Hello All,
Today being the feast of St. Martha, I figured I should do some work and update my Blog.
Transitioning has been so much easier than I could have ever expected, Praise God! The Gospel Roads program is done and I don't think it could have gone any better than it did. The youth were moved and changed, I was moved and changed. Philly is such a beautiful and diverse city. I still don't think I truly comprehend what I got myself into, but am I worried? NO. God has blessed me so much this far there is no reason why He won't continue to bless me.
Those that are interested in seeing photos can check out my Facebook page. If you do not have Facebook, too bad!!! No, really, why don't you have Facebook. Alright, I guess I will have to create a photo page as well for everyone to investigate; just be patient with me.
The youth that I have met at St. Martin's Parish are absolutely amazing. I am really looking forward to working with them in finding God in their lives.
Well, I think this will be all for today. I will be on the Orientation Retreat starting tomorrow morning, where I will be meeting all the other Salesian Domestic Volunteers that will be working this next year at different work sites.
Mary Help of Christians, Pray for Us
St. John Bosco, Pray for us.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Packing!!!!
So, I hate to pack. I think it must be one of my least favorite things to do. Reasons I hate to pack:
1. I never give myself enough time. I feel as if I am always in a last minute rush to get everything in boxes and in the car.
2. I always find the need to downsize. It never fails that as I pack things up I come across something that I really want to keep but at the same time I know I will never need it again. YES...I am a Pack-Rat. I like to keep things "just in case."
3. I always have to juggle between visiting with friends and family with trying to pack.
4. The balancing act of washing as many clothes as possible before packing it. I hate the idea of packing dirty clothes, however inevitably I end up having to pack at least some dirty clothes. I still have not figured out how to get all the clothes cleaned before packing it.
Well, I guess I should consider the 'ups' of packing for a big move.
1. Memories. It never fails that as I pack things I come across something that strikes up a fond memory.
2. Downsizing is a good thing! Moving requires us to takes stock of what we have accumulated in our short lives and determine what we truly need and what is just wasting space. I always feel more free when I get rid of the "extras" in my life.
3. Well, maybe there are only two pluses to having to pack.
Tomorrow is D-day for me. I leave from Tomball, TX to Philadelphia, PA. I can't believe that it is here. I wish I could say how I am feeling, but I am too distracted by all the things I still have to pack.
On that note; back to packing.
God Bless,
Joseph
1. I never give myself enough time. I feel as if I am always in a last minute rush to get everything in boxes and in the car.
2. I always find the need to downsize. It never fails that as I pack things up I come across something that I really want to keep but at the same time I know I will never need it again. YES...I am a Pack-Rat. I like to keep things "just in case."
3. I always have to juggle between visiting with friends and family with trying to pack.
4. The balancing act of washing as many clothes as possible before packing it. I hate the idea of packing dirty clothes, however inevitably I end up having to pack at least some dirty clothes. I still have not figured out how to get all the clothes cleaned before packing it.
Well, I guess I should consider the 'ups' of packing for a big move.
1. Memories. It never fails that as I pack things I come across something that strikes up a fond memory.
2. Downsizing is a good thing! Moving requires us to takes stock of what we have accumulated in our short lives and determine what we truly need and what is just wasting space. I always feel more free when I get rid of the "extras" in my life.
3. Well, maybe there are only two pluses to having to pack.
Tomorrow is D-day for me. I leave from Tomball, TX to Philadelphia, PA. I can't believe that it is here. I wish I could say how I am feeling, but I am too distracted by all the things I still have to pack.
On that note; back to packing.
God Bless,
Joseph
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Transitions
Hello All,
God bless you all.
As many of my friends and family know, I left the seminary in December 2009 to continue my discernment outside the setting of the Holy Trinity Seminary. Upon leaving, I knew that I would need to discern God's will in my life.
Many questions were going through my head, "Should I forget all about being a Priest?" "Maybe I could start dating now?" "Is God wanting me to go to religious life?" "Where to go, what should I do?"
My life was in a flux. I knew that I needed to trust in God through it all. I made a few goals for myself. I would get a job (preferably in ministry), I would finish my degree and continue to discern God's will, especially the possibility of returning as a diocesan seminarian or a Salesian seminarian.
Upon making this decision I started to research the Salesians more in depth. I discovered a retreat called the Salesian Spirituality Weekend (SSW). I knew right away that this would be a great opportunity for me. It was a weekend that teaches you the Salesian way of youth ministry and the Spirituality of St. John Bosco. I also saw this as an opportunity to stay an extra night to visit the Salesian Formation House; everything fell into place and I was on my way.
During the weekend I fell in love with the Salesians. I knew that I wanted more...little did I know how much more I would get and how quickly.
Through a series of Holy Spirit moments (as Teresa Brinkman would say) I am moving out of my home town and parish of 20+ years to Philadelphia as a Salesian Domestic Volunteer. I will be working at St. Martin de Tours Parish in Philadelphia starting July 2010.
More info and photos to come soon.
God Bless,
Joseph
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