A Letter From Our Pastor: SEPTEMBER — Back to School for All of Us

Dear Parishioners,

I attended a total of three different seminaries. Right out of high school, I went to St. John Vianney College Seminary. Next came two years at Mundelein Seminary in Chicago, where the future Bishop Barron was one of my professors. My final three years were spent at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Italy. After ordination, I decided to make a visit to Mundelein Seminary. The familiar surroundings and friendly faces made me feel at home, yet I couldn’t shake a feeling of disappointment. I went to the chapel to reflect on this feeling. While seminary was a blessing, the formation to help you become a good priest could sometimes be difficult and challenging. All through seminary, I had been looking forward to my ordination because that was when my formation would finally be over. The reality was different. The priesthood had, in fact, turned out to be a daily experience of formation, a real “school of hard knocks.” I shared my feelings with an old priest and he wisely reminded me, “We should never stop learning and growing.”

Did you stop learning and growing in your faith? Perhaps we finished eight grades at All Saints and then put our faith on the shelf so we could focus on sports, a major, and a career. Some of us went to the Wednesday catechism classes (what used to be called CCD) and never really learned much. Now we are raising kids, or grandkids, and don’t know how to share the basics with them. If that is the case for you, consider attending RCIA. Classes begin Tuesday, Sept. 7, at 7:15 p.m. in Hoffman Hall. Laurel Bradley will walk you through the faith in a way that is both engaging and enlightening.

Stewardship is an excellent form of ongoing “faith formation.” It helps to challenge us and help us grow in simple and practical ways. God has blessed me with 24 hours each day. Am I using my time wisely in a way that glorifies Him? God has blessed me with gifts and talents. Am I making the most of what I have been given? God has blessed me with material possessions. Do I take good care of them and use them as a wise steward? Formation is about much more than good “information.” Formation is about lifestyle choices and the attitudes behind those choices. While seminary formation was challenging and difficult at times, it was also very rewarding. I learned and grew in many ways. I continue to learn and grow; we should never stop learning and growing. It’s time for everyone to get back to school!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Joel Sember, Pastor

Fr. Joel Sember, Pastor