Vocations at 12725 Oriole Ave, Grand Terrace, CA 92313 US - Junipero Serra House of Formation12725 Oriole Ave., Grand Terrace, CA 92313
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Junipero Serra House of Formation 12725 Oriole Ave., Grand Terrace, CA 92313 |
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A Catholic Seminary Community.
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For young men who envision a ministry as priests.
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In the Diocese of San Bernardino.
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he College Program helps the seminarian strengthen and discern the vocational commitment, his prayer life and humanistic outlook that prepares him for further studies in theology or to continue his formation at another seminary.At the present time, to envision a life of dedication as priests in the diocese of San Bernardino requires one to be multicultural, to develop a commitment to people living in a pluralistic society, to mature in a spirituality of service.
The College Program was founded in 1986 by Bishop Philip F. Straling. It follows the directives of the Program of Priestly Formation established by the National Conference of Bishops. The objectives of the program are:
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To accompany the seminarian in his vocational process toward priesthood.
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To protect and develop the seeds of a priestly vocation, so that the seminarian may more easily recognize it and respond to it.
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Favors in a timely and gradual way the human, cultural and spiritual formation which will lead the young person to embark on the path of the major seminary.
Community Life
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he seminary is a community of faith. The interaction with other members of the community provides mutual support, promotes tolerance and fraternal correction and provides an opportunity for the development of leadership and talent among the seminarians.The community is the context in which seminarians develop basic skills in interpersonal relations, especially in ways to make and keep good friends.
Human Development
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seminarian is a person willing to acquire a ready and habitual capacity to act freely; a man who wants to integrate his human potential with habits of virtue; a man who wants to acquire an easy and habitual emotional self-control by integrating his emotional drives and placing them at the service of his reason; a man who enjoys community living because of his willingness to give himself to serve others; one who devotes himself to his duties steadily and calmly; one whose conduct obviously follows his conscience; a man who uses freedom to explore, investigate, and develop; who can mold events and bring them to future fruition; finally, a man who wants to succeed in bringing all his human possibilities and potentialities to their due development and harmony.Spiritual Life
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he primary concern of the seminary life is to allow the seminarians to grow into mature, Christ like persons, developing their sonship character and their call to service. The spiritual formation brings to maturity their understanding of faith, assisting them to develop a spirituality consistent with a priestly vocation.Academic Life
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he church expects her leaders to be knowledgeable, articulate, and sensitive to the issues and concerns of today’s world. Seminarians are serious about their academic preparation in order to have a good understanding of their world, the people they live with and their cultures. College seminarians should normally achieve a bachelor of arts degree from an accredited college with a concentration in the study of Philosophy.Seminarians also attend special formation classes at Serra House dealing with the basic teachings of the faith as well as with the richness and diversity of the Catholic intellectual tradition
Apostolic Life
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ost new students come to the seminary with some pastoral experience. Such experiences are deepened through reflection and integration into spiritual life and academic life. Apostolic life helps develop their personality, especially their leadership abilities and their concern for the poor, the suffering and the abandoned. At the same time, pastoral activity gives seminarians an opportunity to discover the difficulties and tensions of being men of reconciliation and peace struggling in the daily life of the parish communities.