FALL 2014

A Saint Francis de Sales Seminary communication for alumni and friends.

SALTof the EarthFALL 2016

Letter from the Rector2 7 New Day for the

de Chantal Society4 Photos from the Annual Seminary Dinner

Meet our 2016-2017 Seminarians.

The Faces of and

Dear Friends,

Throughout our long history, Saint Francis de Sales Seminary has formed men from all over the world. Yet, with the ebb and flow of events, we became a house of formation solely for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee about 20 years ago.

Then in 2012, Bishop David Ricken from the Diocese of Green Bay asked us to form two of his seminarians. Happily, all of the bishops from the state of Wisconsin have followed suit, and Saint Francis de Sales Seminary is once again a provincial seminary. In addition to men from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, we are forming men from the dioceses of Green Bay, La Crosse, Madison and Superior, as well as the Diocese of Joliet, IL.

This is a wonderful development! We have been entrusted with helping to form priests who will serve the entire state. The men will get to know one another as seminarians, and then work together as priests in proclaiming the Good News and celebrating the sacraments throughout Wisconsin.

It is humbling to know that the bishops have such faith in our faculty and staff, and we are blessed by the high caliber of men they have sent to us. Most importantly, all of the men, from all of the dioceses, are answering the Lord’s call and are walking together on the path to priesthood. It is a road that is best walked with others, so let us thank God for so many travelling companions.

Please pray for us and know that we are praying for you as well.

Father John Hemsing, Rector

A Provincial Seminary Once Again

2

SALTof the Earth

On the first day of school, Fr. John instructs seminarians to allow the Holy Spirit to work through them.

Please make the Seminary a priority in your year-end charitable giving. Gifts made before December 31 provide tax advantages. Give online at www.sfs.edu or mail to:

Saint Francis de Sales Seminary3257 South Lake DriveSt. Francis, WI 53235

Your contribution will help us to form priests in the image of Jesus Christ. It is a mission that matters. Please give generously.

The End Is Near

Our 2016 – 2017 Seminarians

FALL 2016

3

Our 2016 – 2017 Seminarians

“Let us pray for our seminarians, that they may listen to the voice of the Lord and follow it with

courage and joy.”

— Pope Francis

Archdiocese of Milwaukee - Front row: Tonny Kizza, Sergio Rodriguez, Deacon John Baumgardner, Joseph Krawczyk, Raphael Roxas, Jonathon Schmeckel, Gustavo Correa. Second row: Michael Lawinger, Ariel Orozco, Benjamin Kramer, John LoCoco, Anthony Horzen, Diego Vasquez, Third row: Jack Rausch, Michael Malucha, Stephen Buting, Kevin Harmon, Joseph Steger, Alexander Nwosu, Jordan Berghouse, William Arnold. Fourth row: Aaron Laskiewicz, Benjamin Grey, Nicholas Baumgardner, Andrew Infanger, Matthew Ferch, Carlos Londono, Patrick Magnor. Back row: Dominic Lazzaroni, Timothy Schumaker, Edward Sanchez, Nathaniel Nygaard, Nicholas Dhein, Matthew Kirk, Pedro Ruiz, Edward Linn, Kevin Tanel. Not pictured: Justin Weber.

Diocese of Green Bay - Front row: Connor Schlaack, Jon Hynek, Jose Lopez, Michael Uchytil. Back row: Deacon Adam Bradley, William Evans, Matthew Colle, Deacon Matthew Rappl.

tDiocese of La Crosse - Front row: Kyle Laylan, Deacon Peter Kieffer, Levi Schmitt. Back row: Daniel Williams, Barry Saylor.

Diocese of Madison - Front row: Francisco Ogbonna. Back row: Michael Johnson, Jerry Weiss.

uDiocese of Joliet - David Diesem

Diocese of Superior - Richard Rhinehart

Celebrating Courage & JoyOver 900 friends of the Seminary gathered at the Wisconsin Center on September 23 for the 14th Annual Seminary Dinner. People came from all over the state to enthusiastically support our men and our mission. Seminarian Jordan Berghouse brought the gathering to its feet with a moving talk about the call to priesthood, and then the seminarians showed a video they produced themselves as a gift for our benefactors. If you missed it, or just want to see it again, both Jordan’s speech and the seminarians’ video can be viewed on our website at www.sfs.edu.

Save the date for next year’s Annual Seminary Dinner – Friday, September 22, 2017.

4

SALTof the Earth

Archbishop Listecki shares a laugh with seminary supporters.

Co-chairs Emily Burds and Fr. Ken Omernick give personal testimony as to why they treasure the seminary.

Fr. John opens the evening with words about the theme, “Courage and Joy.”

Cindy and Dan Schmidt (center) enjoy the evening with family and friends.

Andrew Infanger and Fr. Ralph Gross (center back) revel in the joy of the evening with a group from St. Bruno, Dousman.

u Justin Prom, Katie Mahon, Isaac Pecha and Sarah Veronica are part of a large contingent of young adults who support our seminarians.

5

FALL 2016

t Archbishop Listecki shows the impact of being a provincial seminary by calling the men onstage by diocese.

Jose Lopez thanks a table of people for coming to the dinner. The seminarians make sure every table is greeted!

Kevin Tanel accompanies the seminarians as they lead the singing of Salve Regina.

Jordan Berghouse speaks from the heart about his calling to the priesthood.

Fr. Luke and Fr. John invite everyone to help them form men who are growing in ever-fuller communion with God.

tA magnificent gathering fills the hallway of the Wisconsin Center during the cocktail reception.

One-hundred-plus golfers braved the July heat, and two-hundred-plus guests attended the dinner of the 13th annual Pallium Scholarship Benefit at Tripoli

Country Club. It was a festive event that raised scholarship funds for faith-filled men who have been called to the priesthood. Co-chairs Mike & Fifi Stevens worked tirelessly to plan the spectacular event, with the help of Fr. Philip Schumaker and Fr. Dennis Saran who

entertained the crowd during the lively program and auction.

Swinging for Our Seminarians

6

SALTof the Earth

uKeith Baisden, Bill Stone, John Johannes and Matt Lenahan from Town Bank celebrate their winning round.

Fr. Philip Schumaker enjoys Fr. Dennis Saran’s unique auctioneering style.

The de Chantal Society is a group of women who are passionate about supporting vocations, raising their families in the faith and growing in their own spirituality. They gather in the silence and beauty of the Seminary three times each year to pray.

The women spend about an hour in Christ King Chapel with Eucharistic Adoration, spiritual formation from a priest, and benediction. Afterwards, light refreshments are served in the de Chantal Commons of the Seminary.

Co-sponsored by the Nazareth Project and the Seminary, each session is offered in the morning and evening, so women can choose whichever time works best for them. All of the sessions will be on Tuesdays this year!

November 29, 2016 9 a.m. or 7 p.m.February 28, 2017 9 a.m. or 7 p.m.May 16, 2017 9 a.m. or 7 p.m.

Also new this year, limited childcare will be available during the morning sessions! Children must be registered ahead of time by calling (414) 747-6463. Children will be accepted until the available slots are filled.

Silence, prayer and spiritual formation…time for you and the Lord. To RSVP, email newheartnewspirit@sfs.edu or call (414) 747-6463.

A New Day for de Chantal

tAlex Nwosu greets faithful supporters.

The de Chantal Society MissionTo support priestly formation while we form, inspire and embolden passionate Catholic women who are integral to our families, vocations and the Catholic Church

The de Chantal Society offers women the opportunity to socialize after prayer and spiritual formation

Dear Friends,

In the Gospel of Matthew we read, “Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.’”

I am the Vocation Promoter for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and I am very blessed to serve alongside Fr. Luke Strand, our Vocation Director and William Hudson, our Associate Director of Vocations. Together we will work to create a culture of vocations throughout our local Church.

The mission of the Vocation Office is not only to travel to different places to visit parishes, colleges and confirmation classes, giving talks to schools, distributing posters and brochures. Our mission comes from a deep conviction that promoting and praying for vocations is a mandate, an earnest desire from the heart of Jesus, when He asked His disciples, “Ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” Our mission therefore is a duty and a responsibility as followers of Jesus to help all young people discover and answer God’s call with courage and generosity, to help them know they are being called to serve God and His people in the priesthood and religious life, and to share with them what an awesome gift the priesthood of Jesus Christ truly is!

God’s call is personal, unique, and life-changing. I love to hear the vocation stories of different priests and seminarians because these stories are concrete examples of how to listen to and answer the call of God. Even though each call is unique and personal, there are some important similarities to how each one of us hears the call:

1) Daily prayer.2) Service. The Gospel tells us that Jesus was moved with pity and

cured the people of their illnesses.3) An active presence in the parish or a Catholic Christian community.

I am looking forward to meeting with you, to help you discern your vocation and to share the joy of the priesthood of Jesus Christ.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Enrique Hernandez

Lord, send us priestsLord, send us many priestsLord, send us many holy priests, Amen.

7

FALL 2016

Fr. Enrique Hernandez Joins the Vocation Office

Vocation Office News

The vocation office team: Fr. Enrique Hernandez, Fr. Luke Strand and Will Hudson.

St. Andrew Dinner Thursday, December 29 at 5:00pm Saint Francis de Sales Seminary

In an effort to encourage priestly vocations within the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Fr. Luke Strand and Fr. Enrique Hernandez will host our annual St. Andrew Dinner at Saint Francis de Sales Seminary. The St. Andrew Dinner is named after St. Andrew, who in the Gospel according to St. John brought his brother Simon Peter to meet Jesus. The dinner offers priests an opportunity to invite young men (high school age or young adult) who they think have the qualities needed to be a good priest. The young men who are invited will have a chance to ask questions in a relaxed atmosphere, learn more about the life of a priest, and hear vocation stories from seminarians and priests.

Duc in Altum Silent Priestly Discernment Retreats for High School Boys and Young Adult Men

Join Vocation Directors Fr. Luke Strand of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and Fr. Daniel Schuster of the Diocese of Green Bay as together they host our Duc in Altum retreats. These silent, priestly discernment retreats will be available for high school young men (ages 14-18) on Dec 16-18 at the Mt. Tabor Center in Menasha. They will also host a Duc in Altum retreat for young adult men (ages 18-35) January 13-15 at Saint Francis de Sales Seminary. In a world of great distractions, these retreats are a perfect opportunity for young men who are discerning the priesthood to enter into silence and allow God to speak to their hearts.

You can reserve space for both events by contacting Will Hudson at (414) 747-6437 or whudson@sfs.edu. For more information, please visit us at www.thinkpriest.org/events.

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDMilwaukee, Wis.Permit No. 338

SALTof the Earth

Saint Francis de Sales Seminary, Inc.3257 South Lake DriveSt. Francis, WI 53235

Deacon John Baumgardner promises obedience and respect to his local bishop. (Note fellow Milwaukee seminarian, John LoCoco, holding the ritual book for Cardinal O’Malley.)

Save these special dates in 2017Pallium Scholarship Benefit July 24Annual Seminary Dinner September 22

A New Priest and a New DeaconWe give praise and thanks to God for the ordination of Fr. Michael Thiel to the priesthood by Bishop David Ricken on June 25 at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay. Fr. Michael was the first Saint Francis de Sales seminarian to be ordained for the Diocese of Green Bay in decades!

We also rejoice at the diaconal ordination of John Baumgardner by Cardinal Sean O’Malley, OFM Cap on September 29 at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Deacon John is studying at the Pontifical North American College and anticipates being ordained for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee on July 22, 2017.

Bishop Ricken presents Fr. Michael with a paten and chalice, instructing him to accept the gifts of the people and to deepen their own sharing in the mystery of the Lord’s cross as they offer those gifts on the altar.

Fr. Michael stands with Bishop Ricken in St. Francis Xavier Cathedral after his ordination. Photos courtesy of Sam Lucero, The Compass