Voices of NAC

Looking back at this year, a year different from most, what was the most formative part of this year at the College for you?

Familiarity was something largely lacking during this year for me. As schedules, class modalities, and commitments continually changed while restrictions ebbed and flowed, I was frustrated at times with the lack of consistency in my daily routine. The formative experiences I found in the midst of these challenges were, despite my own discomfort with the exterior circumstances around me, to strive to give of myself for the sake of the other men.

Rev. Enan Zelinski ‘20

Diocese of Madison

This year has been an opportunity to enter more deeply into prayer. Given the circumstances, there has been more time to pray and study. This has allowed me to better understand that the Church and her members are called to be active contemplatives. Our good works are meant to flow from our prayer. Thus, the Christian seeks to find and love the Lord in whatever he does.

Rev. Mr. Gregory Zannetti ‘21

Diocese of Metuchen

I have grown in gratitude for the good things present here at the College. We have beautiful liturgies, good meals, and a peaceful campus simply provided for us with very little effort on our part. Becoming more conscious of these gifts has led me to appreciate how blessed I truly am.

Robert Kinyon ‘22

Diocese of Rapid City

“You are led by Christ into the service of God the Father and of all people, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Thus, you become more like Christ the Good Shepherd in order better to serve the Church and the world as a priest. In preparing for the priesthood we learn how to respond from the heart to Christ's basic question: 'Do you love me?' (Jn. 21:15). For the future priest the answer can only mean total self-giving."

Pastores Dabo Vobis, n. 42

The opportunity I have found in this year is its simplicity. I have learned to do the little things—serving meals, arranging flowers, practicing choir music, and organizing social events—with great love. It is good to be reminded of the simple. The Lord himself is in the habit of using simple things every day—water, bread, and wine—to do something absolutely miraculous!

Zachary Galante ‘23

Archdiocese of Milwaukee

“Come away with Me.” In Pastores Dabo Vobis, St. John Paul II calls for a seminary environment which “re-lives the experience of the group of Twelve.” The Twelve had three years to learn from Christ before they were sent out, three years to leave the world behind before returning to change it. We have been given the same. This year, we were called to step back from the world, to know Christ, and prepare for when in three years, my class too will be sent out as deacons to proclaim that very same Good News.

Matthew Harrison ‘24

Diocese of Charlotte