The Serra Club of Erie hosted its annual event, Evening with the Seminarians, at St. Mark Seminary on Wednesday January 15, 2020. This is the second year this event has been held at St. Mark and due to the overwhelmingly positive experiences had by the Serra Members and guests the event will likely continue to be held there.
Thirty-five Serra Club members and guests attended. Guests included: ten seminarians, Rev. Michael Kesicki (Rector), Rev. Nicholas Rouch (Vice-Rector), Rev. Michael Polinek (Vocation Director), Rev. Chris Singer (Chancellor), and Joan Fye (Administrative Assistant in the Diocesan Office).
Our evening began in the Chapel where the seminarians led us in their traditional evening prayer service. Immediately following the service, while remaining in the chapel, each of the ten seminarians introduced himself sharing their name, year of study, home diocese and parish, and who their favorite saint is and why.
The remaining activities continued in the library where we enjoyed heavy hors d’oeuvres and bar service prepared by Sabella’s Catering of Erie. This was the ideal atmosphere for casual conversation and mingling. Each serran has a Seminarian Prayer Partner that he or she prays for each day. Many of our serrans were able to spend time getting to know their prayer partners better.
Two seminarians, Thomas Whiteford from the Diocese of Erie and Ryan Courtney from the Diocese of Buffalo, shared inspirational highlights from their spiritual journey. Both seminarians expressed a sincere appreciation for the prayers and support from the Serra Club Members. They were passionate about their vocations and grateful for the opportunity to study at St. Mark Seminary and for the friendships they have made there.
The evening concluded with a blessing offered by the priests and the seminarians singing (Name of Song). This event is certainly one that we would encourage all Serra Club Members to make every attempt to attend. A special note of thanks to Dan and Dawn Schaaf and Dave and Kathy Wayman for all their time and effort that resulted in the success of this event.
Komentarze