So…What is there to do in Omaha?

By: Kevin Lonergan
Seminarian, First Theology

When you think about Omaha, Nebraska, the first thing that probably does NOT come to mind is an awesome downtown area, beautiful churches, interesting culture, and intriguing history. But, rest assured, Omaha has all of the above!

When arriving in Omaha at the end of May, I was shocked to find myself in a city with skyscrapers and beautiful art deco buildings. Being a seminarian the first thing that we needed to find (after the church, of course) was where to eat. My classmate and I ventured into the “Old Market” district of Omaha. The area was filled with shops, restaurants, pubs and street musicians. To say the least this locale became a favorite among the seminarians at Creighton as a place to relax, have a nice meal, and enjoy each other’s company.

The City of Omaha itself has a fascinating history dating back to the pioneer days and the wagon trains heading westward. In the downtown area are magnificent, larger-than-life sculptures of settlers making their way west with all of their possessions in horse-drawn wagons.

Also in Omaha are some glorious churches. Whatever your taste in art and architecture, you’ll find a church in Omaha. Many of the churches have been well maintained or tastefully renovated including the grand St. Cecilia’s Cathedral.

The Old Market, as well as downtown Omaha, is laden with lovely art deco buildings including the impressive administration building right on Creighton’s campus.

Teen idol Justin Beiber packed the Quest Center for a concert on the July Fourth weekend. People come from surrounding states to watch first class shows at this brand new facility out there in the middle of the country. Another popular tourist stop is the railroad museum. Although we did not visit the attraction, I understand that it is a vital destination for people interested in the creation of the full United States.

All in all, I heartily enjoyed my Creighton experience and Omaha, Nebraska! The program felt like a spiritual Utopia that will always remain with me. And Omaha is a wonderful example of the beauty of our country!

Whatever your reason or need is for visiting Omaha, rest assured that there is plenty to do and see. However, if you’re only staying for a limited time, the top three in this seminarian’s opinion are St. Cecilia’s Cathedral, the Doorly Zoo, and the Old Market district.

Liturgy at The Institute for Priestly Formation

By: James Harper, Seminarian
First Theology

In a summer of spirituality at the Institute for Priestly Formation in Omaha, liturgy is the core about which our prayer takes place.

Each day, we begin with Morning Prayer prior to class.  For the most part, Mass took place after class, towards the center of our day. Evening prayer varied significantly over the summer. Sometimes it would unite us as a full community within a holy hour. At most other times, evening prayer was the opportunity to gather in smaller corridor groups in which we could form deeper ties in which to

share everyday and spiritual experiences.

As with our usual seminary formation, seminarians had the opportunity to serve during liturgy as readers and servers, thus becoming actively involved as many of us would usually be. Aside from essential liturgy assisting roles, the IPF program also had an excellent arrangement of opportunities for music ministry to enhance

the perception of our liturgy day to day.

On a personal note, although I never served at the altar, I did serve through music as one of three seminarian organists. On the occasion of a saint’s feast, we would sometimes arrange a choir to sing a psalm and a meditation at Mass. Of course within our smaller corridor groups at evening prayer, everyone had to actively

take a role at some point.

In closing, the liturgies at the IPF program were very prayerful due to the involvement and reverence of our staff and brother seminarians such that it may be the center of our daily prayer life. And without the liturgy as the core and the focus upon integrating it with our daily prayer, our summer would not have been
as spiritually fruitful.

Seminarian Holy Hour for Vocations

By: Joseph Ganser, Seminarian

Third Theology

As the summer begins to wind down and students prepare to return to school the seminarians come to end of our summer assignments and begin to look forward to the changes that the new semester will bring. However, before we pack up and head back to class we also take time to thank God for all the good experiences that he has given us over the past eight weeks and to pray for our vocations and for the men who will come after us.

For the past several years near the feast of St. John Vianney the seminarians have gathered at a church with the priests and the lay faithful of the diocese to sponsor a holy hour for vocations. This year the evening was hosted by St. Jane Frances de Chantal parish in Easton.

Over one hundred people, including fifteen priests and five of the seminarians joined together in adoration before our Lord to pray for an increase of vocations. The evening began with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by a solemn singing of Evening prayer and closed with benediction. During the holy hour the reflection on the priesthood was given by Fr. Keith Laskowski who used the words of Pope Benedict XVI to encourage more prayers for vocations but also to encourage the seminarians in their own process of discernment.

After the holy hour the priests and the seminarians relaxed at the parish rectory where they shared a meal prepared by the members of the parish. It was a good time to grow in fraternity and to develop new friendships. It was also a perfect time for the priests to meet the newest member of our diocesan clergy, Father Boniface Badiate, who recently arrived from Senegal to live and work in the United States and to welcome him into our diocesan family.

Once again our Evening Prayer for vocations has proved to be a great way to wrap-up our summer assignments and to prepare us for what lies ahead. Being organized and run by the seminarians themselves it also provides us great experiences in leadership and event planning. It’s a great way to get us excited for the future.