The Seminarian Road Show

First, I apologize for the late post. We have been having some Internet server problems here so it has taken me a little while to get online. The lack of the Internet is a good reminder of the aesthetical spirit of the season (see previous post).

This week, seminarians from our seminary went “on tour” to parishes throughout the Dioceses of Brooklyn and Rockville Centre as well as to college campus ministries and eventually parish schools. This is a new endeavor called for by Bishop Murphy in his recent pastoral letter on vocations.

It changes the rhythm of the seminary a bit. Sunday has traditionally been a community day – a time when we gather for Morning Prayer and Mass in the morning and Evening Prayer and a community dinner in the evening. For a majority of weekends in the Spring Semester we will spending our weekends (Saturday nights and Sundays) in parishes speaking with local communities about vocations, the seminary and how they can be an even more active support and presence here.

The loss of the community day here is overshadowed by the opportunities and experiences that spending time with the parishioners and parish leaders brings. How wonderful it is to see other parishes “in action”, learn about the various traditions of parish communities and gain a better understanding of how different and unique life as a parish priest can be. Hopefully, it is a positive experience for the parishes that we are able to visit as well. I remember when I let people know I was coming here, the word “seminary” had a mysterious sense to it. People were not sure what it was and had tons of great questions (Can you ever leave? Do you have to shave your head? Is it true you go to bed when it’s sun down? The answers are Yes, No and No, by the way!). This allows parish communities to meet men considering the priesthood and to learn about the process and journey involved in making a decision to come here. It might even inspire thers to think about their own vocation – to priesthood, religious life, married life or the single life.

Last night, Evan Jules (a fellow seminarian) and I journeyed to the Newman Club meeting at Adelphi University. If that is any indication of what these visits entail, we’re in great shape. There we met over thirty college students excited about their faith, open to listening to Evans and I speak and receptive to all our suggestions and ideas for ways to increase vocations in the life of the Church.

The hope, too, is that this experience will call each of us to look around, as well as within, our own lives. Who are the family members, friends, parishioners, neighbors, and acquaintances who needs to be asked about considering their own vocation. Who else needs to be sent forth?

From Alleluia's to Asceticism

“Live as though only God and yourself were in this world, so that your heart may not be detained by anything human.” -St. John of the Cross

Lent begins this Wednesday and there is much for each one of us to work on and reflect upon during the upcoming 40 days. In the prayer of the Church, Lent is a journey, one that calls for an exile, of sorts. The hope is that in this Lenten season we can prepare and renew ourselves in preparation for the great celebration of Easter! (We sing Alleluia, for the first time, at the Easter Vigil!)

At our Spring Semester Orientation and House Meeting, Msgr. Charles Fink, the Director of Spiritual Formation (and the topic of a future post) called us to a spirit of asceticism, particularly during the days of Lent. It involves a pulling away, a separation from many of the things to which we attach to and become distracted from our relationship with God and with one another. His words forced me to think about so many of the “things” to which I can become so easily attached.

Msgr. Fink’s call for Lent is one that applies to all, not only the seminarians and priests who live here in the Seminary. Over these next 40 days what can we detach from? Is it a relationship? Technology? Food? Drink? A certain behavior? (Or maybe all of them :)! Whatever it is –and there’s something for each of us –perhaps we can look at the ways to detach and to pull away in the hope that we can attach and push closer to God. Then, when we sing Alleluia again at Easter we will do so more aware and more present to our God and to one another!

Have a great week.

Spring Semester - School's Back in Session!

Last week, I wrote about the Pastoral Workshops offered here at the Seminary to ease us back into the Spring Semester. Well, the easing in is over as the Spring Semester is in full swing.

The courses, like those in many good programs, build on previous learning and experience and, it appears they will give us many relevant and applicable experiences for parish ministry. So here’s a look at the schedule with a little explanation of what’s involved…maybe you’ll want to take a few of these courses!

Pauline Literature: This course examines many of the Letters of Paul found in the New Testament. We hear from Paul on most Sundays at Mass so this will provide me, I hope, with a good foundation for the future.
Passion Narratives: This second Scripture course is an online or distance learning course. I am in this class with six other people who are involved in ministry and work throughout the Dioceses of Brooklyn and Rockville Centre. It promises to be interesting – not just for the knowledge I’ll gain – but for this unique way of learning.
Special Issues in Moral Theology: Here we will be focusing on issues related to health care and sexuality. I am not sure you can have enough information in these two areas but the course promises to leave me with a lot to think about.
Sacramental Theology: Working with others to prepare and celebrate the sacraments is important for any priest. This course will give not only the history of the sacraments but what the sacraments offer each of us.
Theology of Marriage: No I’m not getting married! Yet, working with married couples and the Sacrament of Marriage is important for all who work in the Church. This class will help us to look at the theological foundations of marriage as well as many of the practical issues that arise in today’s society.
John Henry Newman: I know next to nothing about him. This class, particularly as his canonization approaches, will give me some good insight into this man – who liked to write a lot (I know because I have to read most of it!)
Spanish: I am still working at this – we’ll see what happens as the semester progresses!

So are you signing up? Even though we are only a week in, it looks like it will be a pretty interesting semester! If you know anything about these topics, let me know!

Have a great week!