Michaelmas 2025 Seminary Newsletter
Dear Friends,
Looking back at this past seminary year, we see a path that has been taken step by step, one where we can feel Christ’s guidance deeply. Each step has been both a challenge and a gift, and together they form part of our attempt to align with His work as the Lord of Destiny.
The first step was the inauguration of our new Hybrid First Year—“Knowing Christ” program. Ten students from across North America, from New Zealand, and from the Philippines have begun this journey. They gather online in three weekly classes and in person at the beginning of the year and then again for two weeks at the end. This new form of study emerged through an engagement with the people He sent our way: people who have already been deeply formed by Christ in their lives, but for whom leaving their current jobs and families would be too high a cost at this point in their training.
The second step came in our work with already-ordained priests. What began as a one-year residency has now unfolded into a three-year rhythm of continuing education—an extended path of support and formation for new priests as they take up the threefold activity of proclaiming the Word, shepherding souls, and celebrating the sacraments. Here too, destiny is being written as priests learn to stand more deeply in their vocation on their own, and together.
The third step was marked by a move: Patrick Kennedy’s relocation to the United States. This also enabled a new congregation being born in Atlanta, Georgia, where elements of the Seminary live. This move will make it possible for Patrick to more fully focus on and develop the outreach and publishing work begun in Toronto as well as to more capably administer the online portions of the training. This is possible because we now have a third director.
And so the fourth step has been the beginning of Emma Heirman’s activity as a director of the Seminary. With joy and gratitude, we welcome Emma’s presence and her gifts of listening, clarity, and warmth into our circle of leadership. Together with the students and with all of you, our friends and supporters, we are learning what it means to walk as companions under the guidance of Christ.
Through all of this, the theme of this past year—the Second Coming of Christ and His work as the Lord of Destiny—has shone as a light. You will hear in the voices of the students and new priests who share in this newsletter how deeply this theme has shaped their inner life and outer path.
Looking ahead to this coming year, the Seminary is blessed to be supporting a vibrant and growing student body. Currently, two students—Sean Waters and Marc Delannoy—are entering the preparation-for-ordination term, while three students are on-site in Toronto engaged in the first-year “Knowing Christ” program. Additionally, seven students participate in the hybrid at-home “Knowing Christ” program, and four students are placed in congregations for their “Working From Christ,” or internship year, along with a fifth student completing her internship in Germany as part of her continuing formation. Alongside these, five recently ordained priests are continuing their education in the second year of formation. Beyond these core programs, eighteen people have signed up for distance learning, many of whom are preparing to enter the Seminary as full students next year. We are also delighted by more than one hundred individuals auditing online courses and some eight hundred fifty followers of our podcast through Patreon, joining us in spiritual community around the world.
The coming year’s theme centers on Christ, His redemptive deed, and its continued work in the sacraments. We step into this future with strong gratitude for your prayers, participation, and support. With priestly ordinations set for March 14-15, 2026, and with a new student support fund to help cover the high travel costs for those who live halfway around the world, we need your continued generosity more than ever.
These concrete steps forward in Christ’s work require the partnership of friends like you to sustain and flourish. Please turn to the last page of this newsletter to learn how you can help sustain this work.
With warm greetings in His name,
The directors of the Seminary in North America,
Jonah Evans, Emma Heirman and Patrick Kennedy
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