b'NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE, continuedSeminarian David DesPresMy, what a difference a year can bring! This saying may be trite, but it certainly ap- workers, it is the work that God has given me to plies with everything that has transpired sincedo. I am not called to go into the hospital to bring last summer. This time last year, I was wrappingthe Eucharist to the dying, I am not a priest yet. up the philosophy portion of my seminary for- I am not called to find creative ways to connect mationandpreparingforawith parishioners, I am not a summer in Omaha, NE withpastor yet. But I am called to the Institute for Priestly For- be faithful to prayer, studies, mation(IPF),excitedforaandthedifferenttasksthat summer with over 170 sem- are asked of me. The support inariansfromallovertheIreceivethroughRSVPhas country.However,withthecontinued to help me to per-COVID-19pandemic,Iamsevere in my formation. This inavastlydifferentplace.way, I can continue to partic-ProgramslikethoseatIPFipate in the work of priestly havebeencancelled.Iwasformation that will not stop supposedtostudySpanishbecause of COVID-19.abroadinGuatemala;IwillWhatdoesitmeanto now be doing so in Atlanta.be a Knight of Columbus in Peopleareseparatedfromthesetimes?Youstillhave each other physically withoutthesameresponsibilitiesas the ability to gather in com- before.Charity,Unity,and munity. Spending a summerFraternity, these should guide with new people seems im- theactionsofeveryKnight, possible;itmaybedifficultnowmorethanever.Faith-to see those I already know.fulness to the rosary is even Whatdoesitmeantobeamore crucial. Persevere in the seminarian in a time like this?programswhichtheOrder Whatdoesitmeantobeaprovides for the care of oth-Knight of Columbus, a Catholic, a husband, aers and participate in the new initiatives the Su-father, a friend, in a time like this? preme Council provided to respond directly to For me, the answer to that question is sim- the pandemic. Support your parish priest and ply that the work of priestly formation continuesthe most vulnerable in your communities. The on. My rector used phrases like this as we per- other roles you have? Whether in business or severed in classes, many of us remaining in thein family, you retain the same responsibilities. seminary and maintaining our routines of prayer,Now, you must fight even harder to live up to exercise, meals, etc. Some might say that wethem. I encourage you to faithfully fulfill all that should have been out on the front lines, riskingis asked of you, surrendering all of your efforts our lives trying to bring Christ into various situ- into the hands of our Blessed Mother, so that ations in our respective dioceses. However, andshe can spread her mantle of protection over all importantly, we are not priests yet. This time ofyour endeavors. Please pray for me, my broth-pandemic is humbling as I remained in seminary,erseminarians,andallpriestsandbishops, writing papers and receiving everything I needed,especially Pope Francis. I will pray for you as including the sacraments, while the rest of theI continue to seek the will of God in seminary world struggled with job losses, illness, death,formation.and hardship. Although it seems that my efforts are nothing in comparison with the heroic effortsGod bless and Vivat Jesus, ofdoctorsandnurses,mailmenandgroceryDavid DesPres113'