Flocknote

December 2023

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.

NCYC experience showcases how priests are the ladders between us and God

Seminarian Alex Lindberg at the 2023 National Catholic Youth Conference

If there was anything I learned from attending my second National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) held in Indianapolis from November 16-18, it would be realizing all the more acutely how priests are the ladders between us and God.

As a volunteer working behind the scenes, I saw some of the most profound moments where people experienced God's love and encountered Jesus Christ.

I witnessed these encounters as I saw the youth, youth ministers, and chaperones leaving the confessionals after receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Many had tears in their eyes or on their faces, not a typical response one usually sees when others leave the confessional. What could have stirred so many to such a reaction? I can only believe it was an encounter with God, where the love of our Savior was made known in their hearts.

But what made such an experience possible? It is the ladders between us and God that made it possible. These ladders are the priests, who administer the sacrament of God’s mercy. Many priests heard hours of confession every day of the conference. Without our spiritual fathers making such sacrifices, this bridge between our hearts as penitents and the love of God would not be present and available to us.

At the end of each of the three days, my fellow seminarians and I would ask ourselves where we saw God that day. Hindsight is always an opportunity for gratitude, especially when you are tired and might not feel all that grateful. The Scripture verse in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 comes to mind. “Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, as indeed you do.”

Thanks to the witness of my friends and fellow seminarians, I was able to see the goodness of God at work through his human but holy priests. The fellowship of all the participants turned NCYC from a tiring faith-filled event into an uplifting experience that showed me the goodness of God.

Alex Lindberg is a Bruté seminarian studying for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and a member of the Class of 2025.

Learn about Alex

Bishop Simon Bruté Giving Society

*New Starting July 2023!*

Your gift of $1,000 or more will recognize you as a member of the Bishop Simon Bruté Giving Society. Members will receive special gifts and experiences. At each level, all previous level benefits are included.

Bishop Chartrand Circle with gifts of $1,000 - $2,499 will receive a Bruté Prayer Journal.
Cardinal Ritter Circle with gifts of $2,500 - $4,999 will be invited to Sunday Mass on May 19, 2024 at the seminary followed by donuts and coffee.
Archbishop O’Meara Circle with gifts of $5,000 to $9,999 will be invited to Evening Prayer and Mass on March 14, 2024 with the seminarians followed by a light dinner at the seminary.
Archbishop Buechlein Circle with gifts of $10,000 and above will be invited to the spring semester opening Mass on January 7, 2024 at the seminary with Archbishop Thompson followed by a light breakfast.

Bruté Seminarians Decorate for Christmas

Seminarians got into the Christmas spirit by putting up decorations

around the Bruté Castle

Wishing you a Blessed and Merry Christmas!

Grateful for your generous support

The Christmas season is not only for giving and receiving gifts, it’s also a great time to take stock in our many blessings. December is a time countless donors typically give from their God-given blessings to the Church and our many ministries. Your generosity fuels the mission of Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary to help prepare young men for the priesthood.

Please know of our immeasurable gratitude for your sacrificial giving to Bruté. God works through your hands.

If you have questions, please reach out to us at ccf@archindy.org or call 317-236-1482.

All gifts made online or postmarked by December 31, 2023 will be processed and acknowledged as gifts during the 2023 calendar year. If you plan to mail a donation, it is recommended that it be put in the mail collection box no later than

December 29 to ensure it is postmarked by December 31, 2023.

Castle Nights

Castle Nights are opportunities for high school men to join the Bishop Bruté College Seminary Community for prayer, a meal, and conversation with our college seminarians.

Here is the upcoming schedule of Castle Nights:

January 17, 2024

March 20, 2024

April 17, 2024

If you know a young man that might be interested in attending, more information and registration can be found here.

Pray for our Seminarians

Please pray for our Bruté Seminarians. Find a printable version of this prayer card on our website.

Save the date for the 2024 Legacy Gala

Join us on February 9 for the fourth annual Archdiocese of Indianapolis Legacy Gala benefitting Catholic Charities, Catholic Schools and Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary. Evening includes dinner and open bar, awards, auction and music from The Bishops! To sponsor or purchase tickets visit www.archindy.org/LegacyGala.