Forty-six Arlington seminarians fanned out across the diocese
from June 11 to Aug. 12 for their equivalent of summer internships: assisting
pastors in the day-to-day operations of parishes. They loved it.
Will Nyce, a transitional deacon assigned to All Saints Church in
Manassas who studies at the North American College in Rome, ran the gamut, doing
traditional parish activities such as preaching at Masses and baptizing infants
as well as lending a hand in the food pantry.
“Deacon Nyce is assigned to one of the largest and most active
parishes in the diocese. It is definitely a full-time job,” said Father Michael
C. Isenberg, diocesan director of vocations. “In these assignments, the
seminarians build lasting relationships with the priests and
parishioners. They are receiving a glimpse into the many joys and
challenges of the priesthood.”
Set to be ordained next spring, Deacon Nyce summed up his hard
work by stating that it was his privilege to see God at work in and among his
people, whether in the youths at Vacation Bible School or at the food pantry
where he rubbed elbows with a dedicated staff of volunteers and greets clients as
they receive provisions.
A highlight for him was visiting elderly and sick parishioners
and witnessing their joy.
“When I first enter their rooms, I usually need to answer the
questions of: ‘Who are you?’ and ‘Where are you coming from?’” said Nyce. “Once
I tell them that I’m a deacon here for the summer and I come bringing the
Eucharist, their eyes inevitably light up. And that was just beautiful to see.”
Deacon Nicholas Blank, a fellow diocesan seminarian, was assigned
to the Cathedral of St. Thomas More. His takeaway from the summer was the
importance of strong fraternity among priests.
“I was grateful to live in a rectory with so many priests. We
shared meals together and spent many an evening gathered outside one person’s
room or another,” Deacon Blank said. “It is vitally important to bring
this experience of brotherhood into rectory life.”
He will return to Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmittsburg to
complete his final year before being ordained a priest.
Deacon James Waalkes, who also studies at Mount St. Mary’s, was assigned
to the Basilica of St. Mary’s in Alexandria, where he put his musical talents
to use.
At the Vacation Bible School, he created songs for the students
to hum along to in order to illustrate important lessons such as God’s mercy.
The evening before his final day at the parish, he gave a
send-off performance for all the parishioners.
Through his preaching, baptizing and catechizing, Deacon Waalkes
said that he has greater confidence in his end goal of being a priest.
“My summer assignment was very fruitful in preparing me for the
next step — the priesthood,” he said. “I’m excited to do even more for the
people of God when I’m ordained a priest.”
