Seminarians Al Getz

Where Are They The Seminarians?

Al Getz

I had the pleasure of attending the 8th annual Seminarian Vocations Benefit Dinner last July at St. Mary Parish in Sacramento. It was an almost completely full hall. Most Reverend Jaime Soto and Most Reverend Bishop Emeritus William Weigand were both special guests. As were several Knights of Columbus dignitaries seated on the dais.

Six Seminarian were also present: Edgar Lozano-Cuevas, Theology II, Zachary Strum, Pre-Theology II, Victor Amador, Pre-Theology I, Alejandro Marquez, College III, Eric Pereira, Theology-IV, and Benjamin Condon, Theology II. The seminarians were asked to each sit at an open seat of a table. St. John Vianney had two tables, one dedicated to the Knights of Columbus Blessed Sacrament Council 5322. Seminarian Benjamin Condon sat at our table along with Paul Labbe, Cassie Hayes, Greggory Freeman, Grand Knight Joseph Henderson, Patricia Henderson, Jeffery Henderson, Louella Getz, and me.

Benjamin Condon gave a speech on how and why he chose to be a priest. He is an excellent speaker and will make a great Homilist.

Benjamin and I met a few years earlier at a Seminarian vs. Priest Basketball game (by the way, the Seminarians won). I remember talking to his mom who was beaming with pride at her son. Benjamin comes from a family of 7 boys and 1 sister and has a twin, Thomas who is a few minutes older. As luck would have it, I met Thomas a year and a half ago when I bought a recliner at Ashley’s Furniture in Roseville and Thomas was the salesman who sold me the chair. The Lord works in strange ways and has connected me with Benjamin a few times.

We also saw many altar servers receive awards and recognized for the work they do to support the priest. Thank you to Brother George Bagley Northern California Vocations Chairman and Director of the CORE Team

Buckhorn Restaurant /Vacaville provided the meal and several Knights and Lady Knights helped serve and cleanup.