First Week at the Seminary
My first post from Canada. I seem to have arrived just well. Me and my two suitcases. The first week was spent in Winnipeg, meeting as many of my friends there as I could. Everyone seems to have survived well enough without me, but it felt good to meet up with these wonderful people, most of whom have seen many years in ministry already.
I spent my time in Winnipeg at my vocation’s director’s rectory. The people in the parish were very welcoming as I was introduced to them at several Masses during the week(end). I feel very much humbled by their warm reception and it was great to have many come up to me and talk to me in German. Most of them have come over here in the years after World War II, maybe with just two suitcases as well (although they probably took a lot longer to get here, instead of my measly 12 hours by plain).
After my first week in Winnipeg, trying to enjoy my last ‘vacation’ days as much as I could, another seminarian picked me up at 6am for the drive to Edmonton. Thirteen hours. And we were speeding, a little. But he drove us all the way there, across half of Manitoba, all of Saskatchewan and some of Alberta.
As I explained in the post below, the new seminary building is currently being constructed and we have taken up residence in a former nursing home. Everyone on the formation team, the staff and employees have really worked hard to make this place – a lot smaller than the old building, apparently – as nice and welcoming as possible. Those of you that are curious can look on my Photo Gallery where I have added some new pictures. 
The last few days we have had some introduction days. It was so good to get to know the almost 30 guys that live here. Things about our daily schedule and the year programme are reviewed, and we’ve sorted out which community duties each of us will fulfill this year. I am going to help produce the seminary newsletter as well as help plan the community evenings. More about my schedule this year is to come…
We also drove out to the new location of the Newman Theological College, after which we all went out for ice cream. It’s been a fun couple of days in a very relaxed atmosphere as everyone is getting settled in. As for me, I have a few additional things to take care of, such as getting a Canadian driver’s license and car insurance for my new car! (Photos will follow one of these days as I keep you updated). I can’t ask you guys often enough to please keep me in your prayers. For you folks back in the Netherlands, be assured I think of you often and really feel united with you as I think of you in mine.
3 Responses to “First Week at the Seminary”
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Hey Bas!
Goed te lezen dat je alweer aan het sjouwen bent geweest daar. Ik had al wel gehoord dat je inmiddels naar Edmonton was gegaan, dus dat was geen verrassing meer voor mij. Hoe is het daar? Je kamer en je auto enzo? Denk je dat je daar een beetje kunt gaan wennen en is het ‘luxer’ dan in Nederland?
Ikzelf heb zojuist m’n nieuwe auto opgehaald in Culemborg en ik heb ook een nieuwe telefoon gekregen en een zooi declaratieformulieren, waar ze ook het kopje ‘monsteraankopen’ hebben staan. Dus als je nog wat nodig hebt….:p
Hoop snel weer wat van je te horen, en ik blijf zoiezo van tijd tot tijd je website wel checken.
Liefs,
Nini
Hoi Sebastiaan,
mooi hoor, de eerste foto’s van het seminarie en omgeving. Ik hoop dat je je er dit jaar thuis mag voelen.
Gods zegen,
Gloria
Hoi Sebas,
Goed om te horen dat je goed bent aangekomen en je verhaal over de eerste tijd te lezen. En mooie foto’s zodat ik een beetje de indruk krijg hoe jullie daar leven.
Ben nu net klaar met inpakken maar kan pas daadwerkelijk verhuizen naar mijn stage in Helmond ‘t Hout op 19 september a.s Van tevoren nog wel een parochiebedevaart naar Lourdes. Is wel gaaf. Ben net terug uit Banneux van een mooie ziekenbedevaart: vele oude bekenden maar ook nieuwe gezichten. Is altijd weer goed om bij ons Moeder te zijn.
Sprak Stef gisteren nog. Komt veel op hem af met het fusiegebeuren en zo. Wil hem en zijn medepriesters en de de aan hen toevertrouwde parochies in je gebeden meenemen…en ze op op voorspraak van Maria aan de Heer toevertrouwen.
Ik hoor graag van je.
In gebed verenigd, broeder!
Jacob