Higher Education

[TheDoors]

My soul be at rest in God alone, from whom comes my help.

I’m currently on my second combat tour in the Army. At the end of this tour my enlistment will end and I plan on entering college. I’d like to graduate, go to seminary and re-enter the military as a chaplain. There is so much to do, so much to learn that sometimes I wonder if I will ever be truely prepared. To that end, I have three large questions:

First, what are some ways I can prepare for college life as an Eastern Catholic intent on persuing a degree in Theology?

Second, what are some colleges that will help perpare me for the challenges of the military ministry while still remaining faithful to my Eastern Catholic beliefs?

Third, for those of you who have been, have sent children to or teach at Catholic Schools, which would you say can most prepare me for Eastern Catholic religious life?

As I said, there is so much to learn, it feels like I am floating in the middle of the ocean some times. Back in Texas I attended a fairly small mission church. Mass was held by three different priests who rotated. I have one that I was relying on, but there seems to be quite a bit of trouble between email, and phone communication is nearly impossible. I could definately use your prayers, and I would be very grateful for a guiding hand in this journey.

 

[Little_One0307]

Morning,

I will be praying for you.

Pray and pray much. Live the evangelical counsels as best as you can. Rest always in His Love. Have recourse to the Sacraments as much as possible. I would also advise if you can getting a spiritual director/confessor. I am blessed in my own life with one. It is awesome to have another to talk to about one’s life and where it is going.

I would start reading up on some theology books. Philosophy too, Philosophy is the handmaiden of Theology. D.Q. McInerny his books are a good place to start.

May God direct you in all your comings and goings. And may he strengthen your vocation. God bless.

Little One0307

 

[JamestheOlder]

You might check out this site and request specific information.

byzcathsem.edu/about/faculty.php

Pray and we will be praying for you, too!
G-d bless you!

 

[Lancer]

First, thank you for remaining strong in your Catholic Faith…and being receptive to that “whisper voice” of the Holy Spirit calling you to at least enter formal discernment of a vocation to the priesthood.

Secondly, a special thank you for your military service especially being in harms way for these long extended and repetitive combat tours. I often wonder…where do we get such incredible young men and women who are willing to serve and sacrifice…for all of us…even in combat risking their life. I am grateful…I do not take your personal sacrifices for granted.

Thirdly, I have one very important recommendation re: your discernment of your vocation to the priesthood and specifically to serve as a military chaplain…contact the Archdiocese for Military Services, USA…here is the entry link to the website.
milarch.org/site/c.dwJXKgOUJiIaG/b.6287817/k.3DFD/Home__Archdiocese_for_the_Military.htm
The Archbishop…Bishop Broglio…has a fairly new (several years old now…started by Archbishop O"Brien…now serving as the Archbishop of Baltimore;2007)…vocation Co-Sponsorship Program

The Archdiocese for the Military Services USA, in partnership with other U.S. (arch)dioceses, manages a Co-Sponsorship Program. This program enables a man with a vocation to priestly ministry in the military to be financially co-sponsored throughout his seminary training by both the Military Archdiocese and the seminarian’s civilian (arch)diocese. He is ordained a priest at and for that (arch)diocese. After completing at least three (3) years of priestly pastoral ministry he will be permitted (as part of the co-sponsorship agreement between the Military Archbishop and the co-sponsored priest’s Ordinary) to serve on active duty as a military chaplain for a full career.

**What steps are necessary if I feel called to serve both as a Catholic priest and in the military services? **

• If you are not a seminarian or priest and feel a call to the priesthood and the military chaplaincy, you should talk with your installation priest-chaplain (if you are already on active duty), or with your parish priest. He, in turn, will put you in touch with the vocations director in your home diocese. He can outline the steps to discern your call and become an ordained priest. You may also contact our **Vocations Director** for information and guidance.

milarch.org/site/c.dwJXKgOUJiIaG/b.6584721/k.9468/CoSponsorship.htm

Contact Us
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If you feel Christ may be calling you to serve as a priest and a chaplain, or if you have any questions at all regarding the chaplaincy or the priesthood, please contact our Vocations Director for more information.

Reverend John R. McLaughlin, Jr.
Director of Vocations
Telephone: (202) 719-3600
Cell: (617) 359-5493
**E-mail: **vocations@milarch.org**** or **fatherjohnmac@gmail.com**
Mail: P.O. Box 4469
Washington, DC 20017
Web site: [www.protectorsofthefaith.com (http://protectorsofthefaith.com/)
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Lastly…there are @ 30 men in the Program…this link will let you see who they are…and their background/journey.
protectorsofthefaith.com/priesthood/co-sponsored-seminarians/

Hope this helpful…you are in my prayers (total abandonment and total trust in the Lord)…as well as all who serve…especially in harms way…and I never forget to pray for their chaplains…especially our Catholic priest-chaplains.

Pax Christi & Semper fi