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IPF on TV (EWTN) with Fr Gabuzda
The Institute for Priestly Formation (IPF) was featured on EWTN show Sunday Night Live with host Father Benedict Groeschel. The guests were Father Richard Gabuzda (IPF director) and Father Joe Kelly (priest of New York & IPF faculty). They focused on the the mission of IPF and their efforts in building a Center for Priestly Spirituality. Some great discussions and live call-in questions. They spoke on the summer programs (that I took last summer) and how awesome the Holy Spirit has grown the mission of IPF. I hope they post some of the show on their website or YouTube. You can order it from EWTN, show #280.
Here is a short video about the mission of IPF that is on the IPF website and on YouTube (from 2 years ago):
young adult retreat @ St Vincent DePaul Seminary
First time ever, the seminarians at St Vincent DePaul Regional Seminary in Boyton Beach, FL led a retreat open for young adult of the Palm Beach Diocese. I heard about it through my friends on FaceBook. It was a Spirit-filled retreat … simple schedule … 3 seminarian testimonies … deep small group discussion … Benediction & Adoration … and lots of social time.
Even though I couldn’t stay for the whole retreat, I’m grateful to have been invited and grateful to see by brother seminarians at their finest at “home.”
Hopefully, with their great turnout, they can do more events to not only reach out to the community, but keep vocations on everyone’s minds and prayers!
See the Florida Catholic article that promoted the events.
Here’s some pictures I took of their beautiful chapel on campus:
MIAMI HERALD article on Bryan Garcia at SJVCS !!!
This morning, I saw Bryan Garcia, Javier & Chuck on the FRONT page of the Miami Herald and I thought I was dreaming. After realizing I wasn’t, I started reading the article titled, “Answering the Call” that continued to TWO FULL PAGES inside. WOW!!!
The article spoke on the high enrollment at St John Vianney College Seminary (SJVCS) and the discernment process of seminarians, specifically profiling Bryan Garcia, my fellow brother seminarian.
The rector, Msgr Michael Carruthers, has some great quotes as well. “What they [seminarians] want most is help in knowing the Lord. If that leads to priesthood, great.” And is the section about struggling in discernment, he said, “If you don’t struggle, you’re not discerning.”
The article closed with one of my favorite passage, Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
There is also a SECOND ARTICLE on “Priesthood of today is much smaller than a decade ago.”
There is also an AUDIO SLIDESHOW with Bryan sharing his experience in seminary at SJVCS. CHECK IT ALL OUT!!!
Dedication of Mary mosaic @ SJVCS
Today, at St John Vianney College Seminary, was the highly anticipated dedication of the new mosaic of Mary, the New Eve and Star of the Sea in the one of the chapel gardens around St Raphael Chapel. Orlando Bishop Wenski celebrated Mass and the blessing and dedication of the new mosaic. Artist (and seminarian) Peter Dionne (SJVCS class of 2008) was present along with friend, family and supporters of SJVCS.
Also see picture of mosaic conception through completion and prayer of consecration to Mary.
[these pictures taken by Cliff Whitty, a SJVCS seminarian]
new mosaic of Mary, the New Eve and Star of the Sea
For the last couple of years, Msgr Michael Carruthers (rector of SJVCS) and Peter Dionne (artist & seminarian, SJVCS class of 2008) have been working on a new mosaic to our Blessed Mother for the chapel gardens. With today’s dedication of the new mosaic to Mary, the New Eve and Star of the Sea, here are some pictures posted by Fr Michael from mosaic conception through completion.
— Wow! Beautiful! Surely our Lady is happy.
Also see dedication ceremony here.
Consecration prayer to Mary here.
CCD 7th: Intro + prayer “sweet spot”
Today is day 1 of Religious Education (CCD) at my parish. I’m a catechist for 7th grade Pre-Confirmation class with my aide Donny. We had 13 of our 17 kids today, with apparently more signing up late as we speak. A very diverse group from “quiet” to “super-animated.”
We played a classic “get-to-know-you” icebreaker game called “Four Winds Blow.” It’s like musical chairs sitting in a circle. The person in the middle says 3 things about themselves. Then they say “Four winds blow to anyone …” (wearing jeans, wearing gym shoes, with blue eyes, wearing glasses, with ears, etc.) Then everyone that fits the profile needs to get up and get another seat (at least 2 seats over) while the person in the middle tries to get a seat as well. If you get stuck in the middle 3 time, you need to sing a song of your choice. The “Alphabet Song” and a Spongebob song were sang. Lots of fun for all.
I also gave a brief into to the curriculum and talked about finding our “prayer sweet spot” this year. Using a tennis racket and baseball bat, the kids taught me about finding the “sweet spot” to get the best result out of their uses … although similar for many, everyone has their own sweet spot in the way they play sports. Well, our prayer life is very similar. We need to each find what works best for our own individual prayer experience in order to grow. Some like Scripture, some the Rosary, some praise & worship, some music, some poetry, some adoration, some quiet meditation, etc. This year, we’ll have different prayer experience in order to help find our own prayer “sweet spot.”
We wrote down the simple Doxology prayer on index cards and will use it this week as a homework prayer experience. Everyone needs to try praying it at different time, days and ways this week. Next Sunday, we’ll share what worked and what didn’t.
As we discussed the Doxology prayer, we asked the questions like “What is a creature? Can a rock praise God? What’s the difference between angels & humans? What’s a Holy Ghost?” — a very vocal and curious group … we’re blessed to be journeying in our faith together!
— I prayed the Doxology during this post. 🙂
Doxology prayer by Nicole Nordeman
In our religious education class today, we used this short Doxology prayer for reflection. Short, simple, glorifying God, and powerful!
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host:
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
being a summer chaplain with poverty
I found an article in the Florida Catholic about Jim Grebe, a 3rd year Theologian seminarian at St Vincent DePaul Regional Seminary, whose summer assignment was a chaplain at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. It reminded me of my own experience over this past summer at IPF as a volunteer chaplain 2 afternoon each week at Alegent Health Immanuel Medical Center in Omaha, NE.
As a strong introvert, my assignment at a hospital was a welcomed challenge that transformed any “preparations” that I could have made into simple “presence and prayer” that I had to rest in to make it through fruitfully. My general progression was from Post-Intensive Care (PINS), Physical Rehab, Cancer, ICU and then Behavioral Health (mostly adults). Each unit, as well as each individual room, brought their own challenges and blessings. Going into rooms “cold” without much knowledge of condition or spiritualities left me at the mercy of Christ dependent on Him and allow the Holy Spirit to work without having to “try so hard” under my own abilities.
In identifying the poverty in those I ministered to, I came to recognize my own poverty that brings empathy with the poverty of Christ. As I was stepping out in faith “giving” ministry unselfishly, I identified with the “heart of Christ” — then, in reflection, the receiving became more pure and made me more receptive to pure desires with greater confidence in the Spirit. I found that praying within my own poverty opened opportunities in intimate relationship with God both in private prayer and with those ministered to.
On strong example was my first experience with a patient in ICU on a respirator, unable to speak a response to the open-ended questions I was trained to ask. I quickly retreated in fear to my superior Josh, who help adjust my approach and engagement. I returned to the patient with slightly more confidence in myself while becoming growingly dependent on the Holy Spirit to fill my poverty in encountering the non-verbal Christ with my “heart of Christ” in a distinct moment of Presence in my presence. Using simple words of encouragement to comfort, taking time to ask important yes/no questions, and listening to the feeling of a hand-squeeze for an answer was a moment of fullness of grace. Taking the experience to prayer and spiritual direction was easily seen as a growing echo to listen less to the words of my thoughts and more to the feelings of my heart when discerning with perseverance to God’s voice to me.
Thank you to all that ministered to me in the experience … Hospital staff, Pastoral Ministry staff, IPF staff and the Archdiocese of Miami for sending me on assignment. I was truly blessed and I prayer all that I touched were indeed “touched” as I was.
Dominic & Dan in DR
I saw an article today in the Florida Catholic with 2 of my seminarian brothers. Dominic Buckley (Diocese of Orlando) and Dan Martin (Miami) had a picture of them with some kids in the Dominican Republic over this summer. The article was mainly about Dominic’s experience. St Vincent DePaul Regional Seminary usually sends seminarians after their first year as Theologians for a Spanish immersion program. It’s nice to see more on vocations in the Florida Catholic.
leaving seminary formation
Over the last two years in seminary formation at St John Vianney College Seminary, I have been gifted with the opportunity and tools to help in my discernment of a vocation to the priesthood. The support, encouragement and growth were especially evident in my summer assignment at the Institute for Priestly Formation (IPF) in Omaha, NE. My summer was graced with regular spiritual direction, tools in deepening prayer, an 8-day Ignatian Silent Retreat, apostolic work in hospital pastoral service, courses on sexuality, diocesan priestly spirituality and liturgy, and the fellowship of brother seminarians from around the country.
Throughout my summer experience at IPF, I spend considerable time in serious prayer and discernment with a gifted spiritual director that helped me recognize an intimacy with the Lord that brought overwhelming joy and peace. I came to realize that my journey with the Lord at this point in my life would call for leaving seminary formation in order to pursue stronger desires of my heart. This decision, when brought to prayer over some time, has come with a confidence in the Holy Spirit that radiates peace in my heart.
I know this news comes with some sadness from the Archdiocese of Miami for losing a seminarian, but know that I will continue discerning the Lord’s plan for me in all that I do. I wish to express the deepest gratitude to Archbishop Favalora and the Archdiocese of Miami for their prayer, support, attention, tools and opportunity to discernment a vocation to the priesthood. Thank you and know I will continue to support vocations and sharing my own faith journey to others encouraging the Body of Christ to discern their own unique roles to grow the Kingdom of God.
special effects left 4 God
EASTER VIGIL @ Cathedral 8pm — a beautiful and event-filled Mass with lots of pictures (’cause it’s the last time I’ll be serving at it).
Sometime during the second reading, the power went out and we had to adjust rather quickly. It was decided to cut out the “bells” (my job) during the singing of the Gloria because it may drown out the singing if the microphones and organ have no power. Aside, Javier predicted the power would come back when I ran the bells. I laughed it off until the power actually DID come back during the singing of the Gloria … so … the lights would have come back during the ringing of the bells! … A wise seminarian reflected on the event after Mass and concluded it was a sign to remind us that “God is in charge of the special effects.” — Amen! 🙂
Beautiful Mass. The Lord has Risen, Halleluia!
[Note: the last picture fulfills Ryan’s prophecy: “Don’t let Chris take your picture, or it will end up on his blog.” — to complete an evening of fulfilled prophecies … 🙂 ]
last minor serving
CATHEDRAL — Since I’m graduating from St John Vianney College Seminary (minor) in Miami, FL and (God-willing) moving onto major seminary of St Vincent DePaul Regional Seminary in Boyton Beach, FL … I wanted to take a lot of pictures while serving my last “minor” Cathedral Mass on the Easter Vigil.
Here is us seminarians getting vested in our cassock & surplice before Mass.
As “cross“, my first serving duty was to hold the tray for the Easter Candle blessing. The items included nails, a knife, tongs for the charcoal fire, and a personalized candle for Archbishop Favalora (that Hector had something to do with).
Vocation talks @ AMHS
Yesterday (Monday) and today, we did “Vocation Talks” at Catholic high schools. I, along with Nick and Fenley, spent the day at Archbishop McCarthy High School (AMHS) giving talks in theology classes about the vocations to Priesthood and Religious Life … mainly our personal testimonies of how we came to be in seminary. There are about a dozen other seminary brothers doing the same thing at other Catholic high schools throughout the Archdiocese of Miami … all in an effort to promote Vocations.
The day was GREAT! We were well received by all students and teachers with some excellent questions about vocations ranging from general to personal questions on our own discernment journey. Each of us did about 8 to 10 talks throughout the day … I did fewer than the others cuz I spoke over my 10 to 15 minutes … 🙂 … but we eventually covered all students of the school over the two day period.
We started the day off with Mass with Fr Chris Bartos. Fairly new to giving our vocation testimonies, we were a bit nervous about sharing out life journeys, but managed to connect with the teenagers very quickly. The questions ranged from the simple (like “Can you still play paintball when you become a priest?” — my most common questions of the day) to the more challenging (like “How do you know where you’ll be assigned when you become a priest?” and “Why would someone choose to be a diocesen priest over a religious priest?”) to the super personal (like “Are you afraid you may want to get married after becoming a priest?”). We could definitely feel the attention they gave toward Catholic vocations in their thought provoking questions and comments.
Thank you to the Serra Club for arranging the talks and the staff at Archbishop McCarthy High School for their great hospitality … with extra-special thanks to Fr Chris Bartos and the students who walked us around the beautiful campus as our “guides” each day [there were more than just in the pictures]. They all helped to make it an effective experience and lots of fun! — Thanks again!
An AWESOME day full of graces, blessings and growth in the Kingdom of God! — Lunch in their new cafeteria was awesome too … 🙂
Walk for Life @ SJVC seminary
Today is the annual “Walk for Life” done throughout the US with multiple locations around the Archdiocese of Miami. Our seminary was one of the locations. The day began with Mass with Miami Auxiliary Bishop Noonan with a full Chapel.
coco morning
It’s cold today … even at breakfast! Hot chocolate for sure!
spiritual awareness + God alone suffices
MASS – (Fr Vallee) — No prophet is accepted in his home … Fr Omar laugh … Spirituality is about awareness … stay awake!
HOLY HOUR – (Fr Michael) — “God alone suffices”
So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you. Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for (someone) to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings. The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ (Jesus) will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little. To him be dominion forever. Amen. — 1Peter 5:6-11
diet: “More Priests Less #s” week #4
The new diet plan here at the seminary, “More Priest, Less Pounds,” (by Fr Jose Alvarez) is still in effect Week #4. Some guys are getting results. There are a lot more guys working out at our gym (and some local gyms). — I’m starting to feel fat just being around all these health-nuts!
Superbowl Party @ SJVC seminary
SOCIAL — The Sophomore class was in charge of any AWESOME Superbowl Party. Great game. Great fellowship. AWESOME FOOD (so much, I couldn’t take pictures of all if it … missed the chocolate bread pudding & ice cream).
At half-time, they brought out the killer casadias and chicken wings. — “More Priests Less Pounds” diet is suspended tonight … in memory of all this food!
simplicity of life: quid animo satis?
RECTOR’s CONFERENCE — today’s talk was for “returning guys” on the “Simplicity of Life” in more detail than earlier introduced. This is the basic outline of the talk.
I. The Evangelical Counsels
A. Chastity
B. Obedience
C. Simplicity of Life
D. Qualities Beyond Basics (to grow deeper)
E. Posture that creates openness
II. Poverty / Simplicity
A. Pinching limitation …
B. In regards to Present possesions — a lack
C. In regards to Future possessions — insecurity
D. First of the Beatitudes (reminds us God will provide what we need … trust)
E. In Religious Life —> freeing
F. Look at Complications in our lives
G. Look at Identity
III. Poverty Flows out of Hope
A. Faith —> Certainty in Present
B. Hope —> Expanding Certainty of Faith regarding Future
C. Obstacles to Hope: Possessions of the Particular
1. The Attribution of Certainty to Particular Things we already possess.
2. Hope has to do with non-possession, and the Virtue connected to that is Poverty
IV. Deepening Levels of Understanding
A. Eternal Level
B. Next Level: Freedom
C. Deeper Yet: Gladness (= Joy)
D. Deeper Still: Lacking Nothing
V. Detachment / Indifference
A. People live without thinking about this
B. Example of Painting
C. Comparison applied to Everyone
D. Poverty belongs to dynamic of Knowledge: it is Intelligent and full of affection
VI. Lectio: Matthew 6:25-34 …
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat (or drink), or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, 19 and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil. — Matthew 6:25-34
SJVCS Seminary Life Album
July '09 -- hospital chaplains @ IPF
Easter '09 -- Miami SJVCS friends
the Son always finds a break in let the clouds
Feb '09 -- school vocation talks @ AMHS
Feb '09 -- cold breakfast with brothers (Matias, Fenly & Randy), now at SVDP and Imad (at SJVCS)
Superbowl '09 -- eating great @ SJVCS
Sept '08 -- Worklist Coordinators?
St Raphael Chapel mural @ SJVCS
Sept '08 -- retreats @ SJVCS
"It's not easy being green"
Catholic Kermit 
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