Seminary Annual Appeal

Joseph Ganser, Seminarian
Second Theology

Each year during the first two weekends of November the seminarians at St. Charles get a rare treat: we get to leave campus for the weekends. However, these are not free weekends in the traditional sense instead every man, from the one who received his cassock no more than two weeks ago to the transitional deacon, is assigned to a parish for what is known as the seminary annual appeal.

As the name implies the seminarians go to the parishes of the archdiocese and ask the parishioners to support us and our ministry through a donation to the annual fund. However, there is so much more that happens during this weekend. Though everyone aggrees that the masses and other liturgies within the seminary are beautiful there are things which we simply cannot experience within the community and so these two weekends serve as an opportunity for the men to go out and for a brief time experience what a typical Sunday is like in a neighborhood parish.

Since it is a normal weekend for the parishes, there are plenty of things for the men to do. The weekend provides for the new men the first opportunity to be seen in their cassocks in public. For them this is a time to begin to grow in their identity as a seminarian and become more comfortable with their expanding role within the liturgy and parish communities. During the weekend the men have a chance to stay in the parish rectory and spend time with the Pastor and his assistants which gives them an understanding of the behind the scenes life of a priest. We have a chance to meet many great parishioners, to pray with them, to celebrate with them and thank them for all the types of support they offer for us throughout the years. But most of all the seminarians have a chance to speak, to tell our vocation stories and to practice skills that will be increasingly important as we approach the priesthood in the church.

Though most of us are slightly uncomfortable when we first go out after the initial awkwardness of asking for money passes away most of us have a great time. This weekend, though it is very tiring, allows us to get a brief foretaste of the life we hope to live some day as priests. It gives us a small chance to break out of the ordinary seminary schedule and experience the rich diversity of the church that is found in the Archdiocese.

St Charles Day Football Game

By: Orlando Aso
Seminarian, Second Theology

Each year on November 4th, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary celebrates the feast day of its patron saint with its annual Upper Side versus Lower Side Flag Football Game. At stake is possession of the coveted football trophy engraved with the winning division’s name as well as bragging rights as the best overall athletic division (Soccer, Football, Volleyball, and Basketball). Only one month ago, the Lower Side, composed of members of the College Division and Pre-Theologate, defeated the Upper Side Theologians in Soccer and was riding the momentum of last year’s overtime flag football victory. Representing the Upperside were three theologians from the Allentown Diocese: Deacon Brian Miller, 3rd Theologian Jason Stokes and 2nd Theologian Orlando Aso. In a defensive struggle, the Upperside Theologians managed to pull out a well fought victory 10-7 made possible by several impressive defensive stands especially in the second half of the game. Overtime for the second year in a row was prevented by the narrowest of margins, as the lower side’s last second field goal attempt steered wide right by a matter of inches.

Tight end Jason Stokes was an integral offensive weapon throughout the game and made several key receptions for first downs to keep the chains moving, while cornerback Orlando Aso was called upon to stifle the Lower Side’s aerial attack. The game was especially emotional for Deacon Brian Miller, who played offensive line and started at free safety. Brian likely played his final game in a Saint Charles Seminary uniform. Struggling to hold back tears of joy, captain Brian Miller stated, “I have so many fond memories playing with my seminarian brothers. I gave everything I could on the football field, and now it’s time to hang up the cleats for good. But if given the opportunity, I hope to be back with Father Allen Hoffa next year as a guest referee.”

Transitional Deacon Assignment

By: Deacon Brian Miller

Seminarian, Fourth Theology

It is the law of the Church that seminarians in there last year at the seminary be transitional deacons. This makes my final year at the seminary unlike any other. Like all seminarians I attend daily mass with the seminary community, but I also have opportunities to exercise my diaconate service in the liturgies. This means that occasionally I serve at the altar and I preach daily homilies. I still live among my seminarian brethren, but I do so as one who has received sacred orders. The mark I have received at ordination configures to Christ the servant. I am a leader amongst the seminarians, but a leader who first serves his brethren. Christ says in the Gospels, “The one whom is going to be first, must be a servant of all.”

I am currently assigned at the Cathedral parish of St. Catharine of Siena for the school year. Each weekend I preach at a Sunday mass, baptize infants, visit the sick at the hospitals, minister to the youth group, and take part in the parish retreat team. It is a wonderful foretaste of what is to come for the rest of my life. I thank God for this opportunity. It is a blessing to work under the priests at the parish, and the parishioners have been truly supportive. The weekends are the best part of my week.

What I must remember is that we are still in the seminary formation process. I must admit it can be struggle for me at times. There is a part of me that wants to put aside the seminary activities and to get out into the parish life. I know that this is the wrong approach, God’s place for me right now is at the seminary. God has given me an opportunity, an opportunity to devote a lot of time and energy in my studies. I am receiving an outstanding education at St. Charles seminary. Right now I am learning about the beauty and richness of the mass so that I can say the mass with love and devotion. It is also an opportunity to take part in the beauty of the seminary liturgies. Just last week we celebrated our forty hours devotion, it is an unique time because during the devotion the community sung some of the most beautiful ancient chants that many Catholics do not have an opportunity to hear in their parishes. It is also an opportunity to spend time with my classmates. After the seminary is finished, we will be sent out to our respective diocese which will make getting together for fellowship very difficult. Fellowship among my fellow priests is an essential component of the priesthood. Are there not more than one times in the Gospels where Jesus and the twelve are together?

My diaconate year is the fruit of the formation, preparation, and discernment that took place in the last eight years. For those of you who are reading this and considering a vocation to the priesthood, may I suggest a couple of things that I have learned from my vocation journey. The first is be rooted in prayer. No one has a right to be a priest; he must be called by Jesus Christ. In the Gospels, it was Jesus who approached the twelve, called them, and made them fishers of men. Discerning the will of Father is impossible if one does not encounter him in prayer. For me, it took three years of prayers and discernment. Daily mass attendance, praying the rosary, reading and meditating on the Scriptures and frequent use of the sacrament of reconciliation were a major part of my discernment process. Even today I do all I can to make this a priority. Like of all us, I am not always faithful to this; but when I fail I ask the Lord to give the grace and desire to come back.

Second is to find a faithful priest to talk to. Find a priest who loves the priesthood. I believe that the best way to find such a priest is to search for one who truly loves the Mass. In my discernment journey I am bless with couple of those priests. They are inspirations for me. They show me that priesthood is a life worth living.

I ask for your prayers as I finish up my last year at St. Charles seminary. Specifically pray for me so that I may be a holy and faithful priest. I hope these words are up to you. May God bless your discernment. Seek his will in every aspect of your life.