By TAMI QUIGLEY
Staff writer
“I’m very grateful and proud of every one of you,” Bishop Alfred Schlert told the young men studying for the priesthood gathered for the Seminarian Christmas Brunch Dec. 28 at Lehigh Country Club, Allentown.
Father Christopher Butera, Diocesan director of seminarian formation and administrator of Sacred Heart, Bath, said there are 16 seminarians studying for the priesthood for the Diocese of Allentown. Leiser Ramirez, who studies at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary, Mexico City, Mexico, did not attend.
Father Butera thanked seminarians for a “tough but good year” at the brunch, which took place on the Feast of the Holy Innocents.
“I have gratitude for working with you and for everything you do for the Diocese and yourselves,” Father Butera said.
Bishop Schlert gifted each seminarian with a polo shirt emblazoned with the Diocesan Crest. “It’s something they can wear together for more casual functions,” Father Butera said.
Those attending included Monsignor David James, Diocesan vicar general; Father Adam Sedar, Diocesan secretary for clergy; Father Mark Searles, Diocesan director of vocations promotion and chaplain of Allentown Central Catholic High School; and Father Keith Mathur, assistant in the Diocesan curia and director of the Diocesan Office for Divine Worship.
Other clergy attending included pastors of the seminarians.
“Thank you for your perseverance this year, especially this summer,” Bishop Schlert said. “I admire your courage and perseverance in a very unique time in the Church, which none of us ever had to go through as seminarians.”
Bishop Schlert also thanked the priests present for “fostering a kind of climate that allows young men to respond to the call, and families to support their sons.”
“I wish your parents and family members a blessed Christmas season and a happy, healthy new year,” the Bishop told seminarians.
Three seminarians were keen to share their reflections on their vocational journey this year. All three attend St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia.
“It’s been going very well this past year, preparing for the priesthood,” said Deacon Giuseppe Esposito, who is in his fourth theology year and is serving as a transitional deacon at St. Catharine of Siena, Reading.
Deacon Esposito is a parish son of the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown.
“I’m excited about the upcoming ordination, and the guys at the seminary get along very well together.”
Deacon Esposito is also thankful to be made to feel as welcome at St. Catharine of Siena, Reading as the parish’s transitional deacon.
“What I enjoy the most is the family atmosphere of the church – every parish family has its own personality. They’ve been so warm and welcoming at St. Catharine’s,” he said. “I’m very grateful they’ve opened themselves up to the new guy coming in, the new deacon.”
Robert Rienzo, who is in his second pretheology year, characterized 2018 as “a really good year.”
“It’s great to see the new guys come in, and the culture of vocations building in the Diocese is great to see. The leadership of the deacons is very strong,” said Rienzo, a parish son of St. Thomas More, Allentown.
“I look at it like bookends, the new guys coming and the leadership.”
“It’s a supportive environment, especially at events like this, which build a connection between seminarians getting to know the parishes and priests,” Rienzo said.
Tyler Loch, a parish son of Holy Trinity, Whitehall, is a first year college student.
“It’s been a great year so far, the whole experience – getting to know classmates, the fraternity, academics and growth in my spiritual life,” Loch said.
Apart from the seminary fostering a great spiritual life, Loch most appreciates the brotherhood formed with classmates.
