
The Institution of Readers and Acolytes took place at the Pontifical College Josephinum on Sunday, November 4, 2012. We were honored to have the Most Reverend Timothy Broglio, Archbishop of the Military Services, as the principal celebrant. First-year theology seminarians installed as Readers are commissioned to proclaim the Word of God in the liturgical assembly and to catechize the faithful. Acolytes, traditionally second-year theologians, are entrusted with the duties of attending to the altar, assisting the deacon and priest at Mass, and distributing Holy Communion as an extraordinary minister.
Seminarians from the Diocese of Columbus who received ministries are:
Shane Ball (reader)
Anthony Davis (acolyte)
Thomas Gardner (acolyte)
Jeremiah Guappone (reader)
Michael Hartge (acolyte)
Timothy Lynch (reader)
Andrew Maynard (acolyte)
Brian O'Connor (acolyte)
Stephen Smith (reader and acolyte)
Daniel Swartz (reader)
Nicola Ventura (acolyte)
IDs for attached photo.
Back row: Nicola Ventura, Timothy Lynch, Monsignor Christopher Schreck (rector), Most Reverend Timothy Broglio (Archbishop of the Military Services, USA), Stephen Smith, Andrew Maynard and Daniel Swartz.
Front row: Anthony Davis, Thomas Gardner, Brian O'Connor, Shane Ball, Michael Hartge, Jeremiah Guappone
Photo by seminarian Josh Altonji of the Diocese of Birmingham.
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It is a beautiful love story.
It is a story about men discerning God’s call to the priesthood and in formation at the Pontifical College Josephinum. These are men who love our Lord Jesus Christ and their Catholic faith and have an intense desire to share this love with others.
They Bike Tour is the tool that takes these men, who are preparing to be priests for the Diocese of Columbus, into the schools, parishes and into the hearts of those who hear them speak about how God is working in their lives -- and how God is working in all of our lives.
It is about personal holiness, discerning our vocational call by listening to God, praying and learning about our Catholic faith -- and six seminarians, led by Vocations Director, Fr. Paul Noble, who are on a mission to make this known wherever they go: Matt Morris, Jeremiah Guappone, Ed Shikina, Patrick Welsh, Tom Gardner and emcee Brian O’Connor.
Ask the principles, children, pastors, deacons, teachers and parents and Knights of Columbus at schools where the seminarians have visited.
They will tell you they are enthralled, fascinated and inspired by these men who, God willing, will someday be our priests.
The youth have many questions for the seminarians ... from the serious to the curious:
How did you know God was calling you to the priesthood?
What is a typical day like in seminary?
What is your favorite color?
What does your family think of your decision to attend seminary?
What do you do for fun?
Why are you riding bikes?
How old are you?
What do you study at seminary?
The seminarians encourage young people to pray to consider whether they are called to a priestly or religious vocation, or to marriage. For the seminarians, according to Bike Tour co-founder and newly ordained deacon Matt Morris, the Bike Tour is also about building brotherhood and decompressing after an intense year of seminary.
Visiting with the youth, staff and clergy in the schools and parishes is inspiring, fun and reminds the men that their seminary formation is centered around God’s love for them and their love for God -- and their belief that God may be calling them to be parish priests.
The 2012 Seekholiness Bike Tour continues, rain or shine, for four days around Franklin, Delaware and Marion counties. Fathers Klima, Sizemore and Schmidt join the seminarians on bikes for the final day of the Bike Tour ... also known as Evangelization on Wheels.
Special Thanks to the Vocations Office and The Catholic Foundation for their generous sponsorship of the Fourth Annual Seekholiness Bike Tour.
Click above to download a copy!
Ohio Dominican El Salvador 2012 - with the Josephinum! 4th Annual Service Immersion Program hosted by the Maryknoll Lay Missioners. This year, we will be in cooperation with the Pontifical College Josephinum, which will be sending 7 Seminarians in formation for the Priesthood. Also participating are 6 ODU students, 1 staff member, 1 Vice-President, and 2 ODU friends: a priest of the Diocese of Columbus, and an alum of the trip.
Meet all of the Columbus Seminarians preparing for the priesthood. Check out the new poster, and click on a portrait for a short bio!
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Hear the stories of the two newest additions to the ranks of the holy priesthood of Jesus Christ, Ty Tomson (left) and Ryan Schmit (right) as they begin a new life as they step into their vocation.
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Follow the stories of our two newest transitonal deacons, Nick Droll (left) and Michael Hinterschied (right) as they prepare for their priestly ordination next Spring.
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With so much happening in the diocese, it is good to keep track of some of these exciting events. Check below for the details.

Left: The image at left was taken at the Chrism Mass at this year's holy week festivities as a gift to Bishop Campbell. Click for the full size version.As for videos, please visit foryourvocation.org. to see videos that spotlight Columbus Catholics! There is a discernment video featuring Kayla Walton, and Patrick Welsh, a columbus seminarian, as well as one featuring the Pasternack family!
Or, to catch ALL 5 of the recently produced discernment videos in HD, head over to our very own video/blog section. They're at the top of the list!
"The priest, man of the divine Word and of sacred things, must be today, more than ever, a man of joy and hope," the Holy Father affirmed. "To men who can no longer conceive that God is pure Love, he will always affirm that life is worth living, and that Christ gives it all its meaning because he loves men, all men."
Benedict XVi said that it is an awareness of the priest's own weakness that opens him to intimacy with God. And it is God who "gives us strength and joy. "The priest is no longer for himself, but for all."
Interested in what the next step of your discernment might be?Contact the Diocese of Columbus Director of Vocations, Father Paul Noble, if you have any further questions regarding discernment opportunities or interest in Vocations. Or, feel free to call the Office of Vocations at (614) 221-5565.
Please feel free to download and complete the Application to the Program of Priestly Formation for the Catholic Diocese of Columbus. Also, feel welcomed to download the following additional Application Information.