HERE AT THE HEART
Most seminary students have the option of taking courses online , should they choose . While professors are structuring classes so students can attend in person , Sacred Heart also uses the Canvas Learning Management System to support its online and seated courses .
“ Those who may be at risk or are uncomfortable attending classes inperson had many online class options to choose from this fall ,” Gerlach said . “ About half of all lay commuters enrolled this fall are taking at least one online class . So you can see how appealing this option is amidst the pandemic .”
Some pandemic casualties this year include the cancellation of the seminary ’ s annual Halloween Trick-or- Treat neighborhood event , liturgies in which seminarians ’ families are invited , and the annual Christmas concert .
An Alpha course seminarians had been helping lead at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Plymouth as part of their field education has also been substituted with an online Alpha course hosted from the school ’ s grounds .
But for all of the changes and challenges , men still have the desire to study for the priesthood , and lay disciples want to learn more about their faith and equip themselves for ministry . This year , thirty-two new seminarians are enrolled , on par with last year , when thirty-one new men entered .
On the commuter side , this year ’ s 292 students is a slight drop from last years ’ 311 , but considering the circumstances , enrollment is still beating expectations , Gerlach said .
“ While everyone in higher education was concerned students would not return to classes this fall , we found that our lay commuter students really wanted to continue their education and formation , and find strength and support in the Sacred Heart community they love so dearly ,” Gerlach said . “ The seminary and Archdiocese offer generous financial assistance to those in ministry and so the economic challenges many people are facing today are not keeping them from continuing .”
While COVID-19 has changed some of the approach to education and formation , God is still calling men to the priesthood , even in the midst of a pandemic , said Father Craig Giera , director of priestly vocations for the Archdiocese of Detroit .
“ The men I ’ m speaking with now seem to have a calling in their heart to serve other people , doing things that are meaningful ,” Father Giera said . “ They feel God is speaking to them in their hearts and are open to the priesthood .”
While no one has specifically said COVID-19 spurred them to discern a vocation , Father Giera said , “ some have felt the situation has helped them focus on something they have felt for a very long time .”
The Archdiocese of Detroit added three new seminarians this year , with twenty-six men in total currently studying for the priesthood .
Father Giera , in his first year as vocations director , said his office soon will launch a campaign to encourage Catholics in southeast Michigan to pray the Luminous Mysteries of the rosary for an increase in vocations .
“ The Luminous Mysteries are how Christ manifests who he was ,” Father Giera said . “ The Luminous Mysteries are about Christ ’ s very public priesthood , and we want to encourage men to take up that public priesthood .”
Thirteen dioceses currently send seminarians to Sacred Heart for formation , but a new — or rather , returning — addition this year is the Diocese of Gary , Ind . The diocese , led by
Detroit native Bishop Robert McClory , has two new seminarians at Sacred Heart .
“ The demographics and economics between Gary and Detroit are very similar , so we feel it ’ s a good place for our priests to study ,” Father Christopher Stanish , associate director of vocations for the Diocese of Gary and a graduate of Sacred Heart Major Seminary , told Detroit Catholic .
Another factor in the diocese ’ s decision was Sacred Heart ’ s reputation for forming men according to the New Evangelization , Father Stanish said .
“ Sacred Heart is a hub of studies for the New Evangelization , and this is a great place to be formed for the priesthood of Jesus Christ ,” Father Stanish said . “ Whether for those sitting in the church or those fallen away , knowing nothing of Jesus , Sacred Heart does a great job in forming the heart of a shepherd .”
Besides Detroit and Gary , other dioceses represented at Sacred Heart including Lansing ( 16 seminarians ), Marquette ( seven ), Kalamazoo ( five ), Gaylord ( two ), Saginaw ( four ), Hartford , Conn . ( 8 ), Winona-Rochester , Minn . ( eight ), Steubenville , Ohio ( three ), Toledo , Ohio ( three ), Madison , Wis . ( two ), and the Chaldean Eparchy of St . Thomas the Apostle ( seven ).
Three religious communities — the Companions of the Cross ( sixteen ), Franciscan Friars of the Holy Spirit ( five ), and the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity ( SOLT ) ( four )— also send seminarians to Sacred Heart .
The men I ’ m speaking with now seem to have a calling in their heart to serve other people , doing things that are meaningful . They feel God is speaking to them in their hearts and are open to the priesthood .”
— Father Craig Giera shms . edu 29