Cinnaminson parish sends off new Jesuit seminarians with blessings, prayers
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By David Karas | Correspondent
Father Peter James R. Alindogan, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Cinnaminson, shared a very simple statement in opening a recent Sunday Mass.
“We are sending off two friends,” he said, eliciting a warm round of applause from the congregation.
Father Alindogan took the opportunity to offer a special, prayerful send-off to two young men who were just a week away from beginning their studies for the priesthood in the Jesuit Novitiate in Syracuse, N.Y., as they work towards joining the Jesuit order – known more formally as the Society of Jesus.
“They are bringing before the Church of God, their faith,” Father Alindogan said of Tom Elitz and Brendan Gottschall. “In their case, they turn away from their jobs, their careers, and say, ‘God, I want to serve you.’”
He continued, “They are bringing before the Church of God, their love for Jesus.”
The Mass was concelebrated by Father Christopher Picollo, parochial vicar.
At the end of the Mass, Elitz and Gottschall were invited to approach the altar and were handed the parish’s vocations prayer chalice to hold as Father Alindogan offered prayers while the congregation extended their hands to impart their blessings as they prepare to take the next step toward a life in service in the Church.
Elitz and Gotschall are the only pair out of 10 new Jesuit seminarians in the class who hail from New Jersey.
Elitz first became a member of the Cinnaminson parish when his family moved to town in 2001, and is a graduate of the parish elementary school as well as Holy Cross High School, Delran.
He said that his first serious thought about the priesthood came during his late high school years, and grew more serious while he was attending St. Joseph University, Philadelphia.
“I have decided I feel good enough about this to do it,” he said, reflecting on how he felt to be nearing the start of his seminarian preparation.
Gottschall, a Margate native and graduate of Georgetown University, Washington, first met Father Alindogan when he was part of a parish trip to the Holy Land.
“Ever since I was a young boy, I would tell people that I wanted to be a priest,” he said. “I am looking forward to having the time to pray on a daily basis.”
Gottschall’s mother, Joanne, could not have been happier to have the chance to attend the special send-off Mass.
“I am very happy and proud of my son,” she said.
When sharing his reflections following the Mass, Elitz was quick to offer advice for other young men who might be discerning a vocation to the priesthood.
“Stay serious about your prayer,” he said.
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By David Karas | Correspondent
Father Peter James R. Alindogan, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Cinnaminson, shared a very simple statement in opening a recent Sunday Mass.
“We are sending off two friends,” he said, eliciting a warm round of applause from the congregation.
Father Alindogan took the opportunity to offer a special, prayerful send-off to two young men who were just a week away from beginning their studies for the priesthood in the Jesuit Novitiate in Syracuse, N.Y., as they work towards joining the Jesuit order – known more formally as the Society of Jesus.
“They are bringing before the Church of God, their faith,” Father Alindogan said of Tom Elitz and Brendan Gottschall. “In their case, they turn away from their jobs, their careers, and say, ‘God, I want to serve you.’”
He continued, “They are bringing before the Church of God, their love for Jesus.”
The Mass was concelebrated by Father Christopher Picollo, parochial vicar.
At the end of the Mass, Elitz and Gottschall were invited to approach the altar and were handed the parish’s vocations prayer chalice to hold as Father Alindogan offered prayers while the congregation extended their hands to impart their blessings as they prepare to take the next step toward a life in service in the Church.
Elitz and Gotschall are the only pair out of 10 new Jesuit seminarians in the class who hail from New Jersey.
Elitz first became a member of the Cinnaminson parish when his family moved to town in 2001, and is a graduate of the parish elementary school as well as Holy Cross High School, Delran.
He said that his first serious thought about the priesthood came during his late high school years, and grew more serious while he was attending St. Joseph University, Philadelphia.
“I have decided I feel good enough about this to do it,” he said, reflecting on how he felt to be nearing the start of his seminarian preparation.
Gottschall, a Margate native and graduate of Georgetown University, Washington, first met Father Alindogan when he was part of a parish trip to the Holy Land.
“Ever since I was a young boy, I would tell people that I wanted to be a priest,” he said. “I am looking forward to having the time to pray on a daily basis.”
Gottschall’s mother, Joanne, could not have been happier to have the chance to attend the special send-off Mass.
“I am very happy and proud of my son,” she said.
When sharing his reflections following the Mass, Elitz was quick to offer advice for other young men who might be discerning a vocation to the priesthood.
“Stay serious about your prayer,” he said.
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