“I’ve been waiting for this for a long time,” seminarian Eddy Greenwald said. “I’ve been on this [journey] for a while and this is the first real step to reaching my goal of being a priest and serving this diocese.”
Father Jose Sanz, rector of Serra House, celebrated the Mass, along with concelebrants Father Jorge Garcia, Father Juan Garcia, Father John Gunningham and Father Emmanuel “Wharren” Banico.
Entering Blessed Junipero Serra House of Formation are Carlos Flores, Sacred Heart, Riverside; Jorge Tellez, Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine, Riverside; Jonathan Garcia, St. George, Ontario; Edward “Eddy” Greenwald, St. Edward, Corona; Giovanni Hernandez, St. Anthony, San Jacinto; Simon Nguyen from Sacramento and Ian Hollick from Corpus Christi, Corona.
Returning to Serra House were seminarians Jess Lucia, Jose Muñoz, Francisco Vega and Rolando Ramos.
“Today these young men are telling us that they are ready to welcome the Word of God into their hearts,” Father Sanz said during his homily. “They are going to allow God to transform them and … one day, they are going to encourage us and to lead us as a holy people. That is the commitment today. This is an important moment.”
During the Mass the men pledged their devotion and energy to study and spiritual growth. Father Sanz presented each seminarian with the book of psalms and readings he will use during their time at Serra House.
“When receiving the book, it was reality hitting. It’s really happening,” Tellez said. “I hope to learn more about myself this year and to grow spiritually.”
For Nguyen, who has previous experience in seminary life, participating in the ceremony and seeing the families, friends and faith groups present helped him prepare for a new year of formation.
“I’ve been through this before but to see the community come to support us, it’s very encouraging,” Nguyen said.
Following the Mass, the doors of Serra House were opened for family and friends to tour the facilities. They were able to walk into the dorms, chapel and other common areas where the seminarians will live, study and pray.
“It’s exciting to see his dream finally come true and to begin taking the first steps,” said Linda Greenwald, Edward Greenwald’s mother. “I will support him in whatever he does.”