An integral part of a seminarian’s priestly formation is his summer assignment. Each summer, upon returning home from the seminary, our seminarians are assigned to different parishes in the Diocese for eight weeks of pastoral work and experience. This time in the parish is important for them. It serves to assist them in developing pastoral competency, it teaches them about pastoral leadership, and it provides opportunities for collaboration with others. Most of all, it helps them become true shepherds after the heart and example of Jesus Christ.
Just before returning to the seminary this fall, I asked the men to share with me (and with all of you) what their experience in the parish was like. This is what they said:
Julian Cuervo, third year theologian, was assigned to the parish of St. Michael in Pawcatuck this summer. He wrote: By laying down his life to the Lord, the priest is transformed into an expression of Jesus' own love to His people. My summer assignment at St. Michael's parish, under the direction of Fr. Perkins and Fr. Ellis, magnified this reality. I was blessed to witness the various ways they continue Jesus’ ministry of shepherd of souls: through the daily Eucharistic nourishment provided at the holy sacrifice of the Mass, the healing offered through Confession, the joyful witness of those entering a sacramental marriage, the blessed and life-giving celebration of Baptism, the counsel and solidarity provided those who are sick or homebound, and the prayerful accompaniment of those suffering with the loss of a loved one. May the Lord of the harvest grant us continual growth in holiness under the direction of our pastors and may He continue to call young men in our diocese to this noble vocation.
Eric Hosmer, third year theologian, was assigned to the parish of St. Brendan the Navigator in New London, Waterford and Fishers Island this summer. He wrote: “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” I am drawn to this passage from Matthew 18:20, because I spent my summer at St. Brendan the Navigator Catholic Community in New London and Waterford. My time was spent with people from different backgrounds who were focused on Christ and His salvific message. One thing I noticed is how Christ’s light radiates through them to share that same joy and peace that I experienced when participating in liturgies. I appreciate your prayers for my discernment and will pray for the people of Norwich.
Alex Pandolfe, third year theologian, was assigned to the parish of Our Lady Queen of Peace in Storrs and Coventry this summer. He wrote: My summer experience might best be described first in terms of prayer. Throughout the summer, I received a great gift in being able to return daily to the chapel, St. Thomas Aquinas, in which I started a more lengthy dialogue with God as a UConn student, and this gift of prayer spread to Our Lady Queen of Peace’s other worship site, St. Mary’s, especially as I participated in the daily celebration of Mass. Often during this time of prayer, I was supported by the fraternal presence of Fr. Jonathan and Fr. Jacob, which leads me to a second aspect of this summer experience: fraternity. Through my time with these two priests – praying, eating, and often laughing together – I appreciated a seemingly indispensable gift of priestly fraternity. Finally, I would be remiss to neglect mentioning the great love that the people of Our Lady Queen of Peace showed me. Truly, this was a gift of a summer experience, for it was first a summer with God, it was then a summer with two wonderful priests, and finally it was a summer with many parishioners filled with the Spirit of God.
Mark Johnson, second year theologian, was assigned to the parishes of Our Lady of Lourdes in Gales Ferry, Sacred Heart in Groton, and Saint Mary, Mother of the Redeemer in Groton this summer. He wrote: This summer I had the privilege of assisting Fr. Brian Converse at the Tri-Parish Community of Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Mary Mother of the Redeemer, and Sacred Heart in Gales Ferry and Groton. Under Fr. Converse’s guidance, I learned much about the hard work required to run a parish: balancing the spiritual and administrative tasks that a priest is called to complete for the sake of Christ’s people. From helping out at Masses and gravesites to sitting in on various meetings with staff and councils, Fr. Converse provided me with ample opportunity to experience the life of a priest. I was also taught how to embrace priestly fraternity by frequently hosting and cooking for priests and seminarians from the Diocese of Norwich.
Thank God for our seminarians. Let’s continue to pray for them as they begin another year of formation at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary. May the Lord who has begun a good work in them bring it to completion.
Father Jonathan Ficara, Director of Vocations