ACADEMIC YEAR 2007-2008 KICKED OFF WITH MASS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

As part of the long tradition of Mount Angel Seminary, the academic year began with the Mass of the Holy Spirit on August 27, 2007. The whole seminary community gathered at the Abbey Church to invoke the Holy Spirit as they began another year of priestly formation. Abbot Nathan Zodrow, OSB, Abbot of Mount Angel Abbey and Chancellor of Mount Angel Seminary presided the liturgy while Very Rev. Richard Paperini, President-Rector of Mount Angel Seminary gave an inspiring homily. The priest-formators concelebrated in the solemn celebration.

The Mass of the Holy Spirit was not just an occasion to invoke the guidance of the Holy Spirit for this school year but also a thanksgiving for the thriving seminary community at Mount Angel Seminary. It has become a beacon of hope and light of Church especially in the Northwest.

After the Mass, the seminary community gathered at the Aquinas Dining Hall for a short refreshment.

MOUNT ANGEL SEMINARY WELCOMES FIFTY SIX NEW STUDENTS!!!

The academic year 2007-2008 welcomes fifty six new seminarians from various archdioceses, dioceses and religious congregations. The new seminarians arrived a week earlier than the returning students for a four day orientation. The orientation started on 20th of August until 24th. This gave them a wonderful introduction to the seminary life here in the Mount Angel. Talks and conferences were given on various aspects of seminary formation, introducing them to the rhythm of seminary life. The orientation also provided the new students to get to know each other and to start building rapport among themselves.

The orientation was not purely devoted to conferences. It was a good balance of conference and fun. During the evenings, there were recreational activities scheduled like games and movie showing. As part of the tradition of the orientation, the activity culminated in a picnic at the scenic Silver Falls in Silverton, Oregon.

Kudos to the Orientation Team for this school year headed by Rev. Mr. Jeff Mollner of the Archdiocese of Omaha. They really did a wonderful job!