March 2013

Hello everyone,

What an incredible month it has been for the Church.  Almost right after I posted the last time Pope Benedict XVI announced that through his prayerful discernment he was going to retire from the papacy.  This is a great example of humility for all of us, the humility which Christ calls us each to.  I find it wonderful when we contrast this with the decision which Pope John Paul II made to stay in office through immense physical suffering and trouble.  I heard it put in a great way, “Pope John Paul II stayed in office to show us how to die with dignity while Pope Benedict XVI left office to show us how to live with humility.”

This past week we had the election of Pope Francis, the first pope from the Americas, the first pope from outside Europe in over 1000 years, the first Jesuit pope, and by all appearances so far a man that will be a great Vicar of Christ.  By now I am sure that everyone has seen and heard of Pope Francis’ life of humility and simplicity.  One thing that isn’t talked about much is his life before the Jesuits.  Pope Francis was raised in a simple family, his father was a rail worker who immigrated to Argentina from Italy.  Pope Francis had gone through school and gotten a master’s degree in chemistry before deciding to enter the Jesuits.  I think that this is going to be a great sign for those who believe falsely that the Catholic Church is against science.  Throughout history many of the greatest scientists were Catholic clergy and this may give people reason to look into what the Church teaches on science rather than simply their own assumptions and false information from whatever source they get it.

As for me, my discernment continues to go well.  I am still praying to God for guidance.  I will say that I believe that I have gotten an answer to this prayer, a very clear answer.  But I am not going to post here what that answer is for a while.  I am working with my spiritual director to be sure of what I think I received.  I will in good time tell you whether this means that I am going to leave seminary or set the question aside. 

My classes are going well.  I have five of them this semester.  I have Christology, studying simply about Christ.  I have Synoptic Gospels, talking about Matthew, Mark and Luke.  I have Church History II from 1000AD to present.  I have Supervised ministry: Pastoral Care which is the companion course for my going out to that teaching parish and we are focusing on care to the sick, suffering, and dying.  My final class in Ministry in the American culture, which is a very broad topic class focusing on issues that are being and will be faced during our lifetimes.

That is enough at this point.  I hope everyone is well and ask you to keep Pope Francis in your prayers.

Peace,

Adam