(Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash)
MADISON — While they were in Madison for their annual gathering, seminarians for the Diocese of Madison met with members of the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) Lumen Christi Society to show their appreciation for their support of the ACA. Bishop Robert C. Morlino hosted the reception held at the Bishop O’Connor Center in Madison.
Daun Maier, director of the diocesan Office of Stewardship and Development, welcomed those attending, noting that “the Diocese of Madison has been pleased with the wonderful response to God’s call. We have 32 seminarians in formation.”
She thanked members of the Lumen Christi Society for their continued support in investing in our future priests.
Fr. Gregory Ihm, the new diocesan director of vocations, introduced the seminarians and said that “it’s a great gift to serve them and to help conform them to the heart of Jesus Christ.”
Deacon Scott Jablonski spoke on behalf of all the seminarians, discussing his own circuitous path to the seminary through considerations of becoming a doctor and a Protestant minister to his return to the Catholic faith. “Please pray for us and continue to support us,” he said.
Bishop Morlino said the seminarians “are a special gift to God from all of you. We need ‘warrior priests’ to minister here,” he said.
The bishop asked the society members to “pray for new men and for the ones we have to persevere. We need your love, prayers, and support even more in the future.”