ADVANCING THE MISSION those gathered . “ I think how privileged you all are to be able to say , ‘ We Are Sacred Heart .’ By your support and your friendship and above all your prayer and all the ways you support the seminary , you are very much a part of what God is trying to accomplish .
When Archbishop Vigneron first walked into the seminary building as a thirteen-year-old in 1962 , he said he was afraid he would never find his way out of the labyrinth of hallways and classrooms .
“ In some sense , I never did find my way out ,” the archbishop quipped . “ But this trusteeship is important to me because of how important the seminary is to the kingdom of God . I am very grateful for your support .”
In addition to celebrating the seminary and its supporters , the gala served as a send-off for , Msgr . Todd Lajiness , who has served as rector of the seminary for nine years and as a member of its faculty for nineteen years . Msgr . Lajiness , who has been assigned to serve as administrator of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Plymouth , will be succeeded by Fr . Stephen Burr as Sacred Heart ’ s fourteenth rector on July 1 .
“ There is a real sense of gratitude for what God has done over these nineteen years ,” Msgr . Lajiness said . “ I ’ ve seen God ’ s grace at work through the faculty and the students . The support of our benefactors on an evening such as tonight is unbelievable . The clearest sense I have on a night like tonight is just a deep gratitude for what God has done .”
Msgr . Lajiness said he will miss being part of the formation team that prepares seminarians and lay students for ministry . Fr . Burr said he is grateful for Msgr . Lajiness and hopes to carry the mantle as beautifully as his predecessor did .
“ At Sacred Heart Major Seminary , we are formed after Jesus Christ , and it is our role to make happy , holy , healthy priests and ministers for the local church and beyond ,” said Father Burr , then serving as Vice-Rector . “ We get to do that through all the pillars of formation : through the human , spiritual , pastoral , and intellectual . We have the greatest faculty around .”
Far removed from last year ’ s gala , which was held virtually because of COVID-19 restrictions , this year ’ s event allowed seminarians , alumni , and supporters to interact face-to-face , while reflecting on the evening ’ s theme : “ Credo ,” or “ I Believe .”
All of this formation is done because of the theme of the evening , “ Credo ,” Msgr . Lajiness said in his remarks .
“‘ Credo ’ is at the heart of who I am and who you are ,” Msgr . Lajiness said . “ We are who we are because we believe . We do what we do at the seminary because we believe .”
Msgr . Lajiness ’ words were echoed by seminarians and students who attend and support the seminary because of their deep belief .
“ The seminary is one of the best ways to get to know Jesus Christ himself ,” said Evan Sekerak , a second-year seminarian for the Diocese of Toledo . “ That is what
Seminarians , donors , priests , and deacons mingle at the event . ( John F . Martin , Photographer ) we are here for ; we are here to grow in virtue and to grow closer to him , and I don ’ t think there is any better way to do that .”
Eileen Newell is a student at the seminary , currently finishing her thesis for her master ’ s in theology . She said being a student at the seminary is a way for her to deepen her faith .
“ I serve in the church in various capacities . I sit on the Archbishop ’ s Catholic Schools Council and a few other organizations and communities throughout the church ,” Newell said . “ Attending Sacred Heart is a way to deepen my ability to be able to serve the church .”
For Dan Weingartz , whose family owns and operates Weingartz , an outdoor power equipment supply company , and is the longtime sponsor of the gala ’ s raffle , supporting the seminary is a blessing .“ We are honored to be a part of the formation that happens there , I really believe that there are miracles happening at the seminary every day .” shms . edu 21