Busy, busy, busy

Although I promised to post weekly, I quickly fell behind a little. My apologies!

But, in all honesty, it's been a busy time.

Coming into the priesthood, I knew that I would be rather busy, but it's in the unplanned events and activities that I find myself that I find my plans and intentions being side-tracked. In no way am I complaining . . . each unplanned moment has been a unique and grace-filled experience, and I would not trade those moments in for anything. Yet, when I would set aside time to blog, catch up on some correspondence or prepare for the classes that I'm teaching (beginning next week - YIKES!), those moments would be interrupted by someone visiting the parish offices, a phone call, a conversation between staff members, etc. Yet, while I look at the totality of these events - planned and unplanned - THIS IS WHY I ENTERED INTO THE ORDAINED MINISTRY!

Speaking of classes that I'm teaching, the two are coming up very fast. The first class, Understanding the Sunday Eucharist, begins next Wednesday. I feel rather comfortable in teaching this class, since this is one of the areas I worked in prior to entering the seminary. I have the classes outlined, and am just getting final preparations completed. The second class, The Spiritual and Moral Character of the Human Person, is still a bit of an enigma to me, for no one has yet taught the course. And so, I am pretty much building this one from the ground up. Again, no complaining, just a little frustration and a slight feeling of being overwhelmed when I first began to prepare. However, one of my former seminary professors pointed me to a few books, one of which seems solid enough in which to base the course off of. I'm excited to have this opportunity to pass my excitement (and whatever knowledge I may have) to those who sign up for the course.

One other exciting (small) project is writing two reflections on the readings of upcoming weeks for our diocesan newspaper. They're due by next Monday, so I should be finish them within the next few days. I'm also the guest homilist at a Eucharistic Day at my former seminary parish assignment of Sacred Heart, in the Shadyside / East Liberty section of Pittsburgh. It will be good to be back there.

Other than that, Madrid prep, a new year of Youth Ministry, hospital visits, anointings, school visits, active presence at the high school, and a life in ministry in general is what is going on. It's a life which is keeping me busy, busy, busy . . . but I am enjoying it overall.

Enjoy the journey . . .