Dear St. Denis Community, 

Praised be the Lord Jesus Christ, who in His great mercy comes to each of us this Christmas season!  Christmas always renews in me a deep affection for the Lord and the St. Denis family, which I continually look forward to returning to during breaks from school.  The last four years found me busy with both academics and athletics, until this past May when I graduated from Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio.  Throughout my years away at college I continued to grow closer to the Lord and take ownership of my faith.  I discovered that the closer I drew to Him, the more intimately He shared Himself with me, and the more I learned about myself.  As my relationship continued to deepen, I began to feel tugs in my heart, which I believe were movements towards a vocation.  This past August, by the grace of God and the prayers of many St. Denis parishioners, I entered Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary to embark on a new journey towards the priesthood. 

 Life at the seminary is a real blessing.  I am blessed to see the diversity and richness of the Church.  At seminary, I live with like-minded brothers dedicated to the Lord and the service of His Church in a solemn environment for prayer and active ministry.  The central role Jesus Christ plays in my life and the incredible experience of seminary not only complete my joy but also inspire me to share this goodness with others.  Many times, as I attend Mass at Saint Denis, I see several young men whom the Lord may be calling into deeper communion with Him.  As I recall my own vocational journey, I remember the integral role of the parish community, which encouraged me to consider the call and remain open to the Lord.  As a seminarian, our Archbishop has invited me to join him and to reach out to the community for any young men open to the Lord and interested in meeting the Cardinal.  Every January, Cardinal Rigali invites young men to join him for dinner as an opportunity to meet him and gain some exposure to other men open to the Lord's call.  And so, I invite all the young men, high school age or older, to join me for dinner with Cardinal Rigali on February 4th and to encounter the great joy that is Jesus Christ.  For further information, please contact Donna Leonard in the parish office. 

I also ask the community of St. Denis to remember me in their prayers.  Please continue to support me spiritually and know that the entire St. Denis community remains in my prayers as I strive through the next five years of my seminary formation.  Thank you and God bless you. 

Merry Christmas!

        Sean Loomis