What a life! And it is mine, as a Priest of Jesus Christ!

 Today is a weird day! Partly because it's my last weekend at St. Mary's in Dedham.... Partly because I move to Rome in TWO weeks... But mainly because of the changes that will be happening back at my home parish. There's been one face that I've associated with the Life Teen program at Immaculate Conception ever since October 10, 1999 when the Life Teen program was launched. And that face is the coordinator, Linda Pane. Linda, one of the original CORE Members and a helping founder of SLT remembers well my first experience with Life Teen--- I DID NOT WANT TO BE THERE!!!! However, I began to get involved with the events SLT offered, and I grew to LOVE this youth ministry program. I became a VERY active teen, and when I was mid sophomore year of college in 2005 I joined CORE team. The Church, particularly youth, became so much a part of my life that I myself became a Life Teen youth minister at a parish in Bridgewater from 2006-2011 before entering the seminary...

I'm baaaaaaack!! After a little over 10 months of non-blogging, I have decided to resurrect my blog! For those who don't know---I will be moving to Rome, Italy three weeks from today. After a couple months of Italian language learning, and formation events at my new home (The Pontifical North American College), I will begin theology studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University. Tomorrow (June 24--Feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist), my classmate Michael Zimmerman, and I will be admitted as Candidates for Holy Orders. During the Evening Vespers service, before the Canticle of Mary, Cardinal Seán will deliver the homily proper to the Rite of Candidacy (or something similar). After this homily Michael and I will be asked to respond "I am" to two simple questions: Cardinal Seán will say:  In response to the Lord’s call are you resolved to com­plete your preparation so that in due time you will be ready to be ordained for the ministry of the Church ? ...