Dear Friends of SJV,
Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching, and November is a season for expressing gratitude. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our donors for their unwavering support of our seminarians and seminary.
In November, human formation focuses on the virtue of “Christian Humility.” This entire month, we will meditate on the gospel of Matthew, where Jesus says, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am meek and humble of heart, and you will find rest in your soul.”
Humility is a great virtue. It removes many obstacles in the spiritual life. Through this virtue, we moderate our hopes. We contemplate God’s majesty and our poverty, understanding that separated from Christ we can do nothing (see John 15:5), but we can do all things in Christ who strengthens us (see Phil 4:13).
This month’s newsletter will include insights from Father Jim Thermos, our spiritual director at SJV, along with our seminarian James Euston from the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, who will reflect on his experience with our Formation in Priestly Identity Program at SJV.
May God continue to bless you throughout this month.
In Christ,
Fr. Angel Perez-Lopez
Embracing the Beauty of Formation
“The human heart is made for an epic story.” This was a quote from a documentary we watched during this semester’s Formation in Priestly Identity retreat at Singing River Ranch in September. This was my first time attending the retreat, since those in the Propaedeutic Stage do not participate.
These couple of days follow a simple rhythm: a shared theme, talks from our formators, psychologists, or outside speakers, and a film with discussion. Yet within that simplicity lies something profoundly renewing. I found that this time, though short, was powerful. We leave our books and assignments behind, and for a few days, we simply live together.
The quiet beauty of Singing River Ranch in Evergreen invites reflection and prayer away from the constant hum of Denver. And the shared focus on a single topic allows for honest dialogue about the qualities that form a priestly heart. That last element—fraternity through deep conversation—was the most meaningful part for me.
Returning to that quote from the retreat, we were reminded of the human heart’s desire for adventure—that it thirsts constantly for more. With that in mind, we shared together about the adventure that seminary invites us into.
Returning to the seminary, I felt renewed—grateful for the many graces God has given me and deeply aware that we each play a part in God’s unfolding story. I look forward to next semester’s Formation in Priestly Identity retreat.
James Euston
Seminarian, Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
The Blessings of Home
WAY BACK (in the fall of 1998) I first came to SJV Seminary as a seminarian. I was among a group of sixteen men forming the first Spirituality Year. It was a very blessed time of excitement and adventure as the first seeds of St. John Vianney were being planted. I am so grateful for the ensuing seven years of formation and preparation for priesthood.
I was ordained in 2006. Following my first year in a parish, Archbishop Chaput assigned me to return to SJV Seminary to assist with the formation of the growing number of seminarians. (I remember thinking—hadn’t I just left?!) Nevertheless, upon returning, I soon began to experience the joy and blessing of being invited to participate, in a new way, in the mission of forming holy priests in the likeness of Jesus’ Most Sacred Heart. It felt like home.
That first year back turned into thirteen uninterrupted years, the majority of which were spent directing the Spirituality Year, for which I have a great fondness. In 2020, I ventured once again away from home, serving for a short while as pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish. In the spring of 2022, the Lord opened a door for me to return to SJV, this time as a spiritual director. How unexpected. And yet, it seemed like an invitation to “come back home.”
In some ways, serving this mission strikes me as being “a vocation within a vocation,” filled with the blessings of home.
Fr. Jim Thermos
Spiritual Director
St. John Vianney Theological Seminary
