The Valley Catholic September 19, 2017 | Page 4

4 IN THE DIOCESE September 19, 2017 | The Valley Catholic Outdoor Crypts - Niches - Cremation Burial Garden Family Estates - Children and Mercy Plots Father Joe Kim, Director of Vocations for the Diocese, fourth from the left, joins the seven seminar- ians from the Diocese who are now attending Mundelein Seminary in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Joining him are (from left, back row) Deacon Francis Kalaw, Deacon Edgar Elamparo, Deacon Eric Piczon and (from left, front row) John Hoang, Victor Trinidad, Robain Lamba, Manuel Barrios. Seminarians Stay Connected to Diocese While Far From Home D i s co u nt s During Co n s t r u c t i o n Ap p o i nt m e nt s Ava i l a b l e N ow As thousands of young people started the new school year here in Santa Clara County, the Diocese of San Jose’s seminarians began their academic year at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake Mundelein Seminary in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Their academic year started on Au- gust 21 with a week-long retreat. On August 28, they began their normal schedule of prayer, Eucharist, theo- logical lectures, discussion groups, spiritual direction, reading, class meet- ings, local pastoral work and exercise (including joining the Mundelein basketball team). The seven San Jose seminarians join 198 other seminar- ians from dioceses around the country and world, including Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle, Wichita, Hanoi, and Kiyinda- Mityana, Uganda. On August 30, Cardinal Blase Cupich, the Archbishop of Chicago, celebrated the Mass of the Holy Spirit, a customary start for Catholic aca- demic institutions. Cardinal Cupich challenged the seminarians, especially the 36 entering into their first year of theological studies, to be filled with the Holy Spirit which enables them to forgive and unite as Jesus did. The San Jose seminarians have been warmly welcomed by Cardinal Cupich, the rector, Father John Kartje, faculty and staff. The Vice Rector, Father Brian Wel- ter, went as far as carrying the heavy bags of the seminarians much to the humbling surprise of Robain Lamba, a San Jose seminarian starting his second year of theology. Our seven seminarians are looking forward to the formation at Mundelein which includes studies in the Holy Land, summer hospital work back in the Bay Area, and pastoral work in