This weekend our Diocese will have a collection for our Seminarian fund. Many years ago we developed a foundation to support the education of our seminarians. OF course with our recent economy, we have lost some of the monies, and are having problems returning to its original level. Seminary is graduate school, and is expensive. So we take a diocese wide collection.
Pope Benedict XVI stated this past week that young men should not be afraid to pursue the call to priesthood. When I was young (dinosaurs still roamed the earth) I told no one that I was thinking about priesthood. Back then it was the oddity of not being married. Today we think about sexual abuse. But it is not an easy decision, nor is there always a lot of support.
The fear of what others will think, whether God is really calling, whether one can handle the complexities of the ministry are all very real and valid fears. Prayer, reflection, and spiritual direction are very good ways to discern and make decisions about a vocation to the priesthood or religious life.
This weekend I was able to spend some time with a good priest friend of mine, Jack. I have known him since I was a seminarian. He has always been easy going, gentle, and a great friend. His support and encouragement at so many times in so many ways has been insightful and even challenging. We all need friends like this.
So remember to pray for our seminarians, and young men thinking about the priesthood. Let us make our community of faith where people will not be afraid to think about priesthood.
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