Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Another semester ends
I just completed my last class for the semester. I still have 1 paper, two take home finals and an oral final to complete before I leave.
I am taking my time about going home to Maine as there are many Christmas events that I wish to attend. These include White Christmas in Boston, several parties and a Boston Seminarian's event.
One month from today is my diaconate ordination, God willing.
I am taking my time about going home to Maine as there are many Christmas events that I wish to attend. These include White Christmas in Boston, several parties and a Boston Seminarian's event.
One month from today is my diaconate ordination, God willing.
Sunday, November 23, 2014
I give thanks...
...for family, those still here and those who have passed, who have always supported me
...for friends, who are there when you need them and lift you up
...for health, as I see those who struggle and persevere with their health issues, mine seem so minor
...for a free, but crazy country, where we have freedoms and rights unimagined elsewhere
...for a priestly vocation, after another marriage vocation, as I move from one call to another
...for a God that loves us unconditionally, no matter who we are or what we do.
...for friends, who are there when you need them and lift you up
...for health, as I see those who struggle and persevere with their health issues, mine seem so minor
...for a free, but crazy country, where we have freedoms and rights unimagined elsewhere
...for a priestly vocation, after another marriage vocation, as I move from one call to another
...for a God that loves us unconditionally, no matter who we are or what we do.
Monday, November 17, 2014
R.I.P. to my big sister
Last weekend, at 3:41 on Saturday morning, I got the call I had been dreading. My sister lost her battle to her brain tumor. My pastoral supervisor sent me packing to Maine as soon as he read the email I sent to him and the Seminary.
I was in Maine for 6 days supporting the family as her daughters and son (and their support systems) managed all the details. It was a lovely wake, funeral and committal.
The high point of a very low week was the support from the Seminary. By my count 22 of my brother seminarians made the trip for the wake, funeral, committal or some combination of the above. Two of the faculty from the seminary also made the trip. My pastor from my home parish came. My pastoral supervisor came. Many drove two hours, made a short visit and drove back. I am awed by their support.
The pastor in Maine offered a rare privileged. Sacred books must be burned or buried. My sister was buried with a 1969 Lectionary in her casket.
I am back at the seminary, trying to cope and grieve. I have two major papers due in the next 2 weeks. I have not one word down on paper. I have no motivation to start. God help me.
I was in Maine for 6 days supporting the family as her daughters and son (and their support systems) managed all the details. It was a lovely wake, funeral and committal.
The high point of a very low week was the support from the Seminary. By my count 22 of my brother seminarians made the trip for the wake, funeral, committal or some combination of the above. Two of the faculty from the seminary also made the trip. My pastor from my home parish came. My pastoral supervisor came. Many drove two hours, made a short visit and drove back. I am awed by their support.
The pastor in Maine offered a rare privileged. Sacred books must be burned or buried. My sister was buried with a 1969 Lectionary in her casket.
I am back at the seminary, trying to cope and grieve. I have two major papers due in the next 2 weeks. I have not one word down on paper. I have no motivation to start. God help me.
Monday, October 27, 2014
Retreats and changes
My class made our annual retreat from 10/12-10/17. I spent an extra night to make it go until 10/18. Why? Well, I made it my canonical retreat. Before each ordination, the candidate must spend 5 consecutive 24 hour periods on retreat. That means 6 nights. The other men made these canonical retreats before their ordinations. There are 4 left in my class to be ordained as deacons.
We stayed at Marie Joseph Spiritual Center in Biddeford Pool, Maine. It is an old hotel, a bit mysterious, a bit creaky, but a wonderful place right on the ocean.
Some changes have taken place at the Seminary as well. As is normal, we have lost a couple of the first year men. Some men always discern out in the weeks just before or just after the retreat. Please continue to pray for them as you pray for us.
We celebrated out 50th Anniversary as a Seminary at our annual Alumni Days event. You've probably seen those pictures on Face Book. The keynote speaker was the US Ambassador to the Vatican. The Vatican shared the Seminary's FaceBook page and 30,000 people saw our page in 1 day.
(BTW, with great humility, the pictures on this page and the Face Book page were taken by this amateur photographer)
We stayed at Marie Joseph Spiritual Center in Biddeford Pool, Maine. It is an old hotel, a bit mysterious, a bit creaky, but a wonderful place right on the ocean.
Some changes have taken place at the Seminary as well. As is normal, we have lost a couple of the first year men. Some men always discern out in the weeks just before or just after the retreat. Please continue to pray for them as you pray for us.
We celebrated out 50th Anniversary as a Seminary at our annual Alumni Days event. You've probably seen those pictures on Face Book. The keynote speaker was the US Ambassador to the Vatican. The Vatican shared the Seminary's FaceBook page and 30,000 people saw our page in 1 day.
(BTW, with great humility, the pictures on this page and the Face Book page were taken by this amateur photographer)
Monday, October 20, 2014
A Red Letter Day
Today, Monday October 20th, along with one other member of my class, I will make my Oath of Fidelity and Profession of Faith before our evening Mass. If you are interested in the text, you can find it here.
This is a big step that must be done in public some time before ordination. We do it here in front of the Seminary student body in a very formal ceremony.
In even BIGGER news, I was just informed by the Rector of the Seminary, that Cardinal Sean has sent a letter with my "Call to Orders" for Diaconate ordination on January 10th, 2015.
This is a big step that must be done in public some time before ordination. We do it here in front of the Seminary student body in a very formal ceremony.
In even BIGGER news, I was just informed by the Rector of the Seminary, that Cardinal Sean has sent a letter with my "Call to Orders" for Diaconate ordination on January 10th, 2015.
Friday, October 10, 2014
What classes this semester?
People have been asking what classes I am taking this semester.
Canon Law of Marriage
Theology of the Eucharist
Writings of John
Eucharist Practicum (how to say Mass)
My assignment counts as a class as well
My elective is Parish Pastoral Administration
Every Friday afternoon I am off to the parish and I am there until Sunday afternoon.
This semester feels a bit like one of those European tours. If this is Tuesday, it must be Venice.
I have to check my calendar every morning to see where I am supposed to be that day.
There have been several events scheduled by the diocese that I have to be at as well. Gotta pay attention, gotta check my schedule.
Canon Law of Marriage
Theology of the Eucharist
Writings of John
Eucharist Practicum (how to say Mass)
My assignment counts as a class as well
My elective is Parish Pastoral Administration
Every Friday afternoon I am off to the parish and I am there until Sunday afternoon.
This semester feels a bit like one of those European tours. If this is Tuesday, it must be Venice.
I have to check my calendar every morning to see where I am supposed to be that day.
There have been several events scheduled by the diocese that I have to be at as well. Gotta pay attention, gotta check my schedule.
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