SEMINARIAN SPOTLIGHT
The Sacred Heart Difference
Deacon David Snow , SOLT
It was a Saturday morning at Sacred Heart , and I was preparing the liturgy lab . On several occasions during my childhood in Kansas City , I had witnessed what I was about to practice and had even served for my pastor when it happened , but now , I was preparing to do it on my own . After setting up the tripod and camera , I walked across the room to double-check my supplies . Was there water in the font ? Yes . A shell for pouring ? Check . Towels , candles , oil , white garment ? All present and accounted for . Did I have the right pages marked in my book ? What about a baby doll ? Both ready to go . My checklist complete , I went out to the seminary parking lot and greeted the family who was arriving to play the parts of mom , dad , and godmother . I brought them to the liturgy lab and led them through a recorded practice baptism for my sacramental practicum class . Though it was not yet the real thing , it felt great to rehearse a sacrament ! When we were finished after about 25 minutes , that baby doll had been baptized for probably the thousandth time . More importantly , I was that much more prepared for real sacramental ministry .
About six months later , I was ordained to the sacred diaconate . Words cannot describe the powerful moment when the bishop laid his hands on my head . The closest I can come is to say I experienced an overwhelming rush of peace and power pouring over me . It was a moment I will never forget .
In the months leading up to that big day , I had several conversations with my superior , Father Mark Wendling , about where I would be going for the summer before my final year of seminary . I had requested and received confirmation that I would be staying in Michigan to minister alongside the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity ( SOLT ) priests , brothers , and sisters at the newly formed family of parishes in southwest Detroit . Just four days before my ordination , though , Father Wendling informed me that there had been a change of plans :
I would be assigned instead to assist our community ’ s priests at St . Anthony ’ s parish in Robstown , Texas . It was the last thing I had expected . Not long afterward , however , I realized what an adventure it would be ! God was calling me to serve where I had never served before ; he was sending me out to preach , teach , and baptize just like the apostles ( Mt 28:18-20 ).
Not two weeks ordained , I traveled to Robstown . Not two weeks after that , I found myself in the church , checking my supplies . They were all there : font , candle , water , shell , towels , white garments — everything was the same . . . except for two crucial things : no plain olive oil and no baby doll . Instead , there was the blessed Oil of Catechumens , the Sacred Chrism consecrated by the bishop , and real babies — flesh and blood , body and soul — ready to be cleansed of original sin and marked for eternal life in Christ . The time for ministry had begun . Glory to God !
I am extremely grateful for my time of preparation here at Sacred Heart ; for the opportunities I have had to grow in faith and in relationship with Jesus ; for the challenges that have called me out of myself , that have made me rise to the occasion ; for my wonderful seminary brothers who are on the same journey and who have provided me great support and friendship . I am thankful for so many other things , which I do not have time to mention . Least of all , I am thankful for the opportunities I have had to prepare for administering the sacraments , to develop the skills I will need to bring God ’ s people to a real encounter with their savior , Jesus Christ . I hope and pray that the story I have shared here illustrates not only the difference that ordination has made in my life but also the difference that Sacred Heart has made in preparing me for ordained ministry . Now that I am in my final year of seminary , I look forward to celebrating the sacraments as a deacon during the rest of this year and , God-willing , as a priest for the rest of my life . shms . edu 21