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From Fr. Klonowski -- In the beginning of September, Fr. Rosing hosted two listening sessions regarding the present scandal in the Church. During both sessions, the question of seminary formation in the Diocese of Cleveland today was raised. Because many in attendance were unfamiliar with the seminary process, he asked that I, a recent graduate of both of our diocesan seminaries, describe the seminary program to those in attendance. Many found my description to be helpful, and so Fr. Rosing asked that I write a brief synopsis of seminary formation for the entire parish.

In 1992, Pope John Paul II promulgated an apostolic exhortation, Pastores dabo vobis (I will give you shepherds), concerning the formation of priests. In it, he outlined four “pillars” of priestly formation: human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral. The seminary is charged with forming men for the priesthood in a holistic way, and not merely academically. Importantly,  the pope notes that human formation is the basis of all priestly formation. More than classes alone, the seminary today is a formation program. Looking to Jesus the High Priest, true God and true man, the seminary today takes an integral approach which seeks to form the whole man for priestly service.

Our diocesan seminaries, Borromeo Seminary and St. Mary Seminary, are both located within our diocese; this allows the Cleveland seminarians to live, to work, and to build relationships in the diocese which they might one day serve as a priest. The seminarians come to know many Cleveland priests and laypeople throughout their time in the seminary. The undergraduate seminary, Borromeo, is academically affiliated with John Carroll University, while the major seminary, St. Mary, is a fully accredited graduate school of theology.

Human Formation: Before a man is accepted into the undergraduate program, he must complete a psychological exam, receive letters of recommendation from his pastor and others, and interview with members of the seminary faculty. Entrance into Borromeo does not guarantee entrance into St. Mary, and the application process for St. Mary includes two more separate psychological exams and further letters and interviews. Once accepted, the seminarian is assigned a faculty formation advisor with whom he meets at least monthly to discuss his growth in each of the four pillars. Each year, the seminarian composes a self-evaluation which he submits to the faculty, and he is evaluated by the entire seminary faculty who vote on whether he should proceed in the program. The faculty takes an active interest in, among other things, the seminarian’s social interactions, friendships, presence at meals, prayer life, pastoral work, and relationship with the community as a whole. The seminary faculty is composed of women and men, priests, religious, and lay.

When I was in the seminary, the faculty frequently addressed the abuse crisis of 2002. Every seminarian is VIRTUS trained, and it was not uncommon to hold discussions, both formal and informal, about the protection of children, appropriate boundaries, and the virtue of chastity. Affective, sexual, and social maturity are absolute requirements for candidates for the priesthood.

Spiritual Formation:  Every day, the seminary celebrates communally the Liturgy of the Hours and Holy Mass. Sacramental Confession, devotions, reflections, and retreat opportunities, as well as spirituality sessions and small group discussions are a constitutive element of the seminary year. The seminarian also meets with a spiritual director at least monthly.

Intellectual Formation: Students at Borromeo are required to take at least thirty hours of philosophy as they pursue a Bachelor’s degree. Students at St. Mary pursue a Master of Divinity degree, whose capstone project is a synthesis of the whole of seminary formation. Some students are invited to pursue a Master of Arts in Theology as well.

Pastoral Formation: Yearly, each seminarian receives an off-site field education assignment at a hospital, school, jail, parish, nursing home or another institution. The seminarian works within our diocese under the supervision of a priest or a lay expert in the field. These supervisors evaluate the seminarian on his pastoral skill. The field education program also includes ministry-specific training. During the third year of formation at St. Mary, the seminarian lives and works at a parish for an entire academic year as he is evaluated by the pastor, parochial vicar(s), parish staff, and parish community.

I hope this brief overview of current priestly formation has helped you to understand what happens at our diocesan seminaries today. If you have any questions, Fr. Rosing, Fr. Mike and I are always willing to listen. Please keep our seminarians in your prayers.

Fr. Kevin Klonowski

Dear Holy Family Parishioners…

Bishop Nelson Perez recently sent a letter to the Faithful of the Diocese — sharing information and updates related to the current abuse crisis in the Church.  He asked us to distribute it and an accompanying Question/Answer document as widely as possible.  Bishop Perez’s letter and the 8-page Question/Answer document are attached here below.  Posted on both the diocesan website (www.dioceseofcleveland.org) and our parish website (www.holyfamilystow.org).  In addition, printed copies are available at the doors of the church.

Fr. Paul Rosing

Bishop Perez Letter

Question/Answer Document

Prayer for Healing

We acknowledge that there are many concerns and questions regarding what is going on in the Catholic Church these days with the scandal of abuse and leadership. Recently Bishop Robert Barron, Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles, produced 2 brief videos that we recommend you watch and share with others who also might be confused and concerned.  The videos are linked below…

Bishop Barron “Why remain Catholic with so much scandal?”

Bishop Q & A on the scandal

If you or anyone would like to or need to discuss this situation in our Church, please contact us by phone at 330-688-6412 and the extension below or by email (click on one of our names below).

Let us keep those abused and their families, holy and courageous leaders and our faithful response in our prayers.

Fr. Paul Rosing ext 215
pjrosing@holyfamilystow.org
Fr. Mike Ausperk ext 217
mausperk@gmail.com
Fr. Kevin Klonowski ext 223
klonowski@holyfamilystow.org
Deacon John Green
john@cafeoplay.com

Website: Submit your copy ready website information via email at hfdwebsite@gmail.com.  Deadlines for materials are the 10th and 25th of each month to be posted by the 15th and 30th of the month respectively.

Bulletin: Submit your copy ready bulletin announcement via email at hfbulletin@yahoo.com. Deadline for materials sent electronically is noon Saturday for publication on the following weekend.  Hard copy announcements will need to be submitted by noon on Wednesday, 10 days prior to the publication weekend.