By Sam M. Lucero
Catholic Herald

Seminary official makes yearly visits to diocese

MOUNT CALVARY, Wis. -- As a recruiter and admissions counselor for St. Lawrence Seminary, Ken Maciejewski makes annual visits to northern Wisconsin. Each year he contacts Catholic school principals in the Diocese of Superior, hoping to schedule meetings with middle school boys.

During the school visits he describes life on "the hill" and gives a slide presentation showing how students spend their days and nights. Afterward, if students show an interest, he takes their names and telephone numbers and offers them a videotape and literature to give their parents.

One week later Maciejewski calls the parents to schedule a home visit. If they agree and show interest in the school, a weekend visit is scheduled for both son and parents.

Weekend visits are held throughout the year and are required for prospective students. Once a visit is scheduled, Maciejewski picks up students at their homes on Thursday morning and parents are invited to campus on Saturday.

During their time at the school students attend classes, enjoy social events, meet seminary students and the rector, Fr. Dennis Druggan. They also take an entrance exam.

When parents arrive they take a tour of the seminary, hear a presentation by parents of St. Lawrence students and voice any concerns to the couple. They also meet with the rector. On Sunday they attend morning Mass with their sons, have breakfast and then depart for home. By the end of the weekend parents and students have a clear picture of what their decision will be.

In addition to the Superior and La Crosse dioceses, Maciejewski spends much of his time on the road visiting schools and parents in Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and lower Michigan.

Maciejewski is scheduled to visit the Superior diocese in January (see schedule below). Parents are welcome to attend any of the school presentations, said Maciejewski.

Schedule of visits to diocese

St. Lawrence Seminary admissions counselor Ken Maciejewski will visit the Superior diocese in January. Here is a schedule of his visits.

-- Jan. 8, 8-9 a.m., St. Francis Xavier School, Merrill

-- Jan. 8, noon to 2:30 p.m., Rhinelander Catholic Central, Rhinelander

-- Jan. 9, 8:30-9:30 a.m., St. Anthony School, Park Falls

-- Jan. 9, 1-2 p.m., Our Lady of Sorrows School, Ladysmith

-- Jan. 10, 9-10 a.m., St. Patrick School, Hudson

-- Jan. 10, 10:15-11:15 a.m., St. Bridget School, River Falls

-- Jan. 10, 1:45-2:45 p.m., St. Mary School, New Richmond

-- Jan. 11, 9-9:45 a.m., St. Joseph School, Rice Lake

-- Jan. 11, 10:30-11:15 a.m., St. Francis de Sales School, Spooner

-- Jan. 12, 8-10:30 a.m., Cathedral School, Superior

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