When our pastor retires we will be barren

[scoobydoo6v92]

Our diocese will not have us on the list to get a new pastor because we are too small. It is a sad time for our parish. I have seen it in the news all over. Now it has hit home.

I never really understood the need for prayer towards vocations. Oh, do I now.

As things look, the possibilities of getting more priests in the diocese just gets worse. Our neighboring diocese in DC has an abundance. Why can’t they spread this wondrous wealth?

Pray for all who are lacking or losing their spiritual leaders.

Well the problem is too that when someone discerns the priesthood and because of age or education you are thrown into the garbage can, and then people ask Oh why oh why is this happening. I guess that when half of the parishes close in this country and more people go to other churches using this as an excuse then maybe maybe Bishops will get the idea. I was looking at a holy order and they have an age limit. I am sorry I really think people that are in their 30s 40s 50s are still young enough to make a difference. It is all nonscense. And I find it very offensive. There should be a discrimination law against age. Especially when you are still only in your 30s!!! I love the church very very much, yes I am very very hurt and I am not on fire right now for the church, parishioners need to get angry and need to get fired up and not put up with it anymore and do something about it. Like if someone no matter how old feels a calling the parish should fight for that person and keep the bishop and the diocese at work to get that person in seminary. I hear in seminary you are still discerning well if you can’t even get in how the hell can you discern. It isn’t the fault of the church only it is also the parishioners that don’t seem to care one way or the other till like you said (it happened to us) then it is boo hoo. Well let’s all band together and get single men in to the priesthood and get things moving like before the next freeken stone age.

 

[BLB_Oregon]

I didn’t say anything was “ok”. I was pointing out that as logical as Puzzleannie’s statement seems on the surface, it is flawed. It is a sound bite with no factual support and questionable logic.

It isn’t entirely illogical, if you consider that parents so often want their grandchildren first, and the vocations to the religious life, if at all, after that. That would mean that cutting the family down to the number of children necessary to produce grandchildren would leave parents unwilling to encourage their children to enter the religious life. If the kids go for it, you don’t get grandkids to spoil.

Also, if the married life is about turning yourself over to God as a spouse and parent, then it becomes less a “choice of license” compared to the religious life. In that way, married life compares to religious life as a sacrificial life of a different nature. If, OTOH, married life means bringing the number of children into the world that fit your plans, then one life is about giving to yourself, and the other, about giving to everybody else. That makes the religious life a much more courageous choice, on the surface.

I say “on the surface” because of course a marriage based on “what is in it for me?” may cost less, but it is still no bargain. In any case, you get what you pay for.

Well let’s all band together and get single men in to the priesthood and get things moving like before the next freeken stone age.

I think it is a mistake to make this all about the priesthood. For instance, my old pastor, who became a priest back in the early 1940s, said that when he was considering the priesthood he was also considering settling down with the girl he was courting and having a big family. He asked God for a sign. The girl decided to try out the convent. He said, “That was my sign. It turns out she didn’t stay, but that was my sign.”

I think young men who were around young women who were also seriously considering and being encouraged into the religious life would themselves be more likely to become both priests and brothers. Thriving religious communities are a radical sign, especially to young people.

 

[Mt_28_19_20]

I think it is a mistake to make this all about the priesthood. For instance, my old pastor, who became a priest back in the early 1940s, said that when he was considering the priesthood he was also considering settling down with the girl he was courting and having a big family. He asked God for a sign. The girl decided to try out the convent. He said, “That was my sign. It turns out she didn’t stay, but that was my sign.”

I think young men who were around young women who were also seriously considering and being encouraged into the religious life would themselves be more likely to become both priests and brothers. Thriving religious communities are a radical sign, especially to young people.

Two aquaintances of mine left the seminary about 2-3 years ago, I think they were half-way or more through their training. One continued an advanced theology degree at Ave Maria, and got married. The other got married and started working for the archdiocese. Another aquaintance left the seminary around the same time, to go to another seminary. Then was considering different orders. Ran into him at Mass this week, not really sure what he is doing. All three seem to be very solid in their faith, are well versed in Catholic theology, and would probably have been good priests. Perhaps the one might still become a priest or brother.

Michael

 

[scoobydoo6v92]

What upsets me is that I feel still that I would make a great priest. I am in my 30s a virgin. I have tried to find the right woman to have a family with. I am getting to the age where if I don’t do something I will be accused of having my second time around family. With that said I know for sure that I am meant not to be married and I am a perfect canidate for priesthood and yet because of some stupid thing or the other I am told nah you are not priest material. So I am wasted and time will go on and will ask myself what would it have been like if I was a priest? One vocations director told me that i am too excited to be a priest the other told me that I don’t have the smarts for it just because I didn’t go to college yet I mastered a musical instrument I know 4 trades plus I have a good grasp of my faith. I just don’t get it. Scoob.

 

[Mt_28_19_20]

What upsets me is that I feel still that I would make a great priest. I am in my 30s a virgin. I have tried to find the right woman to have a family with. I am getting to the age where if I don’t do something I will be accused of having my second time around family. With that said I know for sure that I am meant not to be married and I am a perfect canidate for priesthood and yet because of some stupid thing or the other I am told nah you are not priest material. So I am wasted and time will go on and will ask myself what would it have been like if I was a priest? One vocations director told me that i am too excited to be a priest the other told me that I don’t have the smarts for it just because I didn’t go to college yet I mastered a musical instrument I know 4 trades plus I have a good grasp of my faith. I just don’t get it. Scoob.

That does sound frustrating. What is too excited to be a priest? Jumping out of a boat in the middle to walk on water?

Sounds like you are quite talented.

You say “With that said I know for sure that I am meant not to be married and I am a perfect canidate for priesthood and yet because of some stupid thing or the other I am told nah you are not priest material”

Do you fit these characteristics Paul describes?
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=145070

Michael