Pictured (l-r): Msgr Scott Friend, V.G. Karldy Hienz Isidor, Jose Luis Quijada, Luke Womack, Elden Labitad, Patrick Saint Jean, Thomas Johnson, Taryn Whittington, Father Ruben Quinteros, and Msgr Richard Oswald.

At the May 1 Council meeting, Lecturer Bob Honzik introduced guest speaker Monsignor Scott Friend.  Acompanying Msgr Friend were Prefect Monsignor  Oswald and Vice Prefect Fr. Quinteros along with seven men currently in the discernment process.  They are housed on the first floor of Fletcher Hall on the diocese campus.

Msgr was pleased to announce that there are now 37 seminarians who are studying at eight seminaries in various United States locations and one in Rome.  There will be three ordinations at Christ the King on May 26 and one, Andrew Hart, at the Cathedral on July 21.  Little Rock Diocese ranks 12th out of 195 dioceses in the number of seminarians.

The ground has been broken for the $1.5 million new House of Formation on the Good Council Parish campus.  The original plan to renovate a former convent there was abandoned due to the cost of asbestos removal and other considerations.

The benefits of having a House of Formation in the Little Rock Diocese include: developing a relationship with parishes; providing a place where men interested in a vocation can discern and seek spiritual direction; studying closer to home at UALR for basic courses; taking advantage of the excellent English as a Second Language program at ULAR; and, reducing costs.         
 
The concept of a House of Formation is being well received by some dioceses which may also consider utilizing it for their men as an interim step before formal seminary training. 

Msgr Friend also spoke about the quality and maturity of the current seminarians.  Of those in attendance, one has a PhD in philosophy with teaching experience, one was a 2nd year medical student, and another will be receiving a degree from Seton Hall this spring. 

It should be noted that Council 10208 is supporting four seminarians through the RSVP program, and Assembly 2316 has two. 

Click on www.houseofformation.org to follow the progress!