Seminarians Take Advantage of Fall Break This past week was Mount St. Mary’s Fall Break, and the men did not fail to take advantage of the time off for relaxation, fraternity, and spiritual growth. While a good percentage of the house typically returns home during the academic breaks, this year four groups of seminarians enjoyed an exciting week off from school with a variety of memorable activities.
A total of 25 men from the recently formed New Evangelization Club participated in the second campus mission trip to George Mason University in Braddock, VA. After making a similar trip during last year’s Spring Break, the club, led by Thomas Cavanaugh (S’ 13, Arlington) and Thomas Gallagher (S’15, Arlington) once again invaded the campus of George Mason this past Wednesday through Friday in an attempt to bring Christ to campus through one on one dialogue with undergraduate students.
From Sunday to Wednesday of the break, another group of ten seminarians traveled to World’s End Park to camp, hike, and pray in the midst of the beautiful mountains, trails, and streams of the north-central Pennsylvania Appalachian mountains. The annual camping trip was begun by five seminarians in the Spring of 2008. The tradition has continued each year since with Deacons Mark Starr (Atlanta) and Greg Haman (Fargo) spearheading the trip this year.

The ten seminarians hailing from Wichita, KS traveled as a group to the Outer Banks, NC where they rented a house on the ocean for the week. Despite the chilly temperatures in many parts of the country this time of year, the Wichita men found the ocean waters to be comfortable enough for swimming, spending a great amount of time in the North Carolina water while also growing together as diocesan brothers. Perhaps the greatest achievement was the construction of a mammoth sand castle which had passing cars stopping to take pictures and inspect the fine work built by the skilled hands from Wichita.
Lastly, a group of eight seminarians traveled with Mount faculty members, Fr. Frederick Miller and Fr. Ken Brighenti, along with two other priests to Ars, France on pilgrimage and retreat at the sites made famous by St. Jean Marie Vianney. In Ars, Fr. Miller led his eighth retreat time on the theme of “The Spirituality of the Diocesan Priesthood” in the very town made famous by the patron saint of priests. Over the five days on retreat, Fr. Miller explained how the extraordinary Curé of Ars is an example for those already ordained, or those preparing for the priesthood. Before returning to the United States, the group was blessed to spend a day in Paray-le-Monial where Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque assigning her with the mission of spreading devotion to his Sacred Heart. The pilgrimage was beneficial in innumerable ways, and the men will continue to reap the benefits of this memorable 2011 Fall Break for years to come.