS OF HOPE Josh: It is hard to characterize my spiritual life in those first Josh: I never could have imagined the reaction I would get the couple of years of high school. I believed that there was a God and weeks after my retreat. I was so excited and so happy that I wanted would sometimes, albeit usually in the most desperate of situations, to share my experience with everyone. The first person I told was my even pray, but somewhere along the line I had rejected my Catholic girlfriend. I’m not sure if I had ever talked to her about God at all be- roots. Thankfully, I had friends in my life that found this to be un- fore this and now here I was, telling her of my newfound love for Christ acceptable. My friend Tim would often times try to encourage me and using a whole new vocabulary. To her, I had become the quintes- to read the bible. I remember being surprised to learn that he even sential ‘Jesus Freak’. She immediately started challenging these ideas read the bible. Perhaps that is what made his witness so interesting. of faith I was presenting to her. I had desperately wanted her to share I knew he didn’t even go to a church and therefore I also knew that in my joy and instead, she was furious. when he mentioned these things to me he had no agenda beyond sim- My roommate Tim thought I had joined a cult. Looking back, I ply being worried about me not having Christ in my life. can understand why. I was suddenly sitting around in the apartment, It worked. Josh began reading Scripture and ultimately came to listening to praise and worship music. I had gone from going to dif- believe in Jesus Christ, but he was re-entered Christianity in Protestant ferent churches every week to attending daily Mass. I was now talking circles. Moreover, by the end of high school both Josh and Tim were about taking classes to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. I even going to Church, usually non-denominational Christian churches. In- talked to him about possibly having to break up with my girlfriend of terestingly, in an effort to “stay open-minded,” the two would go to two years because of our constant fighting about religion. Tim admit- different churches every Sunday. This came to be a weekly tradition. ted that many of the changes he saw in me were good, but there were Sometimes they would even go to two or three churches on a given simply too many changes that happened too fast. Understandably, he Sunday, just to hear what different preachers had to say. Despite all of thought they had ‘brainwashed me’. I began asking Tim to go on the this, Josh admits that his life remained highly compartmentalized. Re- next retreat, promising it to be an amazing weekend. I challenged him ligion was something he did once a week and while it affected his deci- to come see for himself what I had experienced. sions to a degree, his spiritual journey was certainly in its infancy. There was obviously something about Josh’s experience that in- After graduation Josh and Tim became college roommates, as trigued Tim because the following semester he attended the Catholic both decided to attend Florida State University. Tim had desired to at- Student Union retreat. He too experienced a tremendous conversion. tend school in the state capital, as he was pursuing a career in politics. After the retreat, while still Protestant, Tim began attending daily Mass Josh studied economics, with hopes of eventually attending Florida and the weekly events held by the Catholic Student Union. He then State’s law school. Here, their tradition of going to various churches entered the RCIA program and received the Sacraments of Baptism, each Sunday continued. One of these churches happened to be the Confirmation, and Eucharist. Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More. It was a natural choice, as it was Fr. Tim: Although I did not understand what was going on, I found a massive church that they passed every day when walking to class. myself thinking about Mass throughout the week. There was a power After leaving Mass one day, Josh stopped by a table the Catholic or something transcendent about the liturgy that separated itself from student group had set up and signed up to receive more information the other services I attended. When I went on my first retreat, I had a about the group. He also met some of the men who ran the campus powerful experience of God’s love during a Eucharistic procession. I ministry, a group of religious brothers called the Brotherhood of Hope. did not expect any real changes when I first decided to go on the retreat Looking to make some new friends, Josh also attended some of the so- weekend. I suppose I figured that I was doing alright spiritually and cials that were going on that week. As Josh describes, later that month that my life was good. When I came back from this retreat, I was the Br. Allen Marquez came to visit him at his off-campus apartment to same person, but my trajectory in life had changed forever. The things give him more information about the ministry and invite him to events, that were most important to me before the weekend were now not really including an upcoming retreat. Although Josh was hesitant at first, Br. important at all. I didn’t know anything about Catholicism at the time, Allen continued to reach out to him. He went on the retreat. but I knew I wanted to receive the sacraments! Josh: It is somewhat hard to explain exactly how it happened What happened next is fascinating. Both of these men that weekend. In my small group I met some amazing people who had now experienced an intense change in their priorities and shared with me about their faith as well as their struggles. I heard the way they viewed the world. The rest of their college ex- several awesome talks and student witnesses. I learned things about perience became a pursuit of God in their new Catholic faith. the faith I was raised in that I never truly appreci- ated, specifically that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist. By the second day of the retreat I had opened my heart to these realities enough to go to Confession for the first time in eight years. I think it took over an hour to go through my many evil deeds, but in the end, God forgave me of my sins! The bottom line was that I had encountered God in a whole new way. I experienced an intimacy with God that I had never even imagined was pos- sible. It was incredible. Josh experienced a tremendous conversion. In fact, it was so tremendous that when he re- turned to school he found himself alienated from his loved ones. To his surprise, instead of peo- ple feeling excited for him, they became worried about him. From left to right: Josh, Fr. Tim, Anthony, and Dave, a close group of friends since high school, all celebrating Fr. Tim’s Ordination.

26 FALL 2013 SEEDS OF HOPE SEEDS OF HOPE FALL 2013 27 They started, or rather transformed, their apartment into a Catholic to give my life completely for the Gospel and for the Church. I was men’s house. Inspired by the holiness they saw in their spiritual men- initially scared or worried about the possibility that I would not be tors in the Brotherhood of Hope, they invited other men from the happy as a priest. I viewed seminary as this one-way road, a point of Catholic Student Union to live with them in community and practice a no return, and so naturally the question in my mind was “What if this life of common prayer. Each morning, all of the men would wake up is a big mistake?” Of course, the seminary is a place of discernment at 6:00AM (at one point they had 6 other roommates, 8 in total) and and a student has many years of school, community, and formation pray Morning Prayer together. Every night at 11:00PM they would before making a commitment. Now looking back, as a priest, I find it meet up to pray Night Prayer. All were asked to attend daily Mass hard to believe I was afraid. I love being a priest and I cannot think as part of their commitment to living in this men’s house. They also of anything I would rather do. shared two meals together each week. It truly flourished into a com- Josh: The first time I considered the priesthood was during my munity of men living together to challenge one another to become freshman year of college. Looking back, considering the call came better disciples of Christ and grow in holiness. quite natural. All of my greatest spiritual role models, the men from As one might imagine, this type of lifestyle was very attractive to the Brotherhood of Hope and Msgr. Crawford, were celibate. When I men discerning religious vocations. Three of the men who lived in the considered how the Apostles ‘drop their nets,’ abandoning everything house (including Fr. Tim Holeda) later became priests, and there are cur- to follow Christ, I found myself wondering if it was possible that rently two men from the house (Josh Swallows and Kevin Garcia) who God could call me in that way. I was drawn to celibacy, seeing it are currently in the seminary. as a kind of a heroic endeavor, It was during their last two but at that time in my life this years of college that both Josh was one change too many. and Tim began seriously dis- The thought of not getting cerning a call to the priesthood. married and the fear of being The vocations director for the lonely kept me from entering Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahas- the seminary after college. I see, Msgr. Slade Crawford was remember telling the Lord one the pastor of the Co-Cathedral day in prayer, ‘God, if you do of St. Thomas More during this want me to become a priest, time. He became very influen- you are going to have to ask tial as a spiritual father to Josh, me again later, because I can’t Tim and all of their roommates handle this right now.’ considering the priesthood. All It was after doing minis- considered him one of their try for 4 years at the Universi- role models. This is impor- ty of Central Florida that God tant to note as in nearly every knocked on the door again. I priestly vocation story there had finally found the courage are at some point very impor- to reopen my heart to this call. tant priests who invite men to I still desired marriage but I pursue the call. was also in love with minis- After college, Tim respond- try and the amazing students ed to the call to the priesthood. I was given the opportunity to He is now Fr. Tim Holeda, Pa- serve at UCF. At one point I rochial Vicar of Blessed Sacra- Fr. Tim and Josh getting pumped up for the FSU game with the Catholic Student Union. remembered that prayer I had ment Catholic Church in Talla- Fr. Tim is the crazy student in the middle with the straw hat, Josh is the crazy student on the right crouching. said in college, telling the Lord hassee, Florida. Josh Swallows to ‘ask me again later.’ It was did not enter seminary after college but returned to Orlando. While as if I had been saying, ‘God, go anywhere in my heart except here.’ working towards a master’s degree in Pastoral Theology, he became I think the reality that spoke to me most deeply was that after all this the Associate Campus Minister for the Catholic ministry at the Uni- time, I had still not completely let go of the idea of priesthood. I had versity of Central Florida. He did this work for four years and then tried to abandon this desire, but it had never gone away completely. he too entered seminary. He is currently in his third year of theology At one point in my discernment I realized I had experienced simply here at St. Vincent DePaul regional seminary and, God willing, will be too much not go down this road and see where it leads. Since entering ordained to the transitional deaconate this April. seminary formation, each year I have experienced peace and consola- We asked both men to share a little bit about their call to the tion that I am in the right place. I feel incredibly blessed and grateful priesthood. When did they first hear the call and how did they respond to the Lord for inviting me to live such an amazing vocation. to this call? These were their responses: The vocation stories of Fr. Tim and Josh are a beautiful example Fr. Tim: Strangely, my first experience of a call came when I of the many ways that God can use a friendship. It was Fr. Tim who was in high school after reading an article on seminarians in a New led Josh to first come to know Christ and Josh who led Fr. Tim to the York Times magazine. Keep in mind I wasn’t Catholic at the time...but Church. The two men also expressed that it is a tremendous bless- nonetheless after reading the article I had this strong desire or feeling ing to know they will have one another for support as priests. They that I should become a priest. I forgot quickly about that moment but are truly brothers in Christ. We are not meant to walk alone in the it came back to my memory on that first retreat experience….I was spiritual life. The Lord blesses us with family, friends, and of course, terrified. Eventually I came to accept that not only did I feel like God the Church. We are called to take care of one another, all part of one was inviting me to become a priest, but I also desired this! I wanted Body, making this journey together.

28 FALL 2013 SEEDS OF HOPE I am with you always

28 FALL 2013 SEEDS OF HOPE SEEDS OF HOPE FALL 2013 29 Campus Updates

The resident faculty and students enjoy the grand opening of the newly renovated fieldhouse with a cookout.

Each year, gifts to St. Vincent’s Seminary make a lasting difference for the addition of a student kitchen and television room as well as an in the daily lives of our future priests whose days are filled with reflec- updated workout room. Laundry facilities have been expanded and tion, study, prayer, and growth. Providing a suitable living and educa- upgraded, while efficiencies have been introduced to reduce ongoing tional environment for seminarians is imperative. Because of the gen- operational expenses: windows, air-conditioning, water heater, roofing erosity of our donors, we were able to complete several capital projects and energy efficient lighting. In addition, handicap facilities were added on campus which foster the necessary environment for discernment. to increase accessibility for disabled seminarians and friends. The spiritual atmosphere of St. Vincent’s Chapel has been en- Finally, several classrooms and conference rooms received a fresh hanced with the installation of a life-sized crucifix and the enclosure coat of paint, new carpeting and updated audio/visual equipment. of the confessional area, thanks to the Murphy family of the Diocese of We are blessed that enrollment in the coming years will continue to Palm Beach and Michael Guarino from the Diocese of St. Petersburg. rise. With your prayer and financial help, we will certainly meet these In the field house, the reallocation of community space allowed challenges.

30 FALL 2013 SEEDS OF HOPE A Legacy of Faith “People have made at least a start at understanding the meaning of life when they plant trees under which they know they will never sit.” – Adapted by David Elton Trueblood –

The members of our Legacy Society are planting such trees. We are so grateful to all who have taken the opportunity to extend their legacy of faith beyond their lifetime. Legacy giving is one expression of the wise use of the personal resources God entrusts to us. Although the seminary benefits from the giving of these resources, the true beneficiaries are the future genera- tions of Catholics who will be inspired by the faith and leadership of the fine men formed at St. Vincent’s. As faithful Catholics we remain the bearers of the legacy of faith that will be handed down for genera- tions to come. Consider an investment in the future of our beloved Church. By remembering St. Vincent’s in your estate plans, you create a legacy that will provide everyone can be a philanthropistRemember, and every gift counts. priests to the seven dioceses of Florida, forever. You To learn more about membership in our Legacy Society, will share in the blessings of all the lives they touch, please call Daniella Coy at 561.732.4424 because you made it possible.

Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Community EţĞĞĀřŇéţŁEÝÄâ\ŁÄ\âŇ God’s Blessings be upon you all!

Chris Dorsey Mark LaBelle St. Vincent de Paul St. Vincent De Paul Regional Seminary Regional Seminary

Briggs Hurley Kyle McClure 4SRXM½GEP2SVXL%QIVMGER 7X.SLR:MERRI]7IQMREV] 'SPPIKI8LI:EXMGER Derek Saldanha 7X.SLR:MERRI] Seminary

3050 N. Hwy A1A, Indialantic, FL, 321.773.2783, www.hnj.org , [email protected]

30 FALL 2013 SEEDS OF HOPE SEEDS OF HOPE FALL 2013 31 St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary 10701 S. Military Trail Boynton Beach, FL 33436 honoring a friend, loved one, or one of the faithful departed

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

But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Seeds of Hope is an entirely - Matt 13:8 student-run magazine. The ListenLords to whatRecipe the Bishops of Florida have to say The Story of a Chef turned Seminarianabout Seeds of Hope: by Lawton Lang – I Theology (

From the Students of St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary “A timely publication by the seminarians of St.

Vol. II, No. 2 Fall 2011 Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary that high- From the Students of St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary lights the importance of our Catholic faith in Issue IV Spring/Summer 2012 today’s society. We highly recommend it to all the faithful in Florida!” Want to support the formation MINDFULNESS: Josh’s Summer ON THE FOUNDATION OF AUTHENTIC EXISTENCE A PHILOSOPHICAL MEDITATION of future priests in Florida? by Fr. Ferdinand Santos, Ph.D. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC | ITALY | SPAIN

TH ROUG ENCOUNTE H STUDIES Get on our mailing list, advertise or get more By Rev. Mr.R VictorW AmoroseAN ITH A PERSON

TRUSTIN information by contacting us L G IN ANG GOD UAGES NOW: by Phillip TranFOR L OVE by email at [email protected] or call

World YouthDay 561.732.4424x162 MADRID THE ROAD LESS-TRAVELED: A WIDOWER’S JOURNEY TO THE PRIESTHOOD by Rev. Mr. Luis Marrero Please donate to support our seminary, by using GROWING VOCATIONS: A SIGN OF EXCITEMENT IN THE CHURCHTHE LIFE OF A SHERIFF CHAPLAIN Photo courtesy of SVdP by Lawrence Peck by Rev. Mr. Casey Jones the envelope inside, or mail your check to

2012 DEACON/PRIEST ORDINATION SCHEDULES THE CHRISTIAN APPROACH St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary by Michael A. Garcia 10701 S. Military Trail From the seminarians at Boynton Beach, FL 33436 St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach, FL Thank you! 32 FALL 2013 SEEDS OF HOPE