By “native” I mean that I have lived in Florida for most of my life, but there was a short stint that our family lived in the cold white north of New Britain, Connecticut. If there is anything I miss about living in Connecticut, it would be for the seasons. Seeing the vast array of colors in the fall, to the white seas of snow in the winter, particularly the first snowfall, to the melting of the snow and seeing the blooming of flowers and trees in the spring. It is characteristic of the flow of life and the new beginnings every year. As we begin this new academic year and our students return to school, we are brought to new beginnings again and a renewal of our commitment to follow the Lord.

Amidst the excitement of new classes, new friends and an openness to what the Lord has in store, we are invited to a greater depth of relationship with the Lord; for what good is education but to deepen our greater understanding of God in our lives and His active role in this gift of life? If we look to our education and time in school as just a passing time  or as a way only to gain worldly enjoyments, what good is that for us in the end? From the moment the Catholic Church became actively involved in the education of people, which goes back to the beginnings of the Church that Christ handed down to the Apostles, all of it was focused on one element: salvation of souls. Salvation of souls should always be at the center of our education since it reminds us that we are finite beings, and we have nothing nor gain anything if it is not with God. The world may offer us many things, but none fulfilling enough and good enough to truly lead us to eternal and greater joy Hence, our education ought always to be for the greater glory of God.

Thus, with great joy I share that eight new men have sought a greater understanding of the Lord’s call in their lives as they enter seminary this year discerning the call to the priesthood. They desire to do the Lord’s will and in that seek to educate themselves for the greater glory of God. A wonder and truly inspiring thing to see so many young men seeking the Lord’s will amidst the world that says it is foolish to give one’s live for one’s friends (John 15:13).  

Hence, I would like to give a quick introduction of the new men accepted to our diocese as seminarians and their parishes:  

• Anthony Werthmiller (St. Ignatius of Antioch, Tarpon Springs)
• Kyle Lanphear (St. Michael the Archangel, Hudson)
• Joseph Anderson (St. Anthony of Padua, San Antonio)
• Joseph Castro (St. Lawrence, Tampa)
• Alexis Jaimes (St. Rita, Dade city)
• Gabriel Linder (St. Timothy, Lutz)
• Javier Mendez (St. Paul, Tampa)
• Leo Salgado (St. Rita, Dade City)

These eight men will join the ranks of 20 other men who have been in the formation process towards the priesthood of Jesus Christ and thus puts us at a total of 28 men in discernment and formation to the priesthood.

I ask that you please pray for these men as they begin this new school year. That they may continue to give themselves to the process and courageously follow the Lord’s call knowing that He will provide for all that we need. Pray also for more men and women to generously respond to the Lord’s call in their life – that fear may never get in the way of following the Lord and their family’s openness to this call, for what good is it to gain the whole world but to lose one’s soul (Matthew 16:26)?  

Lastly, and above all things, pray for saints among your families, schools and churches. For these saints will change the whole world and point us toward the eternal treasure and goal: eternal union with God and His saints. Let this new academic year be a renewal in the Lord and a new beginning.