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Weekly Bulletin April 30, 2023
by Terrie Evans
On this 4th Sunday of Easter, we commemorate the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Also known as “Good Shepherd Sunday” as a day set aside to pray that young men and women will receive a call to join communities of Religious Orders as they profess solemn vows of Poverty, Chasity and Obedience. On this 60th Anniversary of World Day of Prayer for Vocations, please pray for those Seminarians within the Archdiocese of Cincinnati who will gather at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains later this month for their Ordination. These Seminarians were prepared spiritually, intellectually and apostolically for their reception of Holy Orders. Their journey started as the future candidates for Catholic Priesthood focused on Biblical Studies, Pastoral and Professional Studies, Church history, Sacramental and Liturgical Studies, Systemic and Moral Theology. The Seminary also integrates the 4 Pillars or Dimensions of Formation: Human, Spiritual, Pastoral, and Intellectual, as part of their 112 Semester Hours in these areas of Study. Those Seminarians who will have chosen to answer God’s Call are:
Patrick Blenman, raised in Sidney, Ohio while being home schooled attended Mass at Holy Angels Church where he was an Altar Server. While attending a Youth and Family Encounter Conference in Atlanta, at the age of 12, Patrick was inspired by Father Matthew Van Smoorenburg and his Order, The Legionaries of Christ. Patrick graduated from Lehman Catholic High School in Sidney and during his early adult years was mentored by Fr. Patrick McMullen, Fr. Daniel Schmitmeyer, Fr. Jason Bedel, Fr. Daniel Hess, and Fr. Shawn Landenwich. As he is Ordained and becomes a Sacred Minister for the worship of God, Patrick has relied on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Divine Mercy with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, the Rosary and Lectio Divina to guide and strengthen him.
Isaiah Callahan grew up in Vermont with his 11 siblings and after college applied to Mount St. Mary’s Seminary. As he began his studies, Isaiah remembers being mentored by Fr. McQuillen in his first few years at the Seminary. While awaiting his Ordination, Isaiah relies on his daily guidance and the intercession of St. Jose Maria Escriva, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. John Bosco, Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Our Lady of Lourdes as he starts his journey.
Alex Dugas who was raised in the Dayton, Ohio in the suburb of Huber Heights while attending St. Peter Church. Alex felt a call while in college to give his life to the Lord and had the two priests who inspired him were Fr. Frank Amberger and Fr. Sean Wilson who he says had a “profound impact on him” with their leadership and friendship. Throughout his early years, Alex developed a deep devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Francis De Sales.
Stephen Hughes was born in Trenton, Ohio about 45 minutes north of Cincinnati where he attended Holy Name Parish until the Hughes family relocated to New Carlisle where they joined Sacred Heart Parish. He was homeschooled all through grade school; then attended Graham High School, Bowling Green State University and served in the Air Force for 3 years before entering the Seminary. With guidance from his Spiritual Director, Fr. David Sunberg, Stephen’s journey to the Priesthood and with his Ordination; he will become a mentor to his parishioners and bring the Sacraments to all the faithful.
Jonathan Jergens, a Miamisburg, Ohio native; attended Our Lady of Good Hope Church where he was an Altar Server. He joined the Army in 2003 and was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan six times with many experiences and memories of being a Paratrooper and Jumpmaster while he proudly served and defended his country. He was inspired by mentors, Fr. Thomas Nevels, Fr. James Romanello, Fr. Ben Bruening, and Fr. Andrew Reckers. He also thanks Fr. Mark Watkins from St. Lawrence Church for providing him lodging for two summers while he was in the first two years of the Seminary.
Jeff Stephens attended St. Susanna in Mason, Ohio, and graduated from the University of Cincinnati. He then joined the FOCUS Missionary, and it was during those years, “God opened his heart to the Priesthood.” Jeff took his time as he spent several years as a Missionary and a Dominican Novice before making his final decision. While concentrating on his Seminary studies, Jeff prayed special devotions to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Rita, and St. Padre Pio.
David Duy Tran was raised in Delhi and while attending St. Dominic School, felt he was being called to the priesthood at the age of eight. David is the oldest of 5 boys born to parents who are 1st generation immigrants from Vietnam. His grandmother was his big influence who taught him the Rosary and recited prayers in Vietnamese. David’s Parents, Brothers and Grandmother attended Mass with him every Sunday, on Feast Days, and Holidays. In Vietnamese families, when a son chooses the Priesthood, it is seen as an honor, to be bestowed on the whole family, more admirable than becoming a doctor, engineer or pharmacist. David Duy Tran is a member of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish Liberty Township, and his favorite devotions are Eucharist Adoration, The Sacred Heart of Jesus and Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The Rosary, The Litany of St. Joseph and the Chaplet of St. Michael are always included in his daily prayers.
Our San Antonio Church Community sends their prayers to all these young men who have chosen a life where they will never be ”off the clock,” A Prayer we can recite on this Good Shepard Sunday: “God Our Father, We thank you for calling men and women to serve in your Son’s Kingdom as Priests, Deacons, and Consecrated Persons. Send your Holy Spirit to help others to respond generously and courageously to your call. May our community of faith support vocations of sacrificial love in our youth and young adults. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.” On Sunday, May 7th we will welcome the Jeannet and Dunn Families as they Baptize their daughters Sofia Lynn Jeannet and Josephine Rose Dunn after our 9:00 AM Mass.