Giving Back in Gratitude

For over twenty years, Sacred Heart's seminarians have been extending dinner invitations to priests who have supported them on their journey toward the priesthood. On November 15, around fifty priests and one hundred seminarians gathered for this annual event, the Solemn Vespers and Priest/Seminarian Dinner.

Without the prompting of their parish priests, many of the men at Sacred Heart may never have heard God calling them to consider being a priest. It is through the continued encouragement and prayers of the priest—many who once sat in these same pews and studied in these same classroom—that today's seminarians are able to find the perseverance on the sometimes difficult path of priestly discernment.

The grateful seminarians first directed the visiting priests into Sacred Heart's main chapela place many of the priests know well. The beautiful Neo-Gothic chapel is where a seminarian spends countless hours and where his vocation truly takes shape. Those who gathered for the event joined together for solemn evening prayer, accompanied by the seminary choir. Afterward, following hors d'oeuvres in the front parlors, Msgr. Todd Lajiness, the seminary's rector, offered a formal welcome before the attendees enjoyed dinner in the gymnasium.

John Bettin, third-year theology seminarian for the Archdiocese of Detroit, invited to the event his pastor, Fr. Michael Verschaeve of St. Joseph Parish in Lake Orion. John is impressed at how much support Father Mike has shown toward him and toward the seminary mission over the years. This is Fr. Mike's seventh year attending the dinner, he says, and I have really enjoyed being able to give back, in just such a small way, to a priest who has been there for me.

Sacred Heart's students recognize the importance of showing gratitude to those who nurture vocations within their parishes. In the midst of a busy semester, often miles from their home diocese, they are thankful for the chance to thank those priests with whom they do not have regular contact any more. For the priests taking time out from their busy Sunday schedules, the evening provides a rewarding thank you from those they have mentored. It is an opportunity, as well, for the visiting priests to reconnect with their seminary classmates and share stories from their days at Sacred Heart long ago.

On behalf of all the seminarians, we thank the priests whose untold prayer—many prayed before we even sensed our own vocation—have helped to sustain us as we discern the will of God in our lives.