April 2022
In this email we bring you our continuing monthly series of blogs written by our seminarians. We hope you find their writings spiritually uplifting and educational.
Exodus 90 Experience
Chase Riecker carries the cross at the Parents and Pastors Mass
My Exodus 90 experience has had a substantial impact on my life and been paramount to discerning my vocation to the priesthood. Exodus 90 is a 90-day spiritual exercise for men that involves fraternity, asceticism, and prayer. I remember the first time I heard about Exodus 90 and immediately thought I would never do it. However, after my older brother convinced me of its value towards becoming a better man, I accepted the invitation and joined in the exercise with him and four other men.
Asceticism is the practice of chastening oneself through either abstaining or doing penitential practices. Taking cold showers, abstaining from tv, not eating between meals, and making a nightly examination of conscience are just a few ascetical practices. Abstaining from indulgences I normally enjoined immediately bore fruit in my life. I noticed enhanced discipline in my routine that was ordinarily lacking. This was evident by the importance I assigned to spiritual reading as well as my demeanor towards work and productivity. I had more time for things I usually did not have time for and was using the time I did have more efficiently. This led to a type of freedom I had never enjoyed before. Before Exodus 90, I spent countless hours on my phone doing nothing productive. During this spiritual exercise, I became less dependent on technology for entertainment. More importantly, I found that the mandatory daily holy hour began an amazing road to freedom that seemed implausible for me.
My prayer life initially found its foundation in the rosary and from there mental prayer began to bear fruit. This is one of the longest lasting impacts Exodus 90 has had on me as I did not have any prayer routine previously. The time I make for prayer now is founded on the way I did my holy hours during this exercise. It was not always easy, the last 40 days were the most difficult, but still, looking back I have some of my fondest memories in those sufferings.
Lastly, I think it is important to note the impact it had on other men in my fraternity. One guy, converted to Catholicism and is in the process of getting married. Everyone in my fraternity became decidedly more devout whether by attending daily mass or deepening their knowledge of the Catholic tradition. I have always looked up to my brother and it was extremely enlightening to watch him grow in holiness along with the rest of us. Everyone I know who has tried this program has grown in holiness in addition to becoming more detached from worldly allurements.
Looking back to my own journey, I cannot emphasize enough how integral this exercise has been in my discernment. I credit the Blessed Virgin Mary for bringing me back to the Catholic faith through this spiritual exercise. If you have the opportunity to participate in Exodus 90, I would highly recommend it.
Chase Riecker is a Bruté seminarian studying for the Diocese of Evansville and a member of the Class of 2023.
Bruté Seminarian Featured at Legacy Gala
Bruté Seminarian Evrard Muhoza was featured in a video at the Archdiocese of Indianapolis Legacy Gala on February 25th. Watch the video to hear about his journey of faith that lead him to Bruté.
Castle Nights
Castle Nights, formerly Storm the Castle, are opportunities for high school men to join the Bishop Bruté College Seminary community for prayer, a meal, and conversation with our college seminarians! The next Castle Night is Wednesday, April 20. If know a young man that might be interested in attending more information can be found here.
Bishop Bruté Days
Bishop Bruté Days (July 5-7, 2022) is a retreat for young men, grades 9-12 the following school year, who are seeking to grow closer to Christ, and may be open to the possibility of a vocation to the priesthood. The retreat gives young men the opportunity to spend three days with the Bruté college seminarians learning about prayer, service, scripture, and the awesome gift of our Catholic faith.
Bishop Bruté Days Jr. (Thursday, July 7, 2022) is a one day experience is for young men who are in junior high (7-8th grade). It is designed to focus more on general discernment and serve as an introduction to Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary.
If know a young man that might be interested in attending either of these events more information can be found here.
Donor-Advised Funds- Did you know?
- The Archdiocese’s Catholic Community Foundation (CCF) is a sponsoring charity which administers Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) for archdiocesan parishes, schools and ministries.
- DAFs act like a tax-friendly “charitable investment account.” They are easy to create, have no start-up fee, and provide a hands-on vehicle for you to make an impact on your favorite Catholic ministry(ies).
- As the donor advisor, you can advise distributions to be gifted from your CCF fund to varying Catholic ministries at any time, in any amount.
- Like an endowment, a DAF grows within CCF’s ‘pool’ of funds (525+ funds valued at $240 million+) which utilizes the power of investing and provides greater collective growth for all funds. The value of a gifted asset to a DAF (such as cash, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other property) continues to grow tax-free in this “pool” until used - i.e. more funds for your charitable giving.
- CCF also follows the US Catholic Bishops’ ethical investment guidelines which promote socially-responsible investing aligned with Catholic teaching.
- A DAF can be especially useful when your finances might benefit from a significant charitable tax deduction in a given year while you wish to distribute the amount of the gift over several years (aka “charitable bunching.” increasingly popular with the higher standard deduction).
For more information, or to inquire about establishing a DAF with the Catholic Community Foundation (CCF), please contact ccf@archindy.org or 317-236-1482.
Pray for our Bruté Seminarians. Find a printable version of this prayer card on our website.
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For more information
- If you wish to contact Bruté Rector Fr. Joe Moriarty, you can reach him at jmoriarty@archindy.org or call 317-924-4100.
- To inquire about donating to Bruté, please contact Ellen Sanders at esanders@archindy.org or call 317-236-1501.