With the blessing of the President of the Pastoral School, Archbishop Peter of Chicago & Mid-America, the Spring Graduation weekend for 2024 has been rescheduled for July 13-14. On July 13 comprehensive examinations and thesis defense will take place at the Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in Des Plaines, IL. On July 14, following the Divine Liturgy, diplomas will be awarded to the graduates. Graduating seniors are expected to be present at all the activities on July 13 and 14. Flights out of O'Hare should not be scheduled before 6:00 p.m. on July 14. Please contact me with questions or concerns. Further communication will be forthcoming to graduating seniors. Those who plan to graduate at the July 14 graduation should be in touch with me as soon as possible to finalize any outstanding details.
Very Rev. Fr. Gregory Joyce, Dean
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Our student, Deacon Daniel Warren reports the following:
“On Sunday, 5/18 February, 2024, we received an archpastoral visit from His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America at St. Seraphim of Sarov Orthodox Church in Boise, Idaho. During the reading of the Hours, Seraphim Denno [my godfather and fellow Diaconate Preparation Program student] was tonsured a Reader and I was ordained to the Subdiaconate. On the same day during Diving Liturgy I was ordained to the Diaconate.”
We congratulate our students and ask the prayers of our community for their fruitful ministry!
Fr. Gregory Joyce, Dean
With the blessing of Archbishop Peter, the third Liturgical Practicum of the Pastoral School of the Diocese of Chicago & Mid-America took place at St. Jonah parish in Spring, Texas February 22-25, 2024. The two previous practicums were held at the Diocesan Cathedral of the Protection of the Mother of God in Chicago. Archbishop Peter, President of the Pastoral School, felt it was important that the practicum be offered in the southern part of the diocese as well, which is experiencing much growth, and where many new clergymen have recently been ordained. God willing, the practicum will be held annually in the north and annually in the south going forward. The Pastoral School is very thankful to the St. Jonah parish for hosting the practicum.
The practicum began with registration and introductions on Thursday, February 22, quickly followed by a group meal and the first of the Divine Services of the practicum. After vigil that night a “postmortem” was held, reviewing the evening’s services in the light of the standard liturgical practices of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia. The postmortem was held in a constructive atmosphere of learning and sharing, where questions were welcome and instruction was positive. A postmortem of this type was held after each of the Evening Services and Divine Liturgies of the Practicum, led by the instructors of the Practicum:
Between the Divine Services lectures were held on the following topics:
Additionally, all participants in the Practicum received one on one instruction in the appropriate use of the voice for clergymen by Larissa Kaminsky-Sander, Chair of the Diocese Liturgical Music Committee.
Following the All Night Vigil on Saturday evening a festive banquet was held at a local restaurant. All participants took part in the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, February 25. Shortly thereafter the participants returned to their parishes, ready to put into practice the new information they had learned at the practicum.
On the feast of the Three Hierarchs, the Patronal Feast of Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, New York, Pastoral School student Seraphim Nesch was ordained to the Subdeaconate by Bishop Luke of Syracuse. We congratulate Seraphim and his family on his ordination!
The Pastoral School Spring semester begins on February 12, 2024. We are pleased to announce that the following students have been accepted for this semester:
Balashov, Andrei
Coveart, Matthew
Donohoe, Reader Cyril
Farley, Subdeacon Paul
Fletcher, Patrick
Lawrence, John
Quilty, Kenneth
Sheehan, Adam
Vuckovic, Reader Victor
Yonan, Anderious
We congratulate these students on their acceptance to the Pastoral School! And we ask your prayers for success in their theological academic pursuits. Most will be studying in the Pastoral Theology Program, others in our other PROGRAMS.
The next application deadline for the Pastoral School is September 1, 2024. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so those who would like to apply are welcome to do so at any time for the next semester. The application form can be found here:
We welcome your application! If you have questions, please contact me.
Fr. Gregory Joyce, Dean
fr.gregory.joyce@orthodoxtheologicalschool.org
Cell/SMS/What's App/Viber/Telegram/etc.: +1-734-649-5746
Somehow we missed this great news, but perhaps it is providential because it allows us to not only share the news, but share with our Pastoral School family the fundraising that Fr. Paul's parish is doing now too.
ARTICLE FROM HOLY TRINITY MONASTERY IN JORDAVILLE WITH PICTURES
