This past week, Father Javier Virgen and I visited our five seminarians at Mount Angel seminary in Oregon. It was a wonderful visitation during which our five seminarians received their annual evaluations from the faculty. All five are doing well as they continue to open themselves to the call of Jesus Christ in their lives. I am very proud of each of them for the wonderful way they are engaging in the seminary program and I am very grateful to the faculty and staff of Mount Angel seminary for the splendid formation and education they are giving to our students.
There were several bonuses during the three-day visit. One was that we ran into Monsignor Fitzgerald, who was chairing the Mount Angel Seminary Board of Trustees meeting. Monsignor has been chair for some time and he continues to receive accolades for the wonderful job he does in overseeing the programs of the seminary and ensuring that it is adequately endowed for the future. A second bonus was that we had wonderful weather throughout the week. While it is not uncommon to experience heavy rains in Oregon, we had very lovely, sunny weather.
On behalf of Msgr. Colin Bircumshaw and Father Javier Virgen, I ask that all of us pray for an increase of vocations to the priestly life in this diocese. It is extremely important that parents help their sons to discern a possible vocation to the priesthood. If families are not promoting the priesthood, then it will be all the harder for God to touch the hearts of young men to follow him in serving as a priest in this local Church. We are blessed with the priests we have, but as I can personally attest (now at 60!) we are not getting any younger! Thank you for praying for this vital intention.
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