By Father Nick Adam
We had an atmosphere that was both different and familiar at our annual seminarian convocation in early August. Each summer, the seminarians gather to rest, relax and prepare for the new school year.
This year’s event was familiar because we enjoyed a fun time together, as always. Each morning, we prayed a holy hour, and either Father Tristan, Bishop Kopacz or I celebrated Mass before a day of recreation. The seminarians spent time fishing, swimming, playing pingpong and pool, and simply relaxing.

We also took care of some business, including taking photos for our annual poster and reviewing good communication practices and responsibilities for the coming year. Last year, you may have noticed that most of us sported mustaches on the poster – we called it the “mo-poster.” This year, the theme is “normal.” Ha!
What made this year truly different was the number of seminarians in attendance. We are proud and blessed to welcome six new seminarians this academic year – a 100% increase in enrollment. We now have 12 total seminarians. I give thanks to God for this great gift, and I know your prayers have been instrumental in making it possible.
The Lord tells us to beg the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. We’ve been doing that for years, and he is showing us how faithful he is. Praise the Lord!
Please keep this rapid growth in mind as you consider attending and supporting our Homegrown Harvest Festival in October. This annual fundraiser will take place Saturday, Oct. 11, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Madison. Our goal is to raise $200,000, which will go directly toward funding the education of these future priests. We especially need sponsors.
If you haven’t received information in the mail or online, visit jacksondiocese.org/online-giving and click “Homegrown Harvest” to purchase tickets or become a sponsor.
We have been hard at work in this field for the last six years, and now we have six new seminarians in just one year. The Lord is with us in this mission. If you can help fund the education of our future priests, please consider doing so. I am so proud of our seminarians and grateful to God for this bountiful harvest.
Thanks to so many of you who have been part of this ministry over the years – the best is yet to come!
(For more information on vocations, visit jacksonvocations.com or contact Father Nick at nick.adam@jacksondiocese.org.)