They Actually Let the Seminarian-Engineer Teach Little Kids?

Yes, yes they did.

Somehow, the kind folks here in Mount Pleasant have let me help with Vacation Bible School, overlooking the fact that most engineers talk to their feet... not teaching sort of material. < /sarc>

In all seriousness, I've been having a blast helping with it. All of the kids are so full of energy, and it's easy to tell that (for the most part) they actually do want to be there.

Yesterday, I traveled with the group of preschoolers. I never thought I'd be able to handle them, but they're really an amazing group to work with, mostly because they are so simple and innocent. We made a simple craft -- butterflies using tissue paper squares put into a plastic baggie and clipped with a clothespin; it's still riding around on my jungle hat, which is perfect for our rainforest theme. The kids were happy to see it was still there today.

During the game, a modified version of 'duck, duck, goose,' the rain started to let up, showing a beautiful rainbow... we pointed it out to the kids, and hopefully it is something that they will remember.

Today, I had the opportunity to teach fourth through sixth graders because their regular teacher couldn't make it today. Most of the time was spent following them around between games, snacks, crafts, and class. I taught the classroom portion, which involved discussing the stories of Elisha distributing the loaves, tying that to Christ feeding the multitudes, and some other passages. I also mentioned how the Pelican (like the day's animal the Toucan) takes good care of its young and became a longstanding symbol of Christ feeding us in the Eucharist. We talked a little about St. Paul and his Epistles as well. It seemed like they enjoyed it and got something out of it. Big surprise to me.

But it just could have been that they liked St. Paul's sword too.

Back In Mount Pleasant

We safely returned from the 2008 International Eucharistic Congress VERY VERY early Monday morning. I got to drive the van part way back. There is much to tell, much to reflect upon, some of which is written already. Look for that over the course of the next few days.

The Truth About Catholic Priests

(Let it load for a bit if it isn't showing up right away...)

I found this video a few days ago and thought that it presented the priesthood well. Nothing flashy (even though the player is written in Flash... a tech pun), but I like it.

This is also a test to show proof of concept that I can actually get these videos to link properly.

Disclaimer: GodTube seems to have some really good Catholic stuff, but also some really ridiculous anti-Catholic stuff. Surf carefully.

Why I'm a Nerd #1 -- I'm Spoiled by DVR (5/15)

(Source: en.wikipedia.org)

While we were driving along, a truck went past going the other direction and carrying something really long and thin that looked like the blades for one of the big windmills, like the ones off of the Somerset exit of the Turnpike. At that moment, I thought "Wow, I wish I could rewind that and get a second look..."

At that point I realized that I can't do that in real life... and that DVR has me spoiled because with TV, you can.

And while I was attempting to blog this, Kim told me a second one went past... and I missed it.

Travel Day (5/15)

I write this as I'm traveling to King of Prussia to help my sister's fiance to move; I'm typing this on my palm pilot. I've been slacking on posting, so these won't show up for a few more days anyways (a few days... ha!). Nothing really profound to say, other than that it's nice to spend a little quality time with my sister and also to enjoy the beauty of creation. Of course, construction provides a suitable degree of penance.

I asked Kim if she had anything profound to add, and in true Elementary School Teacher form, she replied, "Look both ways before you cross the street." Sounds like good enough advice to me.

It Was a Very Good Year (5/6?)

Just like for Sinatra, for me this year was a very good year. In reflecting on the year, I've been happy with it, it seems that my peers and the St. Mark's faculty have been happy that I have been there, and I've been invited to come back next year.

All of the feelings, hunches, thoughts, reflections, and such are finally bearing some fruit. After over four years, I can say with some certainty: "Yes, this is where God wants me to be." Given the somewhat unexpected nature to my call (more on that in a post at a later date), that is an incredible gift. When God called me out, I can say now that it was for the purpose of my own salvation, and the role that I will play, whatever that may be, in the salvation of souls. Every day is a unique Grace. Deo Gratias!

The Diocese of Greensburg Seminarians: Vocations -- Iron Man Gets It (5/6?)

(Source: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/217/489283078_13958f5da1.jpg?v=0)

While I was watching the new Iron Man movie last month, I noticed a very strong connection (though probably unintentional) to the concept of a vocation. The protagonist, Tony Stark (a.k.a. Iron Man) explains it in such a way that I'd say he really does understand what a vocation is.

Link: The Diocese of Greensburg Seminarians: Vocations -- Iron Man Gets It

I just saw the new Iron Man movie over the weekend, and thought it was an awesome movie; I'm already looking forward to the sequel. That said, I noticed a deeper, though possibly unintentional message in it concerning vocations -- a vocation isn't just something to discern, it's what each of us is meant to do.

The transformation of Tony Stark's character throughout the movie is not unlike the path of discernment that is common for many young men who consider a vocation to the priesthood. We see him firmly planted in the world and enjoying it (and often overindulging in it). After some significant event (I don't want to spoil the movie by saying what), he is forced to change his perspective on the world. By the time he takes on the persona of Iron Man, he has come to realize that his life has a meaning and purpose, and that that purpose serves the greater part of humanity.

Throughout this time he realizes that it isn't easy. The path to becoming Iron Man is challenging and forces him to stretch himself. There are a number of his close friends who disapprove of it. He could be more successful from the world's perspective if he kept doing as he was already doing. Yet he rose to the occasion: it's something that took a real man to do.

Following a call to a vocation in many respects is no different, but becoming who you are meant to be makes that challenge worthwhile.

[Added the full text, just in case the Greensburg Sems blog never goes live.]

A Cascade of Posts to Come... It's Seems Like It's Taken Forever

Quite a while back I wrote several posts for this blog and the Diocese of Greensburg Seminarians' blog, but never really got around to posting them. Since that time:

-We moved my sister's fiance to his new apartment (the reason for the trip that led to the writing of some of these quite-delayed posts)
-I started my summer pastoral experience at St. Pius X and Visitation Parishes in Mt. Pleasant.
-Details for my Quebec trip for the 2008 International Eucharistic Congress have fallen into place.
-Details for WYD2008 are starting to fall into place.

I have many things to write about again to keep this current... I'll get there.

As for the posts I wrote before, I'll put the date they were written in the title.

The Diocese of Greensburg Seminarians: Some Thoghts From Yonkers

I was ruminating and decided to post some brief reflections on the Erie and Greensburg seminarians' recent trip to New York City to see Pope Benedict.

Link: The Diocese of Greensburg Seminarians: Some Thoghts From Yonkers

It's amazing to think that it's been a week since the Pope's Mass at Yankee Stadium! I was reading some of Cardinal Mahoney's reflections on the trip and thought that it might be good to do a little of my own before the vividness of the memories fades away.

The event that affected me most profoundly was the Youth and Seminarian Rally at St. Joseph Seminary in Yonkers. It was incredible to be so close to the Holy Father, and his message encouraging us to live our faith well, and to not be afraid to embrace whatever vocation we are called to. (You can read or hear the Pope's address here.)

One thing struck me when we were there concerning the nature of pilgrimage. There were thousands of people there waiting for the Pope, filling the entire field where the stage was set up. To reach our section, we had to walk around, over, and through these crowds, and the whole time I couldn't help but think "I wonder if this is what it was like when the crowds gathered to hear Christ." It would be fitting if it was, because just as the crowds waited for Christ with great eagerness and hope, that was how we waited for Pope Benedict.

Cardinal Mahoney pointed out that he was affected profoundly by the Pope's visit, showing that to be a pilgrim is to be affected by the message, no matter who you are. And the message was the same as those that Christ gave, directing us how to live so that we can draw closer to Christ and to the Father.

[I'm adding the full text here just in case the Greensburg Sems blog never goes live]

I Guess This Is My Seminarian Blog Now?

Wow... it's been a very, very long time since I posted last. However, I suspect I'll be doing it more often. The seminarians for the Diocese of Greensburg have started a seminarian and vocations blog, and so I'm now a contributing author for it (I link to the blog in the links section). It isn't live yet, but hopefully will be approved soon and be available.

The likely benefit to this blog is that hopefully by blogging more on one, I'll start blogging more on the other. We'll see if it comes to pass; it seems a bit more likely now.