Limits to vocations

[mike_sieber]

Thanks for all your replies and I humbly ask that you remember me in your prayers. I’m having dinner with my parish priest to talk about this and I’m planning on some extra time in prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

Thanks again y’all!

 

[mike_sieber]

Okay, something weird is going on. I’ve been fretting over the possibility of going to the seminary and having outstanding debts, such as my current student loan. (actually that’s the only debt I have).

I got a call this morning from a company that’ll actually pay off my student loan and assume the debt. The kicker is that’ll I’ll be paying them less than what I’d normally be paying. (much lower interest rate). And since the federal loan will be paid off, I could apply for additional loans if needed. Also, if I do go back to school, my payments are deferred until I graduate.

Also, because my federal loan will be paid off, my credit goes up.

I try to be cautious when saying that the Lord’s hand is involved, but it’s weird nonetheless.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Okay, something weird is going on. I’ve been fretting over the possibility of going to the seminary and having outstanding debts, such as my current student loan. (actually that’s the only debt I have).

I got a call this morning from a company that’ll actually pay off my student loan and assume the debt. The kicker is that’ll I’ll be paying them less than what I’d normally be paying. (much lower interest rate). And since the federal loan will be paid off, I could apply for additional loans if needed. Also, if I do go back to school, my payments are deferred until I graduate.

Also, because my federal loan will be paid off, my credit goes up.

I try to be cautious when saying that the Lord’s hand is involved, but it’s weird nonetheless.

One thing to keep in mind though.

While you are in the seminary your student loans will be differed. You will not have to make any payments until you finish. Even on existing ones.

 

[jc-servant]

Well, I just got back from a meeting with the Director of Vocations for my diocese. After an hour and a half of discussion he seems to think that I’m being called to some form of religious life. He’s making some contacts for me to spend a weekend at a seminary in Latrobe.

So, I’ll keep praying about it and we’ll see where God leads me.

(Can’t imagine why God would want ME to be a priest though).

Keep discerning and be open to the call even if it seems kinda far fetched at first. I know a great priest who was married and had an annulment. He also used to be a roadie with a rock band, so you just never know who God might call or why. I think this priest brings a really unique perspective to his ministry that allows him to relate well with a variety of people. Maybe your life experiences so far are preparing you for something special in the future also.

 

[bilop]

Okay, something weird is going on. I’ve been fretting over the possibility of going to the seminary and having outstanding debts, such as my current student loan. (actually that’s the only debt I have).

I got a call this morning from a company that’ll actually pay off my student loan and assume the debt. The kicker is that’ll I’ll be paying them less than what I’d normally be paying. (much lower interest rate). And since the federal loan will be paid off, I could apply for additional loans if needed. Also, if I do go back to school, my payments are deferred until I graduate.

Also, because my federal loan will be paid off, my credit goes up.

I try to be cautious when saying that the Lord’s hand is involved, but it’s weird nonetheless.

Mike,

You should also know that there are resources to help you pay off your debt if you are ordained. Talk to your diocese. The diocese may be willing to pay off the debt (upon ordination), or put you in touch with other groups (KoC?, Serrans?) who help with these things.

God Bless and

 

[ASimpleSinner]

<<Plus they get free housing, board, and medical insurance.>>

Not quite true.

According to US Tax laws if a rectory is provided by the parish, the clergyman must pay tax on the fair market rental value of the property.

And there are some otherwise well-informed people who think that all clergy of whatever church are tax exempt. I’ve met them.

Just curious, can the diocese charge a “rent” that would help to control this taxation? That is to say, if it were established that all the priests in Topeka had to pay $100, for example, in rent no matter where they are stationed, could or would this help to protect or shield the clergy from having to pay taxes on the fair market value of their “free” housing?

Just got a vision of a NYC ArchD priest having to pay tax on the fair market value of a Manhattan rectory. Yipes!

 

[bilop]

Just curious, can the diocese charge a “rent” that would help to control this taxation? That is to say, if it were established that all the priests in Topeka had to pay $100, for example, in rent no matter where they are stationed, could or would this help to protect or shield the clergy from having to pay taxes on the fair market value of their “free” housing?

Just got a vision of a NYC ArchD priest having to pay tax on the fair market value of a Manhattan rectory. Yipes!

Check my post on pg 1. Priests DO NOT pay taxes on housing or housing allowances.

God Bless

 

[ASimpleSinner]

Check my post on pg 1. Priests DO NOT pay taxes on housing or housing allowances.

God Bless

Ahh. That seems to go against what bpbasilphx posted…

<<Plus they get free housing, board, and medical insurance.>>

Not quite true.

According to US Tax laws if a rectory is provided by the parish, the clergyman must pay tax on the fair market rental value of the property.

And there are some otherwise well-informed people who think that all clergy of whatever church are tax exempt. I’ve met them.

So I wasn’t sure which was the case.

I am NO tax expert here at all.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Ahh. That seems to go against what bpbasilphx posted…

<<Plus they get free housing, board, and medical insurance.>>

Not quite true.

According to US Tax laws if a rectory is provided by the parish, the clergyman must pay tax on the fair market rental value of the property.

And there are some otherwise well-informed people who think that all clergy of whatever church are tax exempt. I’ve met them.

So I wasn’t sure which was the case.

I am NO tax expert here at all.

Don’t know when bpbasilphx became the tax expert here but if you look later in the thread on page one you will see this reply by bilop that shows he was wrong in this case.

I’ve never heard of this, and don’t believe it to be true, but even if true, Priests make so little that they would not pay any income tax even with this included.

God Bless

Edit,

I found this on the IRS web site.

irs.gov/taxtopics/tc417.html

Living accomodation or housing allowances are NOT taxed for income tax purposes, but maybe fo SS tax.

The gross income of a licensed, commissioned or ordained minister does not include the fair rental value of a home (a parsonage provided), or a housing allowance paid, as part of the minister’s compensation for services performed that are ordinarily the duties of the minister. If you own your home, you may still claim deductions for mortgage interest and property taxes. If your housing allowance exceeds your actual expenses, you must include the amount of the excess as other income.

A minister who is furnished a parsonage may exclude from income the fair rental value of the parsonage, including utilities. However, the amount excluded cannot be more than the reasonable pay for the minister’s services.

A minister who receives a housing allowance may exclude the allowance from gross income to the extent it is used to pay expenses in providing a home. Generally, those expenses include rent, mortgage interest, utilities, repairs, and other expenses directly relating to providing a home.

The minister’s employing organization must officially designate the allowance as a housing allowance before paying it to the minister.

The fair rental value of a parsonage or the housing allowance is excludable from income only for income tax purposes.

 

[ASimpleSinner]

Well, I just got back from a meeting with the Director of Vocations for my diocese. After an hour and a half of discussion he seems to think that I’m being called to some form of religious life. He’s making some contacts for me to spend a weekend at a seminary in Latrobe.

So, I’ll keep praying about it and we’ll see where God leads me.

(Can’t imagine why God would want ME to be a priest though).

You think being a priest is a natural thing?

It ain’t. It’s Supernatural.

Stay fast in your humility, but don’t succumb to doubt or despair.

Heck, look at some of the good words that have come out of the mouths of folks with reputaions that were, well, not so great.

You are getting a decade from me before Mass today.

 

[mike_sieber]

Thank you for that!

 

[ChristianVet]

I think Christianity is the religion of being drawn out of comfort zones.

-Rob

P.S. Scary? Nope. Terrifying!

Absolutely.

To the original poster: Spending time in front of the Blessed Sacrament was the first right thing to do. If you feel you may need a stronger direction throughout the week, try saying the rosary every day.

The Blessed Mother, it seems, is in the business of recruiting priests. Ask her also, to help you discern.

In the meantime, you are in our prayers.