Who Really Creates Peace

Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?


- Saint Gerard Majella (1725-1755)

h/t to daily blessings

Delaying Obedience is Disobedience . . .

even if it means the difference of just a few years until the end of a career as a professional athlete playing a game you love before you enter the seminary. Or so says Chase Hilgenbrinck, who had opted to retire from his professional soccer career with the New England Revolution to enter the Seminary in the fall.

You can read the entire story here.


What an inspiring message this young man's life is for all of us who are trying to do God's will. He must have had some amazing direction and help along the way.

You can bet his name will go on my list of seminarians that I pray for daily.

Pax

Something Spiritual and Puzzling

Last night I went to the installation ceremony for a Gradual School classmate of mine who happens to be an Episcopalian Priest in a nearby city. She also happens to be a woman, and her bishop also happens to be a woman. Michelle is also married and her husband and son were involved in the ceremony as well.

I have known Michelle for probably two or three years and have had lengthy conversations about many things. We have taken classes together, and had dinners and evenings of joy and fun. I have come to really appreciate her gifts as a deeply spiritual person, and her great respect for my Catholic faith (because as an Episcopalian Priest she was getting a Masters Degree in a Catholic Seminary).

Watching the service last night it made me wonder, what charism is she lacking that makes her incapable of being a priest in the Catholic church? Or for that matter what charism is her Bishop lacking? Is it merely the fact that they are women?

Mrangelmeg had no answer either. His only comment was that an all male priesthood kept things more simple and manageable.

Anyway, last night was a very beautiful service in a community that showed a great amount of love for their new rector. When we had a chance to talk to her at the reception we could tell that she has already come to love them deeply.

I guess the only answer for now is that in order to remain obedient to the church we must accept that the Catholic church says that only men can be priests. (or as my gradual school buddies say if you can p** like Jesus you can be like Jesus). Before last night I never really questioned the Church's stance. now I wonder. . .

Pax

I Meet the Nicest People In Gradual School

I have two young men in particular that I would love to tell you all about. They are both future seminarians and they are both in my philosophy classes.

One is named Tim and he is going to be a monk in a very small order dedicated to Our Lady, I wish I could remember the name of the order but I can't. He is so wonderfully excited about learning.

The other is Aaron. He has been living as a Glenmary Missionary and is in the process of preparing for the Seminary (he needs to get 30 hours of Philosophy Courses before he can enter Major Seminary somewhere, so he is taking courses not only at Saint Meinrad, but also will be taking courses at another school closer to his mission post in Kentucky in the fall, then he will be back at Saint Meinrad next Summer. Hopefully he will be ready to begin Seminary training in the Fall of 2008.

I am sure that both of these young men would appreciate your prayers as they follow God's call to the priesthood on the path He has chosen for them. Aaron in particular has been and will continue to work for most of his career in under served areas of the United States where he may be the only Catholic presence for miles. When he talks about the work he does it is very stirring and you can see the Spirit welling up inside him.

I know they will be in my prayers. Won't you join me in praying for them.

Pax

Turn Turn Turn

I guess my "retirement" may soon be coming to an end. The Newman Center at Indiana University is looking for a Campus Minister and I really feel that this is a job that is perfectly suited for my skill set. Besides that, I have been volunteering there in the RCIA program all this year, so I know the priests, and some of the students, and I really love the program.

So, I have been working for the last week to write a resume and get my references in line so that I can submit everything next week. I don't know if I will be hired, but I have as much chance as anyone else that will be applying. I have everything they are asking for in their job description (or will have as soon as I complete my Masters work).

Please say a prayer for me. I know that I will be disappointed if I don't get this job. I want to feel as though I am doing God's will be applying for the position, and be able to leave the decision as to whether I actually get it as God saying that perhaps it isn't quite time yet for me to return to work. Please pray that I have that type of detachment from what happens.

Pax

Update on my time with mom

I am still here taking care of mom. I am having some limited success getting her to do her daily bathing and care -- moreso than my sister who has been taking care of her and my sister who was staying here earlier in the week. I haven't really spent an evening here when she has been in full blown sundowning all by myself though.

For the past two days we have been taking advantage of the nice weather and taking a walk each day, something elese that my sister that has been living with her hasn't been doing (because of a weight/health issue on my sister's part more than any other reason). Mom has enjoyed the walk.

Mom is much more confused, but we have gotten along really well. I really don't want to put her in nursing care, but I suppose if she is this confused about where she is, to the point of not really knowing where she is, or continually asking when she will be going home, perhaps it is the right time to move her.

I know that in my work in the parish I visited enough nursing homes to know that I don't want my mother to be one of those people who are tied to their beds because the staff doesn't want them wandering around, or who is drugged up all the time to keep them docile.

I am praying and trying to listen for the voice of God so that I know that I am making the right choice for mom.

Keep praying for me.

Pax

I Found It!

Praise God, I found a car I actually a) like and b) can afford. It is a one owner Ford Taurus Wagon that is low mileage and looks great for being 9 years old.

Now if I can just go pick it up tomorrow without massive amounts of buyers remorse setting in. I think that the only thing worse than having to purchase a car is having to purchase a dress for a wedding and I am speaking of not the bride's dress, just a dress to wear to a formal wedding that I think looks good on me.

I know this is the car I want, it feels like the right decision. I am so glad I don't have to look anymore.

Pax