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One Month with IHM Seminary's New Rector
By NICOLE WENINGER
It has been a little over a month since Father Jason Kern became the new rector of Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona. Transitioning from diocesan vocations director to rector has brought many added responsibilities - both administrative and pastoral - but, in a short time, he has already made a significant impact. Since stepping into his role, Fr. Kern has welcomed the new class, taught formation classes, overseen updates to the seminary’s marketing and website, helped launch the annual Hearts on Fire fundraising campaign, and introduced the new seminarians to the beauty and community of Winona.
Reflecting on his early experiences, Fr. Kern shared:
I have been settling into and enjoying my first weeks as rector of IHM Seminary. This is such a great place, and to welcome the new seminarians has been a great joy. I have loved the opportunity to get to know the men, and to see Jesus drawing their hearts deeper into communion with himself is a privileged place.
We started the first days focusing on God's desire to draw us into life with himself, in a relationship of love with the Blessed Trinity. We have covered the basics of prayer, including meditation and contemplation and teachings on how to pray with the Scriptures using Lectio Divina and meditation on the scenes of Scripture. We have now opened up what the Church desires for growth areas in the dimensions of priestly formation. We have also begun exploring sacred art from the Church's perspective.
In mid-July, we took a boat tour of the Mississippi River around Winona and attended a Beethoven Festival performance. At the end of July, we went to the Shakespeare Festival play Comedy of Errors. The first weekend in August was our great trip to the Boundary Waters, where we took time for friendship, adventure, and prayer in the beauty of the outdoors. The seminarians engaged in a technology fast, which gave them time to process, pray, and enjoy the friendship of those in the community. We also went to a Twins game in late August!
May God bless and guide you as you shepherd the formation of each seminarian that enters our doors, Fr. Kern. Good luck with your new appointment!
Nicole Weninger is a marketing and communications associate for Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary and the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota.
