An Update On My Application

[PhuturePriest]

So, I had my meeting with the vocation director on May 6 (Tuesday). It was really good and everything, but it turns out since my birthday is on October 6 I can't go this Fall, because the school has a no minor policy. But, it was still a very good discussion that was very thought-provoking. He asked me many questions, and by the end of it he recommended I apply to the diocese I grew up in, which is Dodge City. The Diocese of Wichita (the diocese I live in now) has sixty seminarians as opposed to Dodge City's 5. However, Wichita isn't even the diocese I wanted to apply for anyway. The diocese I wanted to apply for is the neighboring diocese of Salina, which I love because that's where my youth group is, and all of my connections are there and everyone who means anything to me is there. So, I did follow through with my promise to the vocation director of Wichita and called the vocation director of Dodge City's office, and he'll call me back on Monday, however, I also contacted Salina. I was called this morning by the vocation director, and we had a very good and fruitful discussion. He said he spoke with a seminarian friend of mine who he said told him a lot of great things about me, and he spoke to the Bishop about me since he lives across the street from him. The Bishop was interested, but he is good friends with the Bishop of Dodge City, and he told the vocation director he wants me to seriously consider Dodge City instead, because they need it a lot more.

 

So, I'm having a bit of a surrendering of the will. It wasn't my first or even second choice, but I know Dodge City needs great priests in its time of need, and I know it would really benefit if I was a seminarian for that diocese as opposed to the other dioceses. So, I'm going to take two semesters this Fall and coming Spring at a local community college to get some of my general education classes out of the way, and then I'm God-willing going to be a seminarian for the Diocese of Dodge City in the Fall of 2015.

[Nihil Obstat]

I am sure you considered this already, but just to be safe I will bring it up also.

Does Dodge City lack vocations because of some serious underlying problem in the seminary, or in the diocese itself? Basically, is there a reason everyone seems to be avoiding it when right next door (or whatever) vocations seem to be doing quite well?

There is nothing that destroys a vocation to the priesthood more effectively than an oppressive seminary. There are so many stories.

[PhuturePriest]

I am sure you considered this already, but just to be safe I will bring it up also.

Does Dodge City lack vocations because of some serious underlying problem in the seminary, or in the diocese itself? Basically, is there a reason everyone seems to be avoiding it when right next door (or whatever) vocations seem to be doing quite well?

There is nothing that destroys a vocation to the priesthood more effectively than an oppressive seminary. There are so many stories.

 

All the dioceses of Kansas use the same minor seminary, and several use the same major seminaries. All of them are very good and solid. Dodge City uses Conception for minor seminary and Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.

[PhuturePriest]

I am sure you considered this already, but just to be safe I will bring it up also.

Does Dodge City lack vocations because of some serious underlying problem in the seminary, or in the diocese itself? Basically, is there a reason everyone seems to be avoiding it when right next door (or whatever) vocations seem to be doing quite well?

There is nothing that destroys a vocation to the priesthood more effectively than an oppressive seminary. There are so many stories.

 

The Diocese is having major issues with catechesis and thus the number of faithful who not only go to Mass, but also know the Faith. Nothing a priest isn't supposed to take care of anyway.

[Nihil Obstat]

The Diocese is having major issues with catechesis and thus the number of faithful who not only go to Mass, but also know the Faith. Nothing a priest isn't supposed to take care of anyway.

I am sure you know, but make sure to dig deeper. Sometimes it simply stops at bad catechesis. Sometimes bad catechesis is merely a symptom of something deeper.

[PhuturePriest]

I am sure you know, but make sure to dig deeper. Sometimes it simply stops at bad catechesis. Sometimes bad catechesis is merely a symptom of something deeper.

 

Even if it is a symptom of something deeper, they wouldn't accept that as a reason to go to a different diocese, but rather a reason to apply to that diocese to help fix the problem, and I agree with them. I wanted to apply to the other dioceses because of personal reasons and connections, and I wanted to avoid this diocese because it's by and large a much more difficult task. But as Father David Mary of the Franciscan Brothers Minor told me a year ago: "God calls us to carry our crosses, not our easy chairs."

[Nihil Obstat]

Even if it is a symptom of something deeper, they wouldn't accept that as a reason to go to a different diocese, but rather a reason to apply to that diocese to help fix the problem, and I agree with them. I wanted to apply to the other dioceses because of personal reasons and connections, and I wanted to avoid this diocese because it's by and large a much more difficult task. But as Father David Mary of the Franciscan Brothers Minor told me a year ago: "God calls us to carry our crosses, not our easy chairs."

That is true. But one must think practically as well. It is a bit of balancing act sometimes. Think of LA under Mahony, or bishops like Lahey of Antigonish or Milingo of Zambia. Or, God help us, Weakland from Milwaukee.

While it is certainly noble to want to be a positive influence in a bad diocese suffering under a bad bishop, one also has to understand that weak or malicious bishops can make living one's vocation effectively all but impossible.

 

Anyway, I am not trying to discourage you, so I will say nothing more on the subject. You have probably thought of all this already, so simply go forward in prayer and with your eyes open. And do not be afraid to do what needs to be done in order to best serve the Church.

[PhuturePriest]

That is true. But one must think practically as well. It is a bit of balancing act sometimes. Think of LA under Mahony, or bishops like Lahey of Antigonish or Milingo of Zambia. Or, God help us, Weakland from Milwaukee.

While it is certainly noble to want to be a positive influence in a bad diocese suffering under a bad bishop, one also has to understand that weak or malicious bishops can make living one's vocation effectively all but impossible.

 

Anyway, I am not trying to discourage you, so I will say nothing more on the subject. You have probably thought of all this already, so simply go forward in prayer and with your eyes open. And do not be afraid to do what needs to be done in order to best serve the Church.

 

Oh, absolutely. It is good to have others in mind with your vocation, but your vocation is primarily about your salvation first, and then the salvation of others. I would be very wary of going to a Diocese with a very weak-willed Bishop, but Bishop Brungardt is amazing, and has done nothing but good since he was ordained to the bishopric and appointed to this diocese several years ago.

[cappie]

I would not over think this. I remember when I was younger thinking I would join the seminary for the Archdiocese of Sydney to be a diocesan priest. Then because of certain problems with my family that didn't work out, later I discerned the Palloitine Fathers and was content with that and thought that was the true calling from God, so did the vocation director, I was accepted. However through a miscommunication I missed the starting date! Sixth months later I came across the Capuchins now 38 years later I would not change anything. I gained so much in the process and God opened so many doors. The key was not to panic to trust.

[PhuturePriest]

I would not over think this. I remember when I was younger thinking I would join the seminary for the Archdiocese of Sydney to be a diocesan priest. Then because of certain problems with my family that didn't work out, later I discerned the Palloitine Fathers and was content with that and thought that was the true calling from God, so did the vocation director, I was accepted. However through a miscommunication I missed the starting date! Sixth months later I came across the Capuchins now 38 years later I would not change anything. I gained so much in the process and God opened so many doors. The key was not to panic to trust.

 

Oh, I'm not disappointing in the least about anything! I'm very open as to what the vocation directors all think I should do, and the fact I have to wait another year is alright with me.

[CatherineM]

My favorite priest was originally from Chicago. He had an older brother who was a priest and didn't want to just be his little brother for the rest of his life. He asked his bishop where priests were really needed, and he ended up in Oklahoma. He said he never regretted his decision.

[cappie]

Oh, I'm not disappointing in the least about anything! I'm very open as to what the vocation directors all think I should do, and the fact I have to wait another year is alright with me.

 

yeah that's fine I just remember back that far when I was young long time ago. I got a bit frustrated I  received advice from Cardinal Gilroy the then Archbishop of Sydney:

 

When our path seems blocked, we can only make progress by letting Jesus shepherd us around and through and over the obstacles. If people shut a door on something that God wants us to do, Jesus is still our open gate and no one can close him out of our lives. He will lead us into a new opportunity for accomplishing the plans of God.

 

This is appropriate on the fourth Sunday of Easter Vocations Sunday :bananarap:

 

[PhuturePriest]

yeah that's fine I just remember back that far when I was young long time ago. I got a bit frustrated I  received advice from Cardinal Gilroy the then Archbishop of Sydney:

 

When our path seems blocked, we can only make progress by letting Jesus shepherd us around and through and over the obstacles. If people shut a door on something that God wants us to do, Jesus is still our open gate and no one can close him out of our lives. He will lead us into a new opportunity for accomplishing the plans of God.

 

This is appropriate on the fourth Sunday of Easter Vocations Sunday :bananarap:

 

Very good quote! Thanks for the advice!

 

I'm not particularly disappointed mostly because I technically tried to enter a year early. Had I graduated on time I would have next Spring, so I would've gone next Fall anyway. I never would have thought of getting some credits at the local community college, however, so that is a definite plus that I got out of it. I also learned another lesson in humility and obedience. I tried very hard to escape my old Diocese because I knew it wasn't an easy diocese to be a priest in, but just like Jonah, no matter how hard I tried to escape, I kept being directed back. Everyone from vocation directors to the Bishop of a different diocese told me to go back, and I'm really glad they did. When I called the office for the Diocese of Dodge City a few days ago, the lady who answered said Father wasn't in, but to leave a message. When I told her it was about an application to the seminary, her voice lit up and she was so excited. When I did the same thing to the other diocese, the lady barely took notice, but I guess that's to be expected when you have 60 seminarians. One of my favorite messages Saint John Paul the Great stressed was the message that part of our Faith is about giving hope to others, and my native diocese is one that I can bring it to.

[arfink]

I would second Nihil's advice, but I also know you're quite a bit more prepared than most people your age would be. I bet you'll be just fine in any case. :)

[PhuturePriest]

I would second Nihil's advice, but I also know you're quite a bit more prepared than most people your age would be. I bet you'll be just fine in any case. :)

 

"Prepared" is my middle name... Actually, it's Andrew, which is why my initials spell out M.A.P.S. But thanks!