by Fr. Brian Kane
Rector, St. Gregory the Great
Seminary; Director of Seminarians
About this time each year, parishioners across the Diocese of Lincoln scour the Southern Nebraska Register or the diocesan website, looking to see whether any of the priests at their parishes are being transferred. It can be a difficult day for some who have come to appreciate the presence of the pastor or his assistant. It can also be a difficult time for priests as they say goodbye to the people who have been their parishioners and with whom they have shared much.
The movement of priests from assignment to assignment is a regular topic in seminary formation. Through these transfers, a priest acquires the skills that help him deepen relationships with a large number of people, connecting with them on many levels, through his preaching, counsel in the confessional, teaching in schools and countless visits to parishioners’ homes, the homebound, nursing homes and hospitals.
I have always had a difficult time saying goodbye when I leave an assignment. I remember experiences at each stop. Sadness is mixed with gratitude and the promise to pray for one another. I recently attended a funeral near one of my previous parishes. I had the chance to say hello to quite a few familiar faces. Driving home that afternoon, I marveled at one of the amazing experiences of the priesthood—getting to know so many people from a wide variety of places.
The other side of new assignments is the excitement and joy of meeting new people, getting settled in an unfamiliar place, and asking the Lord what He has planned. A priest has an opportunity to use the talents that God has given him in one place and a new opportunity to build on the hard work of the priest he is replacing.
Just as there are challenging goodbyes at a parish, we have similar goodbyes at the seminary. This year, St. Gregory the Great Seminary bids farewell to two important people on our campus: Father James Divis and Sister Carmen Flores.
Father Divis arrived at the seminary in June 2000, just as a new chapel was about to be dedicated. The seminary had been in operation for only two years. Father Divis replaced Msgr. Raymond Hain; big shoes to fill! For the last 24 years, Father Divis has been the peaceful presence of Jesus in the confessional, the thoughtful and creative voice in the pulpit and the gentle spiritual leader of our seminary. This year, he celebrates 48 years of priesthood and will be retiring in a parish and providing assistance to local priests in the area.
We also say goodbye to Sister Carmen Flores. Sister Carmen is a member of the Franciscan Apostolic Sisters. Her order has served at St. Gregory the Great Seminary since its opening in 1998. The Franciscan Apostolic Sisters order is based in the Philippines and staffs several apostolates in the United States. In another column, I’d like to share more about how valuable it is to have the Sisters helping us in forming future priests.
Sister Carmen has played an important role in our community as a witness of prayer and service to the Lord as a religious sister—a wonderful example for our seminarians to emulate. And … the sisters prepare the best seminary meals in the country!
Sister Carmen served here the first time from 2007 to 2012, then returned in 2014. She leaves us, having served here for 15 years. It is not always easy being so far from home, missing important family events, deaths in the family and members of her family. Sr. Carmen’s sacrifice, along with that of the two other sisters who care for us here, is a powerful witness of giving one’s life to Jesus completely.
If you would like to say goodbye to Father Divis and Sister Carmen, please join us for an open house on Sunday, April 28, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the seminary (800 Fletcher Rd. Seward, NE 68434). You are also welcome to join us for Solemn Vespers at 5:30 p.m. that day.
