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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 🙂
Walk for Life @ SJVC seminary
Today is the annual “Walk for Life” done throughout the US with multiple locations around the Archdiocese of Miami. Our seminary was one of the locations. The day began with Mass with Miami Auxiliary Bishop Noonan with a full Chapel.
don’t be a loser … commit
MASS – (Fr Santos) — Gospel about the beheading of John the Baptist.
There are 3 kinds of people in this world: (1) Runners avoid their problems, (2) Watchers sit on the fence; both avoid pain, hurt and becoming vulnerable when dealing with difficulties of life. They lose out on triumph, victory and joy that (3) Those that Commit have as their reward.
more basketball
SPORTS NIGHT (take 2) — again, Sports Night was delayed … so no volleyball … I “played” basketball again … my calves are rock hard.
coco morning
It’s cold today … even at breakfast! Hot chocolate for sure!
basketball + clean shoes
SPORTS NIGHT — since Sports Night was delayed (HS practice) until 9:30pm, not enough guys for volleyball. The basketball players needed 1 more to make even teams, so I “played” (there must be a better word for what I did).
Beforehand, I finally cleaned those dirty white shoes.
spiritual awareness + God alone suffices
MASS – (Fr Vallee) — No prophet is accepted in his home … Fr Omar laugh … Spirituality is about awareness … stay awake!
HOLY HOUR – (Fr Michael) — “God alone suffices”
So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you. Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for (someone) to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings. The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ (Jesus) will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little. To him be dominion forever. Amen. — 1Peter 5:6-11
diet: “More Priests Less #s” week #4
The new diet plan here at the seminary, “More Priest, Less Pounds,” (by Fr Jose Alvarez) is still in effect Week #4. Some guys are getting results. There are a lot more guys working out at our gym (and some local gyms). — I’m starting to feel fat just being around all these health-nuts!
Superbowl Party @ SJVC seminary
SOCIAL — The Sophomore class was in charge of any AWESOME Superbowl Party. Great game. Great fellowship. AWESOME FOOD (so much, I couldn’t take pictures of all if it … missed the chocolate bread pudding & ice cream).
At half-time, they brought out the killer casadias and chicken wings. — “More Priests Less Pounds” diet is suspended tonight … in memory of all this food!
flag football @ SJVCS
SPORTS — before tonight’s Superbowl game, we played some flag-football. — only minor injuries … wrists … knees … pride … etc.
Our Lady of Lebanon Church + Maronite Rite, Miami
Today we had Mass at Our Lady of Lebanon Catholic Church in Miami, of the Maronite Rite. The liturgy was structured a bit differently. My favorite part is the prayer of consecration said in the original Aramaic (that Jesus spoke) and Communion is distributed under both species, the Body dipped into the Blood and given on the tongue.
After Mass, we were warmly welcomed by the parishoners in their hall with lots to eat. As visiting was a Rector of a seminary in Lebanon. Since priest of the Maronite Rite can be married, we discussed some of the pros and cons with married vs celibate priests and dating in the seminary … among other things.
nite volleyball
SPORTS — after our Rector’s Conference, there was outdoor volleyball. — Great time.
simplicity of life: quid animo satis?
RECTOR’s CONFERENCE — today’s talk was for “returning guys” on the “Simplicity of Life” in more detail than earlier introduced. This is the basic outline of the talk.
I. The Evangelical Counsels
A. Chastity
B. Obedience
C. Simplicity of Life
D. Qualities Beyond Basics (to grow deeper)
E. Posture that creates openness
II. Poverty / Simplicity
A. Pinching limitation …
B. In regards to Present possesions — a lack
C. In regards to Future possessions — insecurity
D. First of the Beatitudes (reminds us God will provide what we need … trust)
E. In Religious Life —> freeing
F. Look at Complications in our lives
G. Look at Identity
III. Poverty Flows out of Hope
A. Faith —> Certainty in Present
B. Hope —> Expanding Certainty of Faith regarding Future
C. Obstacles to Hope: Possessions of the Particular
1. The Attribution of Certainty to Particular Things we already possess.
2. Hope has to do with non-possession, and the Virtue connected to that is Poverty
IV. Deepening Levels of Understanding
A. Eternal Level
B. Next Level: Freedom
C. Deeper Yet: Gladness (= Joy)
D. Deeper Still: Lacking Nothing
V. Detachment / Indifference
A. People live without thinking about this
B. Example of Painting
C. Comparison applied to Everyone
D. Poverty belongs to dynamic of Knowledge: it is Intelligent and full of affection
VI. Lectio: Matthew 6:25-34 …
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat (or drink), or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, 19 and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil. — Matthew 6:25-34
“More Priests, Less Pounds” diet: week #2
The second week of Fr Alvarez’s diet plan (called “More Priests, Less Pounds“) is in effect. This week’s exercise plan goes beyond just walking up & down stairs … there is some JOGGING … look out!
“More Priest, Less Pounds” diet plan: week #1
Since some of the guys in the house had requested the option of a diet food program, the Rector suggested Fr Alvarez (our Dean of Men) to use his coaching background to put together a diet & exercise program for the house. The result is the Fr Jose Alvarez “MORE PRIEST, LESS POUNDS” diet plan.
This is week #1 … weigh in each week … exercises get more difficult each week … this week is a series of walking up and down the halls & stairs — I guess sweating isn’t on the list of things to do this week. I hope it does well!
new semester Mass
We just got back to seminary yesterday afternoon. Today is a the first day of classes for the Spring Semester. A great Mass with most of the seminary priests.
back in seminary
This afternoon we were all back in seminary. Rector’s Conference to get us back on the same page. Holy Hour with Benediction to get us back in focus. Spring Semester classes start tomorrow morning!
Advent is here
With the busyness of writing term papers and studying for this exam week coming up, it’s easy to forget Advent is here and preparing myself for Christmas. Also being diligent in keep up with my seminary goals for this semester … prayer … study … community … service.
It’s nice to see “sacramentals” to remind us of something (and Someone) greater than the immediate here and now busyness. These Christmas lights in a brother seminarian’s room was nice to see today.
Tomorrow is my personal semester evaluation with Rector one-on-one. — I hope Ligo Orante is praying for me extra hard today 🙂 God bless & be holy!
Liga Orante
MASS — Fr Manny Alvarez, our Miami Vocations Director, celebrated Mass with a Spanish diocesen ministry called “Liga Orante,” who prays for vocations everyday. We only get to see them a couple times a year, but it’s always a joy to see our spiritual support team face to face. — Thank you and God bless!
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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