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Vocation talks @ AMHS
Yesterday (Monday) and today, we did “Vocation Talks” at Catholic high schools. I, along with Nick and Fenley, spent the day at Archbishop McCarthy High School (AMHS) giving talks in theology classes about the vocations to Priesthood and Religious Life … mainly our personal testimonies of how we came to be in seminary. There are about a dozen other seminary brothers doing the same thing at other Catholic high schools throughout the Archdiocese of Miami … all in an effort to promote Vocations.
The day was GREAT! We were well received by all students and teachers with some excellent questions about vocations ranging from general to personal questions on our own discernment journey. Each of us did about 8 to 10 talks throughout the day … I did fewer than the others cuz I spoke over my 10 to 15 minutes … 🙂 … but we eventually covered all students of the school over the two day period.
We started the day off with Mass with Fr Chris Bartos. Fairly new to giving our vocation testimonies, we were a bit nervous about sharing out life journeys, but managed to connect with the teenagers very quickly. The questions ranged from the simple (like “Can you still play paintball when you become a priest?” — my most common questions of the day) to the more challenging (like “How do you know where you’ll be assigned when you become a priest?” and “Why would someone choose to be a diocesen priest over a religious priest?”) to the super personal (like “Are you afraid you may want to get married after becoming a priest?”). We could definitely feel the attention they gave toward Catholic vocations in their thought provoking questions and comments.
Thank you to the Serra Club for arranging the talks and the staff at Archbishop McCarthy High School for their great hospitality … with extra-special thanks to Fr Chris Bartos and the students who walked us around the beautiful campus as our “guides” each day [there were more than just in the pictures]. They all helped to make it an effective experience and lots of fun! — Thanks again!
An AWESOME day full of graces, blessings and growth in the Kingdom of God! — Lunch in their new cafeteria was awesome too … 🙂
best brownie @ AMHS
The last couple of day, I was with a couple seminarian brother doing vocation testimonies about our journey to the seminary at Archbishop McCarthy High School (AMHS). I’ll do another post about the actual talks, but wanted to post some pictures on the beautiful campus that I took walking around, most especially their new cafeteria.
Their chapel, in the center of the campus, has morning Mass everyday with Fr Chris Bartos @ 7:20am. The chapel is absolutely beautiful [I posted more pictures of it during the summer when I was working with the summer school “Work Study Program”].
Their cafeteria was just finished and opened back in September and has an amazing selection of “5 star” food [with some “5 star” prices … according to some kids], but is definitely a experience. Subs, wraps, pizza, chicken, salads, desserts and lots more that I forgot. Personally, I had their pizza one day and a turkey wrap the next … both delicious. But what I will never forget … is the softest, moistest, chocolateyness, most delicious BROWNIE EVER!!
P.S. Sorry Nick … for catching you in all the pictures 🙂
Covenant House
I finally filled out the volunteer application for Covenant House, a Catholic shelter for homeless teens (under age 21) on Ft. Lauderdale beach. They’ve been looking to fill a “Pastoral Minister” position for years, but only recently found someone for the last couple of months. They organize spiritual activities like prayer services, council, Bible study, and take kids to church (of various faiths). It sounds like a difficult, but very necessary service for these teens.
After last months YES Retreat, which had a speaker from Covenant House, I decided to see if I could volunteer some time on the weekends, especially since our youth group is no longer active. While trying to get to the place today, the police had 2 blocks around the building blocked off — I thought it was a hostage standoff. Apparently, a dump truck driver knocked over some electrical poles and cause a major power outage. Of all days that I pick to go!
Just to top things off, I found out the new “Pastoral Minister” is leaving in a couple of weeks. — These kids just can’t get a break!
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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