By Fr. Matthew Rolling,
academic dean and teacher at St Gregory the Great Seminary
SEWARD – All the faithful of the Diocese are invited to St. Gregory the Great Seminary, 800 Fletcher Rd., Seward, April 18 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. for its monthly Visitor Sunday.
Through the generosity of the people of the Diocese of Lincoln, St. Gregory’s Seminary is able to offer a privileged place of prayer and study for young men who want to discern more intensely a priestly vocation. The seminary is meant to be a source of blessing not only for those who come to study, but for all the faithful of the diocese. For that reason, all are welcome to stop by for a visit Sunday, April 18. Visitors are invited to take a tour of some of the public areas of the building including the library, some classrooms, the dining room, and of course the beautiful Chapel of the Immaculate Conception.
Visitor Sundays provide the Seminary with an opportunity to open its doors to the faithful of the diocese to spend time with the seminarians and allow a closer look at the life of those discerning a vocation to the priesthood. That closer look may involve not only a chance for quiet prayer in the chapel, but also a cup of coffee or a homemade cookie from the Franciscan Apostolic Sisters who staff the seminary kitchen.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the seminary community has not been able to open its doors to the public since March 2020. With the recent relaxing of health restrictions, Father Jeffrey Eickhoff, rector of St. Gregory’s, decided to resume the monthly open house. The seminarians have welcomed this return to normal, noting that it is a joy and a privilege to “show off” this place they call home.
In accord with local health requirements, visitors are recommended – but not required – to wear masks when at the seminary. In spite of these restrictions, the seminary community looks forward to welcoming guests into the house once more.
Because the seminary serves as a place for young men to grow as disciples of Christ and more intensely discern a possible priestly vocation, Visitor Sundays are also a great time for other young men considering a vocation to the priesthood to stop by the seminary. In addition to these times, the seminary, in conjunction with the Vocation office for the diocese, also periodically hosts the St. Andrew Apostolate, which allows young men to spend a Sunday evening at the seminary, praying, eating, and socializing with the seminarians. The next St. Andrew’s Apostolate will take place Sunday, April 18, the same day as Visitor Sunday.
Lastly, St. Gregory’s Seminary is also excited to open its doors for the second annual “Table of St. Gregory” benefit banquet Sunday, April 11. While all available spaces have been reserved for the evening meal, the public are welcome to attend a vocal concert – free of charge – with the seminarians at 3:30 p.m. in the seminary chapel.
Father Eickhoff as well as the faculty, staff, and seminarians of St. Gregory the Great Seminary remain grateful for all the support offered by the faithful throughout the Diocese of Lincoln as well as those outside the diocese.
