Oh no!, perhaps Rich Budd did not want this posted on this particular forum, seems it was intended for the Seminarian Blog, Regardless, the decision for Rich Budd to discern out of the vocation of priesthood deserves it’s sanctity. It is nothing more than pure and simple willingness to follow God’s will in your life. I am certain that God has great things planned for Rich, as he was such a gift to all in this dioceses, especially the young people. God has great things planned for him. On a personal level, I KNOW that he was instrumental in witnessing his great love for the Lord, he will be an awesome Family and Marriage Counselor/professor/advisor. I am not certain which one. GO RICH!!
God’s timing is everything. Here is a portion of the letter I wrote last evening to Bishop Carlson, I had not known about the previous submissions.
Dear Bishop Carlson,
Thank you for providing the fertile ground that enables our seminarians to spread their wings and grow in their faith. I would like to say you have the “right” formula for attracting so many potential priests. The good people in the Diocese of Saginaw speak of this often, are amazed, are renewed in their own hope, and are reminded that God loves each and everyone of us, we are all called. I can’t put my finger on it, the holiness of the ordination, the transformation, the visualization of Grace. I can only believe that we are not to know everything, we must acknowledge the mystery. We bow to the wisdom, to the love. However, formula is not the right word, it addresses only the surface appearance, the logistics so to say. There is a deeper and more profound movement. The truth revealed. I feel that in your willingness to express deeply the love Jesus has for us, in your need to have each and everyone know the gift and responsibility of this love, the closed door has been opened. I can only pray for (any seminarian) to follow God’s will. There lies the beauty, the trust.
Bishop Carlson, this worldy life is difficult and our cross is heavy. The more we try to carry it on our own the heavier it becomes, we become short sighted as we are consumed with the immediacy of it. Thank you for bearing your cross so gracefully. In regards to the penance pastoral and the opposition of a few, I would like to share my limited perspective. A determination of value of personal healing can not be measured. The mercy and forgiveness inherent in the sacrament of penance is primary. I can only imagine that as you celebrated this sacrament with so many, certainly you stand in awe of the healing nature of reconciliation. …The timing of the distribution of this pastoral penance is indisputable, not subject to a worthy argument of opposition. My experience has been that during lent, that which we place before the lord, becomes transformed. This takes a lot of courage and much faith, because our sin is held so tightly. Should the shortage of priests make You shrink from the responsibility of wanting what God intended, certainly not… Always stay centered on the fruit, the blessings, it is where the will of God is evident.
May God always bless you!,
LIsa
