(Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash)
MADISON — Bishop Robert C. Morlino thanked members of the Lumen Christi Society for their support of diocesan seminarians at a recent reception held at the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center.
“Thank you for your support of these seminarians as they prepare for priesthood,” the bishop said.
He spoke as a “proud father” of his sons, the seminarians. “I live to know, love, and serve God in this world. And I live in order to encourage and support these great young men. Every one of them is great. How proud I am of all of them.”
Bishop marks 40 years
The bishop himself is celebrating his 40th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood this year. “After 40 years in the priesthood and 15 years as a bishop, I have come to trust in God’s providence for the seminarians and every person in this diocese,” said Bishop Morlino.
The bishop added, “I still sleep well at night. As St. John XXIII said to God before going to bed, ‘I’ve done my best. You’re in charge for the next six hours.’”
After 40 years as a priest, Bishop Morlino said he is “still going strong,” adding, “I have more confidence, determination, and hope because of these young men. Let’s march with these men to the kingdom of heaven.”
Lumen Christi Society
The Lumen Christi Society is composed of those who give to the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) at a certain level.
Jill Driscoll, director of the diocesan Office of Stewardship and Development, also welcomed the society members.
“Thank you and welcome to this beautiful event. Continue to support the ACA and all the great work we do in the diocese,” she said.
Members of the society were given a pocket-sized decade of the Rosary blessed by Bishop Morlino as a thank-you gift.
Seven new seminarians
Fr. Greg Ihm, director of vocations for the Diocese of Madison, also spoke of his gratitude to the donors. “I thank you for your generous support of the ACA and our seminarians,” said Father Ihm.
“We have seven new seminarians going into formation this fall,” he said. “The Lord has blessed us.”
He introduced all the seminarians present, noting that there are currently a total of 33 seminarians. Two were ordained to the priesthood this year, and five are expected to be ordained in 2015.
“God willing, they will be serving you and your children long into the future,” said Father Ihm.
Seminarian gives testimony
Seminarian Phil Klaas, a first year theologian who hopes to be ordained to the priesthood in 2018, gave a talk on his vocation at the gathering.
Klaas graduated from the college seminary program at Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., this year and will be entering Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Mich., this fall.
Klaas, too, thanked members of the Lumen Christi Society. “Thanks to all of you who support us with your prayers and financial support,” he said. “We get a good education and know that we keep you in our prayers, too.”
Klaas noted that he grew up in Sun Prairie and loved sports. He played football and hockey. “I wanted to be a quarterback, and I was captain on the football team.”
As a senior, he broke his leg playing hockey. He went on to pursue playing college hockey, but he wasn’t happy.
“I asked, ‘What is my purpose in life?’ I started going to daily Mass. I went to Confession and started taking my faith more seriously.”
Klaas said a priest told him that he would make a good priest, but Klaas said “no.” Instead, he thought about becoming a doctor.
“Over time, I realized that God was calling me to be a priest. I prayed and discerned. I talked with Fr. John Putzer, a young priest at Sacred Hearts Parish in Sun Prairie. He encouraged me to be a priest.”
Klaas then met with the Bishop Morlino and entered the seminary. “These have been three of the best years of my life,” said Klaas of his time in the seminary so far.
Father Ihm said all the seminarians have “equally beautiful” vocation stories. “These men are doing it out of joy to serve God and you, the people of God,” he said to members of the Lumen Christi Society.