Thursday, August 29, 2013

The Third Year Starts

    I arrived back at the seminary on Friday for a meeting of the Orientation Team.  17 new men arrived on Saturday.  We unloaded them, moved them to their rooms and started them on the process.  We have 2 entering 3rd Theology (with my class), 2 entering 2nd Theology, 7 entering First Theology (plus the four pre-thelogy from last year to make 11) and 5 entering Pre-theology.  This gives us a total of 57 in the house.  That puts us a bit lower than last years 66, but we have room to grow.

   Classes start tomorrow (Friday) with Ecclesiology and Catholic Social Doctrine.  Cardinal Sean is coming at noon to celebrate Mass with us.  Next week, I'll have my first classes in Liturgical Preaching and Sacraments.  I also have an elective titled, The Mystery of Suffering.

   I have my pastoral assignment and I will be at a parish on the North Shore of Boston every Sunday for this academic year.  My monthly visit to my home parish to play the organ for a Saturday night Mass remains intact.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

An Unexpected Acquisition

    My home parish in Maine is closing it's doors next month.  This decision came from the parish itself, attendance is dwindling and the bills are becoming a problem.  There are three other churches nearby, so while it was a difficult choice, it was also a necessary one.

    I saw that they will be having an auction of various items from the church for the parishioners.  I approached the Pastor and asked about  the availability of vestments and such. He said that normally, all of the items needed for Mass are packed up and sent to the missions.  He asked if I would like a memento and offered this.  Once I get it re-plated, it will be a wonderful memory of my old parish and a continuation of a legacy and history of use.