Formation

[zyzyly]

I received a letter from the Bishop yesterday, formally inviting me to continue my formation and allowing me to receive the ministry of Acolyte. He also wrote a personal greeting to Arlina and extended a special blessing for her health. A nice touch.

This weekend is our formation weekend, and the Bishop will be there on Sunday to bestow the ministry of Acolyte on us.

We will be studying moral theology again--one of my favorite topics. And this time it's complex moral issues. Whoo-hoo! Most of my classmates hate this stuff. I am drawn to it because it is not black and white--there are so many gray areas, and very few simple answers.

I have come to some decisions about my formation, and feel much better for having done so. I have an appointment with the program director on Friday to discuss it.

Comments

you

[mrshannibal.livejournal.com]

wow. how awesome for you. congratulations. cheers (i'm having a cup of coffee). i hope and pray everything turns out well for you. how is arlina doing? you are both very much in my prayers.
i was just wondering - are there different bishops for different areas?

Re: you

[myasma.livejournal.com]

There are different bishops--There is usually one bishop (plus auxiliarry bishops) for each diocese. You live in the diocese of Oakland, and I'm in the diocese of Sacramento.

Arlina is doing ok, in spite of little setbacks. She's looking forward to our trip. How is your brother doing? On the road to recovery?

Re: you

[mrshannibal.livejournal.com]

my brother is doing quite well, thank you for asking. he is more than on the road to recovery. he is slowly going back to being a smart-ass-brother-monk, which is a good thing. he was told he could stay in l.a. as long as he needed and not to worry about rushing back to escondido.
how is your stress level? what do you do for yourself?

Re: you

[myasma.livejournal.com]

My stress level varies. I really just try to take things as they come and not look too far ahead. I take a lot of pictures, and this has been very therapeutic.

And I started on SSRI's, which have kept me from crying so much.

Re: you

[mrshannibal.livejournal.com]

good for you.
you are, by the way, an excellent photographer. how long have you been doing this and what got you into it?

[coollibrarian.livejournal.com]

congratulations!

[myasma.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[eleanor.livejournal.com]

If you feel like it, I'd love to hear more about moral theology, which does sound fascinating.

[robertstheology.livejournal.com]

I would like to hear more, as well.
You and Arlina are in my prayers.

[myasma.livejournal.com]

It is fascinating. I'll try and post something on it when I come back from the weekend.

[eleanor.livejournal.com]

Have a great weekend -- it sounds swell!

[weaktwos.livejournal.com]

Congratulations!

As a philosophy undergraduate, I love all things morality/ethics related. What fun you'll have!

[myasma.livejournal.com]

I didn't know you studied philosophy. That explains why you are so philosophical!

[bigpancakes.livejournal.com]

Congratulations!! Now get ready for your haircut!!

[myasma.livejournal.com]

Haha!

[luscious-purple.livejournal.com]

Congratulations! What does being an Acolyte involve? Are you on the the way to becoming a deacon eventually?

(Apologies if this is redundant for the rest of your friends -- I'm new here!)

[myasma.livejournal.com]

I am on my way to being a deacon--this is my final year of formation. If it is to be, I'll be ordained in June.

Acolyte is one of the minor orders we are given prior to ordination. It is essentially serving the priest during the Mass--like an altar server, only official.

[zhenzhi.livejournal.com]

moral theology sounds fascinating. it's great you are keen on it. and also great that you have come to some decisions. that must feel good.

what would a complex moral issue be? i'd like to hear more sometime.