The Gray Robes: Seminarian Newsletter Advent 2011
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Transcript of The Gray Robes: Seminarian Newsletter Advent 2011
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8/3/2019 The Gray Robes: Seminarian Newsletter Advent 2011
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Te G r a y R o b e s
Se m i n a r i a n
N e w s l e t t e rS o c i e t y o f O u rL a d y o f t h e M o s t H o l y T r i n i t y A d v e n t 2 0 1 1
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In June of 2011, the Society of Our Lady of theMost Holy Trinity moved its House of Studies from
Rome, Italy to Detroit, Michigan from the EternalCity to the Motor City. There are two main reasons
for this transition: community life and ministerial
preparation.
Joining together in Detroit our pre-theology program from Corpus Christi, Tewith our theology program from Rome brings unity to our men in priestly formation
It also presents an opportunity to intensify and expand the pastoral dimension of our
formation. We determined that sending our SOLT seminarians to Sacred Heart Maj
Seminary while residing at Holy Redeemer Parish would present the environment in
which to achieve the highest standard of formation toward the Priesthood in SOLT.
Fr. Peter Marsalek and I have been assigned the task to form our seminariansreligious life and Marian-Trinitarian spirituality. Sacred Heart Seminary has the princ
task of forming our men intellectually and pastorally for the ministerial priesthood. T
priests and staff at Sacred Heart Seminary here in Detroit have truly gone out of th
way to welcome our sixteen seminarians to a fresh formation setting. Thus far
results of this combined effort have been remarkable.
As well, Holy Redeemer Parish has been very welcoming. The rectory, neavacant for the last decade, is once again filled to the brim with enthusiastic men aspir
to follow Gods will.
Our seminarian newsletter, now entitled The Gray Robes, will, I believe, give ya sense of the zest and life this new situation has brought to our seminarians and o
community. Enjoy!-Fr. Brady Williams, Rec
Te G r a y R o b e sAd v e n t 2 0 1 1
b y t h e S O L T S e m i n a r i a n so f t h e A m e r i c a n R e g i o n
G R A D U A T E S T U D I E S
T h e o l o g y I I IB r . A l , T h e P h i l i p p i n e sB r . J o h n C . , I r e l a n dB r . J o h n M . , C o n n e c t i c u tB r . J u a n , M e x i c oB r . M i c h a e l M a r y , M o n t a n a
B r . P a t r i c k , M i c h i g a n
T h e o l o g y I IB r . T r i s t a n , C a y m a n I s l a n d sB r . F r a n c i s , N e v a d aB r . B e a u , I d a h oB r . M i c h a e l , T e x a s
T h e o l o g y IB r . J e r e m y , K a n s a sB r . P e t e r M . , I r e l a n dB r . P e t e r S . , A r i z o n a
U N D E R G R A D U A T EP H I L O S O P H Y S T U D I E S
B r . T i m o t h y , C a n a d aB r . J o h n R . , C a l i f o r n i aB r . J o s e p h , L o u i s i a n a
F O R M A T O R SR e c t o r
F r . B r a d y W i l l i a m s
f r b r a d y . s o l t @ g m a i l . c o m
3 1 3 . 7 9 9 . 7 7 9 7
S p i r i t u a l D i r e c t o r F r . P e t e r M a r s a l e k
S U P P O R T I N G F R O M T E X A S
V o c a t i o n s D i r e c t o r F r . G l e n n W h e w e l l3 6 1 . 3 8 7 . 8 0 9 0
S e m i n a r i a n S p o n s o r s h i pM r . M i k e P o n d3 6 1 . 3 8 7 . 8 0 9 0
S O L T H o u s e o f S t u d i e s
H o l y R e d e e m e r P a r i s h1 7 2 1 J u n c t i o n S t .D e t r o i t , M I 4 8 2 0 9
3 1 3 . 8 4 2 . 3 4 5 0
RectrCornered
Fr. Brady and Fr. Pete
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To GiveLifeAgainDear Br. Beau,
! This is my body broken and shared. I cannot tell you how muchyour words have drawn me into knowing the mystery ofGods mercy. I have reflected much on these words as I prayed for mysister as she donated her kidney to our brother. Through Gods grace, I havecome to know of his mercy for my
sister. He has reclaimed her forhis own and has given her thisopportunity to give life again. Being with her and my brother,
sensing this new awareness, weexperienced a renewedcommunionwith each other. Iwas also able to face my own self-righteousness and to work onmuch needed humility. Thankyou for your share in this
blessing. I remember you inmy prayers of thanksgiving.
M i n i s t r
In peace,Maureen Blair
Br. Beau SchweitzerSpiritual Care, St. Mary Mercy Hospital
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TheHeartof Ministry
What is at the heart of ministry?What is the source from which
all works of charity get their
energy? What is the balm that
heals and strengthens the heart of
both the minister and those he
ministers to? The answer is Jesus
Christ. Whether they know it or
not, people yearn to encounter
Him. But one cannot give what
one does not have, so theminister is called to personally
encounter Christ who is the
Living Word of God. He must do
this for himself and share the
fruits of that encounter with
o t h e r s . T h i s a c t i v i t y o f
encountering and communicating
the Divine Word can be called
Theology: an expression formed
by two Greek terms meaning
G o d ( T h e o s ) a n d
Word (Logos). When we put
them together they give three
possible meanings to Theology,
they are: Gods Word, A
Word to God and A Word
about God . These three
meanings, when viewed together,
draw us into a dialogue with the
Eternal Word as He comes to
us in Sacred Scripture and the
Eucharist.
The saving dialogue begins by
Gods initiative as He reveals
Himself to us through Gods
Word. We freely respond to it
in prayer by pronouncing a
loving word to God in the
depths of our heart in anattitude of adoration of the
Divine Mystery, at first not so
much comprehending it as
r e a l i z i n g t h a t w e a r e
comprehended by it. As a
reward for this surrender, God
illumines us with a ray of
understanding: a word about
God. But understanding is not
given so that it may becom
ones private property. G
always bestows His gifts
individuals in consideration f
all His people. And so th
Word of God that calls for
Word to God in prayer a
leads to a Word about Go
must be shared with others th
their hearts may be disposed
seek God in the same way.
This dialogue also takes pla
in the Eucharist, which is Th
Word made flesh and veiled
mystery. But the most eloqued e s c r i p t i o n o f s u c h a
encounter is best illustrate
with a living example: let
turn to Mary whose life is a
encounter with Christ in bo
His Word and His Body fors
conceived Him in her hea
through faith, before sh
conceived Him in her womb b
the power of the Holy Spirit(cSt. Augustine, Sermon 293
Let us make the Heart of Ma
our school for the encount
with Jesus Christ. Our Lad
Seat of Wisdom, Mother of th
Eucharist, pray for us.
-by Br. Juan Villagom
Br. Joseph Mary Michael LeJeune teaching 2nd graders at Holy Rede
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Their ability to communicate the beauty of Gods love is inspiring.Sometimes when I am having a busy day I notice a sense of peace thatcomes over me when I meet one of them in my office or in the hall.
I am most grateful for their gentle presence and joyfulness.
I have noticed a togetherness and a warmness among the Brothers, afamily-oriented spirit. I have also noticed that they are not afraid to
communicate with different types of people.
Patricia Gamble - Secretary
We have all been enriched by their deep love for Jesus Christ, and theircommitment to pursue excellence in their academic pursuits so as to beeffective instruments of Christ's healing and compassionate presence in
the transformation of our world.
The Brothers witness to an abandonment to the apostolic life in a
way that can be inviting and challenging to men studying for thesecular priesthood.
Rev. Gerard Battersby - Vice Rector
The Brothers have brought a very positive attitude that flows from theirlove for Christ and from detachment as part of the Society. This witnessof joyful simplicity and obedience is a good perspective for us at SHMSto see and to be challenged by.
Gary Koenigsknecht - Seminarian
Brian Rivers - Security
Q How have the SOLT Brothers contributed to Sacred Heart Major Seminary?
Dr. Patricia Cooney-Hathaway - Professor
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WhySOLT?Mitch doesnt know Jesus. So what happens when hemeets inspiring Christians? That way of life works forthem, but its not for me. Relativism builds walls around
Jesus. When headlines define Church, people like Mitchsuffer.
Authentic WitnessSo radically diverse, so impossibly united, when Mitchmeets SOLT he cannot say, Thats not for me. Insteadhe must ask, What brings all of you together? Byinspiring that simple question, SOLT gives our world anopportunity to meet the answer to every lifes question -
Jesus.
We want to live as priests in SOLT. More than individualservants, were part of a family where our prayer andlabor re-propose the beauty of Church.
Unity in DiversityWere in Detroit, yet we feel it everywhere: hectic lives,broken families, divided peoples. Individualism is theworlds prize, but it can ignore loves responsibilities.
Embracing all vocations, SOLT celebrates the uniquenessof each person. But Christ brings our distinctness
together. You and I - every living gift - are meant for oneecstatic end - LOVE. SOLT presents an experience ofChurch open to all, an experience of Jesus that unites usin hope for our future home. You are not a threat orcompetition. Your gifts enhance me, lifting us to heaven.
Head, Heart, and HandsThere is a certain disunity in the lives of people today.With our heads we know things; with our heart we feelthings; with our hands we do things. But how often are
these three activities integrated?
For us, faith is not merely a matter of mind, but anongoing transformation of ones whole life in all itsaspects. Love, more than good feelings, moves us to liveas gift for others. Work is neither a necessary evil, nor adisenchanting escape. Through work, we express ourfaith and our love.
Thank you for joining us as shared gifts and balanced livesinvite others to encounter their true selves in the lifeand mission of Jesus Christ.
by
Br.Beau
and
Br.Fran
cis
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Friday. Breakfast.Br. Michael Mary can we take the
white van to school today? I amworking on an exegesis paper andneed to use the library after the bluevan comes home at 11:30am.
think to myself:Okay, there are a number of brotherstaying home today, Br. Beau, Br.ohn Mariano, Br. John Cormack, Br.uan, and Br. Michael Slovak all
have apostolates today. Br. Patrickaid earlier in the week he wastaying late to help set up Christmas
decorations at the Seminary. Br.Tristan will drop off a number ofbrothers who have classes this
morning before going to hispostolate, return to school and pickhem up to be back before thepostolate groups leave for the
nursing home and the hospital. Andneed to keep the other van here. Br.eremy sought a 4:15pm pickup as
well.] Br. Peter, check with Br.eremy.
Friday 10:26amCell phone rings.What can I do for you, Br. Slovak?Brother, will you ask Br. Beau to
pick me up at the Seminary beforehey head out for the apostolates?Now I just need to find Br. Beau.Hmmm, he is not in his room. OK, Iannot forget to tell him.
10:36amSeeing Br. Francis.Will you make sure that you all pickup Bro. Slo. Great, missionaccomplished! Now I dont have tosearch for Br. Beau! I love it when a plan comes together. Praise theLord! OK, gas-up, winterize and oh,right, schedule an appointment for
the white van.
Friday, 1:00pmBr. Timothy. CanBr. Rigsby and I use a van to go tothe Solanus Center for confessionaround 2:30 today? Sure no problem, use the white van, the keyis hanging on the hook.
Friday, 1:45pm.White van keys are gone! Oh no.Br. Beau took the wrong van! Letssee, this isnt going to work! It onlyholds 6 guys, 7 at the max. Shoot!Lets see, maybe I am over reacting;no, I dont think so!
Br. Joseph, who came home withyou? Br. Peter Marie and Br.Tristan. Thanks! Lets seeIvegot to count this: Br. Beau, Br.Michael, Br. John, Br. John, Br. Juan,Br. Francis, Br. Patrick, Br. Peter, Br.
Jeremy and Br. Patrick. Thatguys and only 7 seats!!!
16 brothers and 2 vans.We commute to the seminDifferent guys have different clafrom morning to late night. Claare rescheduled. Meetings are hWe teach and serve all over diocese, each brother with his schedule. Errands keep poppin(Br. Beau will tally 20 trips and
miles to rehabilitate his hand aftfreak tomato paste accident). I pthe vans don't break down...I prdon't break down! Next yhopefully well have more brothand by then, this soccer mom creally use an additional van.
SoccerM
The calm, cool and collected
Seminarian Soccer Mom!!!
ThankyouFor the washeand dryers. Fosponsoring usthe marathon. Fothe freezer. Forour education. Foryour prayers.Everythingwegifttoanother begins withGodsgoodness andyour sharing of it.You show usJesusandwetrytoshareHim.
by Br. Michael Mary Mercy
of Christ Crucified
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A snowflake fell (one, then two, and more)
A tiny crystalline glad tiding,
White and cold and floating.
It spoke without words,
Acting out the message:
Alighting on the ground, it lived but a
Moment, then
Its form became water
And flowed into the soil.
Who will even regard its sacrifice
Come spring,
When savoring its effect,Of leaf, and fruit, and flower?
O little messenger of the Messiah!
Falling before his birth,
If one announcement is not enough,
Fall as a host upon this earth!
Snowflakes are like the Savior:
Little ones foretelling,
His coming in a body,
And his body bleeding,
And lo,
New life in Easter springing!
Rorate coeli desuper, et nubes pluant Iustum!Beopenedyouheavensfomabove,andraindownteJustOne!~Is45:8
Every time I teach theI see their eagerness aopenness to believe. Ialso see the brokennesin their hearts. The Loblesses me each time wan opportunity to helpform them in His truth.
-Br. John Rigsby
We had all of ourspecial needs
group (ages 7-20)meet in a room formusic. Eachstudent got theirchoice of aninstrument to playto participate in theactivity. I've neverseen such child-like
joy in so manyfaces at once. For afew minutes, it waslike being in Heavenwith the angels andsaints singing.
-Br. Peter Shaffo
BroersweeklyencounringJesus
Instructing 49 children in the truth of our Catholic faith. Preparing 16 teenagers for Confirmation.
Drawing 7 adults into the heart of the Church through RCIA
Bringing the peace and joy of Christ to 20 persons in hospital.
Learning from and praying with 20 elderly in hospice cand the nursing home.
byBr. FrancisChrispherJosephofteChildJesusCoyne
WeHaveSeenWitOurEyesTeWordofLife~1John1:1