I’ve settled in finally, and classes started yesterday. I am very happy with the classes which I am taking, and also excited about the community of people that I have come to live among. We begin day with Morning Prayer at 8:00 a.m., followed immediately by the Eucharist every day. In fact, the rhythm of worship also includes Evening Prayer every day at 5:30 p.m. and Compline at 9:45 p.m. Thus, our primary “work” as seminarians takes place in the Chapel – it is “primary theology,” with our classroom experience being “secondary theology,” in a sense.
We are served lunch every day — it is catered — and I must say that the food is exceptional. For dinner, some nights the other guys in the dorm and I will pitch in and fix a meal, other nights I’m on my own. I’m finding that Trader Joe’s is the most inexpensive grocery nearby, with prices only slightly above those in Indiana. I am also finding the small, out of the way, inexpensive spots to eat. There are so many choices here in the city that it can be overwhelming! There are blocks I walk down where no one is speaking English. I love it!
I’ve attended two churches in the city the past two weeks. The first church had music to die for, but we weren’t greeted once after standing for twenty minutes in the coffee hour and trying to reach out to people ourselves. Not going back there, despite the elite status of this church in this Diocese. Last week I attended St. Bart’s, and found the place to be warm, ministry oriented, and serious about welcoming people. I’m not sure it’s where I’ll eventually land, but it was a great Sunday!
I miss Christian, I miss home, and I miss my Cathedral family especially!! I just found out from the president of the Standing Committee in the Diocese of Indianapolis that they wish to interview me for Candidacy to Ordination for the Priesthood on October 12th there in Indianapolis, so I shall be returning home for a trip sooner than expected!!! I am very excited, and ask for your prayers for this interview. I am looking forward to all that God is doing right now and will continue to do in this important year of formation and new growth. I am so grateful to those of you who have helped make this possible. I love you in the Lord!
Yours in Christ,
- John
