Do you want to know the problem in the Church today? It is simple, a lack of sinners. Continue reading “The biggest problem in the Church today …and an idea to fix it“
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William, my brother and my father
This entry is a cross between a reflection, a rambling, and a eulogy. Take it for what it is. I debated how to go about this, and I’m going to do even less polishing than I usually do on this post. I just want to share what’s been going through my mind for the last week. Continue reading “William, my brother and my father”
…As we forgive those who trespass against us.
Road trip to the Community of Saint John
Photography disclaimer: All of these pictures were taken with the iPhone. I never got around to getting out my camera while we visited. I will remedy that on a future visit. Continue reading “Road trip to the Community of Saint John”
A Video from the Seminarian Retreat
This week, the Seminarians from the Diocese of Nashville had our annual retreat. We spent a 4 days in Cullman, Alabama, at the Benedictine Abbey there, St. Bernard. The retreat was preached by Bishop Sample, the bishop of Marquette, MI. This is a short video I took on my camera of him speaking during the retreat. Continue reading “A Video from the Seminarian Retreat”
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“Late have I loved you” or “What’s in a name?”
This topic started kicking around my head as I prayed the office of readings before Mass today. It’s been kicking around all day, and I realized that it is one that has really been in me for years. Continue reading ““Late have I loved you” or “What’s in a name?””
Reflections inspired by Archbishop Hughes’ Penance Service
It seems appropriate that I’m looking back and writing these reflections today. Several of my brother seminarians, some dear friends, and a few of my kids are in Washington DC for the March for Life. It is appropriate that we reflect on penance and repentance as we look back on what is one of the darkest “rights” to ever have been granted citizens in the United States, a “right” that, at the same time, negated the most basic right of another group of people. Continue reading “Reflections inspired by Archbishop Hughes’ Penance Service”
My first retreat as a seminarian
Well, I went on a retreat last week. It was a different retreat than I’ve ever been on before. This was a preached retreat, but, other than the preaching itself (and Mass, Office, etc), the retreat was in silence. So I was basically in silence from Tuesday evening until Saturday night. That was a challenge at many points, but it was also illuminating. It proved a wonderful transition into the deeper spiritual life of the seminary. In this post, I want to share some of my thoughts and a few excerpts from my journal on the retreat. It may be a bit disjointed. I’m not sure there’s an elegant way to weave all of them together without wasting piles of space trying to artificially link things together. Continue reading “My first retreat as a seminarian”
Arrived and unpacked… mostly
Well, I arrived at the seminary on Friday morning. I left Red Boiling Springs Thursday just before noon, and spent the night in a Motel 6 in Slidell, LA before driving the last half hour or so Friday morning. I had to spend the night so close just because I had to arrive at the seminary during business hours to get in. Now, though, I have a key, and I know my way around, so I can come and go as I please – although I don’t do much coming or going. Continue reading “Arrived and unpacked… mostly”
A new life – The last last and the first first
So I had my last last on Sunday. I said my goodbyes to some friends and my kids at church who I will miss deeply. There were a lot of tears. Several of the kids and a few adults actually met me at Starbucks to visit a little before we finally said goodbye. There were more tears. The ladies sitting at the next table over actually told us that we started them crying as we all said goodbye. It’s a good feeling to be as accepted as I’ve been there, but it’s also sad to leave. Continue reading “A new life – The last last and the first first”