Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
12/31/2019
As I write this post, I am sitting in the kitchen of my childhood home. We have been on break for two weeks and still have the rest of this week off. It has been wonderful being home and being able to visit with family and friends and to help with the Masses at St. Cecelia's in Algona. During this break, I have taken many opportunities to reflect on the past semester, my first at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary.
First off, until I took the time to process everything, I was not aware of how much I actually learned about myself. Through formation meetings, classes, meetings with my Spiritual Director, and the counselor, many things have come to light these past 4 months. Notably, I am a beloved son of God. When we cast our doubts and worries on God, he truly will take care of them. This is something that I am still coming to terms with - mainly that God can love us so much, it doesn't matter how much we love him in return. I have also learned that I appreciate the silent periods that seminary life allows for. Being home has been wonderful, but it is "loud". It is much easier to find silent times for prayer and reflection when they are built into your schedule.
Another key revelation for me this term was that grades are not the most important thing. This was a big newsflash for me, as some of you who know me might imagine. My entire life I have been a person who is entirely grades focused. Through high school and college I spent many hours dedicated to studying and trying to maintain high academic standards. As a teacher, I attempted to maintain top standards in my classroom, especially helping students to achieve good grades. Well this semester I heard multiple times that at seminary, grades are not the most important thing. A man does not go to seminary for the grades, he goes to seminary to grow closer to God. That is the primary purpose of seminary. I must admit, that even now, I still worry about my grades, even though I am trying not to. Hopefully next semester will provide some more calm and ease when it comes to my grades.
Having completed the first semester of seminary was a big step for me. I never thought I would be saying those words. I completed a semester of seminary. Having had thought about the seminary and the priesthood in high school and college, I never imagined I would ever actually go. The blessings from this semester have been to numerous to count. The friends I have made, and the things I have learned will not easily be forgotten. I look forward to the coming years in formation and hope they are as good as the first!
Finally, I would like to say thank you to everyone out there who has said prayers for me, sent me note of encouragement, and was there for support whenever I needed it. Without all of you, I would not have made it through. So thank you all for everything! And God Bless you in the new year!
Peace and All Good,
Jake
12/31/2019
As I write this post, I am sitting in the kitchen of my childhood home. We have been on break for two weeks and still have the rest of this week off. It has been wonderful being home and being able to visit with family and friends and to help with the Masses at St. Cecelia's in Algona. During this break, I have taken many opportunities to reflect on the past semester, my first at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary.
First off, until I took the time to process everything, I was not aware of how much I actually learned about myself. Through formation meetings, classes, meetings with my Spiritual Director, and the counselor, many things have come to light these past 4 months. Notably, I am a beloved son of God. When we cast our doubts and worries on God, he truly will take care of them. This is something that I am still coming to terms with - mainly that God can love us so much, it doesn't matter how much we love him in return. I have also learned that I appreciate the silent periods that seminary life allows for. Being home has been wonderful, but it is "loud". It is much easier to find silent times for prayer and reflection when they are built into your schedule.
Another key revelation for me this term was that grades are not the most important thing. This was a big newsflash for me, as some of you who know me might imagine. My entire life I have been a person who is entirely grades focused. Through high school and college I spent many hours dedicated to studying and trying to maintain high academic standards. As a teacher, I attempted to maintain top standards in my classroom, especially helping students to achieve good grades. Well this semester I heard multiple times that at seminary, grades are not the most important thing. A man does not go to seminary for the grades, he goes to seminary to grow closer to God. That is the primary purpose of seminary. I must admit, that even now, I still worry about my grades, even though I am trying not to. Hopefully next semester will provide some more calm and ease when it comes to my grades.
Having completed the first semester of seminary was a big step for me. I never thought I would be saying those words. I completed a semester of seminary. Having had thought about the seminary and the priesthood in high school and college, I never imagined I would ever actually go. The blessings from this semester have been to numerous to count. The friends I have made, and the things I have learned will not easily be forgotten. I look forward to the coming years in formation and hope they are as good as the first!
Finally, I would like to say thank you to everyone out there who has said prayers for me, sent me note of encouragement, and was there for support whenever I needed it. Without all of you, I would not have made it through. So thank you all for everything! And God Bless you in the new year!
Peace and All Good,
Jake
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