Eight seminarians, parishes to participate in 2001 summer internship program

- Plans have been finalized for the second annual Seminarian Internship Program during the summer of 2001, according to the Very Rev. Alexander Garklavs, Unit Coordinator.

At a meeting of Unit personnel and pastors slated to serve as mentors to the seminarians at the OCA Chancery here May 14, it was announced that eight parishes will host an equal number of interns from Saint Tikhon’s Seminary, South Canaan, PA and Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, Crestwood, NY.

“The program, mandated by delegates to the 12th All-American Council in 1999, enables seminarians to experience firsthand the many facets of parish life and pastoral ministry,” says Father Garklavs. “Each seminarian spends the summer months working under the guidance of an experienced pastor.”

Funding for the interns is provided by the Orthodox Church in America from pledges and donations offered by the faithful for this purpose.

Five students from Saint Tikhon’s Seminary will participate in this year’s program.

Priest Jose Rodriguez Sanchez will complete his internship at Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, Detroit, MI, mentored by the Very Rev. Michael Simerick.

Valery Shemchuk’s internship will be completed at Saint Nicholas Cathedral, Washington, DC, where the Very Rev. Constantine White is Dean.

Dmitry Kovalyov will serve at Christ the Savior Cathedral, Miami, FL under the guidance of the Very Rev. Phillip Reese.

Michael Tarris will be mentored by the Very Rev. Joseph Hirsch at Holy Transfiguration Cathedral, Denver, CO.

Barnabas Fravel’s internship will be conducted at All Saints Church, Olyphant, PA under the direction of the Rev. Nicholas Wyslutsky.

Students from Saint Vladimir’s Seminary participating in the program include

Deacon John Hainsworth, who will intern at Saint Herman Church, Edmonton, AB, Canada, mentored by the Very Rev. Dennis Pihach.

Nicholas Solak will complete his internship at Holy Ghost Church, Bridgeport, CT, under the guidance of the Rev. Vadim Pismenny.

John Schroedel will serve at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Chicago, IL under the direction of the Very Rev. John Adamcio, Dean.

The internships will begin in June and continue through the end of August 2001.

“We anticipate that this year’s internship program will yield the same positive results for the seminarians and parishes alike as it did last summer,” Father Garklavs adds.