THE HEART OF A SEMINARIAN

A Roman Catholic Seminarian opens up his Heart and shares the Faith he Loves.

SPORTS, THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, AND THE MEDIA

It is amazing to me to how media and journalism has changed through time.  It just seems to me that they care less about reporting the facts and more about creating a story.  This past week in sports, I read an article about how Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones supposedly accused Alex Rodriguez of using steroids.  In all actuality, if you read the whole interview, he simply mentioned that due to the era that baseball is in, A-Rod will have to face those same steroids questions as Bonds when he approaches the homerun record.  The quote was not hard to understand, but certain reporters just wanted to create a story than report the facts. 

Also, reality shows are no different either.  I find it funny that reality shows hire story writers for their shows.  Those shows take the footage and piece them together to produce a story that might not even be what is really going on and also they create characteristics of their cast such as “the loose cannon”, “the evil one”, “the partier”, or even “the flirtatious one”.  This is also true in reporting.  Just this past weekend in the PGA Championship, second place finisher Woody Austin complained about being dubbed a “loose cannon” in golf.  He said that Tiger Woods, who can’t do anything wrong, can slam his driver into the ground and he is called a great competitor. But if he does that, then he is loosing his temper again.

The same things that I saw in the reporting of sports this past week is the same thing that we all see when the media reports on the Catholic Church.  A lot of times, they rather create a story than report the facts.  Sadly, Pope Benedict XVI has been labeled as an insensitive ultra conservative, so now everything he does is portrayed through those lenses.  Maybe that is why we see the headlines “Pope says Catholics are the only true Christians.” The bottom-line is that the reporting that is done on the Catholic Church is just another part of the wide change in journalism in all areas of news.

posted by: muniz at 13:49 | link | comments |
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THE START OF A NEW YEAR

On Aug. 22, I officially moved back into seminary for my final year of studies.  So far this summer, I have been asked over and over about what this year as a transitional deacon might entail for me.  Understanding that the schedule for a transitional deacon may be unfamiliar to many, I will just explain what is expected from this year.

Going to the seminary is much like going to college; we have normal semesters and summers off.  So since my ordination to the diaconate in May, I have been spending my summer at St. Mary’s in Edwardsville where I have been assigned for the year.  While there, I have been preaching, working with the youth, baptized one baby as you saw on the cover of the Catholic Times, and helping in the office which consists of trying to stay out of everyone’s way (This is also how I help my Mom in the kitchen too.). 

Like the other school kids, I have bought my “Spider-Man” lunch box and my “Dora the Explorer” backpack and I am ready to head back to school.  For me, I attend Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis as I have been for the previous 5 years.  While there, I will take a full load (14 hours in the fall semester) while also completing my thesis.  Thus, I will live in St. Louis from Monday to Friday for school and then travel back to St. Mary’s in Edwardsville for the weekends.

I am looking forward to seeing how this year turns out, because on paper it looks incredibly busy.  I have always said the diaconate year is just a tease.  One is finally ordained, beginning their ministry, and assigned to a parish, but they cannot dive into parish ministry as much as they want too due to their schedule.  I often have to remind myself that I am only at the parish on weekends.  It is hard, because nothing beats being in the parish with the people.

So there you go, my schedule for the year is to go to school from Monday to Friday and then head back to the parish on the weekends.  If you have any further questions, then let me know.

posted by: muniz at 09:20 | link | comments |
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THOUGHTS ON WOMEN RELIGIOUS

On Aug. 15, I was fortunate enough to go to Alton to celebrate with the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George the professions of vows by these amazing women.  There were 8 sisters making their final vows, 2 novices making their first profession, and 2 postulants joining the novitiate during a Mass celebrated by our own Bishop Lucas.  As I watched each one of them make their professions, so many thoughts came running through my head.

First of all, religious sisters and nuns are amazing to me, because in my eyes, they are true servants of Christ.  No disrespect to the priests or anyone else, but these women devote their lives to the work of Christ without getting anything back that the world deems valuable.  It just seems to me that very little people look upon these women with respect anymore.  Too many, they are viewed by parishioners as just a principal or a DRE or a teacher instead of being viewed as a woman who is devoting her life to Christ and the work of her Order.

Secondly, becoming a religious sister is more counter-cultural than becoming a priest.  At least with priesthood, there is some type of glamour with this office.  With religious sisters, they are viewed as either being locked up in a convent or as simply a parish employee.  I can’t image the struggles they might have gone through with friends and family in order to reach this point of actually professing their vows.  They are true examples of love and devotion.

I have to say that it was very appropriate that their profession of vows was done on the Assumption of Mary, because they are great examples of women imitating the life of Mary, the humble servant who offered her whole life as an instrument of God’s love and mercy.  So congratulations Sister M. Consolata Crews, Sister M. Mediatrix Bexten, Sister M. Margaretta Dalton, Sister M. Talitha Eckstine, Sister M. Isidoris Flanagan, Sister M. Martha Weber, Sister M. Elise Mierendorf, Sister M. Redempta Fiedler, Sister M. Catherine Welter, Sister M. Teresa Pandl, Sister M. Renata, and Sister M. Pauline for offering your lives to the service of our Lord.  You and all religious sisters are an inspiration and model for me to follow in my Christian life and ministry.  Thank you.

posted by: muniz at 22:24 | link | comments (1) |
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