On Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the invitation of His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak, Fr. Chad Hatfield, former president of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, delivered an inspiring lecture to the clergy of the Archdiocese titled “Keeping a Balanced Spiritual Life in an Unbalanced World.” Archbishop Kawak warmly welcomed Fr. Chad before the lecture began. In his talk, Fr. Chad reflected on the importance of maintaining a balanced spiritual life amid the challenges of modern ministry, particularly for priests serving immigrant communities. He highlighted the growing interest among young people in traditional Christianity and underscored the need for authenticity, community, and apostolic faith.
Emphasizing the virtue of hospitality toward converts, Fr. Chad urged clergy to be well-prepared to guide and support those seeking truth and spiritual balance. Drawing from Fr. Alexander Schmemann’s The Eucharist, he reminded the priests that their strength and renewal flow from the altar and the sacraments. Following the presentation, the floor was opened for a Q&A session, during which clergy engaged in thoughtful discussion and shared reflections on the challenges of modern ministry. The lecture concluded with a heartfelt call for unity among the clergy and a prayer for spiritual renewal throughout the Archdiocese.
