One Word for this Weekend - AIEEE!
This weekend's probably been my most hectic weekend this year, and it will continue to be so until tomorrow (Monday). And yet, I feel less stressed out than I have for a while! I guess prayer does help lower stress levels ;-)
On Saturday morning, a group of the seminarians (as is tradition at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary) travelled to the St. Louis area Planned Parenthood to pray for the women and unborn whose lives are harmed by the abortion and 'health' clinic. Here's a picture of the small group (I was behind the camera) that braved the snow at 6:30 in the morning:
Also occuring this weekend is the Archbishop's Retreat (an annual tradition). A group of men around late high school to college age comes to the seminary to learn from and pray with Archbishop Burke and the Kenrick-Glennon Seminarians. The men arrived Friday evening, and will be leaving this afternoon. Please pray for clarity in their discernment. Following is a picture from this morning of all the retreatants and Archbishop Burke:
In addition to these events, I gave a Eucharistic Witness last night at my parish, and was very glad to do so for two reasons: (1) being back near your family's house, away from the Seminary for a night can be very relieving and heartening, and (2) witnessing to my faith is one of the best ways (in my opinion) to become more attuned to your own beliefs. For those who weren't present for this witness, I related the 'lembas' or 'waybread' from Lord of the Rings to the Eucharist as our Catholic spiritual 'waybread.'
Finally, I have an epistemology paper due tomorrow by noon. But that's the least of my worries! As a Seminarian, I believe this kind of weekend is a great preparation for how the parish priesthood will be. I need to embrace the hectic schedule, and savor the times when I truly am able to relax for a short time; this will help me when the true tests come.
Have a wonderful Sunday!
