By David Karas | Correspondent

Much like men and women, young and old, journey home to visit family and loved ones to celebrate Christmas together, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. invited diocesan seminarians to come home to the Diocese of Trenton for a Mass and meal.

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Bishop O’Connell celebrated Mass for the fourth Sunday in Advent in Sacred Heart Church, Trenton, Dec. 21, during which he recognized the seminarians and asked for the prayers of the congregation to support them on their vocation journey. 

The Mass was followed by a dinner, providing the bishop and seminarians a chance to share fellowship and celebrate the coming of Christmas.

The occasion was special for another reason. Diocesan seminarians are currently studying at four different institutions -- St. Mary Seminary and University, Baltimore; Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University, South Orange; St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook, Pa., and Theological College, located on the campus of The Catholic University of America, Washington, -- and gathering like this are one of the few opportunities for the entire class – this year, with 32 men – to come together.

“This is one of the awaited events in the life of a seminarian,” said Gregg Abadilla, who studies in St. Mary Seminary and University. “We get a chance to bond with each other.”

During his homily, Bishop O’Connell spoke of the signs that many seek from God. Whether it is related to a job or a spouse, the direction of one’s life or even just an everyday choice, he said that many ask the Lord for signs to make sure they are doing the right thing.

“We all ask God for signs,” he said.

The bishop then connected the message to the seminarians, who might ask God for signs to let them know they are embarking upon the journey he intends for them.

Bishop O’Connell called upon those gathered to recognize the signs that God gives them in their everyday lives, and to see the Church as the living presence of Jesus in the world.

Seminarians also participated in various aspects of the Mass, serving as lectors and also during the presentation of the gifts.

“I always love the bishop’s homilies,” said Michael Kennedy, who attends St. Mary Seminary and University. He added that, while it is not hard to get excited about his vocation throughout the year, the Christmas season is especially exciting.

30 of the 32 seminarians were in attendance for the gathering, with the remaining two in the Philippines with family members who were affected by the recent typhoon.

James Smith is a seminarian in his second, pre-theology year. He echoed Msgr. Vaughan’s enthusiasm for the brotherhood that is cultivated by such gatherings.

“It is a wonderful opportunity for us who are in so many different locations,” he said. “We see all of the different seminarians.”

For Abadilla, the occasion was also a time to reflect on the five years he has been part of the Diocese of Trenton family.

“I am getting a lot of experience,” he said when asked about his time in the diocese thus far. “I am being exposed to ministry, individual parishes and parish life.”

Father Apoldite said that the annual Mass and dinner with the seminarians is a rather new tradition, and one he feels is important in their development as a cohort of men who will later work together across the four counties of the diocese.

“They get to know each other at this time of their life,” he said.

He added that it is a great opportunity for them to spent time with Bishop O’Connell as well.

Vocations are a critical element of the faith, he said, and a major part of his Trenton parish.

“We always pray for vocations,” he said. “We pray for the seminarians and we pray for vocations.”