My Christmas gift to you

I've been writing and rewriting this in my head for years.  This is the first time I have put it down "on paper".  Feel free to borrow it, use it, modify it, comment on it, etc.  I don't believe it violates any basic tenets of the faith.  I used "us" and not "me" because Communion is a community sacrament.

Prayer After Communion.
Heavenly Father, may this reception of the body and blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ bring peace to those of us who receive it.  May this sacrament fill us with every grace, blessing and healing that we need to be better imitators of Christ and help build a dim reflection of Your heaven here on earth.  May it keep us and sustain us until we next receive this sacrament.  We ask this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

(Funny, a lot harder to write than to say.  The words come so easily in my prayer after communion.  I had to struggle to remember them here and now, out of context)

A Quiet Time (Still)

It is a good time of the year to be quiet.  I've started the Spiritual Exercises and there is little to report on my application.  The next "big thing" is my psychological screening scheduled for the first week of January.  I believe that should complete my application for sponsorship. 

February will bring the vocation retreat again (You may recall that I went on it last year as well).  It will also be the month where I might expect to hear an answer from the diocese about sponsorship. 

A tough day

Today is the one year anniversary of Carmen's death.  I thank God on a regular basis for loaning her to me for 30+ years, but there is still a big hole in my life where my best friend and wife used to be.

Friends and family joined me yesterday at a memorial Mass in her honor.  We gathered here at home after a quick trip to the cemetery.  We shared a meal and some stories about Carmen.  It was a good thing to do.

So why am I sitting here crying?  Because I'm human and I miss her..

The Application continues

I met with Fr. H., the vocation director this evening.  All is progressing nicely.  Every interviewer had the same red flag (It may be too early to enter the seminary since it has not even been a year since his wife died).  But every interviewer also said based on the longer term calling (since Junior High), it is probably not a problem.

I'll be getting information in the next week about the psychological screening.   I should expect an answer about sponsorship at the end of January or beginning of February.  That will be just in time for the next vocation retreat.

A Quiet Time

There is not a lot going on from my standpoint with the application process.  I have completed the 2 interviews with priests.  Next will be the psychological screening.  I still need to write a 2 page essay on my understanding and appreciation of the priesthood.

I know that my reference letters are coming in slowly.  I've received copies of a couple.  They are treasured reading. 

I continue to meet with my spiritual adviser.  He is a godsend in my life.  I am scheduled to meet with Fr H in the vocation office a couple days after Thanksgiving.  I'm sure I'll have an update after that meeting.

Interviews

I met with Fr. N. on Monday to complete my cycle of interviews with priests.  In my opinion, it went well.  It was a good conversation with some tougher questions than I've had at other interviews.  I guess I'll find out how it went soon.  

Interviews

I met with the "other Fr. H." in the vocation office on Wednesday night.  He is one of two priests that I need to interview with as part of the application process.  The interview went very well, in my opinion.  There were a lot of back and forth conversations.   I think I handled the questions he posed well.  I left with a good feeling about the interview.  Now to interview with Fr. N. on Monday.