SAGINAW — A colorful depiction of the Holy Spirit on a stained glass window created by Walker Wenzel, a senior at Nouvel Catholic Central High School, is featured on a special prayer card for seminarians. The prayer card is being unveiled at the Bishop's Charity Golf Classic and Dinner for Seminarian Education this week. The prayer card will then be distributed in parishes throughout the Diocese of Saginaw. It will encourage the faithful to pray for vocations to the priesthood, and the diocese's eight seminarians.
"I was inspired to draw the Holy Spirit in this way after attending a youth conference at Franciscan University of Steubenville in June," Wenzel said.
Two years ago, the event planning committee— which includes Rev. Andrew Booms, director of Priesthood Vocation— gave all high school students the opportunity to submit original artwork. The hope was to introduce young people to the history of iconic art by challenging them to research its history and become familiar with its unique tradition.
"It's very exciting to see our young people discovering religious iconic art," Father Booms said. "By inviting youth to participate in this event we want them to deepen their spirituality and engage their religious imagination."
In addition to having his artwork featured on the prayer card, Wenzel will receive a $300 tuition scholarship from the Catholic Community Foundation of Mid-Michigan (CCFMM). The scholarship will be applied to his tuition at Nouvel. In addition to sponsoring this scholarship, CCFMM administers endowments which fund programs and initiatives throughout the diocese that support the evangelizing mission of the Church.
Wenzel is the son of Keith and Kristen Wenzel and a member of St. Dominic Parish where he is an altar server and projectionist.