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Keyword: seminary

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  • April trial set for ex-LDS seminary principal

    11/10/2009 3:27:01 PM PST · by Colofornian · 18 replies · 554+ views
    Salt Lake Tribune ^ | Nov. 10, 2009 | Stephen Hunt
    An April trial has been set for former Lone Peak High School LDS seminary principal Michael Jay Pratt, who is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old female student earlier this year. Pratt, 37, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to 15 felonies: one count of rape, eight counts of forcible sodomy and five counts of object rape, all first-degree felonies, and one count of second-degree felony forcible sexual abuse. Fourth District Judge Christine Johnson scheduled Pratt's trial to begin April 12. During an October preliminary hearing, the alleged victim, now 17, testified that her relationship with "Brother Pratt" started...
  • Path to the Priesthood - Three-part Series

    06/30/2009 3:17:10 AM PDT · by MDJohnPaul · 3 replies · 599+ views
    The Catholic Review ^ | June 8, 2009 | George P. Matysek Jr.
    When Hamilton Okeke stepped into his room at St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Roland Park for the first time, the enormity of what he was doing seemed to hit him in the gut. He was alone, literally and figuratively, as he was about to hand his life over to God. No one in his inner circle supported his desire to become a priest. Just two rooms down the hall on the fourth floor of the massive seminary building that looms over Northern Parkway, Deacon Gregory Rapisarda’s room bustled with a family that embraced religious vocations. At 61, Deacon Rapisarda...
  • Faculty of an ELCA Seminary Support Task Force Documents

    05/27/2009 7:44:18 PM PDT · by lightman · 18 replies · 1,078+ views
    ELCA News Service ^ | 26 May AD 2009 | Melissa Ramirez-Cooper
    Faculty of an ELCA Seminary Support Task Force Documents 09-122-MRC CHICAGO (ELCA) -- A majority of the 23 faculty at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) is in support of two documents released by the Task Force for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Studies on Sexuality. LSTC is one of eight ELCA seminaries. The task force released Feb. 19 a proposed social statement for the church, "Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust," and a report and recommendation for a process to consider changes to ministry policies that could make it possible for Lutherans who are in "publicly...
  • Lutheran Seminarians Support Task Force Recommendation

    05/07/2009 12:23:58 PM PDT · by lightman · 28 replies · 1,631+ views
    ELCA News Service ^ | 6 May AD 2009 | Melissa Ramirez-Cooper
    utheran Seminarians Support Task Force Recommendation 09-107-MRC CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In an open letter to the 65 synod bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Lutheran seminarians expressed their support for a recommendation that would allow Lutherans in committed same-gender relationships to be included on professional church rosters. On Feb. 19 the Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality released a report and recommendation for a process to consider changes to ministry policies that could make it possible for Lutherans who are in "publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gendered relationships" to serve as ELCA associates in ministry, deaconesses, diaconal...
  • Remarks of the Rev. Katherine Hancock Ragsdale, Birmingham, AL (BARF Alert)

    05/06/2009 8:18:17 AM PDT · by markomalley · 22 replies · 1,376+ views
    NARAL Pro-Choice Texas ^ | 7/21/2007 | "Rev." Katherine Hancock Ragsdale
    Well Operation Save America came, they saw, they harassed, and they annoyed; but they did not close the clinic. The clinic stayed open, no patients were turned away, and the doors never closed. We remain victorious. And that victory is a good thing – but, make no mistake, even though OSA has gone home; our work is not done. If we were to leave this park and discover that clinic violence had become a thing of the past, never to plague us again, that would be a very good thing, indeed; but, still, our work would not be done. If...
  • From New President of Episcopal Divinity School: 'Abortion is a Blessing'

    04/01/2009 6:17:02 PM PDT · by tcg · 51 replies · 2,539+ views
    Catholic Online ^ | 4/3/09 | Randy Sly
    These are the two things I want you, please, to remember – abortion is a blessing and our work is not done. Let me hear you say it: abortion is a blessing and our work is not done. Abortion is a blessing and our work is not done. Abortion is a blessing and our work is not done... The announcement on Monday, March 30 that The Rev. Dr. Katherine Ragsdale was appointed as the sixth and newest president of Episcopal Divinity School (EDS) in Cambridge, MA, has orthodox and pro-life Episcopalians shaking their heads. Ragsdale, who is an outspoken advocate...
  • Divine Refuge in the Storm - Applications to seminary and divinity school rise during tough times

    02/15/2009 9:31:22 AM PST · by GonzoII · 3 replies · 641+ views
    Newsweek ^ | Feb 7, 2009 | Lisa Miller
    Everyone, it seems, has a "Plan B." You've had the conversation yourself with your spouse and probably with friends over dinner. In the event you can no longer be a journalist—or an investment banker, lawyer or literary agent—what will you be? A livery-cab driver? A yoga instructor? A bartender? Where would you like to take shelter from this recession? Some of you—admit it—are dreaming of the ministry. This yearning could be an escapist fantasy, a wish to contemplate divine abundance in an environment of scarcity, to wrestle with abstractions in the midst of relentless pragmatic concerns. Or it could be...
  • Vatican: Gay `behavior' in seminaries declines

    01/16/2009 4:14:20 PM PST · by Maelstorm · 18 replies · 1,545+ views
    http://www.google.com/ ^ | Jan 15,2009 | By RACHEL ZOLL
    NEW YORK (AP) — A Vatican evaluation of U.S. Roman Catholic seminaries in response to the clergy sex abuse scandal concluded that administrators have largely been effective in rooting out "homosexual behavior" in the schools, although the agency said it persists. The Congregation for Catholic Education sought a broad review of how the schools screen and educate prospective priests, but gave special attention to teachings on chastity and celibacy. The Vatican also directed evaluators to look for "evidence of homosexuality" in the schools. In a report U.S. bishops released this week, the Vatican agency noted past "difficulties in the area...
  • Top U.S. Catholic seminary sees spike in enrollment

    09/15/2008 1:50:15 PM PDT · by NYer · 13 replies · 768+ views
    Curt Jester ^ | September 15, 2008 | Jeff Miller
    The Rome seminary considered the West Point for U.S. priests has its largest incoming class in 40 years. The Pontifical North American College is welcoming 61 seminarians in its fall classes beginning in mid-October, according to Catholic News Service. The school, on a hill overlooking the Vatican, opened in 1954 with room for more than 200 students, but has not been full in recent years. Monsignor Robert Gruss, vice rector for student life, told CNS that the college, which is sponsored by the U.S. bishops, will have 208 seminarians total this year.
  • Personal Aside: Rockford Diocese Drops Mundelein for Seminarians—Guess Why?... (Catholic Caucus)

    07/30/2008 7:41:52 AM PDT · by Pyro7480 · 13 replies · 1,068+ views
    TomRoser.com ^ | 7/29/2008 | Tom Roser
    The Rockford, Illinois diocese will not send seminarians to St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein for training. Two upperclassmen propositioned a Rockford youth for homosexual favors. So much for the change that has been promised in archdiocesan public relations pronouncements. Thus the Rockford diocese has decided it is finished with Mundelein.... Kicanas. The man who ran St. Mary of the Lake Seminary, Mundelein when it was a hot-house of homosexual excess…and who was quoted in the “Sun-Times” as saying he does not regret ordaining Fr. Dan McCormack, who is now serving time for child abuse…is second in command of the...
  • Pope Benedict travels to his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo (and then meets his brother)

    07/24/2008 1:18:25 PM PDT · by NYer · 17 replies · 722+ views
    CNA ^ | July 23, 2008
    Castelgandolfo, Jul 23, 2008 / 08:15 pm (CNA).- Having returned from his visit to Australia for World Youth Day, Pope Benedict XVI has moved to his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo. After three days of rest, he will meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki on Friday and travel to the northern Italian town of Bressanone the following day.In Bressanone, a German-speaking town near the Italian border with Germany, the Pope will stay with his brother Father Georg Ratzinger in a medieval seminary from July 28 to August 11. According to ANSA news agency, a grand piano has been...
  • Quebec Awakes (Minor Seminary Will Follow Eucharistic Congress)

    06/24/2008 2:01:34 PM PDT · by NYer · 7 replies · 629+ views
    NCR ^ | June 24, 2008 | John Burger
    Cardinal Marc Ouellet faced a daunting task when he became archbishop of Quebec, Canada, in 2003.The province of Quebec, once thoroughly Catholic, with roots in the rich history of French missionaries, had become thoroughly secularized. The 49th International Eucharistic Congress was held in his city June 15-22, coinciding with the 400th anniversary of Quebec’s founding, with hopes that it would provide a way to rekindle the spark of faith there. The cardinal, who is also primate of Canada and was once a missionary in Colombia, took advantage of the opportunity. He set out on a program of pastoral renewal centered...
  • Vatican says prohibition against gays in seminaries is universal

    05/19/2008 1:19:35 PM PDT · by NYer · 35 replies · 932+ views
    CNA ^ | May 19, 2008
    Vatican City, May 19, 2008 / 09:21 am (CNA).- Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, has sent a letter to the bishops of the world with the approval of Pope Benedict XVI reaffirming the norms established by the Congregation for Catholic Education in the 2005 document, “Instruction Concerning the Criteria for the Discernment of Vocation with regard to Persons with Homosexual Tendencies in view of their Admission to the Seminary and to Holy Orders,” as universal and without exceptions.  In the brief “Rescriptum ex audientia” –a written response to various queries—Cardinal Bertone said the norms establishing the selection...
  • Episcopal Seminaries Struggle With Costs: Long-Held Training Model Faces an Uncertain Future

    05/17/2008 3:37:53 PM PDT · by sc70 · 8 replies · 523+ views
    The Washington Post ^ | 17 May 2008 | G. Jeffrey MacDonald
    Episcopal Seminaries Struggle With Costs Long-Held Training Model Faces an Uncertain Future By G. Jeffrey MacDonald Religion News Service Saturday, May 17, 2008; B09 In the cloistered world of Episcopal seminaries, time sometimes seems to stand still as clergy-in-training gather in stone chapels to pray in ways familiar to their forebears centuries earlier. But the semblance of timelessness can be deceiving. Some of the 11 seminaries affiliated with the Episcopal Church are slashing core programs, while others report rapid growth in enrollment. Still others are reexamining conventional wisdom about what it takes -- and how much it costs -- to...
  • Papal visit triggers “tsunami” of New York seminary applications

    04/26/2008 6:10:24 AM PDT · by NYer · 56 replies · 1,125+ views
    CNA ^ | April 26, 2008
    Yonkers, NY, Apr 26, 2008 / 03:45 am (CNA).- St. Joseph Seminary in Yonkers, New York, has received dozens of applications following Pope Benedict’s visit, the New York Daily News reports."It's been like a tsunami, a good tsunami of interest," said Father Luke Sweeney, the Archdiocese of New York's vocations director.  “I've been meeting people all week and have a lot of e-mails I haven't had the chance yet to respond to. It has been incredible.”For the first time in 108 years, the seminary had been preparing for a year with no students.  Only 23 seminarians are expected to...
  • A youth's first-hand account of the papal youth rally

    04/21/2008 8:05:15 AM PDT · by NYer · 4 replies · 542+ views
    American Papist ^ | April 19, 2008 | Thomas Peters
    This sent to me last night by an overjoyed Megan B., of Hyde Park, New York: "Hello! I’m a long time reader of your blog and I wanted to give you some more details on the papal youth rally, which I was able to attend today. First of all, it was absolutely amazing. It was like a giant 4th of July fireworks event, or county fair (including long lines for food!) One of the things they didn’t show on TV (I don’t know if they mentioned it) was that there was also a prayer chapel and confessions available. The...
  • Live Thread: Pope Benedict XVI at Youth Rally at St. Joseph's Seminary, Yonkers, NY

    04/19/2008 2:27:27 PM PDT · by Pyro7480 · 75 replies · 1,114+ views
    EWTN ^ | 4/129/2008 | n/a
    Pope Benedict XVI has arrived on the stage at the youth rally at St. Joseph's Seminary at Yonkers, NY.
  • Pope's Address to Seminarians and Young People, St. Joseph's Seminary (Dunwoodie), NY

    04/19/2008 4:36:17 PM PDT · by NYer · 23 replies · 975+ views
    EWTN ^ | April 19, 2008 | Pope Benedict XVI
    Your Eminence, Dear Brother Bishops, Dear Young Friends,"Proclaim the Lord Christ … and always have your answer ready for people who ask the reason for the hope that is within you" (1 Pet 3:15). With these words from the First Letter of Peter I greet each of you with heartfelt affection. I thank Cardinal Egan for his kind words of welcome and I also thank the representatives chosen from among you for their gestures of welcome. To Bishop Walsh, Rector of Saint Joseph Seminary, staff and seminarians, I offer my special greetings and gratitude. Young friends, I am very...
  • Yale Divinity course examines theology in Harry Potter

    03/27/2008 12:23:53 PM PDT · by AngieGal · 24 replies · 980+ views
    Christian Today ^ | March 27, 2008 | Elena Garcia
    Most people agree that the wildly popular Harry Potter series has a religious following. But to what extent are the stories about the fictional boy wizard a religious allegory? Danielle Tumminio, a Yale Divinity School graduate student who instructs a course called "Christian Theology and Harry Potter" at Yale would say, "Yes." Her course uses all seven Potter books to examine Christian themes such as sin, evil and resurrection, reports CNN.
  • At least 7 killed at Israeli seminary

    03/06/2008 11:47:10 AM PST · by Nachum · 58 replies · 1,128+ views
    MSNBC ^ | 3-6-08 | Associated Press
    JERUSALEM - Two gunmen infiltrated a rabbinical seminary and opened fire after nightfall Thursday. At least seven people were killed, police and local media said, including at least one of the terrorists. Israeli media said about 35 people were wounded. Ambulances raced to the scene from around the city. The terrorists entered a dining hall where about 80 people were gathered, witnesses said, and opened fire. "There are at least seven killed," said Eli Dein, director of Israel's rescue service.
  • New name, same historical revisionism [Liberty Theological Seminary, SBC]

    02/09/2008 7:02:31 AM PST · by Ottofire · 16 replies · 1,018+ views
    Founders Ministries Blog ^ | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2008 | Tom Ascol
    On December 21, 2007 Ergun Caner sent me an announcement about the name change of Liberty Theological Seminary to Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. I gave it only passing notice. From all that I know, Liberty may be the finest Fundamentalist seminary around and I don't care how many times they extract and reinsert the name "Baptist" on their letterhead. When Caner became dean of the seminary in 2004 he took the name "Baptist" out. The rationale given for reinserting it I found mildly amusing, but again, not worth much more than a raised eyebrow. He wrote, [S]ince 2004, much...
  • Filled to overflowing (MN seminary at an all time high)

    10/06/2007 3:25:17 PM PDT · by NYer · 5 replies · 520+ views
    Catholic Spirit ^ | October 2007 | Maria Wiering
    John Michels, right, prays during Mass at St. John Vianney College Seminary in St. Paul. Joining him are Scott Carter and Gachuhi Kamunge. Michels and Carter are seminarians at SJV; Kamunge was a guest at Mass. - Photo by Dave Hrbacek / The Catholic Spirit Number of men attending St. John Vianney seminary by state location of their diocese. They've increased their housing; they've increased their staff; they've increased the rigor.And the men keep coming. St. John Vianney Seminary's enrollment is at an all-time high, with 154 men from 28 dioceses, which currently gives it the largest college seminary...
  • Seminary mag's 'gay' ads cause stir

    10/03/2007 7:36:26 AM PDT · by NYer · 46 replies · 2,546+ views
    RenewAmerica ^ | October 2, 2007 | Matt C. Abbott
    Readers may recall my coverage of various goings-on in the Miami archdiocese over the past couple of years. Lo and behold, there is something new to report... St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary recently sent out two vocation-recruiting catalogs to prospective seminarians. One version — which contained only articles and no advertisements — targeted straight men. The other version — which did contain advertisements, including the one pictured below, with two bare-chested men standing next to each other in a hot tub — targeted homosexual men. I have, in my possession, a copy of the latter. (This is addressed to...
  • As church grows, priestly ranks shrink

    08/02/2007 1:40:58 PM PDT · by Coleus · 16 replies · 1,007+ views
    NorthJersey.com ^ | 08.02.07 | YONAT SHIMRON
    RALEIGH, N.C. -- A powerful sense of devotion overtook Michael Burbeck in a medieval church in the small Czech town of Cesky Krumlov. The way he describes it, he was praying in the lofty, 125-foot-high sanctuary of St. Vitus Roman Catholic Church, when he looked up at a life-size crucifix and was overwhelmed by a sense of peace and belonging. He realized he would commit the rest of his life to Jesus. "It was like the classic movie scene: Guy sees girl across the room, knows she's the one," Burbeck said. "I had this moment when I realized that (Jesus)...
  • No shortage of priests in Atlanta, more than 50 seminarians

    08/11/2007 6:09:42 AM PDT · by NYer · 15 replies · 839+ views
    AJC ^ | August 10, 2007 | CHRISTOPHER QUINN
    Metro Atlanta's Roman Catholic churches are keeping their pulpits filled better than many regions of the country.Across the nation there is a shortage of priests, but the Archdiocese of Atlanta's 95 churches and missions have 262 priests and more than 50 seminarians in training. RELATED: • More Atlanta news "We have one of the strongest vocational programs in the country," said Father Luke Ballman, the director of vocations.About 600 Serrans, lay Catholics dedicated to supporting and educating those choosing church vocations, are in Atlanta this weekend for a national conference.Serra clubs across the country raise money for scholarships, organize prayer...
  • A Legacy of Polarization [Falwell]

    05/15/2007 3:01:38 PM PDT · by madprof98 · 28 replies · 1,585+ views
    On Faith (Newsweek/WA Post) ^ | 5/15/07 | Rev. Dr. Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite
    The Rev. Jerry Falwell will be remembered very differently on the religious and political right and on the religious and political left. The current polarization of American religion and society is a product of the mixing of religion and politics that Jerry Falwell advocated. That is his legacy. If you like that polarization, you will remember Rev. Falwell as a pioneer; if you decry that polarization, you will hope that the country repudiates the mixing of religion and politics that he so typified and that he orchestrated so effectively. [snip] The Moral Majority in some ways redefined the word “moral,”...
  • McGreevey to Enter Episcopal Seminary

    05/04/2007 12:26:52 PM PDT · by fgoodwin · 44 replies · 721+ views
    New York Times ^ | May 3, 2007 | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
    The nation's first openly gay governor has become an Episcopalian and been accepted into a seminary, according to a published report. Former Gov. James E. McGreevey, who was raised as a Roman Catholic, was officially received into the Episcopal religion on Sunday at St. Bartholomew's Church in New York, said the Rev. Kevin Bean, vicar at the church. McGreevey has been accepted to study at the General Theological Seminary in New York, the oldest in the Episcopal Church, school spokesman Bruce Parker said Wednesday. Parker did not know whether the former governor wants to become a priest. ''Mr. McGreevey has...
  • Fr. Carola on the Diaconal Ministry at the Altar

    05/01/2007 9:34:01 AM PDT · by NYer · 1 replies · 198+ views
    Roaming Roman ^ | 24 April 2007 | Father Joseph Carola, S.J.
    A. M. D. G. Father Joseph Carola, S.J.Sermon on Diaconal Ministry at the AltarFor the Third-Year Students of the Pontifical North American CollegeVatican City24 April 2007 John 19: 38-42 Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were members of the Sanhedrin which had ruthlessly sought Jesus’ death. But Joseph “was a virtuous and righteous man…who, though he was a member of the council, had not consented to their plan of action” ( Luke 23:50-51). Indeed, he “was himself a disciple of Jesus” (Matthew 27:57)—although “secretly…for fear of the Jews” (John 19:38). It was he, “a distinguished member of the council who…courageously went...
  • How mainline seminary education undermines orthodox perspectives

    03/25/2007 6:15:48 PM PDT · by lightman · 17 replies · 627+ views
    WordAlone Network ^ | 22 March AD 2007 | Ryan Trav
    How mainline seminary education undermines orthodox perspectives by Ryan Travis As I approach the end of my first year of study at what most would regard a typical mainline Protestant seminary, I am increasingly concerned about the future well-being of the church. Many courses designed for the theological and spiritual formation of future pastors employ texts and resources that articulate views that significantly deviate from the historically confessed faith. Below are three different ways some courses I have taken undermine orthodox perspectives. I. They exclude or marginalize orthodox voices. Perhaps the easiest way to undermine orthodox perspectives simply is to...
  • Pope Answers Seminarians (Part 2) - "A Day Without the Eucharist Is Incomplete"

    03/02/2007 5:54:44 PM PST · by NYer · 7 replies · 303+ views
    Zenit News Agency ^ | March 2, 2007
    VATICAN CITY, MARCH 2, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Here is the Vatican translation of the answers Benedict XVI gave to questions posed by seminarians of the Roman Major Seminary, during the Pope's visit there Feb. 17. Part 1 of the questions and answers was published Thursday. * * * Koicio Dimov, Diocese of Nicopolis, Bulgaria (Second-Year Theology): Most Blessed Father, commenting on the Way of the Cross in 2005, you spoke of the dirt in the Church; and in the Homily for the ordination of the Roman priests last year, you warned us of the risk "of careerism, the attempt to get...
  • Pope Answers Seminarians (Part 1) -"We Must Accept Our Frailty But Keep On Going"

    03/02/2007 5:50:43 PM PST · by NYer · 2 replies · 217+ views
    Zenit News Agency ^ | March 1, 2007
    VATICAN CITY, MARCH 1, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Here is the Vatican translation of the answers Benedict XVI gave to questions posed by seminarians of the Roman Major Seminary, during the Popes visit there Feb. 17. Part 2 of the questions and answers will be published on Friday. * * * VISIT TO THE COMMUNITY OF THE ROMAN MAJOR SEMINARY ON OCCASION OF THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF TRUST ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI Saturday, 17 February 2007 Gregorpaolo Stano, Diocese of Oria (First-Year Philosophy): Your Holiness, ours is the first of two years dedicated to discernment, during which we...
  • sign me up (the Milwaukee RC Diocese's bold initiative to recruit new seminarians)

    02/28/2007 5:17:57 PM PST · by NYer · 17 replies · 312+ views
    Off the Record ^ | February 28, 2007 | Diogenes
    Pallottine priest Fr. Greg Serwa is Stripes the Clown. And Stripes the Clown provides the cover-story for the Milwaukee Catholic Herald's special Vocations Supplement. "It's interesting being a clown because people don't know who you are necessarily," said Fr. Serwa, who continues to clown at parish festivals. "The same can be said in some ways for priests. You wear a uniform and people identify with that uniform. It can keep people away or invite people in. As a priest, you're always dealing with things that are important to people's lives. You have to be real gentle with people. The...
  • Priests, seminarians to kick off exclusive soccer championship

    02/21/2007 2:21:16 PM PST · by NYer · 9 replies · 371+ views
    CNS ^ | February 21, 2007 | Alicia Ambrosio
    ROME (CNS) -- Students at Pontifical North American College are among those competing in the first Clericus Cup, a soccer championship exclusively for priests and seminarians in Rome. Seminaries and pontifical universities have fielded 16 teams for the championship series, with 311 players coming from approximately 50 countries. The series is to open Feb. 24 when Pontifical Gregorian University plays Pontifical International College Maria Mater Ecclesiae. The championship game will be in June. North American College, the U.S. seminary in Rome, plays its first game March 3 against Pontifical Urbanian University, an institution for seminarians from mission countries. North American...
  • Pope Gives Advice to Roman Seminarians - Visits Major Seminary on Feast of Patroness

    02/19/2007 7:06:22 PM PST · by NYer · 3 replies · 172+ views
    Zenit News Agency ^ | February 19, 2007
    ROME, FEB. 19, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI encouraged seminarians to always be attentive to the Word of God and to be humble in acknowledging sin in the Church and in their lives. The Pope said this on Saturday when visiting the students of the Roman Major Seminary. The occasion was the feast of the seminary's patroness, Our Lady of Confidence. Responding to the questions posed by six students, the Holy Father underlined how important it is to live the Eucharist, and to regard suffering as a teacher. He urged them not to put faith in those who promise a happy...
  • The meaning of ministry

    01/14/2007 10:38:05 AM PST · by Frank Sheed · 41 replies · 413+ views
    What Does the Prayer Really Say ^ | January 14, 2007 | Fr. John Zuhlsdorf
    The meaning of ministry CATEGORY: SESSIUNCULUM — Fr. John Zuhlsdorf @ 12:35 pm One of the WDTPRS articles I posted today has a paragraph on the issue of ministry. This paragraph aroused a comment from an attentive reader. It is worth our time to tease out that exchange and give it some focus: During my seminary days the more radical of the faculty forbade us from using the “‘p’-word” (“priest”). They insisted we were being formed to be “ordained ministers”. This had the purpose of deemphasizing the distinction between the priest… er um… “ordained minister” and all people… er um…...
  • New rector for L.A. Seminary

    01/09/2007 10:56:49 AM PST · by NYer · 14 replies · 494+ views
    Closed Cafeteria ^ | January 9, 2006 | Gerald Augustinus
    From the California Daily Catholic (H/T Denise) about the new rector of the Los Angeles seminary, Cardinal Mahony's enterprise. Seminarians from San Diego also go there. The ones I know did however not drink Mahony's Kool Aid but simply shrugged off the "new age nuns" and such. Now Mahony has a company man in charge who's fond of Mahony's priest-undermining project, aka as "Parish life director", enabling pant suits to take charge. Cox, who holds a canon law degree from the Catholic University of America and teaches canon law at the seminary, is “a company man,” said an archdiocesan...
  • Vocations Are Up at English-Speaking Seminaries

    12/02/2006 3:12:54 PM PST · by NYer · 18 replies · 423+ views
    NC Register ^ | December 3, 2006 | EDWARD PENTIN
    ROME — Rome’s largest English-speaking national seminaries are detecting an increase in numbers of vocations after a less fruitful period in the early part of the decade.The Pontifical North American College, the Venerable English College and the Pontifical Irish College are all reporting higher numbers of candidates for the priesthood compared to a few years ago. “We’ve seen a steady increase to the diocesan priesthood in the United States, and we are now seeing the benefit of that in the college,” said Father Dennis Gill, media spokesman at the North American College. He noted that vocations to religious orders are...
  • New, stricter Priestly Formation Program issued for U.S. Catholic seminaries

    08/30/2006 6:14:30 AM PDT · by NYer · 41 replies · 847+ views
    Catholic Online ^ | August 29, 2006 | Jerry Filteau
    WASHINGTON (CNS) – A new Program of Priestly Formation has been issued for use in all U.S. Catholic seminaries.It places more emphasis on the human formation of seminarians, and especially on formation for celibacy, than did the fourth edition of the program, which had been in effect since 1992. The 98-page revised version of the program, the fifth edition, has been posted on the Web site of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, www.usccb.org. The Program of Priestly Formation has governed seminary formation in the United States since the bishops issued the first edition in 1971. The new version, reflecting...
  • Methodist Activist Reacts to Seminary Hosting Dem(ocratic Party) Conference

    08/14/2006 9:28:34 PM PDT · by xzins · 35 replies · 863+ views
    Agape Press ^ | 14 Aug | Jim Brown
    Methodist Activist Reacts to Seminary Hosting Dems' Conference By Jim Brown August 14, 2006 (AgapePress) - A conservative United Methodist activist finds it ironic that a United Methodist seminary in Colorado recently hosted a Democratic party conference on how to attract religious voters. The political summit at Iliff Theological Seminary in Denver drew Democratic Party leaders, academics, pollsters, and members of the clergy. According to Associated Press, some of the participants said Democrats do not need to change their position on abortion or same-sex "marriage," but need only to emphasize the morality of helping the poor or protecting the environment....
  • 'Pre-seminary' houses altar boys for St. Peter's Basilica

    08/12/2006 6:18:31 AM PDT · by NYer · 1 replies · 253+ views
    Catholic News Service ^ | August 11, 2006 | Cindy Wooden
    VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Silently processing out of the sacristy of St. Peter's Basilica at 7 a.m. each day, the altar servers look like angels, but the women who cook and clean for them say they are normal boys. Well, maybe not totally normal. After all, these 11- to 18-year-olds live at the Vatican during the school year. During the 2005-06 academic year, 21 of them ate, slept, studied and occasionally created chaos at the St. Pius X Pre-seminary inside the Vatican walls. Father Enrico Radice, rector of the pre-seminary, said four students graduated from high school in June, and...
  • Seminary Secrets of the Priest Maker

    07/14/2006 1:56:51 PM PDT · by NYer · 9 replies · 386+ views
    National Catholic Register ^ | July 14, 2006 | Joe Cullen
    Msgr. James McDonald is known to his fellow priests as the “vocations pastor.” He was appointed rector of the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception earlier this year and presented his first candidates for ordination June 10 at the Diocese of Rockville Centre, N.Y.’s St. Agnes Cathedral. Msgr. McDonald, 64, has never taught in a seminary and holds no advanced degrees in theology. But Rockville Centre Bishop William Murphy said he tapped the long-time pastor because Msgr. McDonald holds “a doctorate in priesthood,” and is “an extraordinary mentor and leader of the men,” as demonstrated by his tireless recruitment of vocations....
  • Calvin grads dominate 2006 pastors draft

    07/04/2006 9:50:53 PM PDT · by Alex Murphy · 16 replies · 349+ views
    Lark News ^ | April 2006
    COLORADO SPRINGS ? Big names and big surprises converged before a nationwide audience at the 2006 Pastors Draft on April 27. "I've been waiting a long time for this," said Alvin DeWalt, 26, of Fuller Seminary, pacing his apartment in Pasadena and watching the draft on the Daystar network. His wife had made guacamole, and thirty friends were on hand to see which church picked DeWalt, one of this year's top ranked prospects. In the first round, Geoff Parsons and Rick Benson, of Westminster and Calvin seminaries respectively, went first, as scouts had predicted they would. Parsons heads to a...
  • "Almost-priest" gets hero's welcome

    07/03/2006 11:43:08 AM PDT · by NYer · 6 replies · 401+ views
    Cafeteria is Closed ^ | July 3, 2006 | Gerald Augustinus
    We don't just have to fight the enemy without, but, sadly also the enemy within. In the saga of the Austrian deacon whose priestly ordination was cancelled after he'd called for rebellion against Rome (silly boy, doesn't he know a good dissenter waits until AFTER ordination with that? /sarcasm), a chapter has been added. Upon returning to his hometown of Steyregg, Upper Austria, the church was packed and he was celebrated like a hero. I guess he's a moron but he's their moron. This guy entered the seminary when the old bishop was still in power - a horrible man...
  • More twins (enter priesthood)

    06/26/2006 7:36:05 AM PDT · by NYer · 8 replies · 373+ views
    Curt Jester ^ | June 25, 2006
    Previously I had posted on identical twins Gary and Todd Koenigsknecht who are entering St. John Vianney College Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. Via The World .. IMHO is a story about James and Joseph Cambell who are identical twins and were ordained together as priests on Jun 23rd.Deacons James and Joseph Campbell—twin brothers who will be ordained at St. Peter Cathedral in Erie along with their classmate, Deacon Marc Solomon, on Friday, June 23—hope to be up to the challenge. “We have to enkindle the fire of Christ’s love in the hearts of his people,” says James. The youngest...
  • St. Pius X disagrees with the Vatican over Latin Mass, but Winona seminary still thriving

    06/25/2006 5:48:00 AM PDT · by NYer · 135 replies · 1,795+ views
    Winona Daily News ^ | June 24, 2006 | Joe Orso
    The Rev. Yves le Roux, rector of St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary in Winona, is clear about the role of the Society of St. Pius X, of which he is a member. “We are Roman Catholic,” he said. “We are recognized by Pope Benedict XVI. He is our father, but we are obliged to tell you we do not accept the teachings of Vatican II because it’s not an echo of the traditional church. The Church does not have the ability to teach something new.” St. Thomas Aquinas is one of six seminaries around the world run by the Society of...
  • Coordinator of U.S. seminary visitations expects report this fall

    05/30/2006 9:53:30 PM PDT · by siunevada · 11 replies · 282+ views
    Catholic News Service ^ | May 30, 2006 | Andy Telli
    NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CNS) -- Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services said May 26 that the Vatican's visitations to U.S. seminaries and houses of formation are nearly complete, and he hopes the resulting reports will be released this fall. "Bottom line, I think this visitation was most successful," Archbishop O'Brien said in a talk to the 2006 Catholic Media Convocation in Nashville. A former head of two seminaries, he was coordinator of the visitations for the Vatican's Congregation for Catholic Education, which oversees seminary formation. The objectives of the visitations, which were sparked by the...
  • 'God or the Girl': Catholic priesthood hits reality TV

    04/25/2006 10:06:54 AM PDT · by NYer · 93 replies · 1,769+ views
    Yahoo News ^ | April 25, 2006
    God has finally come to US reality television -- and against all guesses, the oddball match has delighted the Roman Catholic Church. "God or the Girl" pits four aspiring young Catholic priests against their libidos during the final four weeks before their decisions to take the church's Holy Orders, with the vow of chastity. The first two episodes, fittingly broadcast on Easter Sunday, showed Joe, Dan, Steve and Mike as they steer between the temptations of secular life, including old girlfriends, and the path toward Catholic robes. The show opens to intensely dramatic music, pictures of a crucifix and a...
  • Putting God on the Top Shelf & An Undivided Heart -- God or the Girl? Part II & III

    04/08/2006 7:48:18 PM PDT · by Zechariah_8_13 · 199+ views
    Fox News ^ | April 6 & 7, 2006 | Father Jonathan Morris
    It was the non-Catholic responders to yesterday's blog who were most effusive in asking me to share my version of “God or the Girl” — how I came to the decision to choose the priesthood (or “ministry”) over other very good things, including career, marriage, and family life. Your curiosity gives me pause and courage. I tell you my story hesitantly because this blog is not about me, nor is it about my faith. Here we talk about the news and try to understand it in its fullness, unashamed to say ethics and morals matter, and aware that in the...
  • Facing threats to the faith together: Pope affirms commitment to building unity with GOC

    02/27/2006 9:52:02 AM PST · by NYer · 1 replies · 194+ views
    Catholic News Agency ^ | February 27, 2006
    Vatican City, Feb. 27, 2006 (CNA) - At noon today, Pope Benedict XVI met with a group of priests and seminarians visiting as representatives of the Orthodox Church of Greece. He told them that as the culture of Europe and the world become increasingly hostile to the Christian faith, Catholics and Orthodox must work together to spread the Gospel message. The papal visitors came from the Theological College of "Apostoliki Diakonia", as well as the University of Athens.Following a brief personal meeting, the Pope consigned a written message to the group, in which, he laments that "For we Christians of...
  • Vatican teams checking seminary effectiveness (in all, 229 US seminaries to be reviewed)

    01/18/2006 7:49:46 AM PST · by NYer · 6 replies · 294+ views
    Post Gazette ^ | January 18, 2006 | Ann Rodgers
    A Vatican-chartered inquiry team began work at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe Monday, part of a study of whether U.S. seminaries are providing proper spiritual, moral and theological training for the priesthood. Two bishops and two priests will spend five days interviewing all 64 candidates for priesthood and all regular faculty. All graduates of the past three years have been invited to meet with the team or to offer signed comments in writing. Identical studies are being done at all 229 Catholic seminaries in the United States. SS. Cyril & Methodius Byzantine Catholic Seminary on the North Side was among...