BigJon16 Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 I love this place. We're about a quarter way through the Spring semester. Classes are kinda rough.. Taking two honors philosophy classes (Ethics, Logic) this semester, one Theology(Intro to Scripture) one speech, and one 'social science.'(Linguistics) Seminary has--as we like to say--it's 'blacks and whites'. (Get it? Haha!) ('Ups and downs', for all you slower PMrs... looking at you, FP.) :P I won't lie and say "the seminary" is perfect. It's very real. But it is amesome, and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Well, actually it'd be nice to be home right now, but Spring break is only two more weeks away. But then I find when I'm home with my family and my old friends, I'm constantly talking to my brother seminarians and looking forward to coming back from break. Everyday I'm learning about myself more and more. I'm learning about the Lord, and the Church. And I've got a good group of guys around me who are in the same boat, and we build each other up. We vent and rant and laugh and pray and have late-night philosophical discussions about anything you don't really ever feel like talking about. There is gossip and drama, but in many ways it is countered by great acts and moments of fraternity. Academically, I am growing too. By no means am I an 'academic' or an 'intellectual' but its nice learning how to think for yourself. And use logic, and reason to defend what you think. And knowing how to explain to my lapsed-catholic sister why its a good idea to go to confession more often, especially before receiving at Mass after such a long absence from attending. Well, that's the update I guess. Im super busy, so I don't really have as much time to hang out on the phorum as I did last year. Pray for me, and be assured of my prayers for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhuturePriest Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 I love this place. We're about a quarter way through the Spring semester. Classes are kinda rough.. Taking two honors philosophy classes (Ethics, Logic) this semester, one Theology(Intro to Scripture) one speech, and one 'social science.'(Linguistics) Seminary has--as we like to say--it's 'blacks and whites'. (Get it? Haha!) ('Ups and downs', for all you slower PMrs... looking at you, FP.) :P I won't lie and say "the seminary" is perfect. It's very real. But it is amesome, and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Well, actually it'd be nice to be home right now, but Spring break is only two more weeks away. But then I find when I'm home with my family and my old friends, I'm constantly talking to my brother seminarians and looking forward to coming back from break. Everyday I'm learning about myself more and more. I'm learning about the Lord, and the Church. And I've got a good group of guys around me who are in the same boat, and we build each other up. We vent and rant and laugh and pray and have late-night philosophical discussions about anything you don't really ever feel like talking about. There is gossip and drama, but in many ways it is countered by great acts and moments of fraternity. Academically, I am growing too. By no means am I an 'academic' or an 'intellectual' but its nice learning how to think for yourself. And use logic, and reason to defend what you think. And knowing how to explain to my lapsed-catholic sister why its a good idea to go to confession more often, especially before receiving at Mass after such a long absence from attending. Well, that's the update I guess. Im super busy, so I don't really have as much time to hang out on the phorum as I did last year. Pray for me, and be assured of my prayers for you. One of these days, I'm going to be a priest, and you're going to have to come to me and confess every sin you've ever committed against me and my name. :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luigi Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Any priest will do for confession - it doesn't have to be you. and on the other hand, you may have to go to HIM for confession some day - what'll ya do THEN?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PadrePioOfPietrelcino Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Seminary is indeed a wonderful place. While I'm at a different seminary I echo your thoughts. Except we don't get Spring Break :( we do get TWO whole off campus weekends this semester so that is pretty awesome to go back home to my Parish and serve there for the weekend and spend time with the parishioners. I have grown so much in my relationship with Christ, but honestly while I knew I would grow in love towards others...WOW...I didn't know I could still grow this much. Everywhere I look I see the joy and sometimes the pain of Christ (Latin=Pain for those who have never taken on the endeavor). Seriously however, seminary has been an amazing experience for me so far. I told my diocesan brothers over Christmas that in the military we have the fraternity of war. That I was willing to die for anybody on my right or left was never questioned. The fraternity of the seminary is so much more...I'm willing to die for them if, heaven forbid, the need ever came up, but even more I am willing to strive to LIVE for them to be the best I can be so that I might strengthen them so that together we can encounter the culture and Christ everyday and bring all who we can by the Graces of the Holy Spirit to encounter Christ as well. The academics can be challenging, I have 18 hours of course work in addition to the rest of my formation program, but the subjects are intriguing and amazing...I mean for an example I am taking an art practicum course this semester on get this the Calligraphy of the 10th and 13th Centuries...we are even going to do a project on real vellum with iron gall ink (after we make the ink). Who gets to do that? The impact of this course is that it has brought me into a deeper respect for the preservation of the scriptures and the work that has gone on through the ages so that we might encounter Christ the word in every Mass, and to have the scriptures in our HOMES so that we can pray with Him and learn from Him. What people throughout the ages wouldn't give to have such opportunity. Am I called to be a Priest? I can't say for sure, but I hope and fear it may be so. Hope because what an amazing way to serve the Lord, fear because what a huge responsibility, I am not worthy. But I am becoming more and more aware that God will not call the qualified he will qualify those he calls. I also do not get to be as active as I once was, but rest assured you all are often in my thoughts and prayers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJon16 Posted February 21, 2014 Author Share Posted February 21, 2014 Seminary is indeed a wonderful place. While I'm at a different seminary I echo your thoughts. Except we don't get Spring Break :( we do get TWO whole off campus weekends this semester so that is pretty amesome to go back home to my Parish and serve there for the weekend and spend time with the parishioners. I have grown so much in my relationship with Christ, but honestly while I knew I would grow in love towards others...WOW...I didn't know I could still grow this much. Everywhere I look I see the joy and sometimes the pain of Christ (Latin=Pain for those who have never taken on the endeavor). Seriously however, seminary has been an amazing experience for me so far. I told my diocesan brothers over Christmas that in the military we have the fraternity of war. That I was willing to die for anybody on my right or left was never questioned. The fraternity of the seminary is so much more...I'm willing to die for them if, heaven forbid, the need ever came up, but even more I am willing to strive to LIVE for them to be the best I can be so that I might strengthen them so that together we can encounter the culture and Christ everyday and bring all who we can by the Graces of the Holy Spirit to encounter Christ as well. The academics can be challenging, I have 18 hours of course work in addition to the rest of my formation program, but the subjects are intriguing and amazing...I mean for an example I am taking an art practicum course this semester on get this the Calligraphy of the 10th and 13th Centuries...we are even going to do a project on real vellum with iron gall ink (after we make the ink). Who gets to do that? The impact of this course is that it has brought me into a deeper respect for the preservation of the scriptures and the work that has gone on through the ages so that we might encounter Christ the word in every Mass, and to have the scriptures in our HOMES so that we can pray with Him and learn from Him. What people throughout the ages wouldn't give to have such opportunity. Am I called to be a Priest? I can't say for sure, but I hope and fear it may be so. Hope because what an amazing way to serve the Lord, fear because what a huge responsibility, I am not worthy. But I am becoming more and more aware that God will not call the qualified he will qualify those he calls. I also do not get to be as active as I once was, but rest assured you all are often in my thoughts and prayers. Awesome! Yeah, we run on a regular college schedule, as we are accredited through St. Johns University. It has its positives and negatives. There is nothing more amazing than when what you are learning in a class totally integrates/works with your prayer life. Its a huge blessing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJon16 Posted February 21, 2014 Author Share Posted February 21, 2014 (edited) One of these days, I'm going to be a priest, and you're going to have to come to me and confess every sin you've ever committed against me and my name. :P Any priest will do for confession - it doesn't have to be you. and on the other hand, you may have to go to HIM for confession some day - what'll ya do THEN?! Grazie, Luigi! Yeah, FP. Just think--God willing, should things stay at the pace they're at now--I'll either be ordained before you or we'll be in the same class. (Which is weird to talk about, considering how far off it is...but for the sake of ruining FP's plan, I'll persist.) TAHT MEANS, you ain't got nothin'. Brah. :) Edited February 21, 2014 by BigJon16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristinaTherese Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 I was in the Catholic bookstore near my parents' home and a seminarian from the parish was there too, working at the cash register. Someone accidentally said that he was going to celebrate Mass instead of saying that he was going to serve Mass.... And he's no further than you two. :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PadrePioOfPietrelcino Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 I was in the Catholic bookstore near my parents' home and a seminarian from the parish was there too, working at the cash register. Someone accidentally said that he was going to celebrate Mass instead of saying that he was going to serve Mass.... And he's no further than you two. :P :hehe2: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PadrePioOfPietrelcino Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Oh yeah...the joy and fun is outstanding. I never go a day without hearing laughing and seeing jokes on each other. Snowball fights and the spontaneous living in the now. Oh my goodness the fun is awesome, I'm one the oldest Seminarians (there is at least one older than I) and I can still sit back and relax with the 18 year old guy who hasn't made it to half the places I have, but loves Christ so much.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatherineM Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Before our seminary had to move a few years ago, the Province put a highway through the chapel, the seminary residence was connected to the college. The seminarians could waddle to class in their fuzzy house shoes. Now they have to run across a parking lot when it's -40 outside. Made them much tougher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhuturePriest Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Grazie, Luigi! Yeah, FP. Just think--God willing, should things stay at the pace they're at now--I'll either be ordained before you or we'll be in the same class. (Which is weird to talk about, considering how far off it is...but for the sake of ruining FP's plan, I'll persist.) TAHT MEANS, you ain't got nothin'. Brah. :) No, see, when I'm ordained, I'm going to make sure that you're the first person who confesses to me, in which case, you are confessing your sins against me. :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not The Philosopher Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 No, see, when I'm ordained, I'm going to make sure that you're the first person who confesses to me, in which case, you are confessing your sins against me. :P ...unless he already confessed them to someone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhuturePriest Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 ...unless he already confessed them to someone else. These aren't particularly mortal (Though they should be), so he can wait until that day arrives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PadrePioOfPietrelcino Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 Before our seminary had to move a few years ago, the Province put a highway through the chapel, the seminary residence was connected to the college. The seminarians could waddle to class in their fuzzy house shoes. Now they have to run across a parking lot when it's -40 outside. Made them much tougher. We have a pretty strict uniform...I wish I could wear fuzzy house slippers. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhuturePriest Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 We have a pretty strict uniform...I wish I could wear fuzzy house slippers. :( I wonder if my kilt will fit the dress code? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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