Newsletter for the Alumni and Friends of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary Mission Statement
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Summer 2007 “Forming men for the The priesthood for over Herald 100 years.” A Newsletter for the Alumni and Friends of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary Mission Statement Kenrick-Glennon Seminary is a community of faith, formation, Seven Ordained to Priesthood and learning, located in the Bannes, Fleming, O’Brien, Post Are Priests for St. Louis Archdiocese of St. Louis, pre- paring men for the Roman Catholic priesthood of Jesus On Saturday, May Many seminarians Christ. 26, 2007, Archbishop commented that seeing Raymond Burke or- their brother seminarians Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and to the praise of dained to the Order of ordained to the priest- God the Father, we cultivate the Priesthood four Kenrick- hood was an inspiring human, spiritual, intellectual, Glennon seminarians for experience that they hope and pastoral gifts of candidates the Archdiocese of St. to know in the years to for the diocesan ministry. Louis: Rev. Timothy come. To this end, we commit our- Bannes, Rev. Rodger Last year, Fathers selves to a responsible and ef- Fleming, Rev. John Chris Dunlap, Chris Mar- fective stewardship of resources, O’Brien, and Rev. Jo- tin, Nicholas Muenks, carrying on our recognized tra- seph Post. (From left:) Newly-ordained Fr. O’Brien, Fr. and Aaron Nord were dition of service to the Church. In attendance at the Post, Fr. Fleming, and Fr. Bannes with ordained to the priest- Archbishop Raymond Burke, following the standing-room only Ca- Ordination Mass of May 26 at the Cathe- hood for the Archdiocese thedral Basilica were dral Basilica. (Rebecca Venegoni Tower) of St. Louis. Next year, Highlights in This family and friends of the God-willing, the new Issue: four men, as well as priests, deacons, and men transitional deacons will be ordained to the and women religious of the Archdiocese of St. priesthood, including seven more for the International Night Offers Louis. Seminarians were also in attendance at Archdiocese of St. Louis. a Taste of Culinary Talents 2 (Ordinations, cont. on pg. 6) the ceremony. Prophets Day Features Insights Into Hebrew Scripture 2 Historic Change for College and Pre-Theology Programs How Ten Years in the Announced by Archbishop Burke Seminary Helped to Shape My Life: A Reflection by On Thursday, May 3, nal Glennon College of Robert Freesmeier 3 2007, Kenrick-Glennon Semi- Kenrick-Glennon Seminary. nary welcomed His Excel- The Nature and Ration- Faculty News and Notes 4 lency, the Most Reverend ale of the New Program . A Seminarian Spotlight: Raymond L. Burke, who an- collaborative agreement Experiencing the Divine nounced an historic change in with Saint Louis University Through Hobbies 5 the program of study and for- will continue whereby, un- mation for college and pre- der ordinary circumstances, Losing the Way of Faith in Pan’s Labyrinth : A Movie theology seminarians. At the the first two years of study Review by Stephen beginning of the 2007-2008 St. Louis seminarians and College for a college seminarian will Mirarchi 7 academic year, all philosophy Juniors Patrick Fletcher (left) and focus upon general classes and undergraduate theology Daniel Kenney won’t be going to of a liberal arts curriculum Coming Events at Kenrick- Saint Louis U. for their Philosophy (College, cont. on pg. 4) Glennon 8 classes will be taught at Cardi- classes this Fall. (Jeff Geerling) Page 2 The Herald International Night Offers a Taste of Culinary Talents By Jacob Drumm, Theology I, Archdiocese of St. scrumptious desserts on Saturday, and the smell was radiat- Louis ing throughout the refectory. Monday saw a packed kitchen Grab a cold drink, sit outside, and enjoy the as people moved in and out from classes to smell of smoking meat. Sitting there with a cold cooking to classes again. Tasting during drink and hunks of meat over charcoal and cooking was also very common, as I wood chips—that’s classic St. Louis summer needed to station a guard so that at least barbeque. That was my dish: apple and rum smoked brisket. some of the brisket would be left for the The brisket was just one of the wonderful items made for actual dinner. Flour flying, knives cutting, International Night. and pans banging: the sweet symphony of International Night is a dinner at the seminary where culinary greatness. students and faculty are asked to make dishes from coun- At the dinner, all the dishes were ar- tries around the globe. Rev. ranged with cards that showed the name St. Louis semi- and the country of origin. Students then Mr. Scott Hastings, a fourth narians Michael year theologian from of the entered buffet style and had a feast. Items Grosch such as the gumbo and brisket went very Archdiocese of Omaha, was (Theology I) and the head chef this year and ran Rev. Mr. Edward quickly, and nothing was left untouched. the show. Once people told Nemeth The desserts were eaten up as well. him what they wanted to cook (Theology IV) Diets were optional on this day, and unveil their culi- and the supplies they needed, nobody left hungry. Seconds abounded A variety of desserts awaits nary creations. and sometimes the plate wasn’t big those with room to spare. it was off to the farmers’ mar- ket to procure them. enough to try everything, so you had to go The dinner took place on Monday, April 23. On the back for more! It was a wonderful meal to showcase the weekend leading up to it, however, you could see people in myriad of family recipes and talents that exist in the semi- and out of the kitchen. Deacon Hastings was baking nary. And who says guys can’t cook? Prophets Day Features Insights Into Hebrew Scripture By Kevin Stockbridge, Theology III, Diocese of Students and faculty members listened, critiqued, and voted Memphis on the exhibits. The seminary community enjoyed the coming of The winners of the Rector’s Cup award, John Mayo and Prophets Day on May 1, as the auditorium was Eric Olsen, included music, refreshments, and an impressive transformed into a biblical exhibition hall. Dr. computer program that enabled the participants to engage in Anne Marie Kitz, after educating her students in the message of Isaiah and test their knowledge. the realm of Prophetic Literature , di- Event participants wandered rected these same students to become through the auditorium during the instructors in their own right. Five three hours that the booths were open. teams were assembled for the event. Team members were well prepared Each team read and studied about one for their presentations and participants particular prophet or portion of a pro- did not walk away without learning phetic book in order to bring to life the something and having their questions message of the Scriptures to others. answered. The afternoon was a won- Then, using a number of interesting derful opportunity for the students of props and a great deal of creativity and Dr. Kitz’s Prophets class to prepare to ingenuity, each team developed a booth be teachers and preachers of the that served to help them teach others St. Louis seminarian Mark Chrismer Word. It stretched them to present the (Theology III) and Rockford, Illinois seminar- about their topic. Many in the seminary truths of the faith in new ways so that ian Jack Evans (Theology III) explain their others could understand. The daylong community came to observe, ask ques- Prophets Day exhibit on the 47th chapter of tions, and learn more about Scripture. the prophet Ezekiel to a pair of visitors. event was enjoyed by all. Summer 2007 Page 3 How Ten Years in the Seminary Helped to Shape My Life By Robert Freesmeier, St. Louis Preparatory My search has called me to volunteer work from the Seminary South High School, 1964-1968; Cardi- Friends of the New Cathedral to the Northeast Deanery Lay nal Glennon College, 1968-1972; Kenrick School Pastoral Council. The DPC is exciting as the laity in the of Theology, 1972-1974. Northeast Deanery assist our priests and religious with the When I left Kenrick in 1974, my dad asked me various needs of the Deanery. what I was going to do. The only answer when I The greatest gift to return has been my volunteer work had neither job nor plans for tomorrow was to say “to do in Pro Life. There is no volunteer work more rewarding than God’s will.” My German father was a man of faith, but that to share prayer and time with so many faithful Catholics answer didn’t go over very well. Just before I left Kenrick, who are dedicated to respect for all human life. Cardinal Carberry asked my class, “what is it that the people People ask Carolyn and me about why we do what we of the Archdiocese are asking of their priests?” I was happy do. For both of us it’s about stewardship. The gospel calls to say, “to be holy men.” all of us to be good stewards. The seminary—through spiri- I am grateful for a number of experiences and lessons in tual direction and by the leadership of good men both semi- the seminary, but most of all for learning that we are called narians and professors—taught and showed me the way to to be holy and the path is to do God’s will. being a good steward. Work Orders, community prayer, The years since Kenrick have been filled with many theological reflection, and other seminary activities were the blessings. I am blessed with 31 years of marriage to Carolyn basis of learning this in my life. whom I met at my first job, UMB Ferguson.