Merry Christmas!

Dear Friends and Family,

A Blessed Advent and Christmas to one and all! As I look back, it’s amazing how quickly time flies—and how much change can happen in one year. For those of you who don’t have the time to read everything, I’ll give the short version followed by the long one.



Short Version

In short, this year I am currently doing a “Pastoral year” in Astoria, Oregon. It’s basically an internship where I live with a priest and “learn the ropes” from him. I have done everything from office work to teaching Scripture classes to performing at a Catholic Daughters Oktoberfest. In the midst of all the blessings, the Lord has done something drastic which is right now affecting my life.

A few weeks ago, I was informed that my seminary in Belgium is closing (You were in Belgium? Yes, for two years…). Naturally, this came as a shock to me and my brothers studying there. The Archbishop and I discussed options for my final two years of school and this Friday he told me where I was going…Rome. Starting this next academic year then, barring unforeseen circumstances, I’ll be going to Rome to finish my Licentiate in Sacred Theology. Right now, my head is still spinning, but the application process will begin soon for the Seminary and Italian summer school! Please keep me in prayer during this transition time—I still have half a year of pastoral year to do! Thus, you are up to date with all things “Marky”. What follows is the update from last year to the present.



Long Version

At the end of Summer ’09, I had finished a difficult first year in Leuven, Belgium, and had just returned from a stint with Mother Theresa’s sisters in Ethiopia ministering to the poor. (You can find articles about this on an earlier blog post). When I returned to school, it was the year of the priesthood and our seminary was going to Ars, France for our annual retreat. While there, the Lord brought me to a place of greater surrender and healed an area of my heart I was keeping from Him. With this healing, however, I was fairly certain I would be leaving Seminary to pursue other dreams. As the weeks went by, I didn’t leave; in fact, I was given renewed strength to continue and experienced an even greater healing.

As some of you know, I discovered that I suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder. Belgium is very dark in the winter and my first winter there was miserable. After the retreat, I began exercising, taking vitamins, and getting 8 hours of sleep a night. This brought about such a drastic change that I didn’t need medication that second winter—one which was the coldest in many years! More than the healthy habits was the abiding sense of God’s love—He had loved me into existence and loved me all my life up to this very moment.

In addition, I worked on another icon this year (check the blog for pictures) which was much more complicated than the first one. The Lord really blessed that work and showed me concretely how much His grace had been working this last year to change me. Thank you for all your prayers during that time.

The Belgian youth group that I was a part of also began a new effort at evangelization which culminated in a retreat. I was blessed to be able to share my testimony at this retreat and see the fruit of it—several in the group had also experienced a call to religious life but were afraid of it! I am thankful to all those who encouraged me in this group—they kept me going during times of spiritual dryness my first year.

During the year I was assigned to the SHAPE military base in Mons, where I and several others helped with masses and CCD. I met so many great families and got to help lead praise and worship for the confirmation retreat, as well as one of their youth nights at the end of the year. You were all a huge blessing to me and I’ll never forget you or your hospitality!

The last month of school was very busy writing my thesis and preparing for finals. At the last minute, right before finals, I and two of my seminarian brothers got the chance to see the Passion Play in Oberramergau, Germany. This play is only done once every 10 years and is done by the whole town with live animals and over 1,000 people! It was a once in a lifetime experience, but meant that we had only a couple days before all the finals began—needless to say, the last 3 weeks of school were non-stop cramming and thesis writing! As a happy ending, I passed all my classes and graduated “cum laude” from the abridged bachelor program with my STB.



Summer 10’

When I got home, I turned right around and flew out to Steubenville for the Priests, Deacons, and Seminarians retreat. It was a great time and I experienced even more internal healing and was encouraged by my brothers. If you have the opportunity to go there for any retreat, DO IT! No one does conferences better.

Immediately after returning home, I went to Astoria to visit the parish where I’m currently working and make a “work agreement” with my pastor. A few days later I turned around and flew to Mexico for 6 weeks of Spanish immersion! It was at this time that I realized I was tired of school and really needed a break…but it was only day three of 6 weeks! (check the blog for the full story). Ultimately, I did walk away from the experience with a decent amount of Spanish, so, “Mission accomplished” J.

When I returned home, my sister got married that weekend, which was the event of the year for our parish—The archbishop presided and my siblings did the music—I helped serve. I then had one week of vacation and began my pastoral year at the Parish, where I’ve been going non-stop since I got here.



Pastoral Year

When I arrived at the end of August, the secretary/business manager quit, so I became assistant secretary (really, the only secretary since the person who quit was the only staff in the parish). I answered phones, wrote check requests, and did as much as I could to help Father out. I’ve since been relieved of those duties, but was exposed to the practical day to day workings of the parish, which was great.

I’ve also been diving into the Old Testament this year, teaching 2 adult bible studies on it as well as teaching one day per week in the Grade School for all grade levels. It is challenging but invigorating work—I love the Old Testament (Thank you Dr. Bergsma!).

There have been many other things that have happened this year, but that’s enough for now—if you’ve read this far, God bless you! Know that you’ve been in my heart this last year and without your prayers I wouldn’t still be here today! May the Christ child find a ready place in your heart this Christmas, and may true peace be yours now and always.



In the Love of our Redeemer,

Mark Bentz