By Grant Kelly
Pastoral experience is vital to seminarians preparing to serve the Church as priests. Holy Trinity Seminary offers a wide variety of ministerial opportunities which allow each student to be comfortable in any situation. The general structure involves first year seminarians ministering with the elderly while the second year is spent in youth ministry and catechesis. During the third year of formation, seminarians help prepare catechumens in the Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). Forth year seminarians minister to the sick as hospital chaplains, helping to bring Christ’s joy to the sick bed. Occasionally, seminarians will work in prison ministry, sharing the Word of God with local inmates. Eugene Flynn, a second year seminarian working at St. Francis of Assisi parish in Grapevine has enjoyed teaching confirmation class to the youth. “They need God, so I know that I need to be a better person in order to bring God to them. Seeing my response to their need helps assure me of my vocation.” Having the opportunity to minister as seminarians gives us important tools that will help in our parishes to better serve the people of God.
