The Diocese of Columbus’ annual seminarians bike tour ventured outside the outer belt of the city and into Lancaster and Newark on May 24-25 before returning to the suburbs.

The seminarians made stops in Lancaster at St. Bernadette and St. Mary of the Assumption to speak with elementary school students and Fisher Catholic High School to talk with ninth through 11th graders on May 24 before heading to Newark for an overnight stay at St. Francis de Sales Church.

Seminarians, led by Zach Goodchild, are greeted by students as they ride into Lancaster Fisher Catholic High School to visit with ninth, 10th and 11th graders.  CT photo by Ken Snow

After meeting with St. Francis de Sales students on the morning of May 25, the seminarians headed to Westerville St. Paul for a May 26 visit with students and then biked to Worthington St. Michael School to conclude the three-day tour before returning to the Pontifical College Josephinum.

Diocesan seminarians visit Lancaster St. Bernadette School and Father Ty Tomson on the first leg of their annual bike tour in the diocese.          Photo courtesy St. Bernadette School

The seminarians who make the trek offered their thoughts on the experience.

Seminarian Joey Rolwing said, “The bike tour serves a couple of purposes. First, it’s a great experience of fraternity amongst the seminarians when we can spend time together, do something active, and explore the diocese a little bit. But it’s also primarily about getting out and spreading the message of vocations by talking to students in their schools and encouraging them to be open to God’s calling in their lives, teaching them about the different vocations, and inspiring them to strive for holiness.”

Seminarian Shane Gerrity observed, “I’m just excited to get to meet all the kids and see all the different churches and schools. It lets you become familiar with the diocese and it’s a great way to let young people get to know some of the men who are actually in formation for the priesthood.”

Seminarian John-Paul Haemmerle shared, “It’s all about getting out, seeing the diocese, having fraternity amongst the seminarians and promoting vocations. It helps the students we talk to see that seminarians and priests are just regular guys who like to go on bike rides, hang out and have a good time.”

Sam Severance offered, “The bike tour helps these young kids put a name to a face that they otherwise might only see on a poster in their school or church. They have encounters with us, we talk to them during lunch, and they’ll remember that.”

Seminarian Shane Gerrity talks with first graders.   CT photo by Ken Snow

Seminarian Joey Rolwing (left) chats with second-grader Stephanie Gaskill.     CT photo by Ken Snow