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High-spirited students fuel optimism for school year
by Abby Simons
The dawn of a new academic year has brought new names, faces and life to
Conception Seminary College.
Keeping steady numbers as the largest seminary college in the nation, 95
full-time students are currently enrolled for the 2003-04 academic year.
The diverse cross-section of seminarians represents 22 dioceses and
three religious orders from throughout the nation, as well as Central
America, Africa and Asia.
 With a freshman class 17 strong, many just out of high school, Father
Benedict Neenan, president-rector, sees a bright future for the
seminary.
“I see a lot of eagerness and zeal in them, but also a lot of humor and
high spirits,” Father Benedict said. “I think they’re going to be a
hard-working but also generous group.”
Father Benedict expressed no concern at the notion of having a young
group within Conception’s walls, instead seeing it as an opportunity
worth embracing.
“I think it’s a great advantage,” he said. “A vocation to the priesthood
needs to be nurtured from a young age. It tends to become stagnant and
maybe even die if it’s not nurtured, and this is a great place to do
that.”
Seminarians hail from U.S. dioceses as far away as Boise, and from a
variety of nations, including Mexico, Vietnam, the Philippines, and
Sudan. It’s yet another important advantage for a successful learning
atmosphere, according to Dr. Elizabeth McGrath, academic dean.
 “It’s really an interesting mix, and it seems to be good for all of
them,” McGrath said. “The energy level is certainly excellent, and it’s
interesting to see these people working side by side. They really get a
lot from each other.”
Father Benedict said that, despite the challenges the Catholic Church
currently faces, the high numbers prove strength in a faith that can’t
be weakened.
“These are very difficult times for seminaries and seminarians, not
in the seminary so much as in our society," he said. "It takes a lot
for a young man to make the decision to go to a seminary and test his
vocation, so I have a lot of respect and admiration for the courage
that's reflected in those numbers."
The 2003-2004 student body
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