tvc.dsj.org | June 20, 2017
COMMUNITY
9
Seminarians Moving to Mundelein Seminary
By Liz Sullivan
Likening it to going away for college,
the Diocese of San Jose has announced
that beginning in the fall its seminar-
ians will attend Mundelein Seminary
(also known as the University of Saint
Mary of the Lake) in the Archdiocese
of Chicago.
The Diocese had been sending semi-
narians to Saint Patrick’s Seminary
and University in Menlo Park since the
creation of the Diocese in 1981.
On June 3, the Diocese ordained two
priests, Father Gabriel Lee and Father
Khoa Vu. It was the first priestly ordi-
nation in the Diocese of San Jose since
2014. In the interim Bishop Patrick J.
McGrath convened a special commit-
tee headed up by Monsignor J. Patrick
Browne to look at the needs of the Dio-
cese while also conducting a national
search for the seminary that would best
address those needs.
In February of this year, the Bishop,
with the recommendations from the
committee, made the decision to send
the eight seminarians to Mundelein,
57 miles northwest of Chicago. It was
originally founded in 1844; reopened in
1921, the seminary serves 46 dioceses
from eight different countries. The
seminary is named in part for Cardinal
George Mundelein, who led the Arch-
diocese from 19 16-1939.
Cardinal Mundelein did succeed in
establishing a place with world-class
expertise in theology, liturgy and
pastoral formation with past rectors in-
cluding now-Bishop Robert Barron and
current professors like Dr. Scott Hahn.
When asked his thoughts about
Mundelein Seminary as the San Jose
Vocations Director, Father Joe Kim said,
“Mundelein is the stable environment
in which our future priests will be able
to mature in their vocation.” Com-
menting on the distance from San Jose,
Father Kim said, “It is a bit like going
away for college and gaining a new
perspective when you come home.”
Bishop McGrath has asked Father
Kim to find creative ways to make sure
the seminarians are connected to the
diocese. The seminarians will spend
their summer months in parishes in
San Jose. Father Kim is also visiting
parishes and schools this year to ask
the people of the diocese to pray for
the seminarians. Cecilia Kohlrust, of
the Diocese of San Jose vocations office,
is working to establish online ways of
connecting youth with the seminarians
through Facebook posts and Skype
chats. The Knights of Columbus have
risen to the occasion by sponsoring
winter coats.
In addition, the seminarians will
stay connected with the Diocese with
the playing of the annual Revs. vs.
Sems basketball game, which will move
to May (from February) to accommo-
date the seminarians’ schedule.
Father Kim said, “Our seminarians
are looking forward to making new
friends and staying in touch with their
friends and family here, so let’s do all
we can to support each of them.”
For more biographies and ways to
support our seminarians please visit,
www.dsj.org/vocations/vocations-
office/meet-our-seminarians or email
[email protected].
A Day in a Deacon’s Family Life
By Rosa Maria Mancilla
In the Acts of Apostles, a deacon’s
ministry was introduced to us as
a community leader spreading the
Gospel. Although the deacon role was
described to us many years ago in the
Scriptures, it is still not widely known
throughout the community and is on
the brink of being forgotten.
Having a deacon in our family
has brought many blessings, as well
as many challenges. Our family has
learned to accommodate his diaconate
life by being flexible and patient, while
maintaining the willingness to share
our time with him.
Since the beginning of our marriage,
my husband had expressed to me his
dream to become a deacon. I always
knew he had the calling to serve, and I
happily walked alongside him during
his journey towards becoming a dea-
con. After celebrating our eighteenth
anniversary, his dream finally came
true. As a family, we supported him
every step of the way.
In our Diocese, not many communi-
ties have had the opportunity to under-
stand the role of a deacon. Therefore, in
the Hispanic community, we find that
there is a constant miscommunication,
especially for those who do not come
to Mass regularly.
Let me share with you an example
of a misunderstanding.
After a Baptism that my husband
Deacon Leonel celebrated, we were
invited to one of the baptismal parties.
As we walked into the restaurant, we
were holding hands, which is a normal
behavior for us. We were invited to
sit at one of the main tables and soon
after, another couple sat down with us.
During our conversation, I noticed the
couple staring at us in an unusual man-
ner. At one point, my husband made us
laugh and I naturally placed my head
on his shoulder. The man sitting with
us looked away, while giving me a
skeptical look.
He then asked my husband, “are you
the one who celebrated the Baptism?”
He answered “yes,” but we didn’t think
too much of the question.
As the conversation continued, I could
tell that there was something bothering
him. The man then asked, “Are you two
a couple?” My husband then explained
we were married. The man then asked,
“Oh, so a priest can get married now?”
And it all came together, the role
of a deacon was not clear. Having to
explain what a deacon’s role is only
shows how unknown a deacon’s place
in the church is.
As a deacon’s wife, you are exposed
to many unique experiences. One may
be cleaning his albs from all the lipstick
stains of the many women kissing him
after ministries, but at the end of the
day, we as a family, are rewarded with
blessings and the joy of having a deacon
as a part of our family.
Editor’s Note: Rosa’s husband, Deacon
Leonel Mancilla is assigned to Saint
Athanasius Parish.
Construction Continues at Holy Cross Church
Construction continues at Holy Cross Church in San Jose. On
November 16, 2014, after the 1 p.m. Italian Mass had concluded, fire broke
out in the second floor of the church. More than 100 San Jose Fire Depart-
ment personnel battled the fire that was contained after a couple of hours.
Built in 1919, the church is being rebuilt at a cost of more than $6.1 million
and is expected to be ready in Spring 2018.