Tag: convocation

Group encouraged to keep Christ at center of life

An abundance of spirit and fraternity was on display during a recent Convocation of 19 Diocese of Venice seminarians, July 28-30, 2025, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice.

This annual Convocation brings together the men who are at various stages of discerning a vocation to the priesthood. Some are soon to start their college studies at a seminary, while others are further along in their journey with a potential for Ordination to the Priesthood not too far into the future.

During the retreat, the men spent time praying, reflecting on their choice of vocation, while also sharing their thoughts and their personal journey with others who are on the same path. Not all serious, there was also some time for fun and games.

There are currently a total of 19 men discerning a call to the priesthood as a Diocese of Venice seminarian, a large number considering the size of the Diocese. Bishop Frank J. Dewane said the Diocese is blessed to have such a large group of seminarians and thanked the men for answering the call to discern a vocation to the priesthood.

Bishop Dewane celebrated a Mass for the seminarians on July 30. During the Mass, the Bishop encouraged the men to continually check themselves to ensure that Jesus Christ is always the priority in their lives.

“The life of seminarians is about perseverance, as well as enthusiasm and energy,” Bishop Dewane said. “The Parishes that have seminarians (on pastoral assignments), become contagious with the idea that there is a future in the Church. They see the freshness, newness and tomorrow of what you represent – courage and hope. It is up to each of you – whether as a seminarian and or when you become priests – to fuel the flame of hope.”

It is their response to the call of the Lord that is being recognized, the Bishop continued. In these difficult times, their presence, their “Yes!” to the Lord, encourages the faithful who are afraid, hesitant or faltering in their own response to the Lord.

As seminarians, these men have answered Jesus’ call to “Follow Me!” and Bishop Dewane praised the men, saying “Thank you for courageously stepping forward. You must live up to that response. You are on a pilgrimage, a witness to hope – hope in the Lord. Giving that witness is a maturing aspect of who you are as seminarians as you turn yourselves over to God.”

Bishop Dewane noted that the men are always in his prayers and that his prayer is that they “become gentle and strong heralds of the Lord. You are following in the footsteps of Jesus, responding in that same compassionate way.”

The multi-day retreat occurs late in the summer as a time of prayer and reflection before each return to their respective seminary. Father Alex Pince, Diocesan Vocations Director, used the time to check in with each man and offer them advice and support as each takes his first or next step in their spiritual and vocational journey. The retreat was led by Father Nicholas Vetter, of the Diocese of Bismark, and his theme was “Jesus is Real.”

With the group assigned to three different seminaries – Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts; St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach; and St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami – and with several beginning their vocation journey, the gathering is an opportunity for those early in their formation process to hear from those who are further along. This mentoring helps in building a camaraderie amongst the group, aiding each to appreciate that the discernment process is not only accomplished in the classroom but through the entire experience in the seminary, during Parish pastoral assignments, and in their personal life.

Seminarian Alexander Baugh, who attends Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary, said the convocation was a great chance to see other seminarians he doesn’t know as well, and to meet the new men. The fraternity of the retreat meant the most to him. “It is great just to hang out with the other guys and get to know them. We are each on a similar path but how we got here is so fascinating.”

A recent highlight for the seminarians was witnessing the July 12 Ordination to the Priesthood of Fathers Joseph Doherty, Jacob Gwynn and Patrick Long, with many of the men present to help serve the Mass. This allowed the men to see their fellow seminarians reach a goal they are working to attain in the future.

Diocese of Venice Seminarians are supported through the Diocese Catholic Faith Appeal, Vocations/Seminary Support Collection, the Knights of Columbus, the Venice Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, and the generosity of the faithful.

Parishioners from around the Diocese are encouraged to help support the seminarians in their studies and choice of vocations. To support a seminarian, send a check 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 941-484-9543, or visit www.venicevocations.com.

The Diocese of Venice seminarians and their seminaries are as follows:

Alexander Baugh, Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary

Nathaniel Byers, St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary

Cameron Connor, St. John Vianney College Seminary

Andres Cordero, St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary

Lazaro Esquivel, St. John Vianney College Seminary

James Gargano, St. John Vianney College Seminary

Terry Gastauer, Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary

Jesse Gomez, St. John Vianney College Seminary

Sebastian Harding, St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary

Tobias Lopez, St. John Vianney College Seminary

Patrick Mulhall, St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary

Bao Nguyen, Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary

Michael Piedimonte, St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary

Doroteo Rodriguez, St. John Vianney College Seminary

Timothy Simmons, St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary

Carson Stecklein, St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary

Tam Tran, St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary

Alain Valdavia, St. John Vianney College Seminary

Lam Vo, St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary

“Yes!”

That is what each of the 16 Diocese of Venice seminarians has in common: they said “Yes!” by answering a specific call from the Lord to serve.

The group gathered for the annual Convocation, a multi-day retreat which allows time for reflection and fellowship, from Aug. 2-5, 2021, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated Mass for the men on Aug. 4, the Feast of St. John Vianney, Patron of Parish priests.

As they progress in their own discernment, Bishop Dewane said each seminarian must open themselves up to the grace of the Holy Spirit and allow the Spirit to shape them. “This can be accomplished by making yourselves vulnerable. It lets you experience the grace and hear what the Holy Spirit has to say to you. This can be achieved through time spent with the Lord.”

That time, either through Adoration, contemplative prayer, etc., will allow the individual to learn the language of the Holy Spirit and better understand what the Lord wants, the Bishop continued. “Don’t stop listening. Don’t stop paying attention. Don’t stop seeking that spirit of discernment in your life.”

One way to remain open to the Holy Spirit is through encounters with others in ones life, the Bishop continued. Building upon a theme from the Gospel reading of the day which was about the miracle with the Canaanite woman.

Bishop Dewane noted how it would have been easy for Jesus to dismiss the Canaanite woman when she begs Jesus to help her tormented daughter who was possessed by a demon. The disciples even ask Jesus to send her away, but Jesus does not and ultimately recognizes her faith and heals the daughter.

“The Lord puts people into your path,” the Bishop continued. “Don’t dismiss them, don’t make a judgement. Jesus had lots of Marys and Marthas who followed Him and supported Him, but it is the others that helped to define who the Lord was in this world. Such encounters with these others must define you.”

Following the Mass, Bishop Dewane had a meal with the group, including four new seminarians.

The multi-day retreat occurs at the end of summer as a time of prayer and reflection before each man returns to his respective seminary. During the week they heard from retreat leader Father Rich Pagano, a priest from the Diocese of St. Augustine.

With the group assigned to four different seminaries, the Convocation offered the opportunity for those early in their formation process to hear from those who are further along. This mentoring helps build the bond amongst the group and helps everyone understand that the discernment process is not only done in the classroom but through the entire experience in seminary, during Parish assignments as well as in their personal life.

A special treat for the group was that they had just witnessed the Ordination to the Priesthood of Fathers Mark Harris and Alexander Pince on July 31. Both new priests spoke to the group during the week offering words of encouragement and inspiration.

Please pray for our seminarians as they return to their respective seminaries and continue in discerning their vocation and formation for the priesthood.

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: Diocese of Venice, Office of Vocations, 1000 Pinebrook Road, Venice, FL 34285.

For more information about the seminarians or Vocations, contact Father Shawn Roser at roser@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-486-4720, or visit www.venicevocations.com.

List of Diocese of Venice Seminarians

Name, year, school

Transitional Deacon Jose Grullon – St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach;

Transitional Deacon David Portorreal – St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary;

Alan Baldarelli – St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary;

Christian Chami – Pontifical North American College Seminary, Rome, Italy;

Juan Contreras – St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary; (Pastoral Year)

Andres Cordero – St. John Vianney College Seminary, Miami;

Michael Courville – St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary;

Joseph Doherty – Pontifical North American College Seminary;

Thomas Gregory (Greg) Dougherty – Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary, Weston, Massachusetts;

James Gates – St. John Vianney College Seminary;

Jacob Gwynn – Theology II – St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary;

William Patrick (Pat) Long – Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary;

Alejandro Giraldo Roldan – St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary; (Pastoral Year)

Carlos Rodriguez – St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary;

Daniel Scanlan – Pontifical North American College Seminary;

Michael Young – Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary.