Seminarians Gather For Discernment, Formation

Twelve men from across the Diocese of Evansville gathered Aug. 12 at the Sarto Retreat Center for a few days of praying, reading, socializing … and manual labor! They completed their annual retreat Aug. 14 and prepared to return to their studies and priestly formation.

The group includes Adam Berendes of Evansville’s Resurrection Parish, who begins his freshman year at Bishop Simon Brute’ College Seminary in Indianapolis with a double major of Math and Catholic Studies with a concentration in Pre-Theology; Jonathan Blaize of Sts. Peter & Paul Parish in Haubstadt, who begins 1^st Philosophy and Pre-Theology at St. Meinrad; and Keith Dewig of Sts. Peter & Paul, who enters his senior year at Brute’ in Catholic Studies with concentration in Pre-Theology.

Also Larry Durchholz of Good Shepherd Parish in Evansville, a rising sophomore in Catholic Studies at Brute’; Kevin Effron of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Daylight, a rising sophomore at Brute’ in Catholic Studies with a concentration in Pre-Theology and a minor in History; and Luke Hassler of St. Philip Parish of Posey County in Mount Vernon, a rising junior at Brute’ in Catholic Studies.

Also Fletcher Kitchell of Sacred Heart Parosh in Vincennes, who begins his freshman year at Brute’ in Catholic Studies with a concentration in Pre-Theology; Adam Martin of Evansville’s Corpus Christi Parish, a freshman at Brute’ in Catholic Studies with a concentration in Pre-Theology; and John Pfister of Holy Cross Parish in Fort Branch, who begins 1^st Theology at St. Meinrad.

Also Jerry Pratt of St. Clement Parish in Boonville, who begins 1^st Theology at St. Meinrad; Tyler Tenbarge of Sts. Peter and Paul in Haubstadt, who begins 2^nd Theology at St. Meinrad this fall; and Andrew Thomas of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Vincennes, a junior at Brute’ this fall in Catholic Studies with concentration on Pre-Theology.

“The main purpose of our seminarian retreat is to allow the guys to spend time together and build fraternity,” said Father Alex Zenthoefer, diocesan director of vocations and pastor of Evansville’s Christ the King and Holy Spirit parishes. “I am amazed by this group of men: by their dedication to their formation, by their kindness to one another and by their genuine desire to help one another discern God’s will.”

Each day of the retreat included Mass and prayer, quiet time for reading and contemplation, and time for socializing. One day also included improvement work around the grounds of the Sarto Center and the Catholic Center.

“Every year the guys do some sort of manual labor around the Catholic Center as a sign of their gratitude for what the diocese offers to them,” Fr. Alex said. “This year, they repainted the (outdoor) Stations of the Cross at Sarto, which I think is a fitting act of service. Discerning a vocation is a path that these men are following,” he added, “and they know well that they have to die to themselves in order to allow God to show them something new.”

Bishop Charles C. Thompson focused on that concept during the homily of the Mass he celebrated for the seminarians and their pastors Aug. 13 in the Sato Center chapel. That day’s Gospel reading, from Matthew 18, includes Jesus’ telling the disciples that “Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Bishop Thompson noted that in Jesus’ time, women and children had no standing in what was a significantly male-dominated world. “Jesus is telling us all that we must empty ourselves and become nothing,” he said, “so that Christ may become the center of our ministry.”

In addition to “refreshing” the Stations of the Cross, the seminarians also weeded flower beds on the property. They also took time out to enjoy a friendly game of Frisbee football during the unusually-cool-for-August weather.

Fr. Alex directed the retreat, and St. John Daylight Pastor Fr. Jason Gries assisted.

“One of the last things I told the seminaries before they left is that Jesus made something happen in order to get them to this point in their life,” Father Alex said. “He intervened in their lives to bring them to this place. We never become too intelligent for this method that Jesus uses. We always need Him to come again; to intervene in our lives; to call us back to Himself.

“Father Jason noted, in his homily at the final Mass, the example of St. Maximillian Kolbe, who offered himself for the sake of a husband and father in Auschwitz,” Fr. Alex added. “We are called to offer ourselves even for those who resist and may not want to hear the message of the gospel. And we should always do it with joy.”