Hope House

This year, in Fourth Theology, seminarians are required to carry out some type of pastoral work in their local diocese. Some of my classmates’ experiences, this semester, include working with in college Campus Ministry program, a Children’s Hospital and other local outreach organizations. The seminary has allowed me to continue some of my previous pastoral work this semester at St. Anne’s Parish in Brentwood and Hope House Ministries in Port Jefferson.

I’ve written previously about St. Anne’s but have not written too much about my work at Hope House. Hope House is a Catholic social service agency that has served young people and families “in crisis” for over 30 years. Founded and led by Fr. Frank Pizzarelli, SMM and supported by the Montfort Missionaries, it began as one small house in 1980. In the past 30 years, Hope House has grown into an agency that services thousands of people each month. You can read more about the services of Hope House here.

My work is primarily in two different parts of Hope House. I work in the Human Services Center (photo, right) which offers counseling and mental health support to people of all ages in need of a variety of services. I work with a number of clients – at present, mostly adolescents and their families – as a counselor and social worker. Of those clients, a few of them live in the Community House, the long term residence established to treat young men who can no longer live at home or need to address issues related to substance abuse, family conflicts or legal challenges. Residents at the Community House (photo, below) live there, share community and carry on their lives – either by going to school, working, or focusing on recovery among many other activities. I try to be present to those living in the Community House, when I can by working for those who might need coverage and joining in the community meal when I am there. Fr. Frank is not only responsible for the house but serves as a real father figure to these young men who live there. It’s a different example of priestly service and one, for me, that is inspirational.

I have been involved at Hope House for over five years and have never failed to be challenged and humbled by my experiences there. In having the honor to work with people in their brokenness, I’ve learned much about resilience, endurance and hope. To be able to be present with people on a journey towards healing and recovery cannot help but transform all involved, including me.

Since coming to the Seminary, I have been able to maintain some involvement at Hope House. It’s been funny to hear many of these young people who knew me before I entered the Seminary say things like, “Are you sure you want to do this?” or “Oh man I could never…” but at the same time see their curiosity. I have some great conversations – often both serious and humorous - about vocation, direction and the future. There is no doubt that this has been another ministry in my life that led me here to the Seminary and priestly formation. I am better for being a part of Hope House.

Hospitality Day

This weekend, the Seminary hosted “Hospitality Day”. This is one of the days seminarians invite family and friends who have helped to support them on their journey to priesthood. It’s also a way for family and friends to “check out” the place and make sure their seminarian is in good shape!

A little history of the day is in order. The title “Hospitality Day” is new. Previously, this day was called “Family Day”. The change this year occurs for two reasons. First, as this is an international community, it is difficult for some to have their families come to the Seminary say from Uganda or Korea, etc. Second, it acknowledges the tremendous influence of friends and communities in the vocation work of the Church.

The day begins with Mass. This year, Fr. Peter, our Rector, presided and preached at the Liturgy. He affirmed the great commitment our family and friends, most especially our parents, have made in supporting the seminary. Second, he called each of us – seminarians, family members, friends – to work each and every day to grow closer to Jesus. The “call to holiness” is not just for seminarians, priests and religious, but for each and everyone of us.

After Mass, every one gathers in the Cloister areas of the Seminary for a BBQ. The weather was wonderful yesterday and that only added to day. This is also a great opportunity for seminarians’ families to meet each other and the faculty as well.

Following lunch, seminarians lead tours throughout the buildings and grounds. I laughed at myself yesterday. Last year, during Hospitality Day, I was not the greatest tour guide and just sort of got through it. I had only been here for a month at that point, was still adjusting and didn’t know too much about life here. This year, that’s changed. So the tour was a little longer, had more details and Seminary trivia, and I hope, a little more informational.

Days like yesterday are good ones for those of us who live here. Life here can get busy and lonely and hectic and isolating all at the same time. While, I hope, we all know of the great connections and support present to us, days like yesterday serve as a great confirmation.

Have a great week!

P.S. We’re only allowed 10 guests…but next year I’ll see if you can all come!

Opening Days

I write to you as I’m about to complete my first full week in my second year - my sophomore year, I suppose – at the Seminary.

This year, as in my first year, an Opening Retreat started the year. Beginning on Wednesday, September 1, 2010, Bishop William Murphy led us through three days of prayer and reflection. (You can read more about the background to this here.)

First, and perhaps most striking, we are called to silence in these days. This is certainly a challenge but at the same time a powerful opportunity. It’s not easy to avoid talking and catching up or even talking on the phone, etc. Yet, the absence of the “noise” does allow for some deeper reflection and growth, at least for me :)!

Second, Bishop Murphy asked us to focus on the role of Mary in the life of the Church, in general, and the life of the priest and seminarians, in particular. His talks focused in four areas: a) Mary in the Mystery; b) Mary as the Ark of the Covenant; c) Mary and the Church; and d) Mary in the life of the priest and seminarian. Bishop Murphy offered us much to think about especially about Mary as the model for the Church and its members. He reminded us consistently of the need to remember the service of humility of Mary and put that into action in our own lives, especially as priests and seminarians. (There were many other points, but this post would go on for about three screens!)

Third, Bishop Murphy made himself available to meet with us individually. To be honest, that may have been one of the highlights of the opening three days. We all “know the Bishop” and the responsibilities and roles he plays in the operation of a Diocese and admittedly, it was a little intimidating to talk to “the Bishop”. Yet, I must say, he was nothing but kind, compassionate, understanding and supportive of my journey, recognizing and identifying some of the challenges I have faced and offering great encouragement and direction. When beginning the retreat, Bishop Murphy said he wanted to lead the retreat because too often bishops are seen as distant or primarily as administrators and he believes they must be seen as spiritual fathers, as brothers, as true shepherds. I can see what he meant and what he hoped to achieve, most especially when I left my meeting with him.

From the retreat, after a weekend at home, we are now in the midst of the Spring semester. We have a different “house” this year – as the five men ordained last year now have parish assignments, eight men have left to begin pastoral year in parishes, four men have returned from pastoral work and five new seminarians have entered! The journey…the transition….continues! Sophomore year is underway!

Freshman Orientation

This past week, I returned to the Seminary to assist with Transition, a program established to orient the new seminarians as they join this community. (I will still be involved at St. Anne's - more to come on that one!) I remember going through Transition last year. Truthfully with all of the changes in my own life last August, I feel I may have learned more about life in the Seminary this year as opposed to last!

Transition consists of significant information about life in the Seminary and the four pillars of priestly formation. (You can read more about that here and here.) In addition, there is a practical element to Transition – where the library is, how to handle certain situations, going over the seminarian handbook, etc. The hope is that by the end of these days, new seminarians are a little more comfortable with the Seminary and themselves and feel free to ask others if they have questions.

The main focus of the presentations is the four pillars of priestly formation – spiritual, human, academic and pastoral. To present these, Transition includes the following presentations that address a variety of issues related to seminary life (with a brief summary):
-Introduction to the Priestly Formation: On Saturday night, Fr. Peter spoke about the need for seminarians to focus on four specific areas of their own lives in these days ahead: a) the identity of the priest; b) the call to holiness; c) the four pillars and d) the importance of community. Fr. Peter’s talk and presence provided the foundation for the rest of Transition.
-Spiritual Formation: Here, Msgr. Fink and Jason Grisafi, second theologian, presented the spiritual formation program here in the Seminary. This included the importance of daily prayer – private and communal, devotions, Marian prayer, a spiritual director, retreats and so on. Spiritual formation, the work of growing closer and closer to God, provides the foundation for the rest in the life of the seminarian and the priest.
-Liturgical Formation: I worked with Msgr. DeGrocco in this area to talk about both the practical elements of liturgy, the public prayer of the Church as well as some of the internal and personal reflection that must take place. (No one visibly fell asleep during the talk, so that was a good sign!)
-Academic Formation: Sr. Mary Louise Brink and Fortunatus spoke about the importance of study not just for the sake of passing classes but for effective and meaningful ministry as priests in the Church. School work is a large part of this process and Sr. Mary Louise and Fortunatus challenged seminarians to help stay focused on their studies.
-Community Life: Msgr. Swiader, Vice Rector (and my Advisor) and Michael Edathil worked to talk about the opportunities and challenges of human formation, with a special focus on community life. Living in community offers tremendous opportunities for growth and, truthfully, can present some challenges on that as well!
-Pastoral Formation: Msgr. Swiader and Lawrence Onyegu presented this final pillar of formation – the one, some may say, that brings the rest together. Lawrence spoke about his pastoral year at SS. Cyril and Methodius citing how significant his previous work in the seminary prepared him for this experience and how much he learned while on pastoral year.

In addition, we prayed the Liturgy of the Hours as we regularly do at the Seminary, shared meals, and gathered informally to share a little about life here at the Seminary.

Coming to the Seminary for the first time as a seminarian can be daunting. Transition is one effort to alleviate some of the anxiety that can come with this move. I realize how much of a help
it was last year – and how much of a help it has been as I begin my second year in the Seminary!

Today begins our Opening Retreat, led by Bishop Murphy. As we begin this time of prayer, take some time to pray for the new seminarians here at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception as they take a huge step towards priesthood.