January 15, 2010
People of Faith
Jeff Read recalls summer in Newburgh and New Mexico
Seminarians for the Diocese of Evansville gathered for their annual retreat at Sarto Retreat House in Evansville in August 2009, prior to their return to formal seminary studies in the fall. Each participant filled out a brief questionnaire for this series.
Jeff Read, from St. John the Evangelist Church, Daylight, is in his second year of theology studies at St. Meinrad School of Theology.
He is the son of William and Bernadine Read of Elberfeld. He will be 29 on Jan. 22.
His siblings include Sister John Mary (whose baptismal name was Teresa), Patricia, Doug and Mitchell.
How did you spend your summer? I spent five weeks at St. John the Baptist Church in Newburgh and two weeks hiking in New Mexico.
At St. John, I did various things, including helping with Vacation Bible School, the summer social, Teen-power, Communion calls and interviews with staff.
At Philmont Scout Reservation in New Mexico, I hiked on the St. George Trek with a crew of Catholic Boy Scouts. We engaged in leadership and spiritual activities.
What was the best thing (or maybe, what were the highlights) of your summer? Of the hiking in New Mexico and being at St. John, I probably enjoyed working with the staff at St. John the most, especially during the summer social.
What are the courses/subject matter of the year ahead? Christology, New Testament II, Modern Church History and Mary in the Liturgy.
Since this is the Year of the Priest, can you identify a priest who has had an influence on your life? What was that influence? When I attended the Institute of Priestly Formation, the spiritual director I was assigned was very influential in my life, particularly in the area of prayer and better understanding of the journey to holiness.
Where is your position in your family of origin? I am the fourth of five children. Most of my older siblings moved out at 18 or 19 and so I spent much of my time at home with just my parents and my younger brother.