The Guardian

Newsletter of St. Joseph Minor Seminary

October Calendar
Seminary Life
A Fall Excursion
Vocations
Physical Education
Back in the Classroom
Why Did I Even Ask?

Our new school year started off well, with some new faces. While the staff remains the same as last year, we do have new seminarians from Louisiana, Virginia, Ohio, California and right here in Idaho. We will tell you more about them in our next issue of the newsletter.

Our annual camping trip to start off the school year was scheduled for the first weekend after school started. Father changed it to the following weekend, however, due to the weather. It was a great choice, for the following weekend proved to be perfect — warm and sunny. We had a great time camping, boating and swimming. But now the weather has turned cooler and we have finally gotten some rain to quench the parched land.

For some of our new seminarians, the adjustment to seminary life has been a challenge, especially the amount of homework. The others seem to be taking everything in stride. But all of us are united in our common goals of doing are best and seeking to know and do the will of God in our lives. Please pray for us and for the success of this school year.

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October Calendar

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Seminary Life

Life here at the seminary revolves around strengthening us spiritually and mentally, as well as physically. Prayer comes first here. Every morning at 6:45 we recite our morning prayers together. Immediately after, we attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and, following a hearty breakfast prepared by our cook Mrs. Carpenter, we hit the books.

Latin, which is considered extremely important here, is the first subject of the day. It is followed by math which can be a real challenge to some of us. English follows and then comes physical education. I’m certain every seminarian considers that the most exciting and exhilarating period of the day. We then come in for prayers and lunch and then, depending on the day, we will have either Theology or music. Geography and health science wrap up the school day.

Two days a week we have chores after school. Every seminarian is assigned to help clean the school or the living quarters or to perform various odd jobs which Father assigns. Everyone is then free for recreation until 5:20 when we say the Rosary and then have supper. After dinner, we do homework, after which we are again free to recreate until 9:00 p.m. At that time we do spiritual reading followed by night prayers. We then retire for the night to rest and prepare for another day.

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A Fall Excursion

What’s fun, a great get-away and something everyone loves to attend? A camping trip, of course. On September 13th and 14th the seminarians went to Lake Pend Oreille for our annual camping trip. Father postponed the trip from the previous weekend due to bad weather, but we found that the alternative weekend was well worth the wait.

When we set off at 11:30 on Friday morning the day was already warm. The temperature reached 90 degrees, and everyone looked forward to going into the water. After setting up camp we went down to the lake to head for our favorite jumping rock. Fortunately, Mr. Petzinger and Mr. O’Sullivan brought their boats so we could tube and water ski. After a great afternoon we headed back to the camp for dinner and smores.

After a good night’s sleep we awoke to another beautiful day. When we were done packing up the tent and sleeping bags, we went back to the lake for a morning of fishing and swimming before heading home. All in all, everyone had an excellent camping trip with no injuries, perfect weather and a lot of fun. We are all very thankful to Father and the boat providers for the wonderful camping trip.

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Vocations

A person’s vocation in life is one of the most important things he should strive for next to his spiritual life. Making a wise decision on a vocation should not be left up to the person alone, but to the will of God. In deciding a vocation one should consider the many options out there; however, the ultimate question should be, “Does God want me here?” By praying many Rosaries and by practicing a constant devotion to Our Lady a person will be placed where God finds he will do the most good.

Vocations are not limited to the religious life, but the definition of a vocation spans the many options a person has in life. If one tries to pursue a vocation that is not suited for him or if God calls him to a different life, he will end up unhappy in his decision. For example, if one is to be a teacher and instead tries to become a nuclear scientist, he could end up with many stressful days that could lead him down a path of anger.

God does not ask us to be unhappy in life even if we must toil hard to achieve our goals. If it is what God wants us to do, then we should always do our best to please Him and offer all of our good works and deeds to Him. So when making an important decision such as your vocation, you should always seek the will of God, first and foremost, by prayer, and then you can be sure you’re in your right place in the world.

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Physical Education

Physical Education is an important class to take. It keeps us in shape and allows time for exercise and play in a school day filled with hard work.

Every day at 4th period the seminarians rush out of class to play either basketball or football. Football is a fun sport but most everyone enjoys basketball more. We are more of a basketball school than a football school. Since there are ten students in the seminary we have just enough to play 5-on-5 basketball, which is a lot of fun and a great experience.

We have the same routine every day except for Wednesday, when we have our P.E. at the last period. That way, we can all pile into the van and go to the park where we can play football and baseball games on the nice grass fields. Every one looks forward to going to the park.

P.E. is fun and we all enjoy it very much. Without P.E. it would be hard to eliminate the stress of the day’s work.

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Back in the Classroom

As we begin a new year at the seminary it is hard to get back in the swing of things. Some of the things getting used to are: the rising time, homework, and school itself. We all are slow right now but I'm sure by the end of September it won’t be as hard.

During the summer we work, we go on vacation and we sleep in. Though most of us did a good amount of work this summer, we still did get up later than we do for school. So that is one habit we have to break and get used to rising early.

Then, of course, there is the homework, which always takes some discipline and adjustment. During the first week the homework is very little, if any, but as the month progresses the homework will gradually increase. These things are bring a difficult adjustment, but school itself is the hardest adjustment to make, since we’ve gone 3 months without school. Also, the warm weather does not help because the last thing you want is to be in class when it’s 85 degrees outside.

Though the first part of the school year isn’t easy, we all are looking forward to getting used to school and to the progression of the school year.

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Why Did I Even Ask?

There is nothing quite like the enthusiasm of the first few weeks of school. Both students and teachers are fresh from summer vacation and ready to get back to the work of study and formation.

After classes on the very first day I asked the seminarians what was their favorite class. As with one voice they replied enthusiastically: P.E.! Of course, I meant their favorite academic class, but this incident reminds one that teenage boys are everywhere the same. Minor seminarians are no different when it comes to recreation.

Actually, that gusto for sports is a good sign. Vocations directors have learned by experience to be wary of the boy who shows no inclination for sports and physical activity. The truth of the old adages — A sound body is necessary for a sound mind and Grace builds upon nature — is time-tested. We must provide a well-balanced program in which future priests can be properly formed.

Needless to say, we count greatly on your prayers in this important work, with the assurance that God will reward your generosity and support of our seminary.

— Fr. Benedict Hughes, CMRI

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The Guardian is published monthly for the enjoyment of our benefactors and for the family members of our seminarians. This newsletter is free upon request.

Do You Have a Vocation?

If you are a young man of high school age who has a vocation, then Saint Joseph Seminary may be the place for you. Our four-year course of studies offers the regular high school curriculum, with an emphasis on Theology, Latin and foreign language. A well-rounded program of daily Mass, prayer and sports complements our academic schedule. For more information, write to the rector of Saint Joseph Seminary at the address below.

Seminary Support Club:

If you are not yet a member of the Seminary Support Club and would like to become a member, you may write to the seminary at the address below. Members pledge to pray for the success of the seminary and, if able, to send a regular financial contribution for its support.

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