Mundelein Cover 6x9 - Annual Report 2018 v4.pdf 1 4/18/19 12:18 PM C M Y CM MY CY CMY K FORMED IN TRADITION. TRAINED IN COMPASSION. PREPARED TO SHEPHERD. WE ARE MUNDELEIN. DEAR FRIENDS OF MUNDELEIN SEMINARY, How can a priest serve Seminary is designed to help seminarians as a bridge between recognize and hone their pastoral gifts to God and His people? become priests with a heart for parish ministry. This is a question the This year’s annual report offers a look at the men studying at Mundelein pastoral and educational formation the men Seminary seek to answer through their years of receive in each year of seminary: from academic priestly formation. As societal shifts continue, classes and service-learning opportunities to the Catholic Church needs leaders now more parish immersion experiences and a pilgrimage than ever. The time that seminarians spend to the Holy Land. The formation of your future studying, praying and conforming their parish priests is only possible through your hearts to the will of Christ has a formative generous and prayerful support of our mission. impact on the future vitality of the Church . As the seminarians prepare themselves to be the Each year, men from dioceses in the United next generation of parish priests, your example States and worldwide embark on the next of faithful stewardship is an inspiration to them . step of their vocation to the priesthood at Your investment in these men is an encouraging Mundelein Seminary. Once ordained, they sign of hope for the future of the Church. commit themselves to a unique and important Together with you in Christ, we are charism—to be devoted, loving shepherds to Mundelein. We form parish priests. parish flocks. Parish priests are called upon at the most critical moments of parishioners’ Yours in the Heart of Christ, lives—marriage, birth, illness, death—to bring Christ into those experiences. But a good parish priest is also engaged in helping people to grow in holiness, receive the Sacraments, and Very Reverend John Kartje recognize the presence of God in their daily lives Rector/President and in one another. Our program at Mundelein About the University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary The University of Saint Mary of the Lake is regarded have a Bachelor’s degree and study two years of as one of the top universities for the education philosophy—either through a college seminary or by and formation of parish priests and Catholic completing philosophy studies through Mundelein’s parish leadership and has been in continuous two-year Pre-Theology program. After completing operation since 1921. The flagship program of the the philosophy requirement, seminarians spend four university is Mundelein Seminary, the graduate years earning a Master of Divinity before ordination. school of Theology named after the late Cardinal Mundelein Seminary offers an integral formation George Mundelein who built the campus in which encompasses the human, spiritual, intellectual the 1920s. Mundelein Seminary is now one of and pastoral dimensions of priestly commitment. the largest Catholic seminary programs in the Through prayer, study, pastoral and service country, with nearly 200 seminarians enrolled experiences, our seminarians are conformed to from more than 30 dioceses around the world. Jesus Christ who is Teacher, Priest and Shepherd. Men enter seminary either from a four-year college The following pages provide a glimpse into each seminary or after having earned a degree from year of the seminarian experience at Mundelein another discipline. Every seminarian is required to and the path to becoming a parish priest. 2 MUNDELEIN SEMINARY ANNUAL REPORT n 2018 USML.EDU Pre-Theology The Pre-Theology program serves incoming seminarians who have not completed the requisite two years of philosophy that provide a foundation for the study of theology. In addition to their academic studies, seminarians spend these years focused on their human formation—maturing in their relationship with the Lord and their decision to follow Him. They are also assigned to serve in an apostolate in the field of health care or assisted living. Pre-Theology I Classes Pre-Theology II Classes . ANTHROPOLOGY . INTRO TO OLD & NEW TESTAMENTS . ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL PHILOSOPHY . INTRO TO PASTORAL THEOLOGY . ECCLESIASTICAL LATIN . DOCUMENTS OF VATICAN II . CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH . MODERN PHILOSOPHY . EPISTEMOLOGY . GREEK “Diving academically into the faith as I’d never done before excited and motivated me. It helped deepen my faith convictions and opened new avenues of thought to share with believers, non-believers and, God willing, future parishioners.” Matthew Ockinga, Diocese of Yakima MUNDELEIN SEMINARY ANNUAL REPORT n 2018 3 Theology I As a seminarian begins his theological studies, he is focused on his configuration to Christ— allowing the sentiments and attitudes of Christ to arise in his own heart. In addition to classes and formation sessions, first-year theologians begin spending ample time at their teaching parishes, where they engage with the parishioners and a mentor pastor. They also declare their candidacy for the priesthood and are installed to the order of acolytes, granting them the responsibility of assisting priests and deacons in the Eucharistic celebration. Theology I Classes . EVANGELIZATION, CATECHESIS, FAMILY AND MINISTRY . MEDIEVAL CHURCH HISTORY . MORAL THEOLOGY . CHRISTOLOGY & SOTERIOLOGY . NARRATIVE PREACHING “Faculty at Mundelein are patient and very supportive of our formation, and are ready to take part in our development. Mundelein provides every possible aid that one would need in this great spiritual journey toward being a good and holy pastor.” Ankit Jose Mathews, Syro-Malabar Catholic Archeparchy of Kottayam 4 MUNDELEIN SEMINARY ANNUAL REPORT n 2018 USML.EDU Theology II In the second year of theology, seminarians are installed to the order of lectors to proclaim the Word of God. They continue to take classes and engage in youth ministry at their teaching parishes. They spend the second semester on internship at a parish in their home diocese, where they are fully immersed in the life and ministries of the local Church. Theology I Classes Theology II Classes . MEDIEVAL CHURCH HISTORY . PASTORAL CARE AND COUNSELING . REFORMATION & REVOLUTION . CHRISTOLOGY & SOTERIOLOGY . SYNOPTIC GOSPELS & ACTS . SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION . SEXUALITY & VOCATION “Second Theology is that pivotal moment where a man should make his decision on what his future will be—when he truly says ‘yes.’ I moved from discernment of priesthood to discernment of what type of priest God is calling me to be, and how I will integrate all my years of formation.” Johnathan Johnson, Diocese of Grand Rapids MUNDELEIN SEMINARY ANNUAL REPORT n 2018 5 Theology III Seminarians spend the third year of theology preparing for their ordination as transitional deacons at the end of the year. This journey culminates with a nine-week study-pilgrimage to the Holy Land, where the Sacred Scriptures come alive for them and they grow in their understanding of what it means to be a priest. Theology III Classes . THE DEACON AND THE LITURGY . ECCLESIOLOGY AND MARIOLOGY . HOMILETICS . SOCIAL JUSTICE . SACRAMENTS OF HEALING AND VOCATION “Third Theology was a transitional phase that helped me understand that the path to priesthood is not something we choose on our own, but rather a calling we follow so we may serve the people of God. Spending a semester in the Holy Land was also a tremendous blessing.” Deacon John Hoang, Diocese of San Jose 6 MUNDELEIN SEMINARY ANNUAL REPORT n 2018 USML.EDU Theology IV The fourth-year seminarian serves as a deacon at his teaching parish, continuing his pastoral formation, celebrating the sacraments of marriage and baptism, proclaiming the Gospel and preaching homilies, and providing liturgical and catechetical assistance to his mentor pastor. Upon completion of thier fourth year of theology, these men are called to Ordination as parish priests--ready to serve as a bridge between God and His people. Theology IV Classes . RECONCILIATION PRACTICUM . THE PRIEST AND THE LITURGY . PASTORAL ADMINISTRATION AND LEADERSHIP . NARRATIVE PREACHING . CANON LAW “It is crucial that seminarians establish healthy friendships that are going to sustain them when they move on to their parishes. The final year of seminary was also a very appropriate time to strengthen our relationship with Jesus Christ, the reason for our call and the goal of our priesthood.” Father Robinson Ortiz, Archdiocese of Chicago MUNDELEIN SEMINARY ANNUAL REPORT n 2018 7 Teaching Parish Program The Teaching Parish Program is at the heart of seminarian formation at Mundelein. This innovative program immerses our seminarians in parish life throughout their time in seminary. Students are assigned to one of more than 80 teaching parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago and nearby dioceses. By spending their entire seminary tenure at the same parish, they are able to form true bonds with parishioners and fully invest themselves in the life of the parish. Our seminarians spend time each week at their teaching parishes—learning practical and pastoral “This program gives us the skills from experienced mentor pastors, participating in opportunity to enter into Masses and parish events, getting to know parishioners personally, and gaining a better understanding of very real-life ministerial what it takes to shepherd a community of faith. experiences with the people While the Teaching Parish Program is an essential educational experience, it is also an opportunity for at our teaching parishes, and our seminarians to enrich local parishes through then bring those insights back their presence and spiritual gifts. Seminarians are frequently called upon to teach CCD and RCIA with us to the seminary.” classes, lead parish Bible studies and small faith- Chris Aust, Diocese of Joliet sharing groups, and attend youth and young adult group meetings and events. By interacting with the lay community in these ways, they learn to pass on their faith—inspiring vocations in young Catholics and renewing hope in the future of the Church.