Archive
Serra Club dinner
Tonight, 13 of us Miami seminarians helped the Serra Club fundraising dinner near Coral Gables. Fr Vallee and Chef Ramon cooked a dynamic 2 course meal with desert for $$$ per plate. Auxiliary Bishop Noonan and Vocations Director Fr Manny were present to thank all who gave toward the funding efforts for the new Pre-Theology housing that the seminary recently purchased. We helped with parking (in the rain), serving food, cleaning, washing dishes, drying dishes and ate some “costly food.” — Lots of work … and lots of fun … brotherhood in action!
Fr Omar + icons
Tonight, instead of a “Rector’s Conference,” we had an “Academic Conference” presentation by Fr Omar about religious icons & iconography. A great insight into the background and creation of icons with various samples to see. We’re currently studying them in “Arts & Ideas” with Fr Vallee, where we’ll need to write a 3-5 page reflection paper on an icon of our choosing. — I should start looking.
DOTS — Spanish vocab quiz — salmon burger — “Black Hawk Down”
sister visit
SPANISH – (Dr Jimenez) — I don’t know how I got an 88% on the chapter 12 test, but I’ll take whatever I can get to keep my head above aqua.
OLD TESTAMENT – (Fr Michael) — we reviewed previous material and covered Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers & Deuteronomy.
SISTER VISIT — since my sister was in town visiting, she came by the seminary and spent time with all the seminarians for Evening Prayer (Vespers) and Dinner (“Savannah, Georgia Night“). Coldstone’s Ice Creamery for desert!
Miami bowls
After our retreat ended with morning Mass, the “Miami guys” had an outing to the Dolphin Mall. We ate dinner, went bowling and hung out. — great time (I actually bowled a 149)
Navy SEALs retreat
Today’s silent retreat was led by Fr Peter, a Dominican priest from the New England area. Using the analogy that seminary training is like Navy SEAL training, we had 5 sessions, each highlighting essential aspects of the priesthood.
1. Holy Eucharist is the center of our lives.
2. Virtues of “generosity & self-sacrifice” are essential for true “fatherhood.”
3. Virtue of “truthfulness” must be lived and preached.
4. “The sanctity & dignity of human life” must be preached, especially now.
5. Our prayer life should include (1) the Blessed Sacrament and (2) a devotion to Mary.
break over + retreat begins
Tonight, I’m back in seminary … mid-semester break is over. Tonight, we also begin a 3-day silent retreat until Sunday morning Mass. Compline (night prayer) @ 10pm … got to go! — Be holy!
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.
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!
Miami seminary
I was looking on the Archdiocese of Miami website for a video of catholic military chaplains that is no longer on their video page (–I downloaded it last year). There is, however, a great little video about St. John Vianney Seminary in Miami (which I’m starting next month) called “A Call to Faith” (DSL or dialup).
While I continued searching the website, I found a great article from last year called, “The people of God deserve the best.” It’s an interview with Father Michael Carruthers, the new rector of St. John Vianney Seminary. He spoke about the quality and “wholesomeness” of the young men who are entering the seminary today. I found a profile on him as well as 24 other priests on another page called “Building the City of God.” Besides hearing some great homilies last November @ the “Seminary Vocation Weekend,” I personally met with Father Carruthers (as part of the application process) and was very impressed by his sincerity, encouragement and attentive ear. — he’s definitely someone I look forward to grow with.
Happy is God’s Will?
Continuing the discussion on “following God & seeking His Will” from last Sunday’s readings, I recall an experience. — Last year I was at a men’s study group where everyone was asked “How do you know you are following God’s will in your life?” After we spend some time getting everyone’s opinion (I forgot what I said), the facilitator (a priest) answered simply “When you’re happy.”
WHAT?!?! I hate that answer! (In his defense, we were running out of time and I think he was moving the meeting along) Happiness is relative and can be found in anything. Even doing something bad or sinful can have temporary (or fake longterm) happiness … that’s WHY we do bad things … it fills the “God-size” void we have.
Happiness is a feeling we get … and you can’t always trust feelings. “Joy,” on the other hand, is different. We get “joy” by knowing we have salvation through an active relationship with God. You can always be joyful even though circumstances may make us miserable and very UNhappy.
If a believer is being persecuted for their faith, are they following God’s will? Even though they’re not “happy” at the moment? Do we fast to be “happy”? I hope I misunderstood the answer, because I need some clarification. — Anyone else? Kermit?
Church history, #2 Paul the Troubleshooter
As I revist the book, The Story of the Church: Peak Moments from Pentecost to the Year 2000, chapter 2 is “First-Century Adjustments,” focusing on Paul the Apostle. It has always confused me how Paul was the “go-to-guy” to answer any questions of theology & the Christian life. He wasn’t even one of the original 12 apostles, but spoke with such authority, even declaring himself an apostle. His conversion story (Acts 9) is amazing enough. But even more unbelievable is how fast the Christian community embraced him and bestowed authority to dictate Christian “policy,” an even greater testament to grace and the submission to the Holy Spirit.
Paul is a master cameleon of evangelization, able to adapt the gospel message to any culture. He was well-versed in the Hebrew Scriptures (OT), had a heart for his audience, walked in their shoes, and presented the challenge of the Gospel in their “language.” — everything a Christian is called to do. A great example is Paul’s sermon to the Athenians in Acts 17:16-34. It seems so supernatural … because it is … it’s only possible through the Holy Spirit.
That reminds me of a line from the “Fishers of Men” priesthood video when it’s said, “It’s not natural to be a priest … it’s a supernatural calling.” — You can’t disagree with that.
Seminaries need Windex
Today, I’m in the waiting room of a doctor’s office for a physical. As I begin to get impatient waiting more than an hour for my appointment, I hear laughter from behind the frosted glass as I stare at a sign next to the window. It reads, “Please check-in & notify us. We will NOT know you are here if you do not. Thank you.” First of all, I already checked in (so they know I’m here). Second of all, since the frosted glass is closed, I start assuming the worst as the laughter continues (like I’m being delayed because of slow officer workers who have time for fun & jokes when patients are waiting). And third, as I’m trying to calm myself and think happy thoughts, I can’t help make a connection with this experience to the seminary. Why? Let me explain.
When parishes try to encourage “vocations,” they usually refer to the “priesthood and religious life” in very broad terms without great detail about what each involves or even the differences. Most people understand matrimony (which is also a vocation), but see priesthood & religious life so different & mysterious, that they don’t give it attention. I don’t think young men & women know what they’re saying “NO” to. Even as an active Catholic involved in catechesis and youth ministry, I didn’t know much detail about the priesthood & religious life until I actively did some research and started asking question I think many have. Questions like, “What the difference between priesthood and religious life?” “What kind of things do priests do (during the week)?” “Are they expected to do EVERYTHING?” “How much to they get paid?” “Do they get time off or vacation?” “Do they have to be perfect?” “What is seminary life like?” “Can you quit?” “If I want to get married, any I rejecting a vocation?” and more. We need better “marketing” of vocations.
As a catechist, I know I have not presented priesthood & religious life to be very attractive (if I presented at all). Because of ignorance or lack of knowledge, many develop our own picture of vocations that are not only irrelevant to our own lives, but just plain wrong. As I tell people I’m a seminarian, some of the questions I get are surprisingly simple. We need ways to make vocations (and the formation process) more “transparent” to everyone. Replace the “fogged glass” with “clear glass” so that attitudes on vocations don’t rest on bad examples of priest, seminarians and the Church. We need Windex! 
I know priests are always to encourage vocations. And seminarians are probably the best poster-children for vocations, but “who knows a seminarian?” A young man goes off to seminary for 6-9 years and parishes get a occasional “freak show” viewing that make the formation process look even more irrelevant to the laity. Maybe if the formation process toned down the emphasis on “community life” (to live at seminary 7 days a week and be removed from the laity), seminarians would be more “real” to outsiders and (in my opinion) a better preparation for the “diocesen priesthood” (around “real” people) instead of the “religious priesthood” (where community life is more important). — What do I know? I’m new here. Kermit? Anyone?
20/20 on Nuns & Exorcisms
When the public cries for more reports on “faith” topics, I can always count on 20/20 to sieze any opportunity to make Catholics into a “freak show.” Today’s 2-hour special was called “Seeing and Believing: The Power of Faith.” As soon as I heard Diane Sawyer’s voice, I knew the extremes of our faithful would be found and exploited with “Cloistered Monasteries” and “Exorcisms.” The show can be seen on their website (if you hurry!). The exorcism part was OK, but the monastery piece made those sisters (the Poor Clares in New Mexico) look so brainwashed, it hurt to watch. Diane Sawyer was embarrassing to watch with her insulting questions like “celibacy in 2007?” and “do you really think your prayers make a difference in the world?” Her shock and cluelessness when confronted with a committed faith was both sad and comical. That “anti-vocation” piece should be shown at “vocation awareness” retreat to illustrate how “the world” tries to discredit the consecrate life with “the world’s” juvenile perspective. Most are not called to live the monastic life (I can’t do all that!). This community is just one out of hundreds of different religious orders and we’re each called to respond in “our” way. I thank God for them and I hope their prayers help me better discern my response. (I found a blog about the sisters here)
Psychological Test Results
Today I got the results of my psychological testing (part of my seminary application). It involved a full battery of tests (2 full days of 7 types). I was a bit excited to get the results, but not as excited as I know a few friends of mine are. They’ve been waiting for empirical evidence of everything that’s wrong with me for years. Well, he started by saying I did very well, so I think I passed. — HA HA to all you haters! 🙂
The psychologist basically read my report out loud and answered questions about it. I didn’t feel comfortable hearing him read back my interview responses (my blog must really sound bad to readers). I forgot the names of most of the tests and can’t remember most of what he said, but I did manage to jot down 2 test results that I recognized.
My IQ test came out “above average” with 118. Not to sound vane, but it sounded low. I think it’s on a scale from 0 to 200 (with average being 100) and I have an engineering degree. Well OK, getting a engineering degree and changing to pursue the priesthood sounds pretty dumb, but give me a break, I took the test at 8am and I’m not a morning person. Then when he detailed my highs & lows I knew the test was flawed. I was high in “vocabulary” and low was in “mental calculations & memory.” That’s not right! My memory may “blow,” but vocabulary is not my thing. I was also high in “picture arrangement,” but low in “picture completion.” What does that mean? So, if the priesthood doesn’t work out, I can be a Feng shui designer that never finishes a job. All in all, I guess I don’t have a learning disability and ADD, so if I flunk any classes, I’ve got nobody to blame but me.
The second test I remember was the Myers-Briggs personality test. I came up as a ISFJ which is supposed to be the following:
ISFJ = Quiet, friendly, responsible, and conscientious. Work devotedly to meet their obligations. Lend stability to any project or group. Thorough and painstaking, accurate. Their interests are usually not technical. Can be patient with necessary details. Loyal, considerate, perceptive, concerned with how other people feel. Likely to put others needs above own and take responsibility seriously. Can be extremely uncomfortable with conflict or confrontation.
It sounds like I’m a big “sucker” that everyone walks all over. Then I found ISFJs, according to Keirsey, belong to the temperament of the Guardians and are called Protectors and that sounded a lot cooler.
Guardians are observant and cooperative. Protectors, Inspectors, Supervisors, and Providers are the role variants contained within this category. Guardians seek membership or belonging and are concerned with responsibility and duty. Their greatest strength is logistical intelligence. They excel at organizing, facilitating, checking, and supporting.
Some famous people who are “protectors” include Jimmy Stewart, Mother Teresa, J. P. Morgan, Tsar Nicholas II, & George H. W. Bush.
I guess knowing who myself better from a psychological view helps me to appreciate strengths and weaknesses to better balance everything. As I write this blog, I wonder if I’m giving too much information about myself and being an even bigger “sucker.” — Kermit? Anyone?
Orthodoxy, part 2
One of my reservations about the seminary is the strong emphasis on Philosophy. I’ve only had 1 intro class on it and it seems more confusingly “open-minded” that threatens a truly strict “orthodoxy” (genuinely Catholic). I’ve spoken to a couple former seminarians who seemed very orthodox in their Catholic faith. They dropped out because the philosophy made them question everything they believed, and I think that is my fear. It’s been 20+ years since they were in seminary. I’ve been told that seminaries have changed their philosophy programs in the early 90’s and it’s not so rough. I hope so, but I’m still wondering what’s different.
I’ve been told philosophy teaches you how to think, to dissect ideas, and be objective. That sounds pretty good to me. But someone going into seminary with an uncompromising belief system (like neo-orthodoxy) may not be able to deal with it. The Church wants to form men who can “think” and “obey the magisterium (Church teaching authority)” in order to make orthodoxy true, and not just blindly enforced. Strict and blind adherence to an “orthodoxy” in anything questions it’s relevance and purpose in the first place.
Being a well-rounded seminarian is probably the ideal. To freely accept and evangelize something by objective thinkers should magnify it’s truth and effectiveness. I’d like to think I’m one of those guys. Kermit? anyone?
Am I orthodox enough?
I was looking for graphic ideas for a header, when I ran into a new seminarian’s blog, A Catholic Life. I especially was drawn to the purpose of his blog. He quoted the philosophy of a group dedicated to Catholic orthodoxy. I want to write a purpose so I don’t go off on too many tangents, but I don’t know if I can live up to those standards. I would like to think so.
I AM a seminarian!
Today I got the letter. — I’ve been accepted into the Archdiocese of Miami priestly formation program. I guess my psych results came back “negative” … or is that “positive” … whatever they are, they have been fully warned about me … and still let me in … (there must really be a priest shortage!)
Now I need to finish steps 7 thru 490. I still need a physical, blood work, background screening, a letter of recommendation from my pastor (Fr. Dalton), among other things. I also need to be at the new priest ordination next Saturday at the Cathedral. And (I don’t remember this mentioned at all) the following Monday thru Wednesday I need to go on a 3 day retreat called the Seminarians’ Convocation after celebrating Mass and having dinner with the Archbishop. Apparently, if I can do all that (and not explode), I can start the formation process (or be the Matrix Architect).
Cool. (— once it really hits me, I’ll probably have more to say.)
Kermit? any words?
Director says “blog OK”
After yesterday’s emailed question to the Vocations Director (if a blog would be OK to do), he wrote back that a blog could be a great way to communicate my vocational journey if done right. He acknowledged my concern about complications (from any Internet endeavor) that I’ll discuss with him soon. He mentioned the Vocations Office has a new blog for seminarian on the website that he hopes will grow.
I also found out the next monthly discernment group meeting (usually the first Tuesday of the month) would resume back up in September. That doesn’t sound right. I missed the last one, so I don’t know why. I didn’t think discernment takes a vacation (although we’d like it to, sometimes). Some of the newer guys seemed to just be getting comfortable enough to share & compare their own calls. I’ll pray for the group tonight.
DID: I spent most of the day replacing a door with my father. Watched The Office (Women’s Appreciation Day) — that show is getting a little too extreme for a TV comedy.
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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