UPDATED: Seminarian retreat an opportunity for fellowship, growth in Christ
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By David Kilby | Correspondent
“The priesthood is nothing more than the heart of Jesus Christ.”
With this single quote from St. John Vianney, patron saint of parish priests, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., described the profound meaning of the priesthood for some 30 men gathered in Stella Maris Retreat Center, Long Branch, for a week of reflection, prayer and camaraderie, July 21-25.
In his homily during Mass, July 23, Bishop O’Connell reflected on the parable about the seeds that fell on different kinds of soil. “This Gospel is about you,” he told the young men. He said the soil in this parable is not the different assignments, environments or experiences the seminarians will have.
“I think it’s more than that. It’s in the heart. That’s what makes the difference. The heart is the soil.... Show me your heart and I’ll show you what kind of priest you’ll be.”
Stella Maris, translated “Star of the Sea,” is a quiet sanctuary along the Jersey shore perfect for the five-day summer retreat required of all new and current seminarians as part of their formation. There are currently 30 men in seminary formation and eight entering the seminary in August of this year.
To see photo gallery on this story, click here.
Frank Flaherty of Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, Riverside, said the retreat was a great way to meet the men he will be journeying with during formation. He will begin his studies next month in St. Mary’s Seminary, Baltimore, and said he hopes to grow in his relationship with Christ there, “being open to what he asks of me.”
Flaherty, in addition to a career in tool making, taught religious education in his parish for 30 years. He mentioned that the talks by retreat master Msgr. Richard LaVerghetta, pastor of St. Joan of Arc Parish, Marlton, were based on the questions Jesus asked his disciples, such as, “When the son of man returns will there be any faith on earth?”
Summarizing his talks in an interview with The Monitor, Msgr. LaVerghetta said one of the primary responsibilities of priests is to evangelize, “to invite people into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to do that with great joy. We want dynamic, enthusiastic leaders who can build dynamic communities of faith-filled disciples of Jesus Christ. That’s our challenge as priests living in this day and age.”
Among those who also spent time with the retreatants was Msgr. Sam A. Sirianni, director of the Office of Worship and pastor, St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Freehold, who met with the third and fourth year seminarians to discuss their ordinations in the spring.
Timothy Graham of St. John the Baptist Parish, Allentown, who serves as an acolyte and sacristan for his parish, said the retreat has been a good way to meet others walking a similar path. Graham said since many of
the seminarians will be going different places, it’s good for them to spend time in retreat together.
When it comes time for him to enter St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood, Pa., next month, he will devote more time to prayer, developing a closer relationship with God, and doing well in his studies, he shared.
Chris Pinto of St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish, Hamilton, who attends St. Mary Seminary, said this is his second year attending the retreat. He described the retreat as an opportunity to form community and develop a sense of fellowship.
Pinto mentioned that joining the seminary was a tough decision for him, but that he now has great peace and knows he made the right choice.
Msgr. Thomas Mullelly, vicar for clergy and consecrated life, and director of seminarians, said the retreat is a chance for the young men to get away from the tension and stress of their everyday lives, and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation.
“People come from all different backgrounds to accomplish something very important ... to get to know each other, and to grow in knowledge, love and commitment to God,” he said about the retreat and the seminary. “The seminarian experience is about discernment, exploring what it means to be a priest. Not everybody who goes to seminary is called to be a priest.”
Rick Osborn from St Jerome Parish, West Long Branch, said his time in seminary has been above and beyond what he imagined it to be. With only two years left, he plans to be ordained a transitional deacon by next year. “It’s been the most joyful time of my life,” he shared.
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By David Kilby | Correspondent
“The priesthood is nothing more than the heart of Jesus Christ.”
With this single quote from St. John Vianney, patron saint of parish priests, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., described the profound meaning of the priesthood for some 30 men gathered in Stella Maris Retreat Center, Long Branch, for a week of reflection, prayer and camaraderie, July 21-25.
In his homily during Mass, July 23, Bishop O’Connell reflected on the parable about the seeds that fell on different kinds of soil. “This Gospel is about you,” he told the young men. He said the soil in this parable is not the different assignments, environments or experiences the seminarians will have.
“I think it’s more than that. It’s in the heart. That’s what makes the difference. The heart is the soil.... Show me your heart and I’ll show you what kind of priest you’ll be.”
Stella Maris, translated “Star of the Sea,” is a quiet sanctuary along the Jersey shore perfect for the five-day summer retreat required of all new and current seminarians as part of their formation. There are currently 30 men in seminary formation and eight entering the seminary in August of this year.
To see photo gallery on this story, click here.
Frank Flaherty of Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, Riverside, said the retreat was a great way to meet the men he will be journeying with during formation. He will begin his studies next month in St. Mary’s Seminary, Baltimore, and said he hopes to grow in his relationship with Christ there, “being open to what he asks of me.”
Flaherty, in addition to a career in tool making, taught religious education in his parish for 30 years. He mentioned that the talks by retreat master Msgr. Richard LaVerghetta, pastor of St. Joan of Arc Parish, Marlton, were based on the questions Jesus asked his disciples, such as, “When the son of man returns will there be any faith on earth?”
Summarizing his talks in an interview with The Monitor, Msgr. LaVerghetta said one of the primary responsibilities of priests is to evangelize, “to invite people into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to do that with great joy. We want dynamic, enthusiastic leaders who can build dynamic communities of faith-filled disciples of Jesus Christ. That’s our challenge as priests living in this day and age.”
Among those who also spent time with the retreatants was Msgr. Sam A. Sirianni, director of the Office of Worship and pastor, St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Freehold, who met with the third and fourth year seminarians to discuss their ordinations in the spring.
Timothy Graham of St. John the Baptist Parish, Allentown, who serves as an acolyte and sacristan for his parish, said the retreat has been a good way to meet others walking a similar path. Graham said since many of
the seminarians will be going different places, it’s good for them to spend time in retreat together.
When it comes time for him to enter St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood, Pa., next month, he will devote more time to prayer, developing a closer relationship with God, and doing well in his studies, he shared.
Chris Pinto of St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish, Hamilton, who attends St. Mary Seminary, said this is his second year attending the retreat. He described the retreat as an opportunity to form community and develop a sense of fellowship.
Pinto mentioned that joining the seminary was a tough decision for him, but that he now has great peace and knows he made the right choice.
Msgr. Thomas Mullelly, vicar for clergy and consecrated life, and director of seminarians, said the retreat is a chance for the young men to get away from the tension and stress of their everyday lives, and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation.
“People come from all different backgrounds to accomplish something very important ... to get to know each other, and to grow in knowledge, love and commitment to God,” he said about the retreat and the seminary. “The seminarian experience is about discernment, exploring what it means to be a priest. Not everybody who goes to seminary is called to be a priest.”
Rick Osborn from St Jerome Parish, West Long Branch, said his time in seminary has been above and beyond what he imagined it to be. With only two years left, he plans to be ordained a transitional deacon by next year. “It’s been the most joyful time of my life,” he shared.
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