Every summer, seminarians from St. Vladimir’s and St. Tikhon’s Seminaries have the opportunity to leave the classroom and immerse themselves once again in parish life. Through the Diocese of the South Parish Internship Program, seminarians spend (ideally) eight weeks in a parish, living the daily rhythm of liturgical services, pastoral visits, teaching, preaching, and participating in the practical aspects of parish administration and community life.
These internships are not simply an academic exercise—they are an essential part of forming future clergymen and their families for the real and sometimes unpredictable life of ministry in the Church. This past summer, Deacon Sergio Lopez, a seminarian at St. Vladimir’s Seminary, spent his internship at Holy Cross Orthodox Church in Kernersville, NC, under the supervision of Fr. Christopher Foley. Reflecting on his time there (read more here), Dn. Sergio highlighted three key lessons:
- The Variety of Ministries in the Body of Christ: Beyond ordained service, he witnessed parishioners quietly and faithfully tending to the countless tasks that sustain parish life—from cleaning the temple and serving on parish council, to managing parish communications, cooking meals, and caring for the grounds. This opened his eyes to the often unseen but essential ministries that make parish life possible.
- The Daily Life of a Priest: Shadowing Fr. Chris gave him a window into the unique calling of the parish priest—visiting parishioners, preparing for services, meeting with parish leadership, and cultivating relationships with the wider community.
- Formation of the Whole Family: Perhaps most importantly, the internship gave his wife, Ruth, and their family a chance to experience what life in ordained ministry will be like after seminary. “The life of a minister’s wife has its own challenges,” he reflected, “and Ruth was given an opportunity to navigate some of the obstacles associated with being the spouse of a clergyman in the parish setting. Both she and I found this invaluable.”
Why Parish Internships Matter
The internship program is not just for the benefit of seminarians. Parishes themselves receive tremendous blessing from welcoming a seminarian and his family into their community. An intern’s presence offers:
- Fresh energy and perspective in parish life.
- An extra set of hands in liturgical, pastoral, and administrative duties.
- A tangible way to support the next generation of clergy.
- chance for the faithful to see seminary education translated into parish ministry.
The Diocese of the South provides financial support to make this possible, but the experience depends entirely on parishes willing to host.
A Call to Parishes
If your parish is able to host a seminarian intern in the coming summers, please prayerfully consider this opportunity. By opening your doors and hearts, you are directly investing in the future of the Church and in the formation of our next generation of priests and their families. For more information or to express your parish’s interest, please contact: office@dosoca.org