By ANGELA MARSHALL
Francis Schneider has come a long way. Once a shy boy unsure of his ability to serve God in the role of priest, he was recently chosen the next rector for the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington where he will oversee the education of many young men who have had similar feelings.
The January 23 appointment was the first made by Monsignor John Alesandro, who was named administrator of the Diocese of Rockville Centre after the death of Bishop James McHugh. A new bishop has yet to be named.
While this move will take Schneider out of Rockville Centre, the village will always hold a special place in his heart. In addition to serving as diocesan chancellor for the last 11 years, he was ordained at St. Agnes Cathedral by Bishop John McGann in 1983.
From a very young age, Schneider knew he wanted to be a priest. What he didn't know was if that was what God wanted him to be. And so he prayed.
Then in 1978 after graduating from college with a major in history, Schneider decided to enter the very seminary he will now oversee.
It's a big challenge, but I am very excited, he said during an interview last week.
There have been many changes at the seminary since Schneider was ordained, some good, some bad.
The biggest difference is the number of students. The Long Island seminary has been unable to fight the dwindling number of candidates for priesthood any better than the rest of the country.
When Schneider graduated in 1983, he believes there were approximately 90 students. Now, there are 45 in the program.
According to studies by Schneider and Alesandro, if a viable program to attract priests isn't found, the diminishing numbers will have a significant impact in 10 years.
One way the Catholic church has battled this trend is to give lay people more responsibility. Schneider said there is a growing relationship between the priests, deacons and laity that would not have been seen 20 years ago.
Schneider said his father had striven to educate himself in the ways of the Catholic church for his own interest, now we need people like him.
Lay people, in far greater numbers than when Schneider studied there, are taking classes at the seminary. We want lay people with a good solid education to collaborate with the priests, he said.
Another change one that Schneider calls exciting is the make-up of the student body. It is very multi-cultural now, he said. Many of the students are from countries like Korea and Haiti.
In keeping with the changing student body is recognizing the culture of the parishioner. Students are now required to study a foreign language, usually Spanish or Italian.
The seminary has also integrated a healthy sexuality, Schneider said. Sexual crimes committed by priests prompted this change, he said. We've taken that reality very seriously.
While a priest must continue to remain celibate, he said, they are also permitted to privately explore their sexuality.
Schneider said attracting men to the seminary would be a big priority and plans to work closely with the vocation officer from the Diocese of Rockville Centre. I personally will be as creative as possible.
In addition to his work as chancellor, Schneider has taught classes at the seminary for the last nine years. [It is] the high point of my week to go teach there, he said. To me it really is like going home.
Current rector Monsignor Vincent Fullam will train Schneider in his duties over the next five months. The transition will be made on Wednesday, June 27. By ANGELA MARSHALL
Francis Schneider has come a long way. Once a shy boy unsure of his ability to serve God in the role of priest, he was recently chosen the next rector for the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington where he will oversee the education of many young men who have had similar feelings.
The January 23 appointment was the first made by Monsignor John Alesandro, who was named administrator of the Diocese of Rockville Centre after the death of Bishop James McHugh. A new bishop has yet to be named.
While this move will take Schneider out of Rockville Centre, the village will always hold a special place in his heart. In addition to serving as diocesan chancellor for the last 11 years, he was ordained at St. Agnes Cathedral by Bishop John McGann in 1983.
From a very young age, Schneider knew he wanted to be a priest. What he didn't know was if that was what God wanted him to be. And so he prayed.
Then in 1978 after graduating from college with a major in history, Schneider decided to enter the very seminary he will now oversee.
It's a big challenge, but I am very excited, he said during an interview last week.
There have been many changes at the seminary since Schneider was ordained, some good, some bad.
The biggest difference is the number of students. The Long Island seminary has been unable to fight the dwindling number of candidates for priesthood any better than the rest of the country.
When Schneider graduated in 1983, he believes there were approximately 90 students. Now, there are 45 in the program.
According to studies by Schneider and Alesandro, if a viable program to attract priests isn't found, the diminishing numbers will have a significant impact in 10 years.
One way the Catholic church has battled this trend is to give lay people more responsibility. Schneider said there is a growing relationship between the priests, deacons and laity that would not have been seen 20 years ago.
Schneider said his father had striven to educate himself in the ways of the Catholic church for his own interest, now we need people like him.
Lay people, in far greater numbers than when Schneider studied there, are taking classes at the seminary. We want lay people with a good solid education to collaborate with the priests, he said.
Another change one that Schneider calls exciting is the make-up of the student body. It is very multi-cultural now, he said. Many of the students are from countries like Korea and Haiti.
In keeping with the changing student body is recognizing the culture of the parishioner. Students are now required to study a foreign language, usually Spanish or Italian.
The seminary has also integrated a healthy sexuality, Schneider said. Sexual crimes committed by priests prompted this change, he said. We've taken that reality very seriously.
While a priest must continue to remain celibate, he said, they are also permitted to privately explore their sexuality.
Schneider said attracting men to the seminary would be a big priority and plans to work closely with the vocation officer from the Diocese of Rockville Centre. I personally will be as creative as possible.
In addition to his work as chancellor, Schneider has taught classes at the seminary for the last nine years. [It is] the high point of my week to go teach there, he said. To me it really is like going home.
Current rector Monsignor Vincent Fullam will train Schneider in his duties over the next five months. The transition will be made on Wednesday, June 27.
