Thursday, September 16th, 2010

Again, an adendum to last night's blog:

I thought it would be good to scare Brother Roger after he's scared Brother Larry and I so much.
I also decorated his door with post-its to make an "R" for Roger.
While he was distraced with the door, we both jumped out
and scared him. It was pretty funny, but you probably had to be there.

I had the HARDEST TIME getting up this morning. I was even too lazy to open my door for Brother Chris 1 (who wakes me up every morning, because my three alarm clocks can’t do it). I was up late with brothers Edwin and Xavier reading the first chapter of this book for Father Marc’s class (and not many are enthusiastic about it). It’s called Who Are We? By Louis P. Pojman. The chapter is only 24 pages. Not bad. I got up to page 10. Now that’s bad. Hahaha.

I had found a surprise on my door this morning:

Brother Larry had stole it off a paper towel dispencer from somewhere.

If anyone is missing a sign from their paper towel dispenser, see Brother Larry.

We had Philosophy of the Human Person with Father Marc. He is a quiet man and a humble man. He has quiet a few funny lines when you pull them out of him. He also has a brilliant mind. He has such a knowledge of Philosophy. Hopefully, he’ll be able to help me out with Dr. Henry’s Ancient Philosophy class (which I am currently COMPLETELY lost in…I’m so glad that paper is due tomorrow. ANYWAY…Father Marc has such a soft-spoken voice and I was sooo tired. You can imagine the results. Brother Edwin had to wake me up. I should probably try napping later. I should get into the habit of drinking coffee too.



My Philosophy of the Human Person class at the Seminary
A huge attendance of all SIX students from all grade levels.



I missed the van to the university (as usual, Brother Chris 1 probably has satalite time linked to his watch) so I rode in Brother Jeff's nice new Ford Explorer with him and Brother Xavier. We took three highways to get to school today...and we live 10 minutes from Saint Johns. I know, I couldn't add it up either. I got to the university and headed towards Saint Thomas More Church on campus. On my way I saw my friend Alexa from Sociology and I walked with her where she was going. I know God's not going anywhere hahaha. When walking, we saw this guy from the campus clean-up staff and it was pretty funny.

Our amigo with the sombraro!

Then I went to Multimedia Comm class. We had a great fire drill (that was pointless) but it was nice to get some fresh-air...10 minutes into class. Hahah.

Afterwards, I hung out with a friend from the class who is equally interested in religion. We had a great conversation about the future of the church and then went to the 12:15 mass together. It was a good experiance.

I thought I was catching a 1:30 van home, but apparently, it doesn't exsist. It's a one-way van and Brother Chris 1 parks and goes into class. BUMMER. I don't think I'll ever get this van thing down.

By the way, Chris 1 is the prefect of our house. He is the liason between faculty/staff and students. He is the moderator of all commites in the house and is a spiritual role model to the seminarians. He can lay down the law if he has to but he likes being our friend, and I respect him so much more for that.

I would compare Douglaston to Harry Potter but I don't wanna be excommunicated by the RCC (Roman Catholic Church). Hahah. When you think about it though it's pretty funny. They have a prefect for each house, a common room, different houses with different missions (that would be like religious orders vs. diocesan). Plus there is the deep mystery of what they do... which is similar to the church but nowhere near to being close.

Magic and Transubstantiation should NOT under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES be confused. Magic is "slight-of-hand" tricks and illusions. According to Wikipedia, "Transubstantiation means the change of the substance of bread and wine into the substance of the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist, while all that is accessible to the senses remains as before." I usually don't make it a habit of trusting Wikipedia but it was beautifully worded. Transubstantiation is not an illusion. The bread and wine at the Altar of God are "changed". They look the same and taste the same, but are not the same as they were before the Eucharistic Prayer.

Speaking of Transubstantiation, I'm thinking of my good friend Father Mike...WOAH` PADRE! Thinking of you. How far have I come right? BAHAHAH.

I went to lunch at the ON-CAMPUS TACO-BELL! Holy cow. In HEAVEN. I literally heard the Tabernacle Choir singing the "Alleluia". $5 for three soft tacos and a medium soda. When I saw the price, I yelled out the words of the Not So Reverend Borat: "VERY NICE."

Today's weather was a bit cruddy. It was cloudy and windy. Seemed stormish. I guess God didn't like me quoting Borat at Taco Bell. I can't see our Lord looking to kindly on it.

I caught the 3:00 van home with our prefect, Chris 1. Brother Daniel stole the shotgun seat. I did offer it but I didn't think he'd actually take it. My mistake. Hahah. I had a great van ride with brothers Nick, Jose, Joel, Daniel and of course Chris 1. You know how they say you need to watch out for the quiet ones? Brother Nick C. is a quiet one...but he said some funny things this past ride home that had me cracking up even after we got back to the house and for a lot of time after.

Right now its about 4pm, but I have a quiet night set up ahead. Just to work (or start working) on that paper and then there is mass at 5:30 and then NP at 9:45. I've got my work cut out for me. 

Wednesday, September 15th, 2010

I wish I could use Father Mike’s “GOOD MORNING GOOD MORNING” right about now. I woke up on time but I was extremely tired. I was falling asleep during Mass (a few times during the homily…no offence Father Fonti). Brother Marcial was teasing me about that. I didn’t go up for communion for penance.

I sat with Monsignor Thelen, Brother Larry, and a few other brothers for breakfast. Monsignor was telling a story and now I can’t remember what it was, but I remember enjoying it. I was SO enthralled with the story, that I wasn’t paying attention to how long breakfast took and then I looked at the time. WOAH`! 7:15! Van leaves at 7:10. NO BUENO! Ran outside? It’s gone. Brother Chris (1) is very punctual. Damn. Hahahah. Now what? Ran upstairs and who’s there? But Brother James Hansen offered to take me to SJU. Awesome. I now had the ride. We jump in the car, we start heading there, and then he asked me which way to go…I’m from Long Island just like him. That means I have NO sense of direction, but we got there. I was only 15 minutes late for class and my professor was okay with it. She understands that people have off days. I had enough time to catch up anyway. My DNY class goes from 7:30-10:30. 3 hours? HA! I have trouble paying attention for 10 minutes. At least today was interesting. We talked about this book (that I didn’t receive through the University) that I will have to read.

I had a HELL of a time getting my books. I went yesterday to the bookstore to get two books on hold for me. I pre-paid them, so all I had to do was pick them up. I brought my receipt and they told me they had a copy of the receipt, and I needed my school I.D. card. So...today I come back, frustrated, but with my ID card and what do they say? "You need your receipt to pick up your books." I was angry because this was the third time I had been to the bookstore for these books and the van was waiting. I had limited time...so I pulled out the privilege I try to hardly use. I call it THE COLLAR PRIVILEGE. I went to the manager and pulled my great charm skills out of my rear-pocket and said the following with a big smile on my face:

"Hey, my name is James Reiss,

and I'm a Seminarian from the Cathedral Seminary Residence..?

(Pause for effect)

...I'm having a problem getting my books. Would you mind giving me a hand?"

And without another second, BOOM my books were in my hands as if I snapped my fingers. It wasn't exactly the right thing to do but special circumstances call for certain measures.

I had ran all the way across campus, but I was UNSUCCESSFUL. The van had already left. I had hit the lowest low of my day. I sulked back to campus, bummed and ran into someone there that I wasn't expecting. One of the Scotts.

The Scott family was very involved in my high school. I knew Chris the best. I was in the music group at school with Chris who was two grades above me. Katie was a year below me, and I knew her, but we didn't talk that much. Their dad was the Department Head for Theology. All of them are funny and likable. Andrew is the Scott I ran into. He's Chris' older brother and he's a Campus Minister at Saint John's University. We talked for a few minutes but he turned my spirit around. He invited me to the on-campus Mass at Saint Thomas More Church which gave me something to do.

It was a beautiful liturgy, given by the University's President, Rev. Donald Herrington. AND THE MUSIC! HOLY COW. It was beyond words. Closest being incredible. VERY MODERN. I liked it. A lot of guys in the house don't like new and modern music, but I embrace it. I think it adds a huge part to the mass. ESPECIALLY on a college campus setting. Do I think all masses should have all new music? No, but I think it should vary. Three old songs and one new one. Or two old, two new, etc..

I took the 1:30 van home, very happy. Got home for 2pm...was getting ready to jump into pajamas to relax and HELLO, I almost forgot its APOSTOLATE WEDNESDAYS!

Apostolate is kind-of like working for volunteer service hours. Both dioceses send there seminarians in two separate ways per diocese. So each diocese has it's Religious Education apostolate and it's Nursing Home apostolate to work with young and the old. Since my Discover New York (DNY) Class sometimes will interfere with my apostolate, I figured it wouldn't be fair to give students a catechist (Religious Ed instructor) that couldn't show up all the time (plus I will be teaching on Saturday mornings anyway) and that I'd go to the Polish Nun's Home on Cuba Hill Road.

I went, and ran into an old friend. Mrs. Reilly. Mrs. Reilly was my best friend (Dennis') neighbor. She lives at the home now. I got her to take a picture with us while I was cleaning the dishes. Sister Catherine also joined us. She has a firm fist, but she gave into my charm.

I had a great time today...and apparently, so did Brother Patrick.

Tuesday, September 14th, 2010

Today, I realized that the Devil's Temptation is everywhere around us, in everyway possible...especially, when you know you shouldn't have Starbucks, but you do anyway.

Today, I had Sociology with Dr. Trumino. Today's discussions were on Social Context (family, classroom, work, street) vs. Social Location (age, gender, race, ethnicity, social class) and how values have changed over time due to media and what Hollywood has put into our heads. What's most important to us? Money, Sex...this is what America now views as its values.

Television and Movies show that people are having "one-night stands" on a regular basis; showing America that this is the "norm" when in reality it's not. It is teaching my generation something that is immoral. Hollywood is taking advantage on humanity's fault. Fact: We are sexual beings. But just because we have the ability, doesn't mean we always have to. People are tricked by the media of today into believing that this is normal. Why are young people attracted to the "bad boy" side of humanity? We must rebel against this sort of action. Hollywood has today's youth in the palm of it's hand when we should be in the hand of the Lord.

I'm lightening the mood now because I will get carried away with what society has done to the youth of today. I had History of Ancient Philosophy  at 10:30 and it is so frustrating to keep up with. "What is there, isn't..." etc. Plus, I have no real interest in the subject of Ancient Philosophy, just the area that Philosophy is now...stemmed from what it was long ago. AHHHH, I'm talking like Dr. Henry now. Hahahaha. We have a paper due Friday, and my textbook hasn't come yet. I really hope it comes soon. But in the meantime, Brother Xavier has offered to share his text book (and apparently, I'm using him. His words, not mine. Hahahah) with me, and help me out on this assignment. Not too big. Two pages; thats all. But for a class you don't really like? Hahaha, that can be a living hell.

Took the van home at 12:10 back to the house. I rode SHOTGUN, but riding shotgun also means you hold the responsibility of saying the prayer for the van ride home. We remember a particular brother seminarian and we improv-pray. We say whatever the Holy Spirit tells us too. It doesn't take long. Just a few minutes. For the rest of the time we blast music in the van. I will ever remain faithful to finding the Baptist Church Gospel Music station. I've searched several stations, but I have not been successful.

I had my regular turkey and cheese for lunch. I appreciate the variety of food the kitchen, but I can't stand change. I absolutely loath it. Everyday I say to myself I will try the daily meal but if I have not had it before, I will not try it. I'm not a picky eater. I'm just afraid to try something new. It's a quality I'm not proud of but I accept it.

Tuedays and Wednesdays are "House Chore" days.

In the pictures above and below, you can see brother seminarians doing their chores.

We all rotate and do assignments.

It gives us a sense of family and brotherly love.

A while after lunch, I practiced music for our 5:30 mass with brothers Chris and Chris. I cant call them by their first name when they're together. I haven't figured out what to do yet. I think I'm going to separate them by Chris B. (they both start with the letter B), diocese (they're both in Brooklyn)...well, I've decided on Chris 1 and Chris 2. Thank goodness I didn't have to practice with both at the same time.

Above is a picture of me and Brother Chris 2

running our "2 Man Music Department" together

Brother Chris is a talented guitarist and as far as I understand it, he picked it up pretty much on his own. We picked out a whole bunch of songs that had to do with veneration to the Cross because "Today is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, where we recall the triumph of the Cross against sin, satan, and death as well as fact that when we are baptised each one of us becomes part of Christ on His Cross so that through our daily crosses we may be brought to the Resurrection." 

(http://acatholiclife.blogspot.com/2005/09/triumph-of-cross.html)

This picture was a bit dark, and my grandfather brightened it up. Thanks Pop.

Father Marano with Father Fonti and Monsignor Thelen con-celebrating the

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

Like Sundays, Tuesdays are busy days. In the evening, we have 5:30 Mass, followed by dinner immediatly after at 6:30. That'll finish around 7pm and we have our Tuesday Rosary session at 7:15, immediatly followed by our House Conference.

At our House Conference, we talked about the Liturgy and it's importance in the Church. It was given by our Rector, Monsignor Thelen, who I will say over and over again has an incredible speaking voice and "stage presence". I think he would have been a great actor. He has the "finer" qualities of someone from that area of expertise. 

Monday, September 13th, 2010

First off, with an addendum to last night's blog.

Yes, even seminarians pull pranks on each other. I had found my room in disarray right before night prayer. Thank you for the great start of the week and it gave me a good laugh.

"Good Morning, Good Morning and Happy Monday"
in the words of the impeccable Fr. Michael Holzmann.

I had my Philosophy and Multimedia Comm classes today. Philosophy had a debate over the existence over Adam and Eve and their true existence which I think in hine-sight was very enlightening. One of the brother seminarians pointed out that I didn't know about. Socrates the philosopher (like there's any other Socrates we know about) doesn't have any proof of existence other then people writing about him. His argument was, why is it so hard for people to accept that Adam and Eve existed when they have a genealogy line going from Abraham all the way up to Noah continuing to Adam and Eve in the old testament and within the Gospel of Luke, and its so easy to accept Socrates with not one physical shred of proof (besides his followers writings, of course). Human reason should come to a tougher time coming to a conclusion of if Socrates existed rather than the Bible running a genealogy line from my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ all the way back to the beginning of time. It was very intreging material.

Afterwards, I took the Seminary van to St. Johns for my Multimedia Communications class. I really like the people in the class. I usually forget peoples names, but in that class, I'm pretty good so far.

Went out to lunch with dad, and his friend from work. We went to a Johnny Rockets type place, and I had a HUGE burger. It was literally two hands stacked on top of each other. But I get the rest of my healthy eating habits at the Seminary. Their lunch is the best though because I dig the cold-cut sandwiches they have there for us.

I got back to the Seminary around 3pm(-ish?) and I straightened up my room which has been a disaster for too long (I'm still not done), and played a few rounds of ping-pong with Brother Joel. I never played before entering the Seminary, but I got to say I'm not terrible. I'm not great, but not terrible.

5:45 was Evening Prayer (EP) in the Main Chapel with Monsignor Thelen. I can't help but think his voice is very "announcer-ish" (and if you're reading this Monsignor, I mean that in the most reverend way possible). I can't help but think he would be a great news anchor. He has a demanding presence, and he most definitely gets it.

Right after, I skipped dinner, because I wasn't feeling well. I went to bed around 6 and didn't wake up til 9:30.  We had 9:45 Night Prayer (NP) and I walked very "hazily" (not sure if that's an English word) to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Thank goodness I didn't fall asleep. That would be very unholy.

Sunday, September 12th, 2010

I stayed last night at my house on Long Island, and I went to work with my dad this morning. He works in Jamaica and we went to breakfast at a diner called Pete's Diner right in Douglaston. It was really good. I tend to be a picky eater so that is saying something. Afterwards, Dad dropped me off at the residence with some new school stuff (a mini-vacuum, water bottles, a new laptop bag, etc).

On Sundays, we wear very formal attire. Dress code? Cassock and Surplice. Below is two pictures of my two friends at the seminary, Roger and Larry. The one just below is me struggling to get dressed for 9am Morning Prayer and the one under that is "The Trinity" as we call ourselves in our regular goofy stage.

In addition to today being our first Sunday at Douglaston, we were visited by by Axillary Bishop of Brooklyn, Frank Caggiano. Morning prayer went til about 9:25ish and the Bishop presided. Immediately after, we had breakfast in the Seminarian Dining Room, but we had to eat fast because we had a Conference in the common room at 10am sharp.

The Bishop gave a very motivational and emotional speech. Some were moved to the point of being on the verge of tears...but SOMEHOW, Larry managed to fall asleep. He has a pure skill. I wish I had the guts to fall asleep in front of a bishop! HAHAHAH. The points that effected me the most was the acknowledging of the transformation from the "Average Joe" to a Collegiate Seminarian and realizing the joy in changing into that Collegiate Seminarian.

We were fortunate enough to not have to deal with this for a long period of time, but we had a period of silence that was to be observed on the third floor (our residence) from 9am-3pm...but we were busy for half the time, and both breakfast and lunch weren't silent so the time passed quickly. It was nice to put my cell phone down, sit with a pair of rosary beads and just be at peace with myself for a while. I was so at peace, that I was almost late to 11:30 mass. HA!

I ran and got there just in time. On Sundays, all the seminarians process in together. Its a pretty cool sight to see. I'll see if I can get a video to post on here of that.

We finished mass at 12:45 and had lunch with the Bishop right after. Even talking with him with for a short period of time, I could tell that he is a real and brilliant man. When I say real, I mean he is down to earth and humble. He reminds me of my role model back in my high school on Long Island. You could tell when you were talking that he cared about everything you said. It didn't go in one ear and out the other. He even remembered my name when he was leaving (when I'm pretty sure I said it once to him before morning prayer, when he was meeting everyone)

At 2pm, we had a Holy Hour in the Crypt Chapel on the lower level. I went to confession and adored the Eucharistic Christ. I felt renewed in Sacrament and internally.

The rest of the day was pretty much to ourselves. All I have to do now is get a current event article for my Mass Communications class and read Father Marc's pamphlet! AHHHHH! I love procrastinating. I hate me for doing it, but I love procrastinating.

Saturday, September 11th, 2010

First off, I want to start off saying "9/11...NEVER FORGET"

 

Tonight, I altar served the 5pm Mass with two friends who I have known for a long time through the Vacation Bible School program in my parish. We have been co-councilors and co-workers at the rectory together. As you can tell, we were all really excited to be there.

I have Fridays and Saturdays away from the seminary for personal time; whether its with friends or family, it is at our dicretion.

As much as I love the freedom I get from being in college, it is a relief to go home for a day or two to get off a strict schedule of prayer, mass and classes.

Don't get me wrong, I love being at the seminary. I feel at home, and when I say to a brother seminarian: "I'm heading home", they know I'm heading back to our residence. They also respect our desire to wanna temporarily get away "from it all" and have sometime to relax.

In the words of our Rector, Monsignor Robert Thelen "Being a seminarian is a full-time job. Period." He was not kidding. We have a crazy schedule between doing our service work or studying, but its worth it. It was the Monsignor who also said that Douglaston is a "...great place for guys who are thinking about the priesthood." I really love how he phrased that. I'm only 18 years old. I am young. As much as I aspire to be a priest, I need to know God is calling me to walk this road with Him. I have been here a week and have already learned a lot about myself and my faith. Imagine who I will be in a year from now, let alone four years!

This house isn't for men who know they should be priests. This is a house of discernment and formation. This house is for those who are open to God's call, and will follow Him if he is called.

Just Hangin Around the House...