Dear Friends of SJV:
People often ask me, “How do seminarians have money?” I tell them frankly: I don’t really know – but they seem paradoxically to have no money and an inexhaustible amount. In these last few weeks of the summer, the men will take some time for vacation, travel, and adventure. Guys are doing everything from hanging back home with family, to heading to Poland – even climbing Mount Rainier. Two things are sure: they will arrive about 2 minutes before 10 pm on August 17th – their start date and arrival time for the semester. And they will be broke.
This month I am happy to introduce Fr. John Ezratty, our newest formation faculty member, as well as Cody Bliss, a seminarian for Denver. Both have written a bit below; Fr. John to introduce himself, and Cody to share a bit about his summer teaching Totus Tuus. Please keep us in your prayers as our team begins our final academic and formational preparations for the year. And know of our prayers for a blessed remainder of the summer!
Fr. John Nepil
Welcome Fr. John Ezratty!
I was sitting at my desk in the parish office when I received a phone call from Fr. Angel Perez-Lopez, the Vicar for Clergy in the Archdiocese of Denver. His call was to inform me that Archbishop Aquila wanted me to serve as one of the formators at St. John Vianney Seminary. As surprised as I was, I was thrilled with the unexpected news. Formation has always been close to my heart, even before I became a priest.
I was born and raised in Argentina and was ordained a priest in 2002. I came to the United States in 2010 and lived in Detroit, MI, and San Diego, CA, and, for two years now, in Denver, CO. For several years throughout my priesthood, I had the opportunity to serve as a professor or spiritual director at the seminary. Moreover, for 7 years I was a chaplain for the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) where I was able to accompany young missionaries in their spiritual journey and teach during their training.
Now the Lord is inviting me to be a father to His future priests. I see this invitation as an honor and a great responsibility before God, the Church, and these young men who want to consecrate their lives at the service of the People of God. My prayer is that the Lord may grant me a fatherly heart that reflects the heart of Heavenly Father and that I may be His docile instrument as He models the heart of His sons like unto His Sacred Heart.
As I begin this new mission, I entrust myself, my fellow formators, and our seminarians to the intercession of St. John Marie Vianney, the Holy Cure of Ars, that we may all strive for true holiness and fervent apostolic zeal, to be “other Christs” in a world so hungry and thirsty for the merciful love of God.
Fr. John Ezratty
Formation Advisor
St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, Denver
Summer Apostolate
As a fourth-year seminarian preparing to enter Theology studies, I’ve had the privilege of participating in many different apostolates and summer assignments. This summer, however, as a Totus Tuus Missionary, has exceeded all my expectations of what a missionary assignment could offer to a seminarian like me.
Totus Tuus is a diocesan organization that aims to support the catechesis of young Catholics. Totus Tuus translates to “Totally Yours” and this is exactly what the program demands of the seminarians assigned as missionary leaders. Totus Tuus affords the opportunity for seminarians to work with young Catholics from first grade to high school seniors. It also provides opportunities for different parishes to expose their youth to a unique program that deeply engages their faith.
One of the most enjoyable parts about being a seminarian involved with Totus Tuus is being able to communicate a message that I wish I had received when I was younger. It has been an incredible joy to bring an authentic encounter with Christ to the youth in our diocese. Totus Tuus effectively ministers to all ages by specifically executing two separate programs. The day program, designed for first through sixth grade, utilizes multiple classes that explain Catholic doctrine, as well as bringing them to a deeper relationship with the sacraments. There are fun activities for the kids while they also joyfully engage with the larger Catholic community.
The program for the young adults in high school and middle school encourages participants to grow deeper in their faith. The missionaries and I give our personal testimonies and then each night includes small group discussions. This allows each of the participants to ask questions, discuss difficulties, and to witness older Catholics that are authentically living out their faith.
I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention how much of a blessing it has been to work with the other devout Catholics on my team. I often feel that the greatest gift I am receiving is simply being around my team and joyfully participating in a missionary summer together. I often wonder who is growing more, the kids that I’m teaching, or myself as I conform more to Christ during another amazing summer assignment.
Cody Bliss
Seminarian for the Archdiocese of Denver
