SEWARD (SNR/SGGS) – St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward is starting 2022 with a variety of activities for the people of the Diocese of Lincoln.
They will host "Visitor Sunday" Jan. 30, a discernment weekend March 11-13 for those men considering a call to the priesthood, and the "Table of St. Gregory" benefit dinner March 20.
The seminary, located at 800 Fletcher Road in Seward, is a place of prayerful consideration of God’s gifts, and it provides an opportunity for young men to discern whether God is calling them to serve Him in a very special way, in the sacramental priesthood.
People across the diocese are invited Sunday, Jan. 30, to experience the seminary and see where the future priests live, pray, study and learn to grow in intimacy with God.
Visitor Sunday activities will begin with Mass at 10 a.m. and conclude with Evening Prayer at 5:30 p.m., with visitors invited to participate in all or part of the day’s activities. Visitors are also invited to take optional tours of the seminary from 11 a.m. to 1p.m., including the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception.
“Visitor Sundays give the seminary an opportunity to open its doors and share with the faithful of the diocese the beautiful gift that the seminary is and allow them to get a closer look at the life of those discerning a priestly vocation,” said rector Father Brian Kane.
There will be time for prayer in the chapel and conversation with the seminarians.
Young men who may be considering a priestly vocation are invited to visit the seminary March 11-13 for a discernment retreat. This retreat, which begins on Friday and ends on Sunday, will give young men who are high school juniors and seniors, as well as college students and recent graduates, a chance to spend time with priests and seminarians at St. Gregory the Great.
The weekend will include time in prayer and adoration, talks on seminary life, and social time with the seminarians. For more information about the retreat, call the seminary at 402-643-4052.
The annual “Table of St. Gregory” benefit dinner will be held March 20 with Bishop James D. Conley and the priests and seminarians of St. Gregory the Great.
The evening will begin with Solemn Vespers at 5 p.m. A social hour will follow at 5:30 p.m., and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m.
Tables of 10 will be available; the cost is $75 a plate. Dress is business casual. To register, call the seminary or visit https://www.betterunite.com/tableofstgregory. The evening will conclude about 8:30 p.m.
“The faculty, staff and seminarians of St. Gregory the Great are grateful for the prayerful and financial support of the faithful of the Diocese of Lincoln as well as our benefactors outside the diocese,” Father Kane said.
