John De Rosen – polish artist
ARTS & IDEAS – (Fr Vallee) — at the end of class, we went to the St Raphael Chapel to view the outdoor mosaic mural by John De Rosen, a polish artist. His most famous works are at Grace Cathedral (with 8 murals) and the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC (with 12 murals).
Our mosaic is themed after the Second Vatican Council in the spirit of ecumenism with Peter (the first pope), surrounded by the 4 churches and includes the bishop coat of arms for Pope John XXIII, Pope Paul VI, and Archbishop Coleman Carroll (who built St John Vinney College Seminary here in Miami, FL, USA). — beautiful!
In froht of the mosaic are three porcelains by Rafael Consuegra that represent the 3 Archangels Gabriel, Michael and Raphael here @ St John Vianney College Seminary, Miami, FL
TV — watched the season opener of “Heroes.”
silent retreat – fall in love
Today finished our 24 hour “Day of Reflection” with a Vigil Mass at 4:30pm. It was a “silent retreat” that helped us to “retreat” from our busy-ness and be “silent” to listen to what the Lord has to say. Of all the 4 conferences, the line that stood out for me was a quote from the late Jesuit Superior General Fr Pedro Arrupe:
Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you will do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love and it will decide everything.
We must fall in love with Jesus Christ first … and that will decide everything else.
Last night’s rain storm filled our “Reflection Pond” enough for a beautiful picture of the entrance grounds. I also spent some time reflecting in some beautiful outdoor areas around the main St Raphael Chapel. (the pictures don’t do them justice)
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.
new men commit – steak & champaign
SPANISH 2 – (Dr Jimenez) — today we continued the imperative verb forms like “ataca Anti-Christo” and revisited the “gang of irregular preterites” (–ataca them too)
MASS – (Fr Michael) — today’s schedule was changed with 4:30 Mass for the “New Men Commitment & Reception Ceremony” to officially accept the New Men into the house, marking the end of the “New Student Experience.” The homily highlighted the feast of the Korean martyrs Andrew (priest) and Paul (catechist & seminarian). A beautiful Mass with a steak & champaign dinner afterwards. —delicious
RECTOR’s CONFERENCE – (Fr Michael) — the “New Men” had part 2 of 2 on “The Priesthood: A Theological Overview.” — Busy day.
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.
spleen love – Puerto Rican food
MASS – (Fr Santos) — Today’s Gospel shows Jesus “moved with pity” for a woman who walked in her son’s funeral procession. From the Greek text, Jesus is moved “from his innermost being,” which was believed to have come from the spleen (–it’s somewhat close to the heart). The priests that “the Church” responds most to are those that are “compassionate & kind,” who have love for the people, but, most especially, for Christ “from their innermost being.”
SPANISH 2 – (Dr Jimenez) — Preterite quiz today (mixed with some imperfect) — tricky — not good — 70%
CULTURAL FOOD NIGHT — Today is the first ethnic food night. Every Tuesday, the food theme is from a ethnic background of the various seminarians in the house. Today’s theme is Puerto Rico. Dessert was flan. — it was good.
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.
1 ugly man in heaven
MASS – (Fr Joseph) — Today’s Gospel was full of parables: “Lost Sheep,” “Lost Coin” & “Prodigal Son.” The homily story was “The Ugly Man in Heaven.” The destroyed “Chris-notes” version to jog my memory is this: Gabriel reads each Commandment … violators are sent to hell … by the 6th commandment, only 1 Ugly Man is left … Heaven will be lonely, so God lets everyone back in … to the upset of the Ugly Man (who was worth). The closing point: “His mercy endures forever.” — Amen.
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.
words by THE WORD
MASS – (Fr Michael) — we can only preach Christ on our lips if THE WORD (Christ) is in our hearts. [Eucharistic minister were also commissioned – seniors & pre-Theology 2]
DAY — Spanish 2 preterite quiz. Also watched “300” again, all the way through. In the evening, the “New Men” had a Rector’s Conference on “The Priesthood: A Biblical Overview” (part 1 of 2) with small group discussion afterwards.
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. 🙂
pray – volleyball – 1bro
MASS – (Fr Vallee) — today’s Gospel was Jesus calling the 12 Apostles. The point of reflection was that we need to “go off and pray” to spend time with our Lord on a regular basis. [-1 bro C]
OLD TESTAMENT – (Fr Michael) — we covered a general Biblical timeline and geography of the area.
VOLLEYBALL — today, we canceled basketball to play day 2 of volleyball. — great turnout and great time.
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 …
hate family – apple slicer
MASS – (Fr Santos) — today’s Gospel was about “hating your family” in order to follow Jesus. It always sounded “too shocking” to approach too literally, but a strong point is made. In the Greek, it sound even stronger (hate your own breath).
“If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” … [then closing with] … “anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”
We are asked (and required) to give up everything (die to self) so God can give us everything (we need). “He doesn’t promise an easy life but, instead, a great life.” Having a philosophy of life is a lot easier than living it. — “Let go & let God” is easier said than done.
FRAGMENTATION — today, I’m complete (maybe). I have the final element to the comforts of home. The third greatest invention of all times (behind the printing press & contact lenses) — the APPLE SLICER. Everytime I use it, I’ll think of Descartes in Modern Philosophy beginning the age of doubt and “fragmentation.” — Fr Santos would be proud.
Nuestra Senora de la Caridad
Today, there was no morning Mass since we went to the University of Miami Convocation Center for a special Mass for the 40th Anniversary of the Shrine to Our Lady of Charity. The seminarians were called upon to assist each priest with distribution of Holy Communion. The responsibility was a bit intimidating at first (with such a big crowd), but everything went smooth, by the grace of God. Here are some pictures:
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.
Rector’s Conf – Jesus Christ
Tonight’s “Rector’s Conference” was the 3rd part in a series on “Reason, Formation and Relationship with Christ.” I’m slow at taking down notes, so I welcome corrections or addition.
I. Intro — reflection on Matthew 16:13-19
II. The Good News: Jesus Christ
A. The Gospel — is a “person” — Jesus is the “Good News” that is proclaimed
B. The Heart of Evangelization — is a “person” (Jesus) that is proclaimed in order to lead others to him.
C. The Heart of Catechesis — is a “person” — instructions in the faith leads us to communion with Jesus.
III. The Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of God, our Lord.
A. Jesus — means “God saves” and there is power in his name.
B. Christ — means “Messiah” or “Anointed One” by the Father
C. The Only Son — relationship with the Father
D. Lord — claim Him as God
IV. The Incarnation
A. Why?
1. in order to save us by reconciling us to God
2. so we might know God’s love
3. be our model for holiness
4. make us partakers in the devine nature
B. True God & True Man
— mentioned some early Church heresies
— “God became Man”
— Jesus had a human soul, human will, human body, and loved with a human heart (in order to show us how)
V. The Mystery
— His words, deeds, silences and being is a revelation of the Father
— His whole life is a mystery of redemption that we must be open to receive
VI. The Face of God
— Jesus speaks as one who sees God the Father face to face
Alka-Seltzer + esterder
MASS – (Fr Alvarez) — today’s Gospel reading of Jesus calling the trusting apostles to be “fishers of men” was well illustrated by an Alka-Seltzer commercial (“Try it, you’ll like it!”). Sometimes we have to venture out of our familiar comfort zone and into the unknown for various reasons (fear, inadequecies, selfishness, etc), but the Lord calls each of us (uniquely) to trust His direction and “learn something new” that should surprise us in the “best way.” — Amen. Easier said than done, but baby-step are still moving.
SPANISH 2 – (Dr Jimenez) — Yo “failo” (I need the past preterite form) the review test (chapters 1-11) with a 48%, but surprisingly (and somewhat relieved) that some did worse. I definitely need to step up my catch up work, or it’s gonna hurt all semester. Learned a new word (that doesn’t exist) — “esterder” — I need to think of a good definition for it. Any ideas anyone? Kermit?
RECTOR’s CONFERENCE – (Fr Michael) — part 3 of a series on “Reason, Formation & Relationship with Christ.” I’ll post some excerpts separately.
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.”
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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