Education post-reconciliation

[EmeraldOne]

I wasn’t sure if this belonged here in Family Life or in Vocation, if it needs to be moved, by all means, please.

A bit of backstory before I get into my real question, for context. When I converted in 2007 I was welcomed into my family’s Southern Baptist church, all my immediate family is Protestant. I never really felt quite right there, and that feeling only continued to mount as I matured in my faith and worked on my undergrad in Religious Studies. For the last two years I have had a near constant and very strong pull to research and learn about the Catholic Church and within the last month or so I’ve decided that the only thing that seems right and good is for me to seek reconciliation and enter the Church, there is no longer any doubt in my mind. This however leaves what I had planned for my future in total ruin, I was originally going to enter into seminary as a Protestant minister and have visited several schools, such as Duke and Asbury, etc. You see the problem with this I’m sure. I’ve also come to the conclusion that it seems likely that being a minister/priest may not be for me, as my interests are more academic and let’s be truthful my sermons were always more of a history lesson rather than something uplifting and practical. Church History is really my passion, as well as apologetics and theology. So my question really is, if there is a particular field that I could seek out to have a goal in life. I’m really quite ignorant on this and don’t know where to begin, I really do love teaching and my dream job would be to do so at a university level one day. I’m floating in an ocean of unknown here.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[1ke]

I can suggest a couple of things:

The Coming Home Network www.chnetwork.org is specifically a ministry to Protestant pastors, ministers, etc, and probably some academics too. Those who find their conversion has put them out of a job!

And, I can certainly suggests you look up Scott Hahn, one of the more famous pastor converts to Catholicism, husband, father, and now Catholic writer and professor at Steubenville.

He founded the St. Paul Center For Biblical Theology, www.salvationhistory.org.

 

[elizaveta01]

I’ve also come to the conclusion that it seems likely that being a minister/priest may not be for me, as my interests are more academic and let’s be truthful my sermons were always more of a history lesson rather than something uplifting and practical. Church History is really my passion, as well as apologetics and theology.

Don’t be too quick to dismiss the priesthood. Not all priests work in churches. There are many who are in intellectual, rather than pastoral, positions. Many do research, teach, write, etc.

Also, the seminaries are not just for men wanting to be priests. Many who go there are destined for other vocations.

Along with the priesthood there is also the monastic life. Monks work in a variety of jobs, but not many of them are full time priests with parishes. Some orders, such as the Benedictines, have a very long history of intellectual work.

 

[Joe_5859]

I second the above advice, particularly with regards to the Coming home Network. They exist to help people through what you are going through.

If your strengths are more in the academic realm, fear not! The Catholic Church has lots of colleges and universities that need good Catholic professors.

God bless you on your spiritual journey!

 

[EmeraldOne]

Thank you for the help and thoughts folks, I signed up on The Coming Home Network. Now I just need to research Master’s degrees at various colleges. It all looks so impenetrable from the outside, getting the proper education and finding a job, that is. I’ll also keep an open mind about the priesthood, and pray on it. I admit my only other reasons for not wanting to enter are entirely selfish, deeply wanting to get married and have kids.

 

[eyesopening]

Welcome home!!

I turns out I was in your shoes not too long ago. I came into the Church this last March. I left a successful career in the Protestant music ministry to come in the Catholic Church. The Coming Home Network was inspirational as I discerned my future course. I am now playing the organ in my home parish with the hopes of seeking a degree in Catholic Liturgy in the future.

Our respective fields are not the same, yet I too felt the fear of leaving everything (including job) behind to become Catholic. Rest assured, Our Lord has a plan for each and every one of us! God bless you as you make this journey!

 

[quiet52]

So my question really is, if there is a particular field that I could seek out to have a goal in life. I’m really quite ignorant on this and don’t know where to begin, I really do love teaching and my dream job would be to do so at a university level one day. I’m floating in an ocean of unknown here

.

EmeraldOne, the Catholic Church doesn’t consider Holy Orders to be a “job”, just as Matrimony is not a job. Both are life vocations. Of course, for all Christians, our main vocation is to be a faithful disciple, no matter our marital status or employment status. The goal for our discipleship is twofold: (1) to respond daily to God’s call to holiness, so that we may be with Him in eternity, and (2) to help others get to Heaven.

It seems you have a deep yearning to be a disciple!

Thank you for the help and thoughts folks, I signed up on The Coming Home Network. Now I just need to research Master’s degrees at various colleges. It all looks so impenetrable from the outside, getting the proper education and finding a job, that is. I’ll also keep an open mind about the priesthood, and pray on it. I admit my only other reasons for not wanting to enter are entirely selfish, deeply wanting to get married and have kids.

Have you begun your preparation to be received into the Catholic Church yet? “Being Catholic” would of course be the first step, and ever-ongoing walk, in discerning the priesthood, as well as teaching Catholic theology. It’s not merely a matter of learning and knowing, but of living the lifestyle.

If “part of you” thinks it’s possible that you might be willing to sacrifice marriage and family for the priesthood, then make an appointment with the diocesan Vicar of Clergy to discuss this possible vocation. However, I think most bishops require that a man be a Catholic for five years before he enters a seminary. But you might as well seek the information now.

You might also visit a theology professor at a Catholic university, just to ask practical questions about teaching Catholic theology.

May you forever give praise and rejoice in the Lord!

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

Welcome home!

Why not do a degree in theology and after that take it further if you have an interest in academia? As others have said, we need good orthodox lecturers at Catholic universities. You don’t have to be a priest for that. I’m sure that the Coming Home network can refer you to someone who can give you more info.

It all sounds so exciting.

 

[Joe_5859]

Thank you for the help and thoughts folks, I signed up on The Coming Home Network. Now I just need to research Master’s degrees at various colleges. It all looks so impenetrable from the outside, getting the proper education and finding a job, that is. I’ll also keep an open mind about the priesthood, and pray on it. I admit my only other reasons for not wanting to enter are entirely selfish, deeply wanting to get married and have kids.

I would just point out that deeply wanting to get married and have kids is not selfish. I felt that desire ever since second grade (and now i’m married). If that’s where God is calling you, there’s no shame in that.

But, it’s always good to be open to where the Lord is leading you in your discernment process. It’s not something you have to decide right away.

 

[EmeraldOne]

.

Have you begun your preparation to be received into the Catholic Church yet? “Being Catholic” would of course be the first step, and ever-ongoing walk, in discerning the priesthood, as well as teaching Catholic theology. It’s not merely a matter of learning and knowing, but of living the lifestyle.

If “part of you” thinks it’s possible that you might be willing to sacrifice marriage and family for the priesthood, then make an appointment with the diocesan Vicar of Clergy to discuss this possible vocation. However, I think most bishops require that a man be a Catholic for five years before he enters a seminary. But you might as well seek the information now.

You might also visit a theology professor at a Catholic university, just to ask practical questions about teaching Catholic theology.

May you forever give praise and rejoice in the Lord!

I’m set to begin RCIA in October, and while reading that I may seem premature, I’ve spent the last two whole years reading books about Protestants converting and their arguments for it, “Rome Sweet Home” by Scott Hahn, “Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic” by David Currie, “If Protestantism Is True” by Devin Rose, as well as listening to various podcasts like “Catholic Stuff You Should Know” (Great podcast by the way, it’s probably the one thing that really started my journey home) among others. So I feel somewhat learned, and am just trying to plot out a path for the future.

I used to be dead set against the priesthood, that’s why it took so long and why I’ve bounced around from church to church, just trying to delay the inevitable. I made the mistake for a year thinking “Anglicanism is close enough, right?!” I’ve finally hit a point though where I’m honestly just willing to follow God. I do want to get married I’ve wanted a wife and family my whole life, but if that’s not His will, then I’m open to it. It won’t be a begrudging acceptance either, I’d apply my heart and soul to it. I just would like Him to show me what He wants. I’m His servant regardless.

 

[Cat]

I know a fine man who has a degree in theology and teaches religion in our large Catholic high school. He apparently makes a decent income–he and his beautiful wife have four children and are open to more, and she stays home with them as a full-time wife and mom!

I also know a young woman who got her degree in theology from a Catholic university, and taught religion in a Catholic school for a year, but then she got married and had her first baby. She now has three babies, and stays home with them.

Just a thought, if you like working with young people.

 

[quiet52]

I’m set to begin RCIA in October, and while reading that I may seem premature, I’ve spent the last two whole years reading books about Protestants converting and their arguments for it, “Rome Sweet Home” by Scott Hahn, “Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic” by David Currie, “If Protestantism Is True” by Devin Rose, as well as listening to various podcasts like “Catholic Stuff You Should Know” (Great podcast by the way, it’s probably the one thing that really started my journey home) among others. So I feel somewhat learned, and am just trying to plot out a path for the future.

I used to be dead set against the priesthood, that’s why it took so long and why I’ve bounced around from church to church, just trying to delay the inevitable. I made the mistake for a year thinking “Anglicanism is close enough, right?!” I’ve finally hit a point though where I’m honestly just willing to follow God. I do want to get married I’ve wanted a wife and family my whole life, but if that’s not His will, then I’m open to it. It won’t be a begrudging acceptance either, I’d apply my heart and soul to it. I just would like Him to show me what He wants. I’m His servant regardless.

May you enjoy your journey to reception in the Catholic Church!
Being open to God’s will (and you don’t yet know what is inevitable ) is a good place to start. Constant prayer is what is most important. Thank you for wanting to build up our Lord’s Kingdom here on earth!