Archive
Bishop Estevez – name graces – volleyball fix
MODERN PHILOSOPHY – (Fr Santos) — started John Locke’s “An Essay Concerning Human Understanding.” Empiricism vs rationalism.
ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY – (Fr Santos) — continued Plato’s Phaedo with “knowledge as recollection” and “the indestructibility of the soul.”
ARTS & IDEAS – (Fr Vallee) — finished the Greek handout for our test on Friday.
WORKLIST — in “Sacristy,” I had bathrooms, so I finished pretty quick with time enough to help mop. The tapistry of St Lawrence (hurricane damaged) was also being put up, so I took some pictures up close.
HOLY HOUR — with a small delegation of visitors from a Cuban priest and religious conference in Miami, we were blessed to have Bishop Estevez presiding over Benediction & Vespers. He mentioned some words of wisdom from a formator in seminary that stood out for him. He said we should NAME the graces we receive throughout the day in order to trace our journey with the Lord. — that’s a great idea … like “Connect-the-dots” of grace … I should do that, but I probably won’t stick to it
VOLLEYBALL TONIGHT — I finally got my fix tonight from 9-10pm in the gym. I hope we can have it more regularly (weekly at least).
CONNECT-the-DOTS — (since holy hour🙂 rain … benediction … air conditioning … Bishop’s blessing … good food … table fellowship … quiet study … volleyball … health & safety … refreshing shower … did I mention volleyball? 🙂
good shadow – Hail Father
MASS – (Fr Joseph) — a story of a “Good Man” offered any miracle from an angel. He refuses “the gift of healing,” “the ability to change sinners righteous,” & the opportunity to be a “sign of virtue.” He refuses all so that he gets no credit and God get the glory. Even though he says “grace is enough,” the angel gives his shadow healing power so people don’t focus on him, but God.
MODERN PHILOSOPHY – (Fr Santos) — “SELF” is the primary “innate idea” (but God?)
ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY – (Fr Santos) — started Plato’s “Phaedo” — the first philosophical arguement for the immortality of the soul.
ART & IDEAS – (Fr Vallee) — we began with the “Hail Father” and discussed more on Socrates to Aristotle. “Universals, ideas & substances dominate.” … “Plato divides the soul into the appetitive, emotional, and rational parts, which were located in the abdomen, the chest and the head, respectively.” … “Aristotle’s metaphysics is the elaboration of the four causes: formal, fina, material & efficient.”
DAY of REFLECTION — a 24 hour day of reflection starts today at 5:15pm and goes until tomorrow’s Vigil Mass.
Buddah + Big Dog + sacristy
MASS – (Fr Vallee) — Today’s Gospel shows how critics saw John the Baptist as crazy and Jesus as a “glutton and a drunkard.” You can’t please everyone all the time. It’s what God thinks of you that matters … not anyone else. Some key phrases … “It’s easier to wear slippers than to carpet the whole world.” & “If you meet Buddah in the road, kill him.”
MODERN PHILOSOPHY – (Fr Santos) — continued Descartes. I think [of other] therefore I am.
ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY – (Fr Santos) — watched a story video on Socrates. Finished “Crito”
ARTS & IDEAS – (Fr Vallee) — pgs 17-23. “Forms.” Icons (windows) vs Idols (the end).
WORKLIST & HOLY HOUR — for worklist, I cleaned the sanctuary & mopped the sacristy & some pews in the Chapel. For Holy Hour, Fr Alvarez told a story of “the Big Dog.” (Chris-notes🙂 Big dog was in control of everything except his wagging tail — tried to catch it & control it — little dog gave advice from experience — if you stay focused forward, everything else will follow. — so it is if we focus on Christ.
centurion – I am – fear of death – Virtus
MASS – (Fr Alvarez) — Today’s Gospel is the Centurion who asks Jesus to order a healing (“Lord I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the words and I shall be healed.” — from the Mass). As in the military, orders are important and executed. Rank is also important. Who do we take our directions from? the Rector? our Spiritual Director? a priest? a stranger? a friend? or a person who says what we’ll “like” to hear? — it’s all part of discernment.
MODERN PHILOSOPHY – (Fr Santos) — we reached Decartes’ conclusion that “I think, therefore I am” but ended the class with the question, “What is wrong with the statement? what’s missing?” — I don’t know … a preterite conjugation? (I need to do some Spanish for tomorrow).
ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY – (Fr Santos) — we finished Plato’s “The Apology” where Socrates is defending himself on trial before 500 politicians sentence him to death. We concluded some points on the philosophy on a “way of life” concerning the “fear of death:”
1. one should not fear death, but remain “at my station”
2. one should not fear death, but unrighteousness
3. one should not build himself up by ruining others
As we finished, I began wondering if the first martyr St Stephen read “The Apology” before standing before the Sanhedrin and then getting stoned (Acts 6). Socrates was a man of conviction who was convicted. — “To a good man, nothing bad can happen in life or death!”
ARTS & IDEAS – (Fr Vallee) — some more on Socrates & Plato.
MINISTERIAL METHODS – (Fr Michael) — expanded on the “Significance of Baptism in the Early Church” using several passages in 1Peter 1&2, the 3-fold mission of Christ – Priest – Prophet – King, the Church of Communion with 1Cor 12:12-31 & Eph 4:7-13, and finally a passage for Lectio Divina in regards to the Ministerial Priesthood with Heb 5:1-6.
VIRTUS TRAINING — tonight, all the new guys were trained in the 3 hour course on Preventing Child Sexual Abuse that is required for anyone working with children in the Archdiocese of Miami.
Bill Baggs – 13th floor – mexican
DAY TRIP — Today was the first opitional weekend trip planned by Fr Michael. A group of us went to Bill Baggs State Park at the tip of Key Biscayne. An afternoon of fun in the sun.
MOVIE — watched the “The Thirteenth Floor” a couple times to get the connection to Decartes (assignment for Modern Philosophy). Fr Santos likes it better than the Matrix (I wouldn’t go that far). — “I think therefore I am” … (I think?)
DINNER — Today’s dinner theme was “Mexican.” — great food
bronze serpent – Greek – Apology – elections
MASS – (Fr Michael) — Today’s readings echoed the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross with the “Bronze Serpent” and popular John 3.
MODERN PHILOSOPHY – (Fr Santos) — took the Quiz on the Greek alphabet. Then continued Decartes’ 2nd Meditation. The “self” that doubts is itself beyond doubt. Also need to watch “The Thirteenth Floor” for Monday.
ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY – (Fr Santos) — started Plato’s “The Apology.” — more on those “wiseguys”
ELECTIONS – Today we had our first Student Government meeting with elections of each classes’ Dean and Vice-Dean representative. We also had some open forum time to discuss current issues.
Robert DeNiro – be bread – Tootsie Pop
MASS – (Fr Alvarez) — when preparing for a big movie role, Robert DeNiro would immerse himself into the character for months. As we immerse ourselves into seminary life, we are called to “change” as we grow. Blessed are we if we are open to conversion — open to change. — Amen.
MODERN PHILOSOPHY – (Fr Santos) — continued Decartes’ Meditations.
ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY – (Fr Santos) — finished Euthyphro.
ARTS & IDEAS – (Fr Vallee) — continued Greek handout pg 6-9.
WORKLIST & HOLY HOUR — today, in “Sacristy” worklist, I cleaned windows. During holy hour, we reflected on a spanish phrase, “un pedazo de pan” — it means something about “being bread” — a phrase that means you’re down to earth and “meet people where they’re at.” It as a great reflection on Jesus and how 
priests (and all Christians) are called to minister.
DINNER — I’m serving this week at a table that likes to make “mixed drinks” (various soda combinations). Today was a drink that tasted just like a Tootsie Pop. It’s Sunkist mixed with chocolate syrup. — it’s good, but more as a stand-alone drink, not with beef. 🙂
3 islanders – disciple + missionary
From Morning Prayer, I took hold of Psalm 84:11, “Better one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.” and prayed the song, “Better is One Day,” in my head all day.
MASS – (Fr Joseph) — today’s homily began with a geat story of “The Bishop & 3 islanders.” (My own cliff-note version is🙂 A Bishop gets off his boat and speaks to 3 islanders who don’t know the “Lord’s Prayer,” but instead pray (looking up) “We 3 — you 3 — show us mercy.” The Bishop teaches them the Lord’s Prayer and returns a few month later, but they only remember the first few line, whereupon he tells them to pray their old prayer. — Basically, our faith is simple, yet we try to complicate it — but (I’d like to add) simple does not mean easy.
MODERN PHILOSOPHY – (Fr Santos) — we started the Meditation of Decartes.
ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY – (Fr Santos) — we started “Euthyphro” by Plato.
ARTS & IDEAS – (Fr Vallee) — we reviewed some more art slides and continued the Greeks handout.
MINISTERIAL METHODS – (Fr Michael) — we reflected on some Scripture passages that ultimately show “Church as Communion.”
II. Jesus + the preaching of the Kingdom
Mt 20:1-16 — Mt 13:38 — Jn 15:5
III. The Priesthood of Jesus Christ
IV. Sending of the Holy Spirit — Jn 7:37-39
V. Disciple + Missionary — Luke 10:38-42
The last section stood out the most for me. We are called to be “disciples” (followers of Christ) in order to properly respond to our “missionary” call to grow the Kindgom. Although we want to “do” (as Martha did), we (as seminarians) should be focused on being “disciples” (as Mary did) at this point in our formation.
REST OF THE DAY — Watched “300” and played some volleyball. — Better is one day …
wineskins + Homer’s crayon
MASS – (Fr Joseph) — homily began and ended with 2 great stories: the “Amazon Explorer” (who can’t fully explain his experience, but encourages others to experience the journey themselves) and the “outstreached arms of Alexander the Great vs Jesus” (Alex conquered all, but died with nothing — while Jesus began with nothing and died to complete everything). Today’s gospel reading was the parable of the “Old & New Wineskins” where Jesus is the wine and we need to become “new” skins to accept him fully — experience him for ourselves “personally.”
MODERN PHILOSOPHY – (Fr Santos) — today surveyed the concepts of the universe from “geocentric” to “heliocentric” challenging in many ways to faith and the Church. Included was another Simpsons illustration using the episode where Homer has a crayon removed from his brain, becomes smart and Flanders surpress Homer’s ideas because they are too challenging to his belief system. — Ignorance is bliss. We also have to learn the Greek alphabet for next Friday.
ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY – (Fr Santos) — more Sophists, their subjectiveness and birth of self-awareness. Also used “Homer’s crayon” and Greek alphabet. — I never really cared for the “Simpsons,” but now I feel like I’m missing out.
ARTS & IDEAS – (Fr Vallee) — continue with the Greeks. We need to watch the movie 300 be next Friday. — cool … I get to post more stills from the movie in this week’s posts.
EVENING — had a “Spiritual Direction” session, watched “Pursuit of Happyness” & did some studying.
Mother Teresa + Sophists
MASS – (Fr Vallee) — at the 10 year anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Fr Vallee noted how newly release letters reveal she experienced long periods of “darkness” when she couldn’t feel God. She would even refer to Jesus as “the absent one” at times. Lately, the media is questioning her canonization with such “revelation,” not realizing all go through such times in the spiritual lives. Even St Augustine, St Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross would echo such experiences. We, just as Mother Teresa, are called to continue through times of spiritual desolation with patience and faithfulness, knowing consolation will come. — even in seminary, I’m anticipating highs and lows.
MODERN PHILOSOPHY – (Fr Santos) — we covered the resurgence of math and rise of modern science. Notable line: “Psychology is the questionable child of philosophy.”
ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY – (Fr Santos) — we covered the Sophists. — The politics of today has only perfected the art of rhetoric from the Greeks.
ARTS & IDEAS – (Fr Vallee) — we continued with some slides of paintings and began reading his 40+ page handout on the Ancient Philosophy period. — The power went out during class and lasted through worklist.
WED WORKLIST — Some of our worklist jobs were changed, but I remained in “Sacristy,” where I dusted pews, organized songbooks and collected some garbage. It was hot (no A/C) but fruitful.
WED HOLY HOUR — We had benediction and silent prayer time, where I used my new St Joseph’s Prayerbook (that I just realized I left in the cafeteria) and found some great prayers “Before the Blessed Sacrament.”
pre-Socratics – Luther – service – Shrine
Monday started out-of-whack without morning Mass (because we’re going to the Shrine tonight). — lots of Laboring done today.
MODERN PHILOSOPHY – (Fr Santos) — we continued from the Rhineland Mysticism (late Mid-Ages) through Martin Luther (1483-1546). As I start digesting some of this stuff, my thoughts and slow “question-generator” are interupted by others’ quick comments & questions. I know I’m slow with the processing, but at least Wednesday will be a “question-day.” I need to remember to look-up Meister Eckhart and his doctrines. We got back our True/False Quiz from Friday. 10 out of 15 is not good — but some of those were tricky.
ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY – (Fr Santos) — we covered 8 pre-Socratic philosophers like Thales of Miletus, Anaximenez, Anaximander, Heraclitus, Pythagoras, Parmenides, Zeno, & The Atomists (Democritus & Leucippus). We got back out Quiz from Friday. 10 out of 10 — I need to enjoy it while I can … they WILL get harder.
ARTS & IDEAS – no Fr Vallee today, still on Labor Day vaction — must be nice.
MINISTERIAL METHODS – (Fr Michael) — we reviewed the definition of “ministry” and discussed the broader call the “service” that all ministers should have. We were given Colossians 3:12-23 to meditate on throughout is week with Lectio Divina. — what is holding me back from having a true heart of service?
LECTURE AUDIOS – I recorded today’s 3 lectures on my mini digital audio recorder. It took a while to figure out how to convert the big WAV format to MP3, but I finally found a way to normalize & convert to MP3 @ 24kps. I also put copies in a Lecture folder on my Shared Docs in case someone else from class wants a copy.
8pm MASS @ Shrine of Our Lady of Charity – we carpooled for a Mass ending the Novena to Our Lady of Charity. A beautiful spanish Mass in a beautiful shrine. We each received a Papal blessing & picture of Pope Benedict XVI. Trying to understand the spanish homily only reminded me to finish studying for an eleven chapter Spanish test in the morning.
movies – Greeks & 3 Amigos
MASS – (Fr Joseph) — Today’s gospel was the parable of “the ten virgins” with lamps awaiting the bridegroom — 5 were foolish (unprepared) and 5 wise (constantly ready). We are called to constantly be alert, prepared and ready for what the Lord has in store for us.
MODERN PHILOSOPHY – (Fr Santos) — Quiz today was 15 true & false question with tricky wording. We reviewed the events of the time that contributed to the Modern Philosophy.
ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY – (Fr Santos) — Quiz today was listing philosophy’s “3 major concerns” and “4 major problems” with short explanations. We discussed “2 ways of understanding” with lots of subcatagories that wrap around my notes.
ARTS & IDEAS – no Fr Vallee today (vacation) — but we watched a 2.5 hour PBS special on “The Greeks, the Cradle of Civilization” in the cinema room. We took a break for lunch and finished in the afternoon.
ACOLYTE TRAINING — the new guys were oriented for serving Mass or reading this afternoon. I’m serving as Acolyte a the end of the month and haven’t served Mass since 6th grade.
EVENING – watched “The 3 Amigos” — remembering the “singing bush,” “the invisible swordsman” and their trademark demonstration (of a hernia exam).
classes begin
MASS – (Fr Alvarez) — day one for classes was significant, so I took a picture. (I forgot what the homily was about — sorry Father)
MODERN PHILOSOPHY – (Fr Santos) — we started reviewing the 4 philosophical eras: ancient, medieval, modern and contemporary. We also started the “3 concerns of philosophy” being God, the world, and the human being. — it started out simple enough.
ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY – (Fr Santos) — we started with some Greek philosophers like Socrates, “3 major concerns,” and “4 problems with philosophy” — (1) ultimate reality, (2) permanence vs change, (3) matter vs mind/spirit, and (4) unity vs plurality. — having “Ancient” AFTER “Modern” is going to mess with my head.
ARTS & IDEAS – (Fr Vallee) — this is actually a freshman level course that introduces the relationship between art history and philosophy. We’re going to watch movies like “300” and Star Trek II, Wrath of Khan … cool.
MINISTERIAL METHODS – (Fr Michael) — this course is an introductory couse to prepare us for our “Apostalic Work” that we’ll be assigned to next year, like teaching CCD, visiting hospitals and retirement homes, and visiting the homebound. Today we defined a “working” definition for ministry — “CHRISTIAN MINISTRY is the public activity of a baptized follower of Jesus Christ flowing from the Spirit’s charism and an individual personality on behalf of the Church to proclaim, serve, and build up the Kingdom of God.”
SJVCS Seminary Life Album
July '09 -- hospital chaplains @ IPF
Easter '09 -- Miami SJVCS friends
the Son always finds a break in let the clouds
Feb '09 -- school vocation talks @ AMHS
Feb '09 -- cold breakfast with brothers (Matias, Fenly & Randy), now at SVDP and Imad (at SJVCS)
Superbowl '09 -- eating great @ SJVCS
Sept '08 -- Worklist Coordinators?
St Raphael Chapel mural @ SJVCS
Sept '08 -- retreats @ SJVCS
"It's not easy being green"
Catholic Kermit 
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