Seminarians in parishes learning to serve

Printer-friendly versionSend to friend

Rev. Mr. Timothy Noelker, a transitional deacon serving at Holy Trinity Parish in St. Ann, made an omelet as he helped with a recent parish breakfast for the parish's Venture Crew, an initiative of the Boy Scouts for young men and women ages 14 to 20. Venture Crew members Alli Rohman and Luke Rohlfing watched Rev. Mr. Noelker's cooking with interest.

Discerning a vocation to the priesthood is a long journey. Seminarians at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary’s School of Theology take much of that journey in the parishes of the archdiocese, where they are sent to serve and to learn as part of their preparation for ordination. It is a practice that benefits both seminarians and parishes.

“There are four years of theology in Kenrick-Glennon Seminary,” explained Father Paul Rothschild, associate dean of students and director of pastoral formation at the archdiocesan seminary in Shrewsbury. The School of Theology program follows the undergraduate Cardinal Glennon College program.

“During this time the theologians (the term used at the seminary for seminarians in Kenrick School of Theology) spend each year in a different parish, placed with a different pastor, who mentors the seminarian during that year. And this way the seminarians get to ‘rub shoulders’ with different experienced pastors.”

That was not always the case, however, he said.