Thanksgiving Break and Final 3 weeks of the semester

Well, Thanksgiving break is over.  I had 5 days back at home with my family.  It was a pleasant time and I continued my treadmill, prayer and Mass practices almost without interruption.  It was very nice to be cooking for my family again.  I do love to cook and we don't do much of that here.

The next 3 weeks at the Seminary will be "crazy busy".  We have 4 finals, 3 of them before finals week, 2 papers to turn in or present at a panel and installation as Acolytes with Mass followed by a festive dinner.   Of course, we need to learn how to be Acolytes so we have 3 nights of training for that as well.

I am not complaining, it is just busy.  My classmates and I seem to be taking it all in stride.  We're continuing to follow the premise of "collaborate to graduate".

Psalm for a Seminarian

I'm not going to post my homework assignments here very often, but I'll make an exception.  For Philosophy, we were asked to write a psalm (since Augustine's Confessions has been called his psalm), so here is my psalm.

A Psalm for a Seminarian

Adoration

Lord you are the creator of all.
You are worthy of all our praise
All that we sense is your creation.
Our senses are overwhelmed with your creation.

Intellect

You created us in your image.
Your image, but limited in many ways.
Attune our intellect, Lord, to your ways.
Teach us your ways, your ways alone.

Contrition

We stray from your ways, O Lord.
All our days, we are tempted and give in to temptation.
Forgive us Lord, have mercy on us.
We are sinners, one and all.

Spiritual

Spending time in silence with you Lord is most important.
Help us make this a priority in our lives.
Teach us to listen for your voice, Lord.
Teach us to pray well, not for ourselves, but for others.

Thanksgiving

Every good thing that we have comes from you, Lord.
We offer it all back to you.
Be it done to us, Lord, according to your will.
Giving thanks to you does not seem enough, but it is all we have.

Human

We are broken human beings, Lord.
Help us to overcome our sinfulness and brokenness.
Show us how to live with one another in peace and tranquility.
Let us model our lives on your example of humanity.

Supplication

Lord, we ask and ask and ask.
Grant those petitions that will demonstrate your greater good.
Help us understand why those petitions that are not good for us were not granted.
Teach us to ask, not for ourselves, but for others.

Pastoral

Teach us what we need to know to be good priests for your Church.
Show us how to be good shepherds for your people.
Teach us humility, kindness and understanding.
Help us to follow your example every moment of our lives.

Discernment

Are we walking the path you have called us to?
Are we called to be priests? Or is there another path you have in mind for us?
Help us hear your voice over all the noise in the world.
Help us hear your voice and trust in whatever path you call us to.

                                                                                                -Chris Lowe

Exciting day at the Seminary

After our normal day of classes, Mass and prayers, we have 2 special events today.  This afternoon, we will be participating in a "dry Mass" to practice the new Mass responses that take effect in a couple weeks.  This will also give our seminary priests a chance to try out their new words in a real setting.

This evening is the Fall Follies.  Having never been to a Fall Follies, I cannot exactly describe it, but it seems to be skits and songs by each class.  The goal is to have a bit of fun and let off a bit of steam after a solid few months of studies.

Home is where you store your insulin

What the heck is he talking about?

Some of the upperclassmen have told us newbies that when the seminary feels like home, it is a big step in our life of discernment.  Having sold my house before coming here, and having all my goods in storage, this was my only home for a month or so.  Now I also have my condo in Maine that I sleep in once in a while (my father, sister and brother-in-law live there).  But the seminary still feels like home to me.

The recent power outage and the resulting reflection (remember the last post?) helped put that into focus for me.  Home is where you store your insulin.  Being a Type 2 diabetic and injecting 4 times a day, my insulin supplies are my lifeline.  They are always stored at my home.  They are stored here at the seminary.  The seminary is home.  Please continue with your discernment....

Priorities

A freak October snowstorm took out the power throughout much of New England.  The tree branches still full of leaves did not have much of a  chance against the wet heavy snow.  It's a week later and there are still thousands without power here in Massachusetts alone.

At the seminary, we lost power for 60 hours. That was just over 2 and 1/2 days.  We have an emergency generator, so we have some hallway, chapel and dining lights.  The kitchen has enough power to provide sustenance.  We had hot water and after some quick thinking by our maintenance guy, heat.  Classes, Masses and prayer times continued. 

So why was there so much grumbling about it?  (myself included)  We talked about that in the hallways as well.  Perhaps we are just too comfortable with our conveniences.  The TV, internet, lights just were not there.  The professors made allowances, so that was not the frustration.  Perhaps we're all just a bit spoiled by our technology.  We were clean, warm and fed.  Why were we unhappy?  Something for me to ponder in my prayer life.  Even after the power came back on, cable was still out for a day or so.  more grumbling...

On Tuesday, the power came back on and the 2nd year men were installed as Ministers of Reader.  The first year men (us) were servers for dinner.  After supper was complete, I went to bed for 3 days with a 3 degree fever.  My brothers came in 3 times a day with meals and to check on me.  I am so blessed and thankful for their support.  I am also thankful  that cable came back on to "entertain me" while I was down.  There it is again, technology at our beck and call.  More food for thought in my prayer life.