The Guardian

Newsletter of St. Joseph Minor Seminary

Solemn High Mass
January Calendar
Go Sentinels!
Winter’s Ups and Downs
Sacristy Duties
Making Melody in Your Hearts...

It started shortly after Thanksgiving. Snow. Lots of snow. With the snow has come the fun of sledding, snowball fights, and, eventually, skiing. But with it also comes the work of shoveling and pushing cars that have been stuck. All in all, however, we gladly accept the work for the beauty and fun that the snow brings.

Of course, winter also means basketball. We have so far enjoyed our season and especially look forward to joining in several tournaments. We will tell you about them in future editions.

This past month also brought a first for all of us. We served our first Solemn High Mass. (The bishop had a Pontifical High Mass here last May, but this was our first opportunity to serve a priest’s solemn Mass.) Since it is difficult to get other priests to come here for such an occasion, we do not expect to have this privilege often, but Father promised that, at least occasionally, we will have a Solemn Mass here at the seminary.

We wish you all a most joyous Christmas season, and an abundance of God’s blessings in the New Year of 2002.

Solemn High Mass

On December 12, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, we had a Solemn High Mass with three priests. Although the seminary is now in its third year, this was the first Solemn High Mass we have had. The reason it has taken so long is that all the priests are busy with their parishes. Fr. Casimir and Fr. Gerard found time to join in this beautiful ceremony.

Fr. Benedict was the main priest, while Fr. Casimir was the deacon and Fr. Gerard was the subdeacon. Michael LeStage and I were the two acolytes. Phil was the thurifer and Charlie was Master of Ceremonies. None of us had ever served a Solemn High Mass before, so this was a new experience. Since we were all familiar with the rubrics, however, there were very few mistakes and everything came off smoothly. The sixth, seventh and eighth-graders of Sr. Shannon Marie’s class sang the Mass.

It was a perfect time to have a Solemn High Mass because the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is an important feast in the western part of the United States, not to mention its particular importance in Mexico. We hope that there can be at least one Solemn High Mass a year because it is a very beautiful ceremony that should be done every once in a while. We’re sure it gave Our Lady a little more honor on her feast day.

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January Calendar

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Go Sentinels!

As some of you may remember, last season was the first year Saint Joseph's Sentinels had a varsity team. Some of you may also remember that last season was a losing season, with our record at 3 wins and 10 losses. This year we were determined that this would never happen again.

Mr. Duff and Fr. Benedict hoped that our football season this year would get us in shape for basketball, and it did just that. Another positive change from last year is that we now have a full-time coach — Mr. Duff. We did not have a full-time coach before, and it was just what the doctor prescribed. Also, Mr. Duff is not alone in this task, as Kevin Vogel (who just finished high school last year) is our assistant coach. Both have been a tremendous help to our team.

Practices began on November 14 and, as we scrimmaged, Mr. Duff pointed out a few things he was going to improve upon this new season. We began with drills, and Kevin Vogel showed us a few new drills that would help us immensely. Hard work and discipline were put into the practices. These would prepare us for our first game, which was scheduled for November 21. This first game was a tremendous success, as we won against an outmatched Rocky Mountain Academy, 65-45.

Pullman Christian School was our next opponent on November 30. We played well in the first half, but — as has been the downfall of our team — we played poorly in the third quarter and lost the game. We were all disappointed at this loss but were even more determined to win our next game against a rival from last year.

Southside had always been a pretty tough and competitive team for us to beat, but at least we knew where we had to stop them — number 31. He had been known to victimize our team’s defense, but this time would be different. Our coach had us play a man-on-man defense which worked marvelously. He also had us pound the ball underneath. With this strategy and good execution we pulled well ahead in the first half. Then “Third Quarter Syndrome” began to show its effects, as Southside began to nibble away at our lead. Finally, towards the end of the third quarter, we began to gain our second wind. Our defense that had been so “offensive” to Mr. Duff last year began to pick up, and we gained another victory, by a final score of 50-40. We were excited and made up our minds to continue in the win column in our next game.>

The fourth game of the season would be against our arch-rival, HLCA. They had beaten us last year every time we came up against them. Mr. Duff was not able to attend this game so Kevin Vogel, our assistant coach, led the way. We went into the game with a lot of confidence, but we had no idea that we were about to break four records from last year’s season and perhaps play our best game ever. We arrived at the gym in Newport a full hour before game time, so we decided to warm up and shoot around. As usual, just before the game Father led us in prayer, and then our assistant coach prepared us for the game with a pep talk on how we should play. He didn’t want anyone getting down on himself. He wanted us to pass the ball around and only take good shots and, if we were able, getting a few fast breaks would be helpful. We were not to allow any players of HLCA’s to drive the middle. We said a cheer and were prepared to face HLCA.

We started off perfectly by getting the tip and converting it into two quick points. HLCA came driving from the backcourt and pulled back to set something up. They scored their first two points on a foul. The game went back and forth for a couple more minutes and then everything started to click for our team. We pulled ahead in the first quarter and stayed that way throughout the game. HLCA scored a few more points, but we stretched our lead to 21-7 by the first quarter buzzer. Kevin Vogel was happy for us but he told us not to get too worked up, as it was only the end of the first quarter. The second quarter was played well, defensively and offensively. At the half we were ahead, 40-24.

During the half-time break, Kevin, knowing that we have “Third Quarter Syndrome,” gave us a few more pointers and reminded us that HLCA was still in the game. The third quarter began and was played well with a few mistakes here and there. At the end of the third quarter the score was 51-39. We had overcome, at least for this game, our illness of a third quarter meltdown.

The fourth quarter was also played exceptionally well and we were on fire. This game was ours and we weren’t about to let HLCA take it away from us. As the final buzzer went off, HLCA was beaten 72-53. We had beaten them in one game by more points than they had beaten us by in three games last year, combined.

As I said above, records were broken that night. For the first time in our brief history, a player (Francis Abernathey) had obtained a triple double. He had scored 15 points, to go along with 11 assists and 15 rebounds! The all-time record for the most points earned in a game was awarded to Phil who had 33 points-a monster game! The team also had a record. We had beaten a team by more points than the previous record for margin of victory.

This victory gave us, as of this writing, a record of 3 wins to 1 loss. Our next opponent is CRCA. This team also beat us last year but we hope to even the score. GO SENTINELS!!!

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Winter’s Ups and Downs

The mountains of North Idaho can be a haven for lots of winter fun-things such as sledding, skiing, snowmobiling and, yes, also things like shoveling roofs and getting your car stuck.

The church property here has become a place for all of these things. We have some nice hills for sledding, which are kept busy by the younger children during their recess periods. Families can also be seen coming up to the sledding run next to the seminary on Sunday afternoons.

Snow is an essential ingredient for both fun and work. Getting stuck has become quite the epidemic for some. And then there are the roofs. When we have lots of snow, certain roofs must be shoveled, which keeps the seminarians busy. Then there are the steps which lead from the main parking lot to the church, as well as the sidewalks.

Although it would be nice if we didn't have to do all the chores winter comes with, all the seminarians agree that the work is worth the fun. After all, without sledding, snowball fights, skiing, and other fun winter sports, things would be pretty dull during the winter season.

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Sacristy Duties

We do not often write about the work we do for God here at the Seminary. So I would like to write about one of the privileged tasks of the seminarians — the duty of sacristan. We alternate by quarters during the school year, which allows all of the seminarians to learn how to set up for Mass and other ceremonies and to take care of Our Lord’s house.

There are two sacristans for each quarter — one is the assistant and the other is the main sacristan. Every night the main sacristan sets up for the Mass of the following day. He first reads the Ordo, which indicates which color to use for the vestments and to what Mass and preface the missal is to be set. He then proceeds to set up the vestments and change the tabernacle veil.

The next morning both sacristans finish the work of setting up by preparing the cruets, uncovering the altar, placing the missal on the altar, setting up the chalice and helping the priest vest. (Only the main sacristan is permitted to touch the priest’s chalice.) After Mass, they return to the sacristy to put everything away. The sacristans also change the sanctuary lamp, fill the holy water fonts, and clean the sacristy.

This may seem like a lot to do, and it may be, but we try to do it for the greater honor and glory of God. We know that this assignment is a blessing bestowed upon us and we are privileged to do this for Almighty God. I know that God will reward us for setting up worthily each day for His Sacrifice.

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“Making Melody in Your Hearts...”

St. Paul exhorted the early Christians to “be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord” (Eph. 5:18-19). The seminarians seem to be taking this advice of the Apostle to heart. I often hear them singing, as they walk up the stairs, in between classes, as they do the dishes, etc.

Here at the seminary we strive to teach these young men an appreciation for good music. One cannot simply point out what is bad in so much of today’s music — one must also replace it with that which is good. Music cheers and lightens the heart and gives us an added means of praising God. Life would indeed be dull without music.

One occasion when the seminarians particularly like to sing is during the long van rides to basketball games. We always begin these trips with the recitation of the Rosary. After prayers there is laughing and talking, but it doesn’t take long before someone starts a song. They sing all kinds of songs — hymns, Gregorian chant, patriotic songs, etc. On one occasion in early December, the seminarians sang most of the Requiem Mass since they had recently sung several High Masses for the faithful departed. Favorites before ball games seem to be The Star-Spangled Banner and the solemn Salve Regina. Sometimes they will sing the entire way home after the game.

So you see, basketball season means a lot of things. While the games are fun, sometimes the van trips can be just as enjoyable. Let us all “make melody in our hearts to the Lord” and come to appreciate the beauty that music can bring to our lives.

You, our benefactors, will be especially remembered in my Masses during the Christmas season. Thank you for your cards, prayers and support. May you and your loved ones have a joyful, safe and blessed Christmas season and a truly Happy New Year.

— Fr. Benedict Hughes, CMRI

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The Guardian is published monthly for the enjoyment of our benefactors and for the family members of our seminarians. This newsletter is free upon request.

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If you are a young man of high school age who has a vocation, then Saint Joseph Seminary may be the place for you. Our four year course of studies offers the regular high school curriculum, with an emphasis on Theology, Latin and foreign language. A well-rounded program of daily Mass, prayer and sports complements our academic schedule. For more information, write to the rector of Saint Joseph Seminary at the address below.

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