+JMJ
Dear Friends and Benefactors,
Giving thanks to the Lord for you! I hope this finds you well!
The summer has come to a close, and so has my pastoral year assignment here at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, FL. In a few days, I’ll be returning to the Pontifical North American College seminary in Rome, as I enter my third year of theology studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University.
These last few months have certainly been full of adventures and blessings! In June, I attended the Emerging Leaders Conference for Catholic-Jewish Relations, as a Vatican delegate, which was held in Jerusalem. It was an amazing experience, not only to visit the holy sites where Our Lord and Our Lady walked, but also to dialogue with other young people of another faith about pressing global issues, such as religious freedom and extremism.
Meeting government leaders at the Knesset.
________________________
In July, along with Bishop Dewane, other seminarians and young people of our diocese, I travelled to Poland for World Youth Day. It was truly an inspiring event to see so many youth joyful, hopeful, and enthusiastic about our Catholic Faith and meeting the Pope! We were able to make a pilgrimage to the John Paul II Shrine, the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, and Auschwitz.
I was able to serve Holy Mass at the monastery built by St. Maximilian Kolbe
Our Lady of Czestochowa
Wawel Castle and Cathedral, Krakow, burial place of Polish kings and queens
____________________________
Lastly, another wonderful occurrence is that this year, we have the largest class of seminarians in the history of the Diocese of Venice! Your prayers have paid off! Please keep all of these young men in your thoughts and prayers too, as they begin their studies.
Seminarians of the Diocese of Venice in Florida, USA
Know that I am so very thankful for your continued support of my journey to the priesthood. May our good Lord Jesus reward you and protect you always and may our Blessed Mother May guide you ever closer to her Son.
Your Brother in Christ,
Seminarian Shawn
Comments