Holy Week at the Seminary

Good evening everyone!

Just wanted to invite you – if you don’t have plans – to come to the Seminary for Holy Week Services on:

Holy Thursday – April 21, 2011 - Mass begins at 7:30 P.M.

Good Friday – April 22, 2011 - Service begins at 3:00 P.M.

Holy Saturday – April 23, 2011 - Mass begins at 8:00 P.M.*

*Reception follows after the Easter Vigil

This is the second year that all of the services are open to family and friends.  It was a great experience for me – and I hope for those who were able to attend - last year!   Please feel free to come and to bring a friend or two!  Please also do not have any pressure – many of us are already involved in our parish communities and that is wonderful! 

 

I only ask if you are coming to let me know by Monday, April 18^th,  so I can make sure we have enough seats for you.  You can reply by e-mail to jsureau@optonline.net.

Thanks….

A Sacramental Saturday

                For seminarians, Saturdays are our day off. It’s up to use them as we wish – for catching up on studies, meeting up with family and friends, carrying out some pastoral work or anything that is a bit of a break from the rhythm and routine of Seminary life.  From reading this blog, I have had the opportunity to be involved in pastoral work at St. Anne’s R.C. Church in Brentwood and Hope House Ministries in Port Jefferson.  This past Saturday provided many experiences  and actually brought together various parts of my previous ministerial life and, perhaps, provided a glimpse of the ministerial life to come.

                The day began at St. Anne’s.  Here I was able to visit the Hospitality Too Soup Kitchen and met some members of the youth group at Our Lady of Lourdes R.C. Church in West Islip (my home parish). Then, I had met with a few families hoping to have their child baptized. It is always so hopeful to meet with families excited to have their son or daughter baptized.  This week, I met a former student who brought his daughter to be baptized.  These are always great experiences and challenges. As St. Anne’s is a community of communities, many who immigrate to this area can sometimes struggle with acquiring original paperwork, documentation, etc. Helping to manage some of these issues is challenging for them and a good lesson for me.

                I left St. Anne’s for a little while to attend the funeral of Alyssa Acquafredda. Alyssa graduated from St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School in 2004. She worked on many projects and activities in Campus Ministry during her time in the school. Approximately two years ago, Alyssa was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. If you met her over the past two years, you probably wouldn’t know she was sick. Her spirit, enthusiasm, and sense of humor ministered to others, including me. In her illness, she touched so man with her spirit of service, compassion and justice. (Click here for an example.) The funeral on Saturday was terribly sad but also a great sign of hope. She brought together many people as SS. Cyril and Methodius R.C. Church showed. Fr. Lee Descoteaux, the presider at the Mass, called on all of us to consider our response to Jesus’ question – “Do you believe?” to Martha and Mary in John 11:17-34. Alyssa knew and lived the answer to that question – YES!

                After returning to St. Anne’s, I later served at the Celebration of Matrimony for another former student, Alicia Pellegrino, at St. Frances de Chantal Church in Wantagh. Here, again, I was reminded of the power of community as so many family members and friends came together to support and encourage Alicia and her husband, Johnny.

                As Diaconate approaches, I continue to see and recognize the power of the sacramental nature of the Church. Whether it be working with those who want their children to be baptized, praying and finding comfort at the loss of a loved one or celebrating the new life in Matrimony - all are sources of encouragement and strength.  Ultimately, I guess it is this encouragement and strength that the Church provides to all who gather in prayer.

Diaconate

As our Lenten journey continues, mine changed radically in days leading up to and following Ash Wednesday. During this time I learned I will be ordained by Bishop Murphy to the Diaconate on Saturday, May 21, 2011. Needless to say, it’s been a week filled with a variety of emotions but ultimately reassurance that I am on the right path, heading in the right direction.

Ordination to the Diaconate is the final “step”, if you will, before Ordination to the Priesthood. Traditionally, seminarians after receiving the Ministries of Reader and Acolyte and the Call to Candidacy are ordained deacons to serve in the seminary and a local parish community for a period of time.

As you know, my journey – as are the journeys of all who live here at the Seminary – is unique. Where, how long, and in what form the rest of the journey will take is not totally clear but there is a renewed peace that comes with this. What has been affirming and clear is the tremendous response and support I have received throughout my time here and most especially over the past few weeks. From my family, to the men I live with, to the parish community and so many others who have taken the time to check in, look out, express support and provide sound wisdom and advice. I am reminded, again and again, of the need for the community of the Church to be a part of our lives. I have no doubt that a vocation is a response to God’s call, but I’m unsure it can be answered fully without the support, love and affirmation of the local community. What a difference it makes! Undoubtedly, if you’re reading this, you’re one of those people.

Let’s continue to pray for and with one another as we journey towards Lent and all the Easter season will bring.

Peace.

Lent - More Than "Patch" Work

I write on the night of Ash Wednesday from the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception. We are winding up our Ash Wednesday Day of Quiet.  It’s a day here that is a radical contrast to most Catholic Churches today. Instead of thousands coming to the Church, we gather as a community of thirty or so to begin Lent in a solemn and contemplative way.  I wonder if the experiences of the Seminary today  might give each of us some good insight and ideas.

Msgr. Fink preaches on Good Friday, 2010.

Our day began, as most mornings do, with Morning Prayer. Msgr. Fink, the Director of Spiritual Formation and my Spiritual Director, presided and preached at Morning Prayer.  He spoke about the three traditions of the Lenten season – prayer, fasting and almsgiving. These are all things we try – in one way or another – to more actively engage in during Lent.  For example, today is a day of fast and we abstain from meat. We tend to pray more, publicly and privately. We often “go the extra mile” to help the other during the season. All good things! Msgr. Fink’s challenge acknowledged the goodness of these things. However, the hope of the Lenten journey is that these are not just Lenten things – or things that we add on for 40 days – but actions and habits that become a real part of our lives.  That they not just be “patches” but become part of the tapestry of who we are and who we seek to become.

We continued in silence after Morning Prayer and throughout the day, including meals. I have come to see the need for and to love the quiet in my life. It’s not something I can do all the time, but there’s a great value to it on so many levels.  There are fewer distractions and it makes it easier to focus. There are times, though, we need to be called to it. Even this morning, I spoke to a friend and said, “Let’s talk a little more about what we spoke about yesterday after lunch.” To which he replied, “I cannot speak to you today, I need to get myself together.” A good reminder for me!  How easy it is to slip out of the silence.

Bishop Murphy leads Ash Wednesday Prayer Services at St. John's.

During the day, too, we had the opportunity to go to Confession, to make appointments with our Spiritual Director or other faculty members to talk about whatever was on our mind or what we would like to work on in the upcoming season.  Bishop Murphy visited the Seminary today as he has done on Ash Wednesday for the last 10 years. It’s become a tradition for Bishop Murphy to begin his day at St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School in the morning and the Seminary in the afternoon. So for the past 10 years, Bishop Murphy and I have celebrated Ash Wednesday together – one way or another.

At the end of the day, Bishop Murphy celebrated Mass with us. He called on us to recognize the presence of failure in our lives, our world, even our Church.  In that recognition, we’re called to hope that like a common Lenten hymn contains, “We will rise again from ashes”.  The day concludes with the opportunity for Eucharistic Exposition and we will all gather for Night Prayer tonight in the Chapel.

Ash Wednesdays like today are good but for seminarians it’s probably not something we should get too used as this is one of the busiest days in parish life. Yet, in the time and space we are afforded here we can reflect on the call of Lent to not just add or simply take away things in our lives, but to acknowledge where work is needed and seek to not “patch” things up but transform them.

Happy Lent!

Here is a great video about Lent from Archbishop Dolan! Click here.

Meet the Dean....but quickly!

Msgr. Swiader celebrates Mass in Bethlehem.

Sorry, in advance, for the long post….

In a number of posts, I’ve promised a post about the Dean, Msgr. James Swiader. I have mentioned him a few times, particularly in the posting about the Alley.  Last Friday, we received some difficult news at the Seminary. On June 22^nd, Msgr. Swiader will take leave of the Seminary to become the Pastor of St. Joseph’s R.C. Church in Garden City.  I have wanted to write this post for a few weeks, but putting it all into words is a little tough.

There have been many people who have been a significant part of the journey of getting to the Seminary and managing life here. Without question or hesitation, Msgr. Swiader has certainly become one of those people. In June 2009, the summer before I entered the Seminary, I met Msgr. Swiader for the first time. When he had come in from outside to meet me he began by saying, “I presume you own the yellow truck.”  My first thought was “Oh man, I’m in trouble.’’ I remember coming with a slew of questions, concerns and ideas about seminary life. In the two hours he spent with me that June day, I met a man who provided the first of many times of comfort, reassurance, direction and support.

When I moved into the Seminary in August, I learned that I was on Msgr. Swiader’s alley (He warned me that it was a quiet and subtle alley – that may have changed a bit since I arrived). And during Transition (Orientation) Week, I learned Msgr. Swiader would be my Advisor – a relationship that would guarantee an important role in this journey.

Over the past two years, primarily as my Advisor but also as the Vice Rector, Dean of Seminarians and Alley Prefect, Msgr. Swiader has provided guidance, challenge, and direction in ways I did not anticipate in June 2009.  I found in my first few days when things were challenging, he listened and provided some good advice. He recognizes, often, when certain times might be a bit uncomfortable or overwhelming for me and is sure to check in with an e-mail or invitation to stop by. When I have fallen short at the Seminary, he’s been there to offer correction but never without encouragement.  At times, when loss or difficult relationships or uncertainty about the future has creeped in to cause fear, anxiety or doubt, he’s always provided confident reassurance.

Msgr. Swiader and I are different in some ways. I had to teach him about Jimmy Buffett and he has taught me to appreciate poetry, great literature, opera (people actually go to the opera?) and many other things. What has united us, though, is this journey in formation. When I first met Msgr. Swiader he assured me that formation is not uniform (i.e. the same for everyone) and requires incredible self-discipline and direction. Those words have proven true, time and time again, largely because of his influence.  Time and again, Msgr. Swiader has always brought my focus back to the habitus sacredtolis – that the sense of priesthood is such an internal part of the seminarian’s, and ultimately, the priest’s being that he cannot be himself without it.  In ways dramatic and simple, he has shown that to me from within himself and called me to the same.

The United States Bishops published the Program for Priestly Formation to guide seminary formation and write the following about the Advisor:

They observe seminarians and assist them to grow humanly by offering them feedback about their general demeanor, their relational capacities and styles, their maturity, their capacity to assume the role of a public person and leader in a community, and their appropriation of the human virtues that make them “men of communion.” These same formators may, on occasion, teach the ways of human development and even offer some personal mentoring or, at times, coaching. More generally, they offer encouragement, support, and challenge along the formational path. (80)

I would say, for sure, Msgr. Swiader has done this and more over the past two years. And while life will change in a few months, I hope in some way, we will somehow continue together on this journey.

Here's the alley - from our Ragtime in the Refectory celebration (It was Msgr. Swiader's idea - including the hats.)

Too Attached?

Tonight, Sunday February 6th, I preached at Solemn Vespers. At Vespers, we preach primarily from the Second Reading at Mass.

Reading Text: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (An audio version can be found below and the text follows.)



 
 

As I have prayed and reflected over today’s readings, I don’t really want to preach about this reading. You see, it’s not for me. It’s not where I’m most comfortable. It’s not what I want to hear. When I first read over these readings a few weeks ago, I wanted to preach about the first reading. The fast acceptable to the Lord, from Isaiah…that’s what I really want to preach and reflect upon. Think of all things that might be able to be incorporated into that …or Jesus’ proclamation about “You are the light of the world”….the themes there are what I really want to preach about…

You see I’m a “do”er. I like to take on projects get them done. Work an extra job, no problem. Take on a project or assignment, not a problem. Try to help someone by doing something for them or listening, I’d be honored. I’ve been called hyperactive, “too much”, over energetic (and other things, that are inappropriate for the Chapel). Yet, it’s the first reading and Gospel that I still feel better speak to me, are what I need to hear….

Or are they? You see if we’re honest, St. Paul’s words are too hard for us to handle. We can so easily build up the resume or list of attachments– in one way or another – to demonstrate how valuable, how important, we are. We need that reassurance, most times. We can list all the jobs we can do. Or for some us here, we can list and state who we know and who we have met…How many friends and acquaintances we have…For others of us, is it how smart we are and how many classes we’ve taken and grades we’ve earned? Maybe for some we are caught in technology – and we use it for good but we’re attached…For others of us, do we seek status and public recognition and see that as the way to being valuable and important?

These attachments, with reflection, balance and in and of themselves, are not negative. But they can quickly become the “driving force” in our lives. These attachments can easily pull us further and further away from the reality, from the wisdom of Paul, that the value and potential I have is not found in any other place but my relationship with God. We may come to the point when we cannot imagine our lives without our work, status, relationships, grades, recognitions, etc. God somehow falls always in the midst of this. Yet the reality is that there are not enough grades, statuses, connections, names to drop, or intellectual abilities that would ever make us worthy of that love and that Spirit St. Paul reassures us of today.

This is not an easy message. Paul gave it with trembling and fear – the opposite of the powerful preachers of this time. The realizations - of things we do, the attachments we grab on to – get in the way of our relationship with God can bring us to our knees. But if we don’t look at it now, particularly while here in the Seminary – it will break through our way of being, our way of living, our vocation. These attachments of works, peoples, things - will creep in and eventually take us down for these things will not have been built out of relationship with God but apart from it.


On the first Sunday Vespers of the Fall semester we heard from the first Letter to Timothy. The message then was very similar – Christ came to save the weak and vulnerable and to use them for his glory. Today, the first Letter to the Corinthians shares a similar message. While it may be a message that is difficult to hear, as we continue in this new semester, it’s a message that bears repeating again and again and again. We are nothing without our relationship with God in our lives –when that relationship is close and intimate and when that relationship feels distant and detached - it is from there and no other place that we can live and have our being.

As we come to close of this day, let’s reflect on the wealth of Scripture to remind us of this. Let’s make the words of the psalm we prayed this morning our prayer each day – “O God, you are my God, for you I long” (Psalm 63). If the desire of the psalmist truly becomes ours, our attachments will not be distractions or controlling but rather aids and means of support and as we call out to the Lord and he responds, “Here I am!” (First Reading from Sunday's Mass) and we go forth, in relationship with him - to be his “light for the world” and his “salt of the earth.” (Gospel at Sunday Mass).

On Retreat

This week, seminarians returned to the Seminary for the beginning of the Spring Semester (more to come on that in next week’s post). Returning back to the “routine” of seminary life cannot help but force me to think back over other experiences over the break.



A view of the grounds at Mount Saviour Monastery.

During the first week of January, five other seminarians and I had the opportunity to spend a week of retrea at Mount Saviour Monastery near Elmira, NY. This is a Benedictine monastery that opened in the 1951. (You can read more about the monastery here and see some nice videos here.) Today, nine monks live in the monastery and spend their entire day from early morning to night – literally – in a spirit of work and prayer.

Their routine is a bit different than ours. There are great differences between seminaries and monasteries, for sure. Each day in the Monastery began with Vigils at 4:45 A.M. (no, that’s not a misprint!). Here the monks recite the psalms, listen to a reading from Scripture and a reading from the writings of great saint or monk. Then, we gathered again for Lauds, or Morning Prayer, in the Chapel, followed by a silent breakfast. Mass is celebrated at 9:00 A.M. The community gathers again for Sext – Midday prayer – followed by a silent lunch and then, again, at 3 P.M. for None – Midafternoon prayer. Dinner is served at 5:30 P.M., again in silence, followed by Vespers – Evening Prayer – at 6:30. The day concludes with Compline – Night Prayer – at 8:15 P.M. Needless to say there is a lot of praying in the monastery!

This statue  is a 14th century statue of Our Lady Queen of Peace brought over from France. It is in the Crypt at Mount Saviour. Each day, people come and bring their intentions and prayers.

What fills in the “gaps” of time between the prayer that marks the entire day? Monks pray and study at different points of the day. They also work throughout the day supporting the community in a number of ways. The monks at this monastery produce products like apple juice and honey and sell it as a means of producing some revenue for the monastery. They “raise sheep” (?) and then sell the wool at the market. They welcome and provide tremendous hospitality to guests like us. And, from an outside observer, they do work. Yet there is a peace about what they do. While there is much to do, the pace is leads one to say their work is a form of prayer.

The week on retreat was a powerful one for me. I find that when surrounded by silence, it’s a little easier to go deeper in prayer and reflection. The life of a monastery provides the time and space that I need for that to happen. Throughout this week, we also bore witness to a different sense of community that we may know in our own lives. The monks clearly respect and care for one another while also acknowledging the challenges and difficulties that community life can present. In these and many ways, the week on retreat provided much to think, reflect and pray about. I hope I can carry even just some of what I have gained into the weeks and months ahead in the Seminary.

The Chapel at night.