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thurdy, nov:n.b:r 11, 1073
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By Terri Willson
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Dave Bourek, 24, a native of Howells, Nebr., had an
agricultural economics degree from UNL. In August,
1975; he left to enter a Catholic seminary rather than
return to the family farm.
In August, 1 976, after three years of accounting study '
at UNL, Gary Major, 21 , Lexington, forfeited plans to
enter the business world to study for the priesthood.
At UNL he had played raquet ball with the Rev.
Leonard Kalin, vocational director for the Lincoln
diocese, also chaplain at St. Thomas Aquinas Church on
campus and the Newman Catholic Student Center.
"He (Father Kalin) always questioned my reasons for
being in accounting, and I really didn't have any good an
swers for him." '
Said another seminarian: "The seminary is not much
like the university. You give up your freedom; like
football, beer and girls.
Fjrr Kalin said he is proud of the men he encourages
and Kentucky, Kalin boasts that 16 of the 18 entrants this
year had been active at the Newman Center. "We have
never had less than eight (each year) jn the last' six-years,
Kalin said. In 1975, 17 Lincoln men entered; 9 were from
UNL -
Col
allege students are increasingly entering the priest
hood today, he said. "
It seems nationally the numbers enteringpreligious voca
tions are down from 10 years ago, said the Rev. Michael
Sheehan of Holy Trinity Seminary in Dallas. Locally, the
Lincoln diocese is setting a record, he said.
At Saint Charles Borromeo Seninary in Overbrook, Pa.,
there are about half as many entrants as there were 10 or
20 years ago, according to the rector at the school. There
are 190 men at St. Chides. However, the perseverance'
rate (numbers becoming ordained) is twice as good as 20
years ago, the rector said. ;
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Father Leerrd KiSaTfeeccyfofra tie early ta cf a czZ'z
fhma by Ksvbi HW
to enter the seminary. He called them "gutsy.
By questioning accllege man's lifestyle, Kalin said he
tries to make a young nun more aware of his own worth.
. A priest for 20 years and seven-year Newman chaplain, -Kalin
said he recognizes early signs cf a religious calling as
a doctor recognizes signs of a tumor before he tests for
HCHe looks for men with a deep religious sense and a de
sire to help others, he said. They also must hare self
discipline, high academics and Christian values.
Kalin said he tarns away about 15 men a year who he
does not think would make it through seminary.
The making cf a priest takes eight years and between
$2,500 to $4,500 a year In tuition. Seminaries contract
Ions with local banks to help educate seminarians. The
Bleep's Lay Ccrsrnitiee also collects parishoners money
for seminarian support. When a semmarian is ordained, his
diocese pays the loan. -'
This M, 13 young Lincoln men chose to become part
cf a group cf 50 locsl men studying for the priesthood at
fear Catholic seminaries in Texas, Maryland, Pennsylvania
The following ideas on modern seminary life come
from 12 young seminarians from Nebraska, one newly
ordained Lincoln priest and the priests already mentioned.
Most seminarians questioned hre attended UNL; some
are recent graduates. .When they entered, they surprised
friends and family, whose feelings ranged frcsa mild sur
prise to near shock. TVhy would anyone want to be a
priest? they thought
Questionnaires were sent cut to the seminarians. The'
response vas pages of flowery prose ta4 philosophy.
There are two main levels of seminary study curing the
eight years-philosophy and theology. Philosophy, the
study cf principles of human nature and conduct, is
studied at ninor or undergraduate seminaries, such as
Saint Pius X Seminary in Erianger, Ky. Theology, the
psychological study cf God and religion, is studied at
major, cr graduate, seminaries, such as Mount Saint Mary
Seminary in Emmitsburi , Md.
Sonic, such as Saint Charles Borroneo in Overbrook,
Pa. have both a four-yesr ccllrg; program and a four
year theology program. Others, like the minor Holy
Trinity Serniaary in Dslss, Texas are adjacent to secular
campuses. Holy Trinity seminarians take all courses at the
University of Dallas ; one may receive a B. A. in English,
for example, while he continues religious study.
Recent high school graduates and men with an incom
plete undergraduate education finish at a minor seminary.
In a combination philosophy-liberal arts program, the men
study such subjects as psychology, speech and accounting.
They take physical education, practical courses such as
speed reading and note taking. A study of the liturgy (the
celebration of the mass) is also emphasized. :
Elective are allowed in the graduate seminary. Some
of the classes here include scripture (the study of the Old
Testament), system theology (the story of creation vs.
evolution) moral theology, church history, homSites (ser-
- mon giving), church music and an elective such as Hebrew.
: , ... Following the academic curriculum is only part of the s r
total seminary picture. Brotherhood, counseling and
working in suburb parishes or with handicapped children
- rated higher among the men as significant aspects of their
religious training. The book4earning is complemented
with "apostolate" activities. This is anything from direct
ing a local church music group to visiting boys homes,
hospitals or nursing homes.
The activity of seminary life is tempered with quiet.
"Days of Recollection are days of complete silence for
the seminarians. Similarly, annual retreats feature silence
andprayer.
S,
"t. Charles in Overbrook consists of two medieval-
looking grey stone buildings which house 19G men-100
in college; 90 working on theology master's degrees. It is
nestled in a Philadelphia suburb on 130 acres of woods
surrounded by ponds and rfsdows. There are tennis
courts, baseball diamonds and swimming pools.
Jim Cooper, 28, is in his third year of studying for the
priesthood. After graduation from Lincoln High School
and three years of political science study at UNL, he
nixed possible plans for law school or an insurance
management career to enter St. Pius. He is now at St.
Charles. - ,
He said he talked to several priests during two years
and finally decided to try the seminary, to see if he had
t a calling to the priesthood. Cooper said that people lack
' faith today because we try to substitute God (and faith)
with vther things. For example, we trust pathology to tell
us why Aunt Bertha died, but that won't tell us why such
a marvelous thing as life ends cr whether there is anything
beyond rt,"
Bob Vacha, 25, is also at St Charles. He graduated
from Bishop Newman High School in S'shoo; sttsndsd -Kearney
State CcSege for two years and UNL for two. He
had planned to become a hth school tekchsr. He entered
the seminary cut cf "qukt (kspsrstion, he said.
Holy Trinity m Irvrg ts m a mcssra rli'ii, carpetea
private, compistly4unhei rccm.
-, A TL.fis projector, pod fctle, TV rocra and lounge
ccrrpiCmest it Oa-casrpus recreation r "Qts inch-is a . .
swimming pool, foowaH and bastbiH filds and !fnis and
xaquet bill courts
Tony JasnowsSd, 22, is an Aurora native. For one year
ne was a IML anthropology major; he also had an interest
in teachins hi school Endish. New. in his fourth year at
Holy Trinity, he said Father Kilin originally enccurd
mm to thmk senoudy about the.priesthood. Cut, his
mother s deep religious conviction and piety influenced
him also. Of seminary life he said: "Te have our parties
too. But ihey are no longer the end-sll cf one's desires.
Mount Saht Mary in Ernraitsbury is part of a coed
college cf 12,000. The seminary cf ISO men i spart from
the regular cmpus against Elue Mountain, surrounded by
a wooaea rural area.
Some cf the buildings are ""old and disfeishsd,'
tcmruruns szil Others, remnants cf the school's -