Vocations > Our Seminarians > Our Theologians
July 24, 2008

What happens at the major seminary?

     Seminarians who enter into the theological, or major seminary, are in their final preparations for ordination to the transitional diaconate, and to the priesthood.  The major seminary program is four years in length, and during this time, seminarians engage a full line of academic and spiritual programs to prepare them for ordained ministry in the Church.

     While in the major seminary, a seminarian receives three ministries.  These ministries come at different intervals, and depend upon the particular seminary as to when they are administered.  Oftentimes, these ministries are conferred to the seminarian by a bishop.  

     The ministry of lector prepares the seminarian to proclaim God's holy Word, and is the primary function of his ministry as a transitional deacon.  The ministry of acolyte invites the seminarian to more deeply contemplate his role as one who is the giver of Christ's Body and Blood at the holy Mass, and eventually, the one who is given the power to confect the Holy Eucharist by the power of his priestly office.  The ministry of candidacy announces to the seminarian's sponsoring diocese and to the entire Church that he has been chosen for ordination.

     Before the seminarian can be ordained to the priesthood, he must first serve as a transitional deacon.  The difference between a permanent deacon and a transitional deacon is that the permanent deacon will permanently serve in the role as deacon.  A transitional deacon is in "transition" from diaconate to priesthood, and will serve in the role of deacon anywhere from six to twelve months before his priestly ordination.

Our Theologians (Major Seminarians)

Name:   David Carrano Click to listen to David's vocation story 
Projected Ordination:
Formational Status:
  May, 2010
Theology Program, Year 2 of 4
Seminary Attending:   Pontifical North American College
00120 Vatican City State
EUROPE
Telephone:   011-39-06-68493-408
Email:   dcarrano@pnac.org
Home Parish:   St. Ann, Stoughton
Date of Birth:   12/27/1981
Summer Assignment:   St. Joseph Parish, Dodgeville

 

Name:   Chad Droessler Click to listen to David's vocation story
Projected Ordination:
Formational Status:
  May, 2011
Theology Program, Year 2 of 4
Seminary Attending:   The American College
Naamsestraat 100
B-3000 Leuven
Belgium
Telephone:   011-32-16-32-00-55
Email:   chaddroessler@hotmail.com
Home Parish:   St. Rose of Lima, Cuba City
Date of Birth:   11/16/1984
Summer Assignment:   St. John the Baptist Parish, Waunakee

 

Name:   Rev. Mr. Brian Dulli Click to listen to Brian's vocation story
Projected Ordination:
Formational Status:
  May, 2008
Theology Program, Year 4 of 4
Seminary Attending:   University of St. Mary of the Lake
1000 E MAPLE AVE
MUNDELEIN, IL  60060
Telephone:   (847) 837-4643
Email:   bdulli@usml.edu
Home Parish:   St. Maria Goretti, Madison
Date of Birth:   08/14/1980

  

Name:   Rev. Mr. David Greenfield Click to listen to David's vocation story Click to view David's video interview
Projected Ordination:
Formational Status:
  May, 2008
Theology Program, Year 4 of 4
Seminary Attending:   Blessed John XXIII National Seminary
558 SOUTH AVE
WESTON, MA  02493
Telephone:   781-810-1641
Email:   dgreenfield@blessedjohnxxiii.edu
Home Parish:   St. Maria Goretti, Madison
Date of Birth:   09/23/1953

  

Name:   Gregory Ihm Click to listen to David's vocation story Click to view Greg's video interview
Projected Ordination:
Formational Status:
  May, 2010
Theology Program, Year 2 of 4
Seminary Attending:   Pontifical North American College
00120 Vatican City State
EUROPE
Telephone:   011-39-06-68493-245
Email:   gihm@pnac.org
Home Parish:   St. Clement, Lancaster
Date of Birth:   11/12/1982
Summer Assignment:   St. Maria Goretti Parish, Madison

 

 

Click here for a video interview with Jorge Miramontes

Name:   Jorge Miramontes Medina Click to listen to David's vocation story Click to view Jorge's video interview
Projected Ordination:
Formational Status:
  May, 2011
Theology Program, Year 1 of 4
Seminary Attending:   Sacred Heart Major Seminary
2701 CHICAGO BLVD
DETROIT, MI  48201
Telephone:   (313) 883-8743
Email:   jommed@yahoo.com
Home Parish:   Holy Redeemer, Madison
Date of Birth:   10/28/1970
Summer Assignment:   St. John VIanney Parish, Janesville

 

 

Name:   John Putzer Click to listen to David's vocation story Click to view John's video interview
Projected Ordination:
Formational Status:
  May, 2011
Theology Program, Year 1 of 4
Seminary Attending:   The American College
Naamsestraat 100
B-3000 Leuven
Belgium
Telephone:   011-21-16-32-00-52
Email:   johnputzer@hotmail.com
Home Parish:   St. Paul UCC, Madison
Date of Birth:   04/26/1985
Summer Assingment:   Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary, Sun Prairie

 

Name:   Timothy Renz Click to listen to Tim's vocation story Click to view Tim's video interview
Projected Ordination:
Formational Status:
  May, 2011
Theology Program, Year 1 of 4
Seminary Attending:   Sacred Heart Major Seminary
2701 CHICAGO BLVD
DETROIT, MI  48201
Telephone:   (313) 883-8734
Email:   timjrenz@yahoo.com
Home Parish:   St. John the Baptist, Jefferson
Date of Birth:   02/06/1980
Summer Assingment:   St. Ignatius Parish, Mt. Horeb
St. Mary Parish, Pine Bluff
 

 


:

Name:   Rev. Mr. Lance Schneider Click to listen to Tim's vocation story
Projected Ordination:
Formational Status:
  May, 2008
Theology Program, Year 4 of 4
Seminary Attending:   University of St. Mary of the Lake
1000 E MAPLE AVE
MUNDELEIN, IL  60060
Telephone:   (847) 837-4706
Email:   lschneider@usml.edu
Home Parish:   St. John the Baptist, Montello
Date of Birth:   12/30/1957

 

 

Name:   Rev. Mr. Patrick Wendler Click to listen to Pat's vocation story
Projected Ordination:
Formational Status:
  May, 2008
Theology Program, Year 4 of 4
Seminary Attending:   Blessed John XXIII National Seminary
558 SOUTH AVE
WESTON, MA  02493
Telephone:   (781) 810-1589
Email:   pwendler@blessedjohnxxiii.edu
Home Parish:   Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary, 
Sun Prairie
Date of Birth:   09/11/1960

Camp Gray
Relevant Radio

Home  |  Diocese of Madison  |  Parishes  |  Schools  |  Vocations  |  Ministry  |  Outreach  |  Contacts  |  News/Media  |  Stewardship
Copyright 2007 by Diocese of Madison