Priests Wanted
Again check out the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5shwmYxuc0&feature=fvst
Quote: FrGambleI hope the link below works, but if not it is worth it to check out the YouTube video called, Fishers of Men. I'm glad the bishop in your are is taking some steps to get the word out about the priesthood, it is an awesome life. In fact there is a brand new book out called, "Why Priests Are Happy: A Study of the Psychological and Spiritual Health of Priests" by: Stephen Rossetti. It goes into why the priesthood consistently ranks in the highest of all professions in regards to job satisfaction, about 92% of priests reporting happiness in their vocation.
Again check out the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5shwmYxuc0&feature=fvst
Quite frankly I am surprised that the REPORTED percentage isn't 100! Since presumably the terms and condtions and results of your labor are all driven by your higher authority, lack of 'job satisfaction' can only be at least an indirect jab at your 'boss', which most priests would tend not to do.
Quote: MrVIt was a brilliant marketing move on the monsignor's part - EDIT: Off color mark deleted.
Are these kind of posts really necessary? Are you 13 years old?
Quote: 1BBI happened to hear the ad on the radio the other day and thought others might find it interesting. I didn't expect the off color posts, one of which has been removed.
1BB
Well come on now.
You post a thread about joining the priesthood, a noble vocation, but you had to expect some flack. I attended 12 years of Catholic Education, was an alterboy for 6 years and have to tell you 99 % of the Priests and Brothers that I encountered were admirable men. Great Teachers and Role Models. They truly enriched my life. The other 1%, like every other profession were, problematic?, if that word fits.
I realize that your intent was for others who might find an interesting vocation opportunity but you had to know that there would be plenty of threads that are "off color" including my previous one that was removed, so you should have expected some flack.
In my mind I would think that the majority of members here are more interested in gambling/vacation adventures than looking into new careers, especially those that lean to a religious (celibate) lifestyle.
Just my thoughts.......
EagleDice
Quote: eagledice1BB
Well come on now.
You post a thread about joining the priesthood, a noble vocation, but you had to expect some flack. I attended 12 years of Catholic Education, was an alterboy for 6 years and have to tell you 99 % of the Priests and Brothers that I encountered were admirable men. Great Teachers and Role Models. They truly enriched my life. The other 1%, like every other profession were, problematic?, if that word fits.
I realize that your intent was for others who might find an interesting vocation opportunity but you had to know that there would be plenty of threads that are "off color" including my previous one that was removed, so you should have expected some flack.
In my mind I would think that the majority of members here are more interested in gambling/vacation adventures than looking into new careers, especially those that lean to a religious (celibate) lifestyle.
Just my thoughts.......
EagleDice
I honestly didn't think about flack when I started the thread. I don't have a problem with whatever it was that you said. I had actually forgotten who it was that posted and I didn't flag your post nor would I if I had flagging privileges.
You may think that the majority of members are more interested in gambling but the thousands and thousands of threads and posts in the Off-Topic section,Advice section,and Casual Corner tell a different story. The Wizard's own Spanish word of the day thread is by far the top thread in the Forum and has nothing to do with gambling.
Quote: FrGambleI hope the link below works, but if not it is worth it to check out the YouTube video called, Fishers of Men. I'm glad the bishop in your are is taking some steps to get the word out about the priesthood, it is an awesome life. In fact there is a brand new book out called, "Why Priests Are Happy: A Study of the Psychological and Spiritual Health of Priests" by: Stephen Rossetti. It goes into why the priesthood consistently ranks in the highest of all professions in regards to job satisfaction, about 92% of priests reporting happiness in their vocation.
I do have to say that being raised Catholic that the Catholic Church simply does not remotely understand any kind of marketing. They don't understand you have to draw people in. I had heard that there is now some push to get middle-aged guys to consider becoming priests. I'd bet the average religious guy never considered that at all. But think about it, let a guy live a more "normal" life for some time but later he decides to take a vocation. I can see it getting some recruits.
Quote: AZDuffmanI do have to say that being raised Catholic that the Catholic Church simply does not remotely understand any kind of marketing. They don't understand you have to draw people in. I had heard that there is now some push to get middle-aged guys to consider becoming priests. I'd bet the average religious guy never considered that at all. But think about it, let a guy live a more "normal" life for some time but later he decides to take a vocation. I can see it getting some recruits.
When I lived in Gilbert, AZ one of our parish priests was formerly a Lutheran minister & married. He converted to Catholicism and became an ordained priest. He was is only married priest I have ever heard of. There is a special term for it but I cant recall. Not sure how common this is but I know Seminary enrollment is way down. I think I heard in 2009 the Chicago Archdiocese only had something like 7 or 8 people entering the seminary. The Chicago area has numerous nursing homes for nuns and priests though...sign of the times I guess.
Quote: Scotty71When I lived in Gilbert, AZ one of our parish priests was formerly a Lutheran minister & married. He converted to Catholicism and became an ordained priest. He was is only married priest I have ever heard of. There is a special term for it but I cant recall. Not sure how common this is but I know Seminary enrollment is way down. I think I heard in 2009 the Chicago Archdiocese only had something like 7 or 8 people entering the seminary. The Chicago area has numerous nursing homes for nuns and priests though...sign of the times I guess.
I think you may be referring to something called the "pastoral provision" that allows ministers from other denominations who are already married convert and become priests while of course staying married. Usually there are some restrictions like those guys usually are not made pastors out of consideration for the time they need to spend with their families, also they usually are encouraged to take on a job like chaplin or teacher that could supplement their income.
The crisis in vocations to the priesthood seems to be related to crisis in just about every field where service and sacrifice to the common good is called for. I know other denominations are struggling to find enough ministers. At the same time the number of those interested in being firefighters or police or military is also diminished. I don't know if anyone can speak to that? I guess it is a sign of the times.
Quote: FrGamble
The crisis in vocations to the priesthood seems to be related to crisis in just about every field where service and sacrifice to the common good is called for. I know other denominations are struggling to find enough ministers. At the same time the number of those interested in being firefighters or police or military is also diminished. I don't know if anyone can speak to that? I guess it is a sign of the times.
In my neck of the woods the line to become cops or firefighters goes around the block, has for 30+ years. To become a state trooper in PA you basically must have military experience. And they still have loads of people taking the test, more than they ever need.
I think the priesthood declining is a bit like the population of a country with a declining birthrate. At first no big deal, plenty of old folks to take up the slack. But eventually it catches up with you. And I will always maintain that Vatican II changed everything and is a big reason for the drop in vocations. More and more lay people means more people can get involved with less-than-full-time commitment.
Quote: Scotty71When I lived in Gilbert, AZ one of our parish priests was formerly a Lutheran minister & married. He converted to Catholicism and became an ordained priest. He was is only married priest I have ever heard of.
I read an article about such priests in either TIME or Newsweek abck in the 90s. Some even ahd children. As I recall the article dind't quite say whether these converted priests, already married, could continue conjugal relations or whether they had to embrace celibacy.
Quote: FrGambleWouldn't that be something if they could be priests but have to give up relations with their wife?
Why not? That's pretty much the way it is for the rest of us! /rimshot
I got a million of 'em!!
Quote: FaceWhy not? That's pretty much the way it is for the rest of us! /rimshot
I got a million of 'em!!
THANKS, I'M HERE ALL WEEK! HAPPY HOUR FIVE TO SEVEN! DON'T FORGET TO TIP YOUR HARD WORKING WAITSTAFF!
I remember seeing one on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, maybe 25 years ago.
The priest wasn't even on because he was married. I think he had written a book, or something.
Anyway, during the interview, he let it slip that he's married. The other conversarion comes to a halt as Johnny confirms that he's a Catholic priest, then asks him to explain.
All the priests in his area wanted permission to change policy. If I recall, it was to wear civilian clothes when in town, or something equally benign. They had to make their request to the Vatican. This particular priest, realizing that all the letters would be sent in one package, believed that after only one or two had been read, all would get rubber stamped. So, he added a paragraph in his letter about getting married, then burried it in the stack of letters, and got approved along with everyone else's request.
Johnny's response was priceless: "Wait a minute. You pulled a fast one... on God?!?!?"
Quote: FrGambleWouldn't that be something if they could be priests but have to give up relations with their wife?
Why not? Wouldn't that be a worthy sacrifice to the god he's supposed to love above all else
