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What is the consensus concerning older, second career priests? Thanks in advance and God Bless.
-- john placette (jplacette@catholic.org), August 25, 2002Answers
Hello, John.
Long time, no see. Welcome back.
Can you please say a little more about what you want to know? A "consensus"? About what -- about whether it is good or bad for a man to have a career (business/teaching, etc.) before entering the seminary? Or a consensus about something else?
What if there is no consensus, but well-mixed opinions?
Sorry to "pick on" you!
God bless you.
John
-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), August 25, 2002.All of the Apostles were "second career priests". Better late then never, right? :). It really isn't a matter of what we think anyway. If God plans it that way - that is how it was meant.Thanks for the question, John Placette!
In Christ.
-- Jake Huether (jake.huether@lamrc.com), August 26, 2002.Hi, John - -There was an article in our local paper this weekend about a man who became a priest after his wife died and his children were in college. My consensus is - good for him! :-)
-- Christine L. (christinelehman@hotmail.com), August 26, 2002.John G., You're right. Sometimes I get in a hurry and don't express myself well. What I really was asking merely was what the reader's opiniions were about second career priests. Thanks, John
-- john placette (jplacette@catholic.org), August 28, 2002.Hi, John P. It's great for someone to become a priest young, and it's greater for an older fellow to hear the call and become a priest, too. He'll have a different set of experiences to bring to the table, which is fine.
But you know what *I'm* wondering? Is John Placette considering a vocation to the priesthood. . .? :-) Way back many moons ago you said on a thread somewhere that after an important spiritual experience you had, you felt God had called you to do something, and you weren't sure what. And now here you are asking this question. Hmmmm. ;-)
If I'm on the right track, John P., I think it sounds like a *terrific* idea for you to investigate whether or not you have a calling to the priesthood.
God bless you, John.
-- Chris B -- August 28, 2002.Oops. I had a typo there. I said "greater" when I just meant to say "great." I don't think one vocation is greater thananother. Sorry.
-- Chris B -- August 28, 2002.Hello, John P. I echo Chris B's sentiments about your potential vocation.In my life, I have liked priests of all kinds -- all ages, all working backgrounds (or none), all nationalities, all appearances.
Without a doubt, God calls some men even before high school, others not until middle age. He knows which ones need to get into the seminary before they get too set in their independent ways. He knows which ones need to get a small, medium, or large taste of the outside world before they are ready to settle down and study philosophy and theology.
I can think of three parish priests who had careers before entering the seminary. Most dramatic is my current pastor, who is now about 70, but has been a priest for only ten years, I think. You see, he was a career military man, an officer. All three of these priests are just excellent in almost all phases of their ministry.The place for older men to go to study is Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut.
God bless you.
John
-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), August 28, 2002.Thanks for the responses. John G. and Chris,you're correct in your assessments. I'm only in the wondering stage at this point. But, the idea keeps coming back...wondering what if. There are a lot of things to consider and if I went that route, a lot of hurdles to overcome. Thank you for your concerns, support and prayers. God Bless,
-- john placette (jplacette@catholic.org), August 29, 2002.You've definitely got my prayers, John P.! Jesus loves you!!! In Jesus' radiant love, Chris
-- Chris B -- August 29, 2002.
-- The Thread Restorer (Thread@Restoration.com), November 30, 2003
Oh, sure. Restore It is giving himself a plug under another blooming alias! No one knows either A Popolo or Thr. Restorer. But why stop him? Let him sport his ego for a day or two. Who would care to add anything to this farce?
-- eugene c. chavez (loschavez@pacbell.net), December 01, 2003.
Some time must be the first time on this forum, Eugene. We will see more of the thread restorer, I'm sure. Just don't understand why you dislike him so much...
-- Avanti popolo (aval@nogreat.cozy), December 01, 2003.
Eugene,How come you have so much hate for the thread restorer? But, you didn't say "peek a boo" when over 40,000 posts were maliously deleted?
Now when the threads are being posted back you cry out. LOL
-- - (David@excite.com), December 01, 2003.
Man Becomes Father For the 11th TimeA great story of a father of 10 becoming a priest after his wife dies. See story here
-- Brian Crane (brian.crane@cranemills.com), May 12, 2004.
In the episcolpal church, one of the good points is the number of men who become priests late in life. They bring to the service a greater amount of experience, and often a different and deaper perspecitve on life. They are more likely to have survived a hard time or two.I have met many such. So my feeling is that older second (or third or Nth) career priests are valuable jems.
Sean
-- Sean Cleary (seanearlyaug@hotmail.com), May 16, 2004.
Yes Sean, but you were foolish enough to leave the Catholic Church.Whats this say for you and what you are doing for the soul[s] of your family by leaving the Catholic Church? Please pray for stronger faith.
-- - (David@excite.com), May 17, 2004.
Yeah that new Episcopal bishop in New Hampshire certainly brought to the service some very different experiences and perspectives!
-- Joker (joker@cybernet.com), May 17, 2004.