Huntington - It's not surprising that the dozen new students at the Immaculate Conception Seminary in Huntington have a special nickname: the 12 apostles.
To some people this number could be a random coincidence; others call it a gift that binds the class together and inspires them to live like Christ's disciples. The rector acknowledges the number's special significance and adds, "They (the seminarians) feel that way too," notes Msgr. Francis Schneider.
Seminarian Rob Ketchum, 25, a parishioner of St. John the Evangelist in Center Moriches, who is certified to teach English and elementary education, believes his class is "already a brotherhood," especially since they "share God's call to be priests."
Some class members identify with specific apostles. Seminarian Bob Holz, 43, an accountant for 20 years, particularly identifies with Matthew, the tax collector. "Matthew was doing well; he wasn't offending anyone but it wasn't enough...There he was counting his money and God calls, 'Follow me,'" explained Mr. Holz, a parishioner of St. Martin of Tours in Bethpage. "The same thing happened to me."
Mr. Holz was one step away from becoming a partner in his accounting firm when he decided to respond to God's persistent whisper-like call. Mr. Holz had felt called to the priesthood since he was an altar boy serving Mass at St. Matthew's Church in Dix Hills. "God doesn't give up; I often wished he would, but he didn't," he said. "So, I gave up," he said with a smile.
James Rodriguez, 22, shares his name with two apostles: James the Lesser and James the Greater. Although he is the youngest and the second shortest in his class, Mr. Rodriguez doesn't necessarily relate to James the Lesser (who was called "lesser" because of his age or stature). "I am somewhere in between," said Mr. Rodriguez, a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament in Jackson Heights. "I'm in the middle," he said. He admires James the Lesser as the first bishop of Jerusalem, but he also feels connected to James the Greater, son of Zebedee and brother of the Apostle John, because Mr. Rodriguez visited his burial site in Spain.
"I like John, the favorite disciple," said Gonzalo Lopez, 37, originally from Los Amates, Guatemala who is a parishioner of Our Holy Redeemer in Freeport. He laughs self-consciously for choosing the most beloved apostle, but he quickly explains in accented English, "He was a model of how to love Jesus Christ. Every disciple has his own form of love, his own way he loves Jesus." Mr. Lopez appreciates the way John stayed with Jesus while he suffered on the cross. "He was there when Jesus died."
Mr. Ketchum and Timothy Sigerson, both parishioners of St. John the Evangelist in Center Moriches, wanted to enter the seminary together (following Christ's call together as did the pairs of brothers among the apostles: Andrew and Peter, and Zebedee's sons, James and John).
"We used to joke around all the time, 'Let's go together' or 'Don't go without me,'" said Mr. Ketchum. Now, the seminarians are in the same class by chance or by blessing: Mr. Ketchum entered after he finished a year at the Cathedral Seminary Residence of the Immaculate Conception in Douglaston (preparing to enter the seminary) and Mr. Sigerson entered the seminary after finishing the school year teaching at Bishop McGann-Mercy High School in Riverhead. "We believe it's providential," said Mr. Ketchum.
Although most of the apostles were Galileans, the students in the seminary have diverse family backgrounds from Poland, Vietnam, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Colombia, Trinidad, Grenada, Mexico, United States, Haiti and Philippines, informed Msgr. Schneider.
"There is no commonality when it comes to vocations," said Father Thomas Coogan, the diocesan vocation director. "We have a diversity of age. We have some people right out of college and men who are in their 40s who worked in the world first. There are some who were born in other countries and others grew up here in Long Island. There is also a diversity of gifts: some are musicians and others are artists."
Tim Sigerson knew he wanted to become a priest even before he was Catholic. He had worked for the Catholic Church as a teen-ager at a summer camp and later as a sacristan. One day, he witnessed Msgr. James McDonald, pastor of St. John the Evangelist at the time, administer sacraments to a sick person in the hospital.
It was then he realized his vocation. At 19, he converted from Judaism and was baptized, received Communion and was confirmed. Now, at 26, he is pursuing a path towards the priesthood.
Classmates include Lachlan Cameron of Holy Spirit in New Hyde Park, Christopher Costigan of St. Christopher in Baldwin, Patrick Longalong of St. Nicholas of Tolentine in Jamaica, Daniel Reehil of St. Aidan in Williston Park, Allan Sikorski of Sacred Heart in Island Park, Thomas Tassone of St. Martha in Uniondale and Allan Arneaud.
The "12 apostles" are the largest incoming class in the past 10 years, said Father Coogan. The seminarians will follow a five-year program which includes four years of study and one year working in a parish setting. |
