Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   LOCAL FEATURES Friday, August 30, 2002 Preparing for the priesthood In a year with plenty of bad news for the Church, here’s some good news: The Diocese of Youngstown will have 15 men in various stages of study for the priesthood By Lou Jacquet No matter what yardstick one might use to measure it, 2002 has been a difficult year for the Catholic Church in the United States. Amid endless negative news in the national press, however, the Diocese of Youngstown has a bright ray of hope for the future here: Fifteen young men are currently studying for the priesthood at various levels of preparation. That is the largest number of seminarians the diocese has had in recent memory. If history holds, not all of them will step forward to prostrate themselves on the floor of St. Columba Cathedral on their ordination day. But in an era when permanent commitment seems a forgotten value in the United States, the fact that 15 young men have chosen to begin or continue seminary study at all is indeed newsworthy. At a recent picnic for seminarians at Villa Maria Teresa in Hubbard, hosted by Bishop Thomas Tobin, five of the individuals who may become the diocesan priests of tomorrow spoke with the Exponent about their vocation to priesthood. These men have become seminarians largely through the efforts of Msgr. John Zuraw, director of the Department of Clergy and Religious Services (and diocesan vocation director until this week. Father Leo Wehrlin has assumed the latter role). Matthew Shelton, 43, is the “senior” diocesan seminarian in terms of age as he begins his third year of theology. The Vienna Queen of the Holy Rosary parishioner and Niles native became a seminarian through an interesting odyssey. Shelton, whose two uncles were late-in-life vocations, had “always had priesthood in the back of my mind” but spent years “in my primary role as caregiver to my parents because of their health.” He attended Youngstown State University to earn a bachelor’s in Latin and history (with a philosophy minor) and a master’s in history, working all the while, almost seven years, in the university’s Language Learning and Resource Center in the 1990s. “My focus has been to do the will of God,” Shelton explained. “For me, the will of God was to take care of my Mom and Dad. Working in the language lab allowed me to interact with people and to minister. I went to the university with the idea of getting the education to prepare me for priesthood.” Shelton’s former pastor, Father Gary Dilley, F.S.S.P., had repeatedly encouraged him to consider priesthood. When his mother died in 1999, he called Msgr. Zuraw to begin the process. With his previous coursework, Shelton started his seminary study at the theology level at Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus. He found the studies there “more disciplined” than at YSU, with “a sense of brotherhood” evident among his fellow seminarians. “I love the morning and evening prayer in community,” he said. “Seminary is where you develop your support system for the priesthood. There is a deep bond.” But the seminary experience is far from paradise, he realized. “You see the human element of your classmates. You see that we are all studying for priesthood, but we are very human, capable of falling.” With two years of theology coursework and ministry experience behind him, Shelton has found that “what looked glamorous has become harder, but you also experience the rewards more. When you hold a dying man’s hand and realize he is perhaps moments away from seeing the face of God, and that you are helping him ease into that, it gives you a deep sense of satisfaction.” While ordination for Shelton is sometime away, he thinks about it “all the time,” he said. “There is a sense of awesomeness about it, a ‘holy fear’ at how awe-inspiring this ministry is. It is not a burden to be taken on lightly. I anticipate it with joy, but with a holy reverence as well.” G. David Weikart, 39, is less than a year from ordination. He is in his final year at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pa., serving a Pittsburgh parish as a deacon on weekends. His road to priesthood was unusual. “I think maybe I was always going in that direction,” he recalled, but it took his mother’s breast cancer and spending time with her in the hospital to refocus his vision on what was important in life. At 34, Weikart had finished his third year as parish director of religious education at Canton St. Joan of Arc. “Suddenly, things that I thought were so important paled,” he said. “I began looking more deeply into things.” Not that the decision to enter was automatic. “Up to the year I applied, I had a girlfriend. I literally finished my prayers at night by saying, ‘Lord, I do not want to be a priest.’ I was afraid, because I didn’t know what I was getting into.” Weikart arrived at the seminary with a bachelor’s in biology and a master’s in religious education, but he needed philosophy and theology. After meeting his classmates, he found some men who “had shrines in their rooms and could be really pious; I knew that wasn’t me.” But he also discovered that seminarians came from diverse backgrounds. Some had statues and candles in their rooms, but others were like me. Now I literally go to bed at night and thank God for everything that has happened to me.” Weikart is quick to acknowledge that being a seminarian in America’s sex-saturated culture is not easy. “It was tough to make that jump from society to seminarian,” he said. He explained that he had dated for many years and always found that experience enjoyable. But celibacy requires an openness to relationships with others, while avoiding the exclusive, romantic relationships of dating and marriage. “It still is [tough],” he said. While he was still working on a parish staff five years ago, Weikart recalled with amusement, his mother came to a parish festival, knowing her son would be entering the priesthood. “Dave, how are you going to be a priest with all these pretty girls around?” she asked. “I don’t know, Mom,” Weikart said. “But it’s God’s grace, it’s not me. I really believe in God’s grace.” No matter what one’s vocation in life, Weikart added, “the number one thing is a healthy prayer life.” The second thing is to be open to what God wants. “I believe God called me and I cooperated with that call,” he mused. “It was not anything I did. It’s completely grace, because I find myself thinking, saying, acting in a way that I know I could not have done on my own. Maybe that’s what makes a saint – they just cooperate more fully with God’s grace.” Matthew Albright, 20, is beginning his senior year at the Josephinum. The Maximo St. Joseph parishioner recalls being interested in priesthood “since I was a little boy,” but he grew serious about the idea while developing a prayer life as a high school sophomore. He visited the Josephinum twice before making his decision to enroll there. Albright said he entered “without too many expectations” and was pleasantly surprised – I found it a very enjoyable experience. The first three years have passed very quickly. The guys are great. I have had a wonderful experience. It has been a happy time for me.” As he begins his senior year of college, Albright looks ahead to his four years of theology and his ordination. “There certainly are challenges,” he acknowledged. “But nothing that can’t be overcome with devotion to the Eucharist, as Bishop Tobin said in his homily today. With a deep faith and prayer, and with the grace of God, there is nothing that cannot be overcome. If a young man feels a calling to the priesthood, he should act on what he feels in his heart.” John Sheridan, 19, is a Cardinal Mooney High School graduate and a Boardman St. Charles parishioner. He has begun his second year of college at the Josephinum. Sheridan started thinking about the priesthood while a sophomore at Mooney. He expected seminary life to be “something like a monastery” but was pleasantly surprised to discover that, while it was academically as challenging as he expected, “it was much more open and friendly and laid-back” compared to his expectations. Sheridan has brothers who attend secular colleges; “the seminary is the more difficult experience because you have a schedule in addition to classes. You pray three times a day. Prayer, study, fitness and recreation all have to be a part of your day in addition to academics.” As a sophomore, Sheridan will take a philosophy course on human nature, two literature courses, a physical education class in golf, and a science course. He will also be in his third semester in Latin and his first in German. While he enjoys his secular friendships, Sheridan says he knows choosing the seminary has “set him apart” in some important ways. He knows he “cannot do some of the things my friends might do,” and he has to have “an entirely different focus. But,” he adds, “while it is tough at times, we work through it and God is with us at all times. “If you think you are called,” advises Sheridan, “be open to it, And if you’re not, pray for those who decided to go that route.” Tim Klein, 24, is one of four new diocesan seminarians this year. The Canal Fulton SS. Philip & James parishioner had worked on the farm and worked for Stark County after graduating from high school. But God kept calling. Klein will become a first-year seminarian at the Josephinum. He is the second youngest of five children. “[Priesthood] had been in the back of my mind for years,” he told the Exponent. “When God calls you, you have to respond sometime, or you won’t be happy. That is what I experienced. I was looking for something to fulfill my life. I want to help people and I think priesthood provides a good opportunity to do that.” Although the eight-year formation process is daunting, Klein acknowledges, “I need the time, the studies, the formation, the prayer discipline, and God willing, I can make it. But never having taken a college course, I am starting from scratch.” Preparing to leave for the seminary, Klein said he was “very nervous about leaving family and friends. You wonder how you will handle your new life there. But I’m happy that I made the decision and relieved that there is a positive direction in my life. It’s a load off your shoulders when you finally say yes to God.” Klein said his family is “thrilled” about his decision to enter the seminary. He credits his home schooling from the sixth grade through high school and the influence of Father John Lody, former pastor at SS. Philip and James, and Father Robert Hannon, the current pastor there, as being instrumental in fostering his vocation. “Entering the seminary in this day and age is tough,” Klein said. “But you can’t refuse what you know is right. There is a lot to give up. I was dating someone for four-and-a-half years. I had a great job, a wonderful girlfriend and family. But there was still a stir in my soul that said, ‘go to the seminary.’ I cannot think of anything I want more than to try and serve God in the priesthood right now. I wasn’t ready to go after high school. With so many people praying for me, this is the right time for me to go.” Preparing for ordination is not all serious business, of course. There is much good humor involved. Dave Weikart pointed to one such example. “Bishop Tobin was telling me that he thought my devotion to the Cleveland Browns could be an impediment to ordination. ‘I’m afraid I couldn’t ordain you until you took a vow to support the [Pittsburgh] Steelers,’ the bishop said.” “Please, bishop,” Weikart replied. “Celibacy is tough enough. Don’t make me do the impossible.”   Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   Other Articles of 2002   Christmas letter from El Salvador missions thanks diocesan Catholics   Bishop shares views, discussion with Central students   ETC slates Christmas specials throughout the season   My Favorite Christmas Memories   Guidelines on religious ed homeschooling are issued   Local Catholic radio station targets Feb. 1 date   HMs end 98-years of service to Salem St. Paul Parish   Learn ‘language’ of young, youth meet speaker urges   Bishop Tobin: Meeting in D.C. on norms was ‘anxious, tense, difficult’   Priests must ask one another the tough questions, speaker says   Catholic death and funeral rites   Deacons mark 25th with Mass, dinner, memories   Diocesan Ministry Convocation Speaker: Global solidarity, not globalization, should be aim   Jusseaume inaugurated as sixth Walsh president   Diaconate marks 25th anniversary with Oct. 27 fete   New norms sent to priests, deacons on Communion under both kinds   Ashtabula parishes are ‘one Catholic community’   Jusseaume to become Walsh’s sixth president   Charismatic speaker: ‘Church being tested in faithfulness’   Lutheran/Catholic covenant event draws 140 to Walsh   Canton St. Joseph Parish observes centennial celebration   HMHP CEO Michael Rowan   Stewardship speaker: It’s about gratitude and thanking God first   Imagination is key to resolving crisis, priests told   War with Iraq? Expo readers opposed by 81-19%   Newspaper columns didn’t give complete story, official says   Diocesan Ministry Convocation set Oct. 26 at YSU’s Kilcawley   New year brings new faculty, changes at diocesan high schools   Mont St. Michel, Avignon’s papal palace are treasures   Preparing for the priesthood   Entering well-earned retirement, Sr. Marcella’s not slowing down   Warren St. Mary observes 100th year for church building   Lay Ministry Formation program attracting new audience   The cathedrals of France: Monuments of faith in stone   Executive summary of the ad hoc commission on athletics in diocesan high schools   ‘No widespread abuse’ found   Milburn leaving pro-life post to pursue grad studies   Return to France yields history, memories, surprises   Two new members appointed for Diocesan Finance Council   Former SS. C&M school razed, but memories remain   Pastor, 80, keeps busy with ‘lots of interests’   Ravenna IC boasts 5 high school valedictorians for ‘02   Humility Sister Sandy Pedone to profess perpetual vows July 21   NRLC convention filled with good news   ‘Capture the Romance’ is theme for NFP Week   Question of moral evil discussed at Walsh symposium   Notre Dame Sisters will celebrate jubilees July 14   ‘A great lady’ retires   Statement of Bishop Tobin on the meeting of the U. S. Conference   Haladej, Celuch ordained to priesthood, diaconate in Slovakia   Bishop plans implementation of norms on sexual abuse   Kevin McCaffrey, Robert Miller are newest priests   Theologian: ‘Behave toward others as though God were there’   Fr. Bonnot: Use good judgment for TV, movie viewing   MOMS: ‘A place to claim yourself’   Storm ‘changed lives forever’ for Jackson Twp. family   Bishop will ordain Miller, McCaffrey at May 25 ceremony   Update on child abuse   Vicar general addresses issue of not giving priest names to media   New Middletown St. Paul youth — called to be ‘witnesses’ for Christ   New Ursuline Sisters leadership team elected to 6-year term   Two receive first pastorates; two pastors change parishes   Abuse coverage   Walsh University dedicates new ‘David’ campus center   Sisters’ HIV/AIDS ministry critical, heartbreaking   Bishop visits St. Peter’s as rebuilding process begins   Chrism Mass theme: Priests can’t afford discouragement   Bishop’s Appeal stresses meeting needs, funding ministries   Diocese OKs closing Conneaut St. Frances Cabrini K-8; preschool stays   St. Stan’s marks 100th year   Canton St. Joseph choir enjoys ‘incredible trip’   New schools superintendent   Four journeys of faith among hundreds marked here   DPC considers direction, importance of youth ministry   Richard Jusseaume named as Walsh University’s sixth president   Pro-life dinner heralds new beginning in Stark County   Kids at church   Religious day studies resurrection amid culture of violence   Richard Jusseaume named as Walsh University’s sixth president   Keynoter: Eucharist should change us   Speaker: ‘Truth’ key concept in Gospel of John   Parishes offer Lenten missions for spiritual enrichment   Parishes offer Lenten missions, speakers series   Working in Medjugorje   TV anchorman finds faith not incompatible with journalism   Action alert on cloning set in diocese for Feb. 2-3   Austintown parishioner finds fulfillment in El Salvador   ‘Where Faith and Knowledge Meet’   Resisting TEMPTATION: It’s worth the effort, teens say   4th annual Diocesan Pro-life Mass set Jan. 26   Catholic/Lutheran dialogue, death of Walsh president top news   Diocese helping Afghanistan relief   Past Articles From 2001