Beloved Family:
The recent presbyteral convocation provided a wonderful opportunity for priests from the Diocese of Cleveland to gather, renew our fraternal bonds of fellowship, hear mind-and-heart-engaging presentations on Jesus and the gospels and to take in some of the beauty of fall near Lake Erie. I even managed to work in a tennis match with Fr. Damian Ference, Vicar for Evangelization in the diocese.
Obviously, we celebrated Mass every day of the convocation. On the first morning, the Sacrament of Healing was offered to those priests in need of anointing. It was very moving, indeed, to witness a procession of brother priests, moving forward to avail themselves to this sacrament (point of fact: because a priest’s hands are anointed with Chrism in Holy Orders, the oil of the sick is applied to the backs of his hands instead of the palms). As with any gathering of recipients, in some cases the “need” for healing was obvious; however, it was not necessary to have a diagnosis revealed. Jesus came to heal every one of our ills.
Toward the conclusion of our gathering, Fr. Andrew Turner, President-rector, Borromeo Seminary and President-rector, Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology, gave a kind of “current portrait of life” regarding formation of clergy. This included a snapshot of the current enrollment of seminarians, life in the seminary community, and developments in the approach of forming candidates for priesthood, most markedly at the beginning of the theological phase and in the structure of the diaconate phase. As one can imagine, shifts in the culture at large are bound to impact the lives of young men discerning a call to this life. It was very encouraging to hear of the quality of care and attention being invested in this most vital work. We can feel very confident about the support that has been directed specifically to our diocesan seminaries in recent years—including through the Heart of the Shepherd campaign.
A dad can never affirm his children too often. Therefore, as throughout the diocese this weekend, seminarians address parish communities on vocation, I want to commend to our constant prayer and solicit active interest in the wellbeing of Deacon James, our transitional deacon this year, and Charles (Chuck) Cairnie, our first “homegrown” seminarian in quite a few years and who, God willing, will be ordained a deacon this coming spring. Two Saturdays ago, Fr. David and I had the joy of hosting these young men for dinner. They exude such joy, such a love for Christ and His Church, and such a generous supply of intellectual and spiritual insight! If you have not already had the opportunity to engage them, do them a service—and yourself a favor—by making it a point to connect.
When I was in seminary, long before texting and email, receiving cards and letters was a huge pleasure. I challenge all of us to overflow the mailboxes of these two young men in the coming weeks:
Deacon James Parisi/Mr. Chuck Cairnie
The Center for Pastoral Leadership
28700 Euclid Avenue
Wickliffe, OH 44092
Finally, I challenge us to embrace prayer (particularly prayer before the Blessed Sacrament in Adoration) and fasting in an amped-up way in these days. I have in mind both the cause of recovery for victims of the hurricanes as well as the maintaining of civility and charity in our nation as the election draws ever nearer. All Saints Day and the commemoration of All Souls, which mark the beginning of the month of November, 1 and 2 sequentially provide another powerful occasion for calling on those who have preceded us in the pursuit of holiness and a healthy self-challenge for us to follow their example.
Let His Peace be with you,
Fr. Stephen
