The formation of seminarians who are discerning a vocation to the priesthood for the Diocese of Venice is structured in such a way as to allow the candidates to gain valuable experiences both while in seminary and during summer break.
Diocese of Venice Vocations Director Father Alex Pince said there are 13 Diocesan seminarians who are on a summer pastoral assignment which were carefully planned to maximize the benefit for the individual seminarian as each continues on his discernment journey.
The pastoral work is intended to provide the seminarians with an opportunity to learn about the daily operation of a Parish while gaining practical experience particularly in the area of pastoral care. Typical work includes serving at Mass, learning to be a sacristan, visiting the sick, helping with OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) programs, leading a Bible study, working with youth groups and much more.
The Parish assignments place the men with Pastors who will also serve as a mentor to them. The seminarian assignments differ each summer to provide the greatest opportunity for new learning experiences. Because each seminarian is at a different stage in their formation, the workload will vary accordingly.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane said the summer work keeps the seminarians engaged as part of their commitment to a prayerful life and spiritual development.
“While seminary formation stresses growth in human, academic, spiritual and pastoral formation, summer assignments give practical experience in pastoral ministry and provide the individual the means to grow and have real-life pastoral encounters,” Bishop Dewane added.
There will be eight seminarians (Nathaniel Byers, Connor Cameron, James Gargano, Jesse Gomez, Timothy Simmons, Carson Stecklein, Alain Valdivia, and Lam Vo) serving at parishes within the Diocese during the summer. One transitional deacon (Bao Nguyen) is also assigned to a local Parish, while one seminarian is taking summer courses (Tobias Lopez).
Three seminarians (Alex Baugh, Patrick Mulhall, and Sebastian Harding) are spending the summer at the Institute for Priestly Formation, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska. This program offers seminarians the opportunity to more deeply discern the faithful presence of the Lord in their lives as well as the interference and obstacles of the worldly spirit, so that they might keep growing in union with the Lord.
Please pray for our seminarians as they take part in the summer pastoral assignments.
Diocese of Venice Seminarians are supported through the Diocese Catholic Faith Appeal, the Knights of Columbus and the generosity of the faithful.
Parishioners from around the Diocese are encouraged to help support the seminarians in their studies and choice of vocation through prayer and financial assistance. Donations may be sent to the Diocese of Venice, Office of Vocations, 1000 Pinebrook Road, Venice, FL 34285.
For more information about the seminarians or Vocations, contact Father Alex Pince at pince@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-486-4720, or visit www.venicevocations.com .
Prayer for Vocations
God our Father, we thank you for calling men and women to serve in your Son’s Kingdom as priests, deacons, religious, and consecrated persons. Send your Holy Spirit to help us respond generously and courageously to your call. May our community of faith support vocations of sacrificial love in our youth. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
