Living like a priest (sort of)

It's been a few weeks since I wrote about leaving St Louis, so I thought an update might be in order. Fellow seminarian Kregg and I have settled into the rectory at St Leo's Parish in Minot, ND.

Looking back, it has been an eventful two weeks. Thus far, we have:

• Led Communion services, including the "preaching" of homilies on back-to-back weekdays.
• Assisted with three days of vacation Bible school for kids from 3 to 9 years of age, for up to 9 hours a day!
• Attended a committee meeting a the local Catholic high school.
• Attended a meeting about a pilgrimage to Rome for high school students (we don't get to go along.)
• Been involved in the planning of both a wedding and a funeral, and served at both.
• Attended the 50th anniversary celebration for three priests in our diocese.

The experience of praying with the readings of the day, writing a homily, and then doing all those other things, day after day, was exhausting. But it was also enjoyable. It has been the most priest-like experience I've had thus far. Especially on those busier days, I felt like a priest.

The schedule has eased up a bit this week. But soon may be visiting the sick, doing office work, etc., etc.

Another very notable aspect of the last few weeks is that I am finally at home! Until I was twelve, I lived just fifteen miles west of here. So I know my way around this town and I know some of the people that still live here (including my grandma). I also know the backroads and, unlike St Louis, can easily ride bike on them. So I have been enjoying a bit of exercise, and a trip down memory lane. For example, here's the house I lived in as a kid:

Sadly, it appears to have been neglected since my family moved out.