Christmas Break

A Blessed and Merry Christmas to each and every one of my blog readers.  May you find time to just be with family and enjoy their presence and the amazing present of Jesus Christ that God gave to us.

I am at home in Maine with my family.  I've been sorting out the den and making it a comfortable space.  I decided to leave the Hammond organ in the den and take my keyboard back to the dorm room in January.

I rearranged my bedroom the first day back and I have much more space to work with now.  I still have some boxes to go through up in the eaves of my bedroom, but not working too hard at that or anything else.  I'm playing some computer games and watching a lot of movies with my family.

Reflecting back on the semester, I think I did OK.  My grades will be in my mailbox when I get back to the Seminary.  I'll let you know (roughly) how I did. 

A God moment

Last night, I visited the local prison where I used to volunteer on a regular basis.  It was their annual Christmas party.  The party kicks off with the usual Tuesday communion service.  Now, there are a couple of people who always assist at the communion service.  They were both in the room last night.

At Communion time, the inmate running the service gives the consecrated host to one of the usual people and then calls my name.  I look up and see that he is motioning me to come up to assist with Communion.  I go, receive and begin to distribute the Body of Christ.  When the service is over, I go back to my seat to pray and reflect. After the service, I asked the inmate, "Why did you ask me today?".  He said, "I don't know, I just had a feeling."

He did not know that I had just been instituted as an Acolyte and Eucharistic Minister.   He just picked my name out of the air.  So, my first time EVER distributing the Body of Christ was a mere coincidence.  (Remember, I'm the organist, I've never been an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist.)  I don't believe in that kind of coincidence any more than you do.  It was truly a God moment.

Acolyte Institution

Tonight at Mass, the 14 members of the First Theology Class (including me) were instituted as Acolyte.  This is the first formal step towards future ordination.  It was a beautiful ceremony celebrated by His Excellency, The Most Reverend Michael J. Sheridan, Bishop of the Diocese of Colorado Springs, Colorado.  He was a bit of a ways from home, but he does have a student here in our class, so he made the trip.  It was followed by a Festive Dinner with my dad, some friends from my home parish and Fr. M. 

I do believe a good time was had by all.  As for me, I felt something during the ceremony.  I'm not positive what it was, but the Spirit might have been stirring. 

Here is a picture of my Dad and me at dinner.

2 year anniversary

Tuesday, December 6th, 2011. 

Carmen died 2 years ago today.  The battery powered Christmas candle that I placed in the bedroom window nearest my bed soon after her death is still faintly glowing, refusing to go out like all the other candles I lit at the same time.  I know that she is still watching over me.  Fr. Murphy, here at the seminary, has agreed to offer a memorial Mass for Carmen today at 7:00 A.M.

Much in my life has changed in the last 2 years.  Life here at the Seminary has been good for me.  But, I still miss Carmen. That sad hole in my life where she used to be just shows my humanity.

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.