Annual Seminarian Convocation
and Evening Prayer

By David Deston

The seminarians of the Fall River Diocese met the first week of August for their annual convocation at the Family Life Center in North Dartmouth. Present for the Convocation were Father Edward Correia, Vocation Director as well as seven of our diocesan seminarians: Gregory Bettencourt, Jason Brilhante, David Deston, Peter Fournier, Jay Mello, Bill Sylvia, and Riley Williams. Seminarians Ron Floyd, Rob Lepage, and Dan Nunes were unable to attend due to their assignments outside the diocese.

Each day the seminarians hosted a speaker to discuss various aspects of ministry in our diocese. On Monday, Father Greg Matthias and Scottie Foley spoke to the group. They discussed the role of the office in ministry, especially regarding marriage preparation. Bishop Coleman was also present on Monday to celebrate Mass.

For the remainder of the week, the main theme was fraternity in priestly ministry. The seminarians heard different perspectives on this topic from some of the youngest priests in the diocese to a pastor who has been ordained for 45 years. The seminarians found their talks fruitful, both for the value of their insights and for their personal experience and example.

The convocation concluded on Thursday evening with a prayer service at Saint Julie Billiart Church in North Dartmouth. It was attended by many of the seminarians’ families as well as members of vocation prayer teams from around the diocese. Bishop Coleman presided and Father Correia gave a reflection in which he thanked those present for their support and underlined the need for vocations. Following the prayer service, refreshments were served in the parish hall and the seminarians each expressed their appreciation to those gathered for their support.

David Deston is in his last year of theology at Mount Saint Mary Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD.