Generous and Ready to Serve
MOSAIC, Fall 2009

Very Rev. Msgr. Jeffrey M. Monforton

"Every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God."

These words from Letter to the Hebrews (5:1) underscore the immense responsibility and profound value placed on the priest as he serves both God and the priest's fellow brothers and sisters. In this Year for Priests, we at Sacred Heart make it our top priority to prepare men of communion, "not arrogant or quarrelsome, but affable, hospitable, sincere in words and heart, prudent and discreet, generous and ready to serve, capable of opening (themselves) to clear and brotherly relationships and of encouraging the same of others and quick to understand, forgive, and console." These words from Pope John Paul II's apostolic exhortation, I Will Give You Shepherds (Pastores Dabo Vobis), articulate our seminary's priestly formation mission.

As the Eucharist is the center of seminary life, our seminarians are taught to exercise the same sacred qualities of our Lord Jesus, who is our source and summit. It is the intention of the seminary for its future priests to "be willing to listen to lay people, give brotherly consideration to their wishes, and acknowledge their experience and competence in the different fields of human activity. In this way, they will be able together with them to discern the signs of the times" (Letter to Clergy for the Year for Priests, Pope Benedict XVI, June 18, 2009).

Please pray for our seminarians that our Lord Jesus Christ will continue to inflame their hearts with his love, enabling them to represent him both at the altar and among God's people.

For these past seven months, the repair and renovation of our main chapel continues. While we still have time before the entire chapel is finished, much additional work and considerable financial cost is anticipated. The extent of the renovation construction is unparalleled since this Tudor Gothic chapel was built in 1924. It was finished not too long before the Great Depression and now it is undergoing a considerable restoration during our Great Recession.

Please keep the seminary in your prayers as we prepare our Lord's precious gifts of our future priests and as we endeavor to repair and renovate our main chapel, our building's center and most precious jewel. You can read about the project in the fall issue of the Mosaic, on page 30, and about the tragic fire that made this great work necessary, in the summer Mosaic, page 32.

With prayerful best wishes as we journey these challenging times as hope-filled Christians, I remain,
 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Very Rev. Msgr. Jeffrey M. Monforton
Rector/President