By MARY STADNYK
Associate Editor
Nicholas Alescio sums up his experience of seminary life and priestly formation as being “challenging, but fruitful.”
“My confidence has grown. It’s going well,” said Alescio. “God has always been very good to me in my seminary formation. God is always confirming my vocation and helping me to prepare for Ordination.”
PHOTO GALLERY: Christmas gathering for seminarians
Alescio, who anticipates being ordained a transitional deacon in May, shared thoughts about his decision to pursue priesthood and his time in Mount St. Mary Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md., during a Christmas gathering with his fellow seminarians, diocesan clergy and Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. The event began with Mass in Sacred Heart Church, Trenton, followed by a reception in the parish rectory.
In his homily, Bishop O’Connell reflected on the day’s Readings in which the Lord invites Ahaz to “ask God for a sign.”
Bishop O’Connell is joined at the altar by several priest concelebrants including Msgr. Thomas Mullelly, diocesan episcopal vicar of clergy and consecrated life and director of seminarians, right, and Father Christopher Colavito, diocesan director of vocations, left. “If we are honest, we know that we have asked God for signs for different things,” the Bishop said, “whether it’s about choosing the right path to follow in life or the right spouse or job or vocation, faith, or making the right decision.”
“The question I ask myself and I ask you is, ‘Do we recognize the signs in our life of the presence of Jesus Christ or, do we still need to deepen our faith, our trust, our hope in the great and important moment of our lives as well as everyday ordinary ones?’” the Bishop said.
“The signs that we see, are already there,” the Bishop said. “Open your eyes to see those signs.”
The Mass and Christmas dinner is one of several occasions planned each year to bring the Diocese’s seminarians together with Bishop O’Connell and priests of the Diocese, especially those who are involved with vocation work, according to Msgr. Thomas Mullelly, diocesan episcopal vicar of clergy and consecrated life and director of seminarians.
“It’s good for the men to see the support of our Bishop, which is extraordinary for seminarians and priests alike,” Msgr. Mullelly said.
He noted that the Diocese currently has 10 seminarians, five of whom attend St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Ambler, Pa., and the other five attend Mount St. Mary Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md.
“When the seminarians return home from their studies and attend gatherings” such as the Mass and dinner, right before Christmas, “they get to see the beauty of the Trenton Diocese with priests who really enjoy their ministry and are really taken well care of by our Bishop,” Msgr. Mullelly said.
William Attardi of St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel, and Patrick Meehan of Holy Innocents Parish, Neptune, are new seminarians serving their propaedeutic year in St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. (The propaedeutic year is a time of discernment for men who are considering a vocation to the priesthood and focuses predominantly on spiritual development.)
Both valued the opportunity to become better acquainted with other seminarians, as well as the Bishop and priests.
“Many times, we’re ships passing in the night because of being in different years and have different schedules, so to have time set apart where we could spend time together at home is great,” Meehan said about his fellow seminarians.
Father Daniel Swift, pastor of St. Mary of the Lakes Parish, Medford, and assistant director of vocations for the Diocese, left, and Bishop O’Connell, spend time chatting with the seminarians during the reception that followed the Mass. John Batkowski photos