This and That:
Five New Faces for the New School Year
Our Lady of Grace is one of 15 “learning parishes” for St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Roland Park, right here in Baltimore. Last year the Seminary came to a realization that completely revamped its pastoral training program for men studying for the priesthood. The “rude awakening” was that with the clergy shortage, they had to begin preparing men to become pastors within a few years after ordination. No longer did we have the luxury of having a newly ordained priest go through the process of being 2nd curate, then getting moved to another parish after four years to become 1st curate and eventually a pastor after 8 to 12 years. As a result, St. Mary’s devised a way to give seminarians four years of experience – one year in each of four parishes – learning from selected pastors how best to pastor. It is an honor for Our Lady of Grace to be such a designated parish site. Something about each of our four seminarians with the focus of each year and how they will fulfill that focus here in our parish follows. They will be on hand each weekend at two Masses; please take the time to say hello and get to know them better. What follows the seminarians is information on our Permanent Deacon Candidate.
ERIN BROWN is a deacon studying for the Diocese of Trenton, New Jersey. Last year, he served at St. Francis de Sales parish in Abingdon. He is looking forward to serving here at Our Lady of Grace and after just a few weeks with us says, “It’s a real blessing.” The Seminary has stated the following as parameters for his ministry among us: Diaconal Service, Preaching, and Coordinator of the Seminarian Team. Erin will be preaching on the 4th Sunday of the month at two Masses. He will also do group Baptisms on the 1st Sunday of each month, as well as and wake services. He will also be responsible for communication regarding the team.
TIM BALLIETT is in third theology and studying for the Diocese of Erie, Pennsylvania. He is a native of Erie and his diocesan assignment is at St. Tobias Parish in Brockway. He will be ordained a deacon this coming April. Before entering the seminary, he earned degrees in psychology at Gannon University in Erie and at Penn State. The Seminary parameters for Tim are teaching, responsibility for a ministerial project, and working collaboratively with the parish staff. Tim’s learning contract with us includes being a member of the RCIA Team. His “project” will be setting up a formation program for RCIA sponsors. He will also assist in giving Sacramental Preparation Workshops and make guest appearances at Religious Education classes.
JULIAN CRESPO is from Colombia, South America. He is studying for the Diocese of Raleigh, North Carolina. Julian is in second Theology. He looks forward to continue learning more from our culture and the way we experience our spirituality. The Seminary has asked us to place Julian in situations where he can learn to minister to sick and suffering, as well as helping us promote solidarity and justice. His learning contract includes: hospital visitation, visiting the homebound, going to Manor Care with our youth each month, and being present when I have Bereavement Sessions with families who have lost a loved one.
MICHAEL HALL is also studying for the Diocese of Trenton, New Jersey and is in first theology after finishing a year of Pre-Theology also at St. Mary’s. He is 28 years old and, after going to Restaurant School in Philadelphia, spent five years as a Restaurant and Hotel Manager in Princeton, New Jersey. “After 14 years of involvement in Youth Ministry for my home parish,” he states, “I was not able to shake the urge inside me to take my faith to another level. I contacted my Diocesan Vocation director and the rest is history.” Michael is looking forward to spending a year in what he calls “such a vibrant parish.” He is happy to have us be a part of his journey to the priesthood. With Michael as a 1st year man, the Seminary would like him to understand the pastoral dynamics of our parish. His contract involves: watching how systems work here at Our Lady of Grace, discerning the local Theology, that is what ecclesiology is operating (e.g. how pastor and staff relate to the people, what their celebration of Mass is like, what kind of a parish are we?) and some participation in ministry. Michael will: attend meetings of councils and committees, discuss systems with Pastoral Team members, shadow Elaine Hagner, our Parish Administrator, and serve as Catechist in Middle School Religious Education class.
In addition to the four seminarians we also have the good fortune of having an individual studying for the Permanent Diaconate. As Deacon Fred Passauer, last year, John Koester will be with us through his ordination to the Diaconate on May 19, 2007. We will be seeing lots of him and we welcome him and his wife Susan to our parish family.
JOHN KOESTER grew up in Baltimore City and has lived in Harford County since 1984. His wife Susan is from Massachusetts. They are members of St. Margaret Parish in Bel Air. He is beginning his final year of classes for the formation program for the Archdiocese of Baltimore and is looking forward, as he puts it, “If the Lord wills,” to his ordination. John is pleased to be at Our Lady of Grace for this very important and final year of formation. He already feels very welcome. John’s pastoral year with us will include: oversight of Saturday and Sunday evening Masses, preaching on the 4th weekend of the month, Baptism Preparation sessions and Baptism set-up, shadowing Father Nick in Marriage Preparation sessions, wedding rehearsals and bereavement sessions, teaching sessions of the RCIA, reviving our Parish Nurse Program, and attending Pastoral Team meetings.
Should you wish to chat with any of the seminarians or John, they would be happy to respond to your emails. Their addresses are as follows:
➢ Erin Brown: ebrown@stmarys.edu
➢ Tim Balliett: tballiett@stmarys.edu
➢ Julian Crespo: crespojulian@hotmail.com
➢ Michael Hall: mhall@stmarys.edu
➢ John Koester: jwkinmd@clearviewcatv.net
Fondly,
Father Nick Amato
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