The Guardian

Newsletter of St. Joseph Minor Seminary

Christmas — a Holyday or a Holiday?
January Calendar
Where Should I Be?
The Sentinels in Maple Leaf Country
A Victory for the Sentinels
Epiphany
To Snow or Not to Snow
The Value of Time

In a couple of days we conclude classes and head home for the Christmas vacation. Needless to say, we have all been anticipating our vacation, especially those who live at a distance and have not been home since late August.

As you will read in this newsletter, we have not had a great deal of success on the hardwood. (So far we have won 3 games.) The season has not been without bright spots, however. A number of new records have been set-both team and personal records-including a 38 point performance by Phil in one of the Canada games. Although we did not win more games, we are not disappointed, for we realize that most of the schools we play are much larger than ours, and their players more experienced. Most of our players have never been on teams before, but everyone is learning and improving daily. We hope for more success after Christmas.

On the weather front, an unusually warm December has meant rain, rather than snow. Although we have had a few snowfalls, they have not amounted to much. Those seminarians especially who like the winter sports have been anxious for more snow, but we will just have to be patient. The situation has been so abnormal that the seminarians from warmer climes have begun to doubt our stories of heavy snows in this part of the country. Soon we hope to have the snow to back up our words.

One of the great seminary traditions we look forward to in January is our annual Epiphany gift-giving. Inspired by the Magi who offered gifts to the Infant Jesus, we each choose during Advent the name of another seminarian, which we do not reveal to the others. During our Christmas break we purchase a gift for that person, and these gifts are exchanged at our Epiphany dinner upon our return.

As we approach the end of 2002, we extend to you, our friends and benefactors, our wish for a most blessed New Year of 2003. With each passing year we thank God for the blessings of the past year and ask for His continued blessings to come. We will pray for you and your intentions in this New Year. May God bless each of you.

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Christmas — a Holyday or a Holiday?

Christmas is a great holyday. It is the day Our Lord was born of the Blessed Virgin Mary. God gave us His only Son as our Redeemer, and we should be very grateful. Sadly, many people today have lost the true spirit of this great day.

Let us not be one of these. Let us strive to observe Christmas as a great holyday on which we honor the Infant Jesus. Let us also make reparation to the Christ child for the ingratitude people have for what He did for us and for what the world has done to make so many forget the true purpose of Christmas.

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January Calendar

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Where Should I Be?

What should be the major factor determining where a young man should spend his high school days? Unfortunately for many, factors such as “how much fun can I have?” or “how will I be treated?” or even “where is it easiest for me?” seem to take precedence.

It is very important for all of us to realize that the best place for a young man to spend his high school days is where he will have the best opportunity to, first, grow in virtue and, second, develop his talents to prepare him to accomplish God’s will for him in this life in order to be happy both here and in eternity. These two goals form the very purpose of St. Joseph Seminary. We try to maintain an atmosphere here at the Seminary in which virtue can thrive and vice is suppressed, in which boys can truly develop that strength of character and integrity absolutely necessary if they are to be the light of this world, which has fallen so deeply.

Please pray for us. And, young men, please consider whether St. Joseph Seminary may be just the right place for you to advance in virtue and develop your talents.

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The Sentinels in Maple Leaf Country

On the weekend of December 6-7 the seminarians made a trip to Canada. We took part in an invitational basketball tournament in Creston, B.C., which is about three hours north of the seminary.

After a morning of classes and lunch, our Sentinels basketball team piled in the van and headed off to Canada. When we arrived at our destination we went to our hotel, checked in and then headed straight for our game. In the first game we were sluggish from the long trip. After the first quarter we warmed up and made a game out of it, though we did end up losing. Immediately after this we had another game in which we did quite poorly and ended up losing by more than 10 points. Completely wiped out, we went back to the hotel and called it a day.

The next day started with First Saturday Mass and a quick breakfast. Then it was back to the court. This first game of the day we really wanted, but the height of the other team and missed shots really killed us. So by now we were 0-3 but still determined and ready for another game. In our last game we gave it all we had. By the beginning of the fourth quarter we were ahead by two points. During the last quarter, however, we fell apart due to fatigue and gave up some easy shots. Thus the victory we could have had slipped away

In the end, this trip was really a good way to strengthen our team both mentally and physically. Playing against a lot better competition with taller players gave us some practice we really needed. As for losing games, we returned home determined to put an end to that. And that is what we have done, for our first game back from Canada was a dominating victory.

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A Victory for the Sentinels

December 9 was a very exciting day for the St. Joseph Sentinels. After losing our first 7 games we had our first win. We beat Boulder Creek 75-42. Since our normal coach could not be there, Father Benedict coached us. Since we had a big lead in this game, all our players that were not as good as the starters got plenty of playing time.

After the win everyone was happy, and we all plan on continuing to win games. Our team is developing a lot, and the people that were not as good at first are getting a lot better.

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Epiphany

After the twelve days of Christmas comes the feast of the Epiphany on January 6. This feast honors the event in which the three wise men from the East came to visit the child Jesus. Their names were Gaspar, Melchior and Balthazar. These three holy men were astronomers, and one day they saw a new large, bright star in the sky. As this star moved, they knew that something special was taking place. They then packed their camels and were on their way.

The wise men followed the star until it came into Judea. They asked King Herod where the new king was to be born. Herod said that he didn’t know of a king being born. When he had consulted the Jewish scribes, he sent the Magi on their way, telling them to return to him when they had found the babe. At last they found the baby Jesus lying in a manger, and they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The gold and frankincense were for a king and God, and the myrrh represented suffering and death because it was something used for embalming a body.

After they had visited the babe, an angel appeared and told the Magi of Herod’s plot to kill Jesus because he thought that Christ would overtake his kingdom. The angel told them to go their way and not to return to Herod. Shortly thereafter, an angel appeared to St. Joseph and told him to flee into Egypt with Jesus and Mary to escape Herod’s plot against Jesus. These were the main happenings on that first Epiphany.

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To Snow Or Not to Snow?

Finally, everyone is in the Christmas spirit! Why? Well because the snow season has arrived. Although it has arrived just a little late this year, we’re all happy that the snow is finally here.

Some of the seminarians had not previously been acquainted with this wonderful white powder, but they are getting along with it excellently. A few of us have winter gear, and are just itching to use it. We don’t have to go far to test out our riding skills, as there are plenty of hills and trails all around the seminary, making it conducive for winter fun.

Personally, winter is my favorite season of the year. Why? Because there’s so much you are able to do. There’s sledding, boarding, skiing, snowmobiling and much more you can occupy yourself with. Another great thing about winter is that the snow really brightens things up. We all hope to get in a couple of ski trips this winter, and are telling Old Man Winter to keep it coming.

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The Value of Time

My dear friends, the advent of a New Year reminds us of the great value of time. St. Alphonsus tells us that time is worth God, because in a moment of time one could lose God through sin, while in a moment a sinner can repent and regain the possession of God.

How much more time will God give us on this earth? We do not know, for there is nothing more uncertain than the time of death. Although some saints predicted the term of their own lives, such a prophetic gift is rare. What we do know is that time passes swiftly and we must make a good use of it.

As we begin a new year, we faculty of the seminary re-dedicate ourselves to fulfilling, as well as we can, this important work of education young men. It is a work of years, not of days or months, and it is a work requiring patience and perseverance. At times the crosses and travails of maintaining our minor seminary seem insurmountable, but by the grace of God we will continue this work as long as it is possible.

You, our benefactors are a most important part of that work. Without your spiritual and financial support, it would be impossible for us to continue. We are most grateful to you and ask that you continue to support us in the New Year of 2003. May the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph  bless you and your families.

— 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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