THE GRAY ROBES

SUMMER 2012

Rector Cornered
Dear Friends and Benefactors, The Scriptures tell us the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the owers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land (Song of Songs 2:11-12). This might be the perfect description of the spring semester here in Detroit. Many of the bulbs Fr Brady Williams and seeds that were planted are nally beginning to bud and blossom. The imagery could apply to nally settling beautifully into our new situation and environment as well as to each persons vocational discernment. There is a more harmonious tune being sung. All that was sown in the fall and winter is now ready to be harvested in their eld education experience coming this summer. Everyone is anxious to go and proclaim the Good News to everyone in every place they are sent. The missions will span from North Dakota to Central America. A few will even stay here in Detroit. Our seminarians entering Theology II will rst be going to Europe for a pilgrimage through the places where Western Christianity rst took root and spread through the land (Ps 80). This experience is made possible through a generous donation from Monsignor Monforton, Rector of Sacred Heart Major Seminary. I am particularly grateful for his liberality. The harvest is ready and the laborers are many. Let us pray that a rich harvest of souls in love with Christ may be gathered this summer. -Fr Brady
RECTOR Fr Brady Williams 313.799.7797 frbrady.solt@gmail.com SEMINARIAN SPONSORSHIP Mr Mike Pond 361.387.8090 SOLT HOUSE OF STUDIES Holy Redeemer Parish 1721 Junction St. Detroit, MI 48209 313.842.3450

The Gray Robes

Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity American Region Seminarians Summer 2012 Theology IV Br Al, The Philippines Br John C, Ireland Br John M, Connecticut Br Juan, Mexico Br Michael Mary, Montana Br Patrick, Michigan Theology III Br Beau, Idaho Br Francis, Nevada Br Michael, Texas Br Tristan, Cayman Islands Theology II Br Jeremy, Kansas Br Peter Mire, Ireland Br Peter, Arizona Philosophy IV Br John R, California Br Joseph Mary, Louisiana Philosophy III Br Timothy, Canada

Serving Detroits Special Needs Children

Br Peter goes every Saturday to minister to special needs children in the Archdiocese of Detroit.

Let the Children Come to Me . . .

The students made Irish soda bread from scratch for their friends and family. We remember that God can work miracles, turning a little dough into bread for all.

for to Such Belongs the Kingdom of God

Mark 10:14

THANK YOU

BENEFACTORS !

FOOD TUITION PRAYERS TRANSPORTATION

ENCOURAGEMENT RESOURCES TO SERVE

THANK YOU

BENEFACTORS !

Draw Close to God in the Eucharist

The center of our life is the Eucharist. Whether receiving our Lord in Communion, spending a quiet moment with Him in the tabernacle, or worshipping Him in adoration, we discover lifes meaning in Christ. Our life ows from encounters with Him. I want to share some insights with you to help bring Christ into the heart of your life. THANK AND PRAISE GOD Eucharist means thanksgiving. In the early Church, St Luke and St Paul tell us that at the Last Supper Jesus gave thanks (Lk 22:19 and 1 Cor 11:24). Repeated use of this phrase developed into our word, Eucharist. Thanking God characterizes how Christians have always worshipped. A very important part of my prayer life is thanking and praising God for the joys and benets He gives me. PRAY THROUGH YOUR BODY Body and soul are so interconnected that a sick body can pull the soul into depression, while a joyful soul can help a sick body recover faster. Worshiping through our bodies can help us better pray with our minds and hearts. Allow your body to help you raise your mind to God. Kneeling, singing, and bringing yourself before the Eucharist all lead us into closer union with God. BRING OTHERS TO CHRIST THROUGH THE EUCHARIST We are not alone in adoration; as members of the Body of Christ we bring everyone else with us, especially our family, friends, and those who are in our prayers. My life has the daily benet of adoration and Mass. God wants me to share these gifts with others. My actions either bring the whole Church closer to Christ or pull it away from Him. Therefore, God gives me joy in helping me to see that anytime I am in adoration, I can have you with me and in some way help to lift you up. Thanks be to God!
by Br Michael

In the Footsteps of the Saints

As part of their formation at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, men entering Second Year Theology will spend Marys month of May on pilgrimage in Europe.

St Peters Basilica, Rome Br Peter Mire: This will be my rst visit to Rome, the heart of the Church and resting place of my patron saint. It will be a time of grace.

Br Jeremy, Br Peter Mire, and Br Peter join these diocesan pilgrims.

Br Jeremy: We will visit the Abbey of Cluny, France, cradle of the great Church reform from the 10th century, which spawned 2,000 new monasteries. St Odo, second abbot of Cluny, guided the monks, displaying the joy of a humble, austere life devoted to contemplative prayer, the Eucharist, and Our Lady. Abbot Odo and the monks inspire me to live and love more radically. Abbey of Cluny

Br Peter: I am excited to visit the convent of St Teresa of Avila in Spain. Her advice on prayer has helped me tremendously. While I tend to complicate prayer by insisting on accomplishing something in it, she describes prayer as talking to your best friend. So in prayer, I simply talk to my best friend, who is Love Itself. St Teresa of Avila

Maturing in Ministry
Br Al and Br Patrick were instituted as acolytes. Acolytes assist the priest and deacon at the altar and, if necessary, help distribute Holy Communion.

Br Michael receives Lectionary Br Beau, Br Francis, Br Michael and Br Tristan were instituted as lectors. Lectors proclaim the reading and responsorial psalm, and announce the intentions in the prayer of the faithful at Mass.

Br Al receives ciborium

Entering Deeper into the Church

It has been my privilege the last six months to prepare three persons for the sacraments of Conrmation and First Holy Communion. In these months Ive witnessed each person mature and grow in the Faith. Ryan Carroll, 25, answers a few questions about his experience that wed like to share with you. HOW HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED JESUS DIFFERENTLY? I have been able to see some things in life better now, understanding why they have happened, and realizing that they would not have been possible without God and his grace. HOW HAS YOUR LIFE CHANGED? PRAYER WHY IS RECEIVING CONFIRMATION AND EUCHARIST IMPORTANT TO YOU? Receiving these sacraments will strengthen my Catholic faith, and my relationships with God and the Church.
HOW DOES YOUR FAITH MAKE YOU A MORE COMPLETE PERSON IN YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE?

I make a conscious effort everyday to have that moment with God. I am beginning to feel a connection with Him, and this relationship grows stronger everyday I pray.

When I enter the church I feel safe. When I leave the church after Mass or formation I feel at peace with myself and with God.

CANDIDATE RYAN & BR PATRICK

Ready to Serve
BROTHER Br Al Br Beau Br Francis Br Jeremy Br John C Br John R Br Joseph Mary Br Juan Br Michael Mary Br Patrick Br Peter Br Peter Mire Br Michael Br Timothy Br Tristan SUMMER ASSIGNMENT Detroit, Michigan Detroit, Michigan Robstown, South Texas European Pilgrimage & Belize Robstown, South Texas Belizean / Guatemalan Border Robstown, South Texas Detroit, Michigan Wind River Reservation, Wyoming Turtle Mountain Reservation, North Dakota European Pilgrimage & Wind River Reservation European Pilgrimage & Turtle Mt. Reservation Turtle Mountain Reservation, North Dakota Turtle Mountain Reservation, North Dakota Turtle Mountain Reservation, North Dakota