Spring Saint John Vianney College Seminary St. Paul, Minnesota. Faith in ACTION

Transcription

1 Saint John Vianney College Seminary St. Paul, Minnesota news Spring 2017 Faith in ACTION 10 DAYS IN INDIA PAGES

2 Charity Love believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. 1 Cor. 13:7-8 Fr. Michael Becker Rector 2 Vianneynews on the cover David Sacha, Diocese of Grand Rapids, plays with a group of students at the Pathways to Children School in Kolkata, India. See pages 4-13.

3 Fall Event Celebrates Alumni Save the Date! Thursday, November 2, Contact us: If you are interested in joining the planning team, please contact Tizoc Rosales: or (651) Top: Fr. Paul Shovelain and his brother Dominic enjoy the evening together. Middle: Peter Polingo represents lay alumni in his remarks. Bottom: Fr. Becker socializes with alumnus Kevin Busco. 3

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5 A World That Doesn't Make Sense Ben Baker, Diocese of Des Moines Walking through the streets of Kolkata has been one of my favorite parts of this trip the very streets that Mother Teresa used to walk. The best way to describe it is that the city assaults your senses. The sounds of incessant honking, street chatter, barking dogs, and roadside bargaining create a harmonious cacophony. The sights of the beautiful saris, people bathing in the street, smiling faces, and the sun setting over the Hooghly (Ganges) River create quite the collage. The smells of raw meat, curry and garbage work together to sting the nostrils. Constantly bumping into people and shaking hands with the men we are serving adds a touch of humanity to the commotion. The new foods are challenging the boundaries of what I thought my palate expression of God s heart. These people are not much different than us. The differences are simply a different part of God s heart being expressed in this vast universe He has created. Luckily, I can follow in the footsteps of the person who voiced these very words. Mother Teresa encountered God s heart, and this led her to minister to those marginalized by society. She realized that God thirsts with love for every soul He has created. In return, she wished to satiate this thirst by showing His love to the poorest of the poor. This type of spirit is exactly what I wish to channel on this trip. As I pray every day in front of Mother s tomb, I ask that I may be a worthy vessel of God s love. Fr. Borello and the SJV seminarians explore one of India s largest cities. Kolkata street scenes above. 5

6 Making New Friends Joe Domina, Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana Joe Domina travels by boat with a new acquaintance. After a boat ride on the border of Bangladesh and a run through a rice paddy, the brothers and I boarded a bus to Morning Star Seminary. We arrived to the sounds of native drums and singing. The welcome by 205 seminarians was beautiful and unexpected. They placed leis around our necks in gratitude for our visit. Dinner was fantastic, and then it was off to bed to get a full night s rest before we joined the seminarians for their daily routine. In praying the prayer of the Church, we had a concrete and beautiful experience of the universal Catholic Church. friend at the Pathways school. The brothers at Morning Star continued the remarkable Indian hospitality with breakfast and what I will call seminary and culture. We knew their appreciation for our visit had less to do with us and more to do with the thankful disposition of the seminarians. 6 Vianneynews

7 The seminarians were greeted with smiles everywhere they went. Time to cool off after the game. After the program, we met in small groups to share our vocation stories, struggles and joys. Our brothers from Kolkata shared what it is like to live a radically Christian life in this country. Then it was time for an international game of basketball. After two hard-fought halves, we came out on top But the real value was more than points on the scoreboard. It was a new bond formed through competition with our Indian brothers. 77

8 Learning New Languages Peter Ludwig, Diocese of Lansing I had the privilege of visiting Nirmal Hriday, the Missionaries of Charity home for the dying in Kolkata. There I met a man sunken with starvation. He cannot walk, day I spent at the home, I massaged his arms and hands in an attempt to restore their motion. Since he speaks no English, I tried to interpret his head nods and eye movements. While he could not communicate what he wanted, I picked up on something much deeper that I have yet to fully understand suffering. This man, left for dead on the streets of Kolkata, was suffering I could not understand his experience. I took my frustration to prayer, but my understanding would only come slowly. As I worked with this man over the next few days, I gradually came to communicate with him a little through eye contact t and head nods. But, more importantly, I began to love this suffering man. 8 Vianneynews A man bathes in the streets of Kolkata.

9 Matthew Jakupco, Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana, prays at the tomb of St. Mother Teresa of Kolkata. I have learned that the Missionaries of Charity love people p e as they are broken and suffering. Their mission is to even realizing i how, I began to see this man as my brother. As I came to see him this way, I desired to alleviate his thirst for love. Every time I served him, I tried to convey the Father s love. The man asked me for some things, which I actually understood and did for him. But then, he did something I had not yet seen him do. He smiled at me. This man knew that I loved him, received this love, and returned it with a smile. The simple gesture meant the world to me. That moment will never leave me. The look of gratitude on his face, for the meager service and love I gave him, could have warmed the coldest heart. Residents of the Gandhiji Prem Nivas Leprosy Centre, on the outskirts of Kolkata, make bed covers, bandages and clothing, as well as the white and blue saris worn by Missionaries of Charity sisters all over the world. 9

10 A Hearty Welcome David Kirsch, Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis Above: Michael Gehrig, Diocese of Rockford, receives a hearty welcome at a rural parish in India. Below: Even a furry friend welcomes the American visitors. 10 Vianneynews Fr. Borello blesses a family in their home during the visit.

11 In addition to our trip to Morning Star Seminary, we visited a rural parish with the rector and one of animals, rickshaws and Vespas. We put ourselves in the hands of the Lord and His Mother, and we were deeply grateful when we tumbled from our bus several hours later. When we arrived at the village, we were taken to the local Catholic boarding school. Some very joyful sisters served us breakfast. We were reassured that the Mass in Bengali would take more than two hours, a crowning virtue of the Bengali people hospitality. They prioritized breakfast over getting us to the church where everyone was waiting. The most important thing, besides the Lord himself, was that their guests were well cared for. The Mass was an incredible cultural experience, as well as a deeply prayerful one. We took part in the 10-minute procession into the small church. In traditional Bengali fashion, a woman placed a dot between our eyebrows. Instead of the standard brown, it was a lustrous golden hue. I realized that only that talk about the sign of the Lamb, placed on the foreheads of God s people. After Mass, we were asked to sit in front of the congregation while the children sang a song of welcome. After some social time and another breakfast, we were led to a little auditorium where the stage speeches. An overwhelming joy surrounded us the whole day. 11

12 Experiencing the I Thirst of Kolkata Ben Baker, Diocese of Des Moines On our last night in Kolkata, I can honestly say I am not ready to leave yet. I have learned so many things, and my outlook on life has been deeply affected. encountered the love of Christ in a new way, and I long for more. Even in becoming familiar with the city, the Missionaries of Charity, and this life of service, I have been I look at the life of Mother Teresa and the way that her sisters imitate her rule of life and spirituality, and but they truly are striving for greatness. In their humility, they pray every day to let Christ shine through them. They pray that in receiving the Eucharist, Christ may increase and they may decrease (John 3:30). My own thirst is not quite satiated yet. However, it s time to move on and see what more God has in everything I do and keep a special love for my brothers and sisters in poverty. For what I do for them, I do for God Himself. The Daughters of St. Anne laugh with the seminarians during their visit Vianneynews neyne news

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14 Passing on the Faith Jeff Todd (far right) and his 8th graders smile for the camera after a performance of the Ten Commandments. Happy Anniversary, Fr. George! Fr. Abraham George celebrated 25 years of priesthood in December. seminarians and priests are grateful for his faithful service. 14 Vianneynews

15 Mission Trip to Mobile Three days were spent in silence at the Visitation Monastery outside of feeding the elderly at the Little Sisters of the Poor home and working parishes with men s and youth groups. The trip to Mobile opened my eyes to the beauty of the worldwide of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. At the Little Sisters of the Poor, I saw simply being with them. I got to see the ministry and zeal of the Church a thousand miles from home, and I Service in Honduras Fr. Paul Gitter and 10 seminarians spent their spring break at the Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH) home for children outside the capital city of Tegucigalpa in Honduras. Home to more than 400 boys and girls, the men had plenty of work to do the garden, on the farm and in the torilleria. Afternoons were left open for playtime with the kids. SJV seminarians raise the Vatican 15

16 Hoops Anyone? 16 Vianneynews Joe Wappes (right) plays defense as Matthew Pohlman drives to the basket.

17 Getting to Know the SJV Seminarians Wanner Connor Granados 20 Bismarck you 17 who you in your My older sister Sr. Therese Marie of the Holy Spirit. Evangelizing and catechizing Karenni refugees from Burma Philosophy, Catholic Studies and Latin I am an Eagle Scout. I once solved the Rubik s Cube in 20 seconds. My brothers Caleb, Jake, Jon, Kyle and Matt Astronomy St.Joseph Mom s lasagna 20 Saint Paul and Minneapolis you 9 Because it s true! Also because of the spiritual especially the Eucharist. The fraternity here among men who are all striving for holiness The Philosophy and Catholic Studies professors Teaching 7th-grade religious education at St. Odelia s Catholic Church Philosophy and Catholic Studies I enjoy listening to metal music. Playing ultimate Frisbee, reading, hanging out with friends Metaphysics with Dr. Tim Pawl St. Thomas Aquinas Any of the movies I ll take a good burger over a good steak any day! 21 Lansing you 12 who you in your My former pastor, Fr. Patrick Casey Striving for excellence We study other subjects that complement what we are learning for priestly formation. Teaching 7th-grade theology at St. Agnes Catholic School Philosophy, Classical Languages and Psychology I am training to test for the rank of fourth-degree black belt and the title of Master. Martial arts, music, sleeping The Classical Tradition (English) St. Maria Goretti Mom s lasagna 17

18 Vianney News. Tizoc Rosales Director of Development 18 Vianneynews news

19 Spotlight on Alumni The Slattery Family SJV Alumni - We like to hear from you! Please contact Tizoc Rosales, Director of Development: (651) or tizoc.rosales@stthomas.edu 19

20 Saint John Vianney College Seminary 2115 Summit Avenue - Mail 5024 St. Paul, MN PAID SAVE THE DATE 13 th Annual Vianney Cup Monday, September 18, 2017 Midland Hills Country Club Roseville, Minnesota 11:00 a.m. Registration and Lunch Driving Range Open 12:00 p.m. Opening Prayer and Golf Scramble Shotgun Start 4:30 p.m. Social Hour 5:15 p.m. Dinner followed by awards and program, featuring more than 130 seminarians 7:00 p.m. Adjourn For more information or to register, contact: Nancy Johnson nhjohnson@stthomas.edu (651) Vianneynews (651) Or find us on Facebook!