Returning from Retreat

The Cloister at the Jesuit Center - I spent many parts of each day here.

No – I did not just get back!  Nothing like returning from retreat over a month ago and not getting to post about it until now! Today, I’ll post today about the 30 day experience (though I’m unsure proper words exist to properly explain the experience).  Then in the next few weeks, I’ll write about some of my experiences here at St. Anne’s and some of the work involved in the preparation for Ordination.

As I wrote before I left, the Spiritual Exercises, developed by St. Ignatius, allow one the time and space to more fully enter into the Scriptures about Jesus. As the post and the link indicate, the Spiritual Exercises are an intense experience of prayer and reflection.  Throughout the four “weeks” of the retreat, I have no doubt that I gained tremendous insight into my relationship with the Lord and the Church.  I am even more certain I have some significant work to do  - and always will. (And yes, I kept quiet, off the phone and the computer for the 30 days!)

Fr. Joseph Currie, S.J.

One of the most important dynamics in the retreat experience is one’s relationship with his Spiritual Director. In today’s post, I’d like to talk to you a little about him. Fr. Joseph Currie, S.J. is the  Executive Director of the Jesuit Center and the Rector of the Jesuit Community at Wernersville. God definitely entrusted me to a good and holy man to guide me on this journey.

Fr. Joe has spent his whole life serving and ministering to others. From formation and missionary work in India to serving and leading Campus Ministry programs at Loyola and Fordham Universities to now leading and directing a powerful ministry in Pennsylvania, he appears to have always been open to where the Spirit might be calling him. Today, while also leading the Retreat Center and serving as a spiritual director, he is the leader of the community of Jesuits in Wernersville. This involves taking care of some of the older Jesuits, helping them make difficult decisions about ministry and health issues and providing encouragement and direction in difficult moments.

As a spiritual director, I think he got a sense of me pretty quickly and was able to gently lead me through the Spiritual Exercises. Always encouraging, Fr. Joe didn’t hesitate to raise some difficult questions about my experience on the retreat, my vocation to the priesthood and my role in the Church. Often when I thought I had it figured out, he’d raise another question and ultimately lead me back to prayer to discover the answer, or at least a direction. When I struggled, he always encouraged me to have faith that God would ultimately lead me through. (He was right.)

I have come to believe, throughout my life, that God has put different people on the path of this journey for reasons, that at times, I cannot understand. I am blessed to have met Fr. Joe for he not only led me through what was a grace-filled, but challenging 30 days, but provided a powerful example of what it means to be a good and holy priest. If I could have a quarter of the qualities of a man like Fr. Joe, I’m in good shape.

"Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. " (Ps 139: 23)

Grace and Peace from Our Lord Jesus Christ. My name is Jacob Onyumbe. I am a seminarian of the Diocese of Tshumbe (Democratic Republic of Congo) who happens to be studying at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception.  I am going to share with you my experience as I approach the finish line of seminary formal formation.

A few days ago, I was speaking with a friend of mine who asked me what I found more exciting about starting my last year at the Seminary. I replied without delay, “The most exciting thing about this whole adventure is that I am greatly troubled by fear.”  The reply came, “Yeah, I know, fear of the unknown.” I did not say anything but smiled. This conversation, clear epitome of boredom, sums up my experience of a sprinter close to the finish line. Seventeen years ago, when I first declared that I wanted to become a priest, I had no doubt that it was the best way for me to live. I still do not understand why, but I seem to be deeply convinced about that. And it is sufficient for me. In the beginning, everything seemed easy and rosy. Even though I still have the excitement of those first days, there is a new member within the family of my feelings: fear (for want of a better term). This fear is far from what my friend thought I felt. I do not fear what is coming because it is unknown. Rather, it is as I get more glimpses into the mystery and the duties of Catholic priesthood that I become more immersed in wonder and awe. Maybe my expectations about priesthood are too high. I even forget to check my countdown to the diaconate, because checking it means resuscitating my new friend, “the fear of becoming a priest.” More and more I wonder if I am really fit for this ministry. Many people, friends, family, and even indifferent acquaintances seem to believe that I am fit for the ministry. I boldly question their beliefs.

Interestingly, I have become even more convinced than in my teenage years that it is as a priest that I want not only to live but also to die. I have no desire to overcome the fear of becoming a priest or to reconcile it with my countdown. Rather, I want to cultivate it as a reminder of the fact that I should never take my future life, my future work, my future being lightly.  It reminds me of my unworthiness and summons me to rely entirely on God without whom nothing is possible. It is He who will touch my lips in order to make me fit to respond to his call, “Whom shall I send?” (Is. 6:8). I fearfully look forward to the day when I will truly answer God’s call, not only by through ordination, but especially by laying down my life down for the Sheep of Christ.

Jacob Onyumbe

Coming Home

Hello blog readers!  I'm Jess, a former student and co-worker of John's.  What follows are my thoughts on returning to a familiar place after being changed by experiences I had while away.  Enjoy!

The first week of September is always a busy and exciting time for those of us in the field of education. It’s when we return to school after the long summer vacation and reconnect with other teachers. We meet our classes for the first time and trade the flexibility of summer for the stringency of a school day schedule with bells ringing every forty minutes to signal the changing of classes. When classes began last Wednesday at St. John the Baptist DHS I was feeling the anticipation of a new school year, as well as the excitement of a home coming of sorts.


Just over two years ago I decided to leave my position as a Religious Studies teacher at St. John’s and dedicate a year of my life to service with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest. I was placed in rural Montana where I served as the academic tutor and after school program coordinator at St. Labre Indian School. Early in my year in Montana I realized that twelve months of living and serving in the Northwest was not going to be enough and I signed on to do a second year with JVC Northwest. I moved from the middle of nowhere to the Northwest’s largest city, Seattle. There I taught in the YMCA’s alternative high school and helped young adults transitioning out of homelessness to connect with resources.

Over the past two years, many people have asked why I would give up a job I loved to move across the country and work for free. Initially my answer was because a year of service was something I had always wanted to do; because living somewhere other than New York was something I felt I needed to experience; because I didn’t want to wake up at fifty and realize I was still teaching in the high school I had graduated from for no other reason than because it was easy and comfortable.

What I realize now is that I did not give up two years of my life to do service. Rather I gained some of the most formative experiences of my life while serving those in need. Because I was JV, I can ask my students to have a seat using the language of the Northern Cheyenne tribe and I understand the story of Custer’s Last Stand from the Native perspective. Because I was a JV, I can see past the tough exterior of young people I encounter on the street and realize that behind each pair of baggy pants is a kid who just wants his story to be heard. And that’s only the beginning. Because I was a JV, I know that television is certainly not a necessity, that strangers can quickly become friends who take the place of family when you’re far from home, and that not eating meat every day won’t actually kill you!

Last Wednesday I woke up and returned to work at St. John’s, the high school I graduated from, in my new capacity as Campus Minister. In the midst of the busy-ness of the new school year, I found a place that was indeed comfortable and full of familiar faces. Having been a JV, however, I can say that I work there not just because it’s easy and comfortable, but because like home, it’s the place I belong.

"With God all things are possible."

       I greet you in the Name of Jesus Christ.  My name is Fr. Rodnev P. Lapommeray and I, along with Fr. Dariusz Strzelecki and Fr. Daniel Rajski, was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood of Jesus Christ on June 4th, 2011 by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio for service to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn.  My ordination was an experience for me beyond words.  What a joy and a humbling privilege to share in the priesthood of Jesus Christ Himself!  I am thankful to God for having called me to this vocation and to Holy Mother Church and my diocesan bishop for ordaining me. I was in direct formation for six years. It was a process of opening my heart and mind to have the Holy Spirit mold, form and conform them to the very heart and mind of Jesus Christ.


       Formation to become a priest has not always been an easy or care-free road, and I am aware that priesthood will not always be a life void of sacrifice. Yet, I know it was God who saw me through and molded me during my formation. Now it is God’s grace that will enable me to be the priest He wants me to be—a holy priest who brings others to come to know, love and serve Him.

       By human standards, this may appear unattainable. Yet, “With God all things are possible” (Mt. 19:26). In preparation for ordination to the Sacred Priesthood of Jesus Christ, this scripture passage from the Gospel of Matthew was the one I chose for my ordination prayer cards.  It is God who accomplished the grace in me all throughout my years of formation to become a priest. He is the one who calls ordinary men like me to do extraordinary things for His glory. Imagine that through the prayers of a priest combined with those of the gathered Church at the Holy Sacrifice of Mass, bread and wine are transformed into the very Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Yes, all things are possible with God.

       As I grow in priestly ministry, I am coming to a deeper understanding of this truth. In my short time as a priest, I have been consoled and amazed by the ways God has put me in the path of various people who needed to experience His love and healing.  The Holy Spirit has put me in places and situations where just a word or gesture from me as a priest was able to bring others peace and consolation. I am seeing in ever new ways how it is God who is working wonders through me and will continue to if I let Him. God wants to and can work amazing things in all of us for His glory.  We just need to be small enough to allow Him to.

       If you happen to be discerning a big decision or feel called by God to a certain walk of life, whether to become a priest or religious or whether to marry that person, take on that service job or adopt that child, trust in God. Trust that there is nothing He calls us too that He will not give us the strength to do, no matter how seemingly sacrificial, countercultural or impossible the task may be. I have learnt this truth as a seminarian and am learning it more and more as a priest. Turning to God in prayer will help us discover this. Let our prayer be that God’s will (no matter how difficult) may be done in our lives, and not our own; His plan is always better. I pray and invite you to pray to God with me in the words of our Blessed Mother Mary, “May it be done to me according to Your word” (Luke 1:38). For as the Angel Gabriel said when announcing to Mary that she would be the mother of the Son of God, “nothing is impossible with God “ (Luke 1:37).

Fr. Rodnev Lapommeray serves at the parish of Our Lady of Angels Roman Catholic Church in Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn, New York .

Serving the Church? How?

            Hello, my name is Jaeyoung (Paschal) Choi. I am a friend of John Sureau. Generously, he asked me to post my experience to share with you. One of the biggest trips in my summer vacation was a pilgrimage to Korea for fourteen nights with Korean-American teenagers. I was one of the leaders of the pilgrimage for thirty-six teenagers.

            I would not expect that my kids memorized all historical backgrounds of the Korean Church and shrines. Rather, I tried to give them a point why you are Christians based on Korean Church history. As long as I know, it was successful. Besides, I have learned many things from them: how to serve the Church and what should I give to the Church.

            Being with them was like serving a small church (ekklesia, a gathering in Greek). I was serving those who were listening to me, those who were not, those who were doing good, those who were sick, those who were being healthy, and those who were injured (fortunately not many guys). Moreover, I have learned serving the Church is not about an abstract idea but an act. When I was cleaning a toilet to wash poop (one of my kids did) away, I realized this!

            On the pilgrimage, I could have a day to spend with my family. When I met my mom, I started to complain about the kids. As they were a small church, they were like little sheep, bad sheep: sneaking alcohol in at night and doing whatever they want. I didn’t think that they could be compared to sheep. What I heard was that sheep were naïve, innocent, and very listening carefully to a shepherd, but the kids did not.

            However, since my mom worked in special high school for teen-troublemakers, she has given me an excellent advice. Her point is, “Give them your love. Let them feel that it is a great and happy pilgrimage, when they look back the trip in their future.”

            I never forget the last day of the trip, when we all shared our impressions out of the pilgrimage. One girl stood up and said with dropping tears, “I apologize as one of the participants that we never listened to staff during the pilgrimage. I feel whole-heartedly that you guys still love us. Thank you for everything for the pilgrimage.” God worked through our hearts. Giving them knowledge was not the point of the pilgrimage, but my love and my care.

            I have learned how to serve the Church through them. It is not about an idea but an act (washing poop away)! Besides, I have a great lesson, what should I give to the Church. I did not only give them summery of the history of the Korean Catholic Church, but through him, I really gave them my love. I have truly acknowledged through our pilgrimage, “God is Love.” (I Jn. 4:8) 

Rejoice in the Lord, not in the world.

Jaeyoung Paschal Choi           

Parish Social Ministry

Deacon John speaking with a
parishioner after Mass

I'm a new reader of John Sureau’s blog and am pleased to be among the people he has asked to write a ‘guest posting’.   My topic is Parish Social Ministry, which is something that runs deep for me.

I coordinate our Parish Social Ministry program at Saint Anne’s, where we are fortunate to have Deacon John as a seminarian from his assignment in late June to his ordination in December.   One of his first comments to me was that he was glad to see us publish these words in the bulletin each week on the PSM page:  “Saint Anne’s is here for you…" If parishioners are struggling with something and not sure where to turn, our parish provides confidential support and assistance.  Serious illness, financial problems, marital difficulties, unemployment, mental health concerns and caring for the ill and elderly are issues we all may face at different times in our lives.  "Saint Anne’s is here for you” is the message we strive to live each day.

Parish Social Ministry is our faith community’s response…to the needs we perceive in each person we encounter, and to God’s call to share our gifts in service to one another.  At Saint Anne’s, PSM includes direct service for people who are ill, elderly, poor or hungry.  Support is offered to the bereaved, to those who are unemployed, to those who have cancer, to those who have disabilities and to persons who are divorced.  Small communities have been formed for mothers in our parish, for seniors, for families who have children with special needs and for people in their ‘middle years’.  Together, we seek to find God in the Eucharist we share as a faith community and in the relationships we form with one another - especially with those who are most vulnerable.

In Parish Social Ministry, we strive to bring hope and comfort to people in need by being present to them, listening without judging, finding common ground, offering assistance and giving of ourselves with compassion, whatever their difficulties may be.  A prayer we have often shared is:

                  “Father, we ask You to increase our competence and compassion.  Help us reaffirm our covenant with You and Your people.  Give us sensitivity and patience, but also a sense of humor.  Teach us that as we ‘do’ for others that we ‘be’ with them.  Teach us the ministry of presence.  Amen.”

John Sureau, in the short time he has been with us, has demonstrated his understanding of this message and his willingness to live it.  The faith community of Saint Anne’s is blessed to have him spend this part of his journey to ordination among us and we are thankful for the gift of his pastoral presence. 

~ Linda Leone

Basil Bliss's first two months as a Deacon

      Ordained on May 14^th. There were eleven of us, closely bound in friendship throughout the four years of formation. Over the last two months, we continued to share our experiences, our duties, our homilies and our anxieties. Last week we met for a BBQ with our wives, laughed together and prayed together.

      The exhilaration I felt at Ordination continued for weeks. There was a Mass of Thanksgiving with relatives, friends and parishioners. There was a welcome calm after the excitement that lasted for two weeks. Then, there were wakes to be done. When was the last time I read the rite? In my third year !! I needed to review the rite. When was the last time I looked at the Baptismal rite? In my second year!! The lack of familiarity with the rites demanded my review. I even sat in when our two seasoned Deacons did a wake service or a Baptism. An old friend lost his wife at age 57, and he requested that I do the vigil. His son played baseball with my son. and we coached together. No pressure here. Finally, there was a meeting with my new Pastor and a schedule to follow. I welcomed planning and the stability of a schedule of when I’d do Baptisms or Masses or preach, and with three Deacons, we’d rotate the wakes. I do feel I am part of a family at St. Anne’s, working with dedicated Priests, Deacons, and Parish staff.

     My spiritual growth continues. I had indeed felt that growth in the Seminary. I have continued with Morning and Evening prayer, and I continue to read Biblical commentaries on the readings each week. What was that Marine motto? Now my thoughts have turned to the New Missal, and getting to read the changes in the prayers. I volunteered to write an article on the history of the lectionary and am now working on one on the Liturgy of the Word. Is there an easy way to explain the changes in the Creed?

      I want to visit the homebound. Working precludes this, except on weekends. I found time to visit and bring the Eucharist to the father of a friend in a rehabilitation center. Need to do more of this. I have taught high school Theology for the last 8 years, and am implementing a new curriculum mandated by the USCCB. I will be responsible for the RCIA and Confirmation education for students as well. Just enough to keep me busy!

    -Basil  Chairman, Theology Dept. Bishop Loughlin HS/ Deacon at St. Anne's Garden City