The Guardian

Newsletter of St. Joseph Minor Seminary

February Calendar
Our Lady of Lourdes
Hands-on Physics
Winter Wonderland
Epiphany Party
Exams
A Great Vacation
Wrap It Up!
Back to School

This week is the final week of the second quarter, and that means exams. Soon we will embark on the new semester, which will bring a few changes. The freshmen and sophomores will take computer class in place of geography, and physical science in place of health during the new semester. On the other hand, the juniors and seniors will have an introduction to chemistry for their science class, in place of physics. It will be nice to have these changes in our schedule, not to mention the fact that the new semester means we are half-way through the school year.

One major change here in the past couple of weeks has been the installation of new chapel lights. Father has long wanted new light fixtures for the chapel, and we have not been disappointed by the new fixtures. They are beautiful — quite fitting for the house of God.

Our basketball team has been getting better. We have won a few more games and are more competitive. Just last week we had a great come-from-behind victory over one of our main rivals. This month will be our final month of basketball. With a few games left, we hope that we can end on a real positive note.

As we begin our new semester, we wish to thank all of you, our readers, for your support and prayers. During February we are approaching the Lenten season, an important time for our spiritual lives. May we all continue to grow in God’s grace, and may He bless each of you.

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February Calendar

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Our Lady of Lourdes

In 1858 the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to a poor girl named Bernadette. It happened on a cold day when Bernadette went with her sister and a friend to collect firewood. When the three came to a stream, Bernadette’s sister and friend crossed it, but Bernadette was afraid to venture across so she stayed there while the others went on.

It was at this time that Our Lady appeared to her in a grotto. Bernadette, who didn’t know who the Lady was, immediately began praying the Rosary, after which the Lady disappeared. The Blessed Virgin appeared several more times, each time joining Bernadette for the Rosary and telling her to pray for sinners and to do penance for them.

At the eighth apparition, Our Lady told her to drink from the stream. There was no stream where Our Lady pointed, but one soon sprang forth. At the last apparition, Bernadette asked the Lady her name, at which the Lady replied, “I am the Immaculate Conception. ”

Our Lady’s main message at Lourdes was the spread of the knowledge of the Immaculate Conception. Also, many cures were effected by the water from the miraculous spring. This is another example of Our Lady’s great love for us and her desire to help us.

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Hands-on Physics

Our physics class, which is the science class for the upper level students, basically explains how ordinary things work in the world. The motion of things, their reaction when another force acts upon them, centrifugal force, torque, sound waves and the properties of matter are only a few things we’ve already covered. At first it all seemed a little complicated, but once you understand how things work, you realize it is not so difficult after all.

In physics there are a lot of laws and equations which can at first confuse you. When you get out of the classroom, however, and see the law in action, it becomes clear. Currently in physics we are covering electricity and electric circuits. So to see how different kitchen appliances use amps and how the circuit breakers will only allow so many amperes through, we went to Mrs. Carpenter’s kitchen. We turned on many ordinary appliances, eventually popping a 20 amp breaker and cutting off current, because we had overloaded the breaker.

For me the best part of physics is when you get to see the principles and laws in action. That makes it much more interesting and enjoyable to study.

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Winter Wonderland?

Well, as you all know, once again it’s winter in the Northwest — or at least it should be — but you wouldn’t really be able to tell by the weather here in northern Idaho. There is a tremendous lack of snow, at least for the locals, but for me being a southern Louisiana boy, its more than I’ve ever seen. Yes, it’s relatively cold, but not like it should be. We can faithfully blame one thing for this. We can safely say that the cause of this “lack of snow ” we are experiencing is El Nino. We did get a pretty big snow over the Christmas holidays; unfortunately, I was back home at the time, and the rain melted most of it before I had returned.

I have been praying for a big-time snow, but so far no luck. Hopefully, our prayers will pull through before winter is over. Of course, as long as there’s enough snow in the mountains for snowboarding — and there is — then I’m satisfied. We just hope it snows more on the slopes so we have great conditions for snowboarding and skiing. At least that way we will not be too disappointed with the lack of snow here at the seminary.

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Epiphany Party

On January 9 we had our annual Epiphany/Christmas party. As usual we each gave a present to the person we had picked before Christmas.

This year we received candy and other goodies. We also each received a present from Father that was for the entire seminary. These were things like ping-pong balls, gym socks, sports drinks for our basketball games and a huge box of chocolates for everyone to share.

Our presents to one another were things like watches, candy and new clothes. I received a watch and some candy, so I guess if someone gave me a watch that must mean I can’t be late for class anymore! We all got great gifts, and I’m sure we will be looking forward to our traditional Christmas celebration again next year.

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Exams

Exams are quite dreadful and greatly feared by some people, but they don’t really bother me. Studying for me is the hard part. Sometimes, I find myself unprepared for exams, but I usually look ahead.

To do well on exams, you have to review for at least two weeks in advance, because we tend to easily forget what we have learned. You study the easier subjects first — at least that’s how I do it. You do the more difficult subjects last so that you can remember them. And that’s how you prepare for exams.

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A Great Vacation

As you know, the seminarians get approximately two weeks off for Christmas vacation. Some of us got a few more days of vacation because it was cheaper to fly out earlier. At any rate, everyone had a good vacation. Some of the seminarians went skiing, while others just enjoyed being home for the first time in three-and-a-half months.

Now, the day I left the seminary for Christmas break was the first time that I had ever traveled somewhere in an airliner, so that was a new experience for me. When I got home, I was greeted by all the members of my family except my mom who had to work.

On Christmas Eve it snowed quite a bit in Ohio, so we had to leave early and travel very slowly to midnight Mass. Some of the servers weren’t able to be there because of the snow, so although we still had a high Mass with incense, we didn’t use as many servers as Father wanted. I got to bed at about four o’clock in the morning and was glad to get some sleep after a long day.
On Christmas we stayed home all day because we didn’t want to drive out into the snow, especially since most of the roads weren’t plowed. Like most people, I stayed up on New Year’s Eve and brought in the new year.

Christmas vacation never lasts long enough, because you get used to being home, but then you have to start your school routine again, which isn’t fun for most students.

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Wrap It Up!

As you probably know, with the end of January also comes the end of the first semester, the half-way mark of the year. Some of the things we are doing to prepare for this are studying for those exams really hard and trying to bring up grades we need to raise.

Mostly, I think the end of the semester is an excellent time to reflect on the past two quarters of the school year and decide to make a good effort to truly overcome the failings we have. Everyone needs a break in life to ponder where he or she may need improvement. After we have found out our most prominent failures we can then watch out to safeguard ourselves from them. That is one good purpose of the semester break.

We hope that the coming second half of the year will bring much improvement, academically and spiritually!

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Back to School

On the second weekend in January I had the opportunity to attend a writing seminar, presented by the Institute for Excellence in Writing. This seminar provided many tips on writing and will be most helpful for me in teaching composition to our students. Writing is a talent little developed in most schools today. But for seminarians who will be, God-willing, priests one day, the ability to write well is a must.

Not only was the seminar educational for me, but I also found it a pleasant break from teaching. I was reminded of the enjoyment that I always found in learning, throughout the various levels of my academic experience. God has so created our mind that we crave the truth. Some are more attracted to history, some to language, some to math or science. But we all seek a greater knowledge of the truth. This aspiration can be a great asset in seeking God — the fullness of Truth.

I do ask for your prayers and support of this great work of Catholic education. Pray that we Catholic teachers will have the grace to inspire the young minds of our students with a thirst for truth, which will lead them closer to God. As I stated in the last issue of our newsletter, the work of Catholic education requires patience and perseverance. You have a vital share in this important work, for without your support — spiritual, moral and financial — we could not possibly continue it.

As we are just four weeks away from Saint Joseph’s month, we encourage you to return the enclosed card with your intentions, to be placed on the altar throughout March. Also, if you are in need of a statement for your financial contributions to the seminary during the past year, please let us know. May Jesus, Mary and Joseph bless you abundantly.

— 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.

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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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