Within the last few weeks, new developments in my life have brought me into a new time of transition and reorientation. In a post a couple of weeks back I asked your prayers for the situation, and I have been grateful for the strength of that encouragement.
So here's the news: I have been asked to join the ministry of the Order's general secretariat at our general curia in Rome as an English-language secretary. This news came as a complete surprise. As I calmed down inside, however, and was able to start to think and pray about it, I became grateful and happy about this new possibility and direction in my religious life. My spiritual director confirmed these senses for me.
I don't, however, have to move until spring, towards the end of the school year.
As happy as I am about this new assignment, it left me in an awkward condition in my current assignment as a student at Boston College. I'm still in the beginning stages of the STD program there, and so this new assignment necessarily interrupts my studies in some way or other. Exactly how to craft this interruption into shape has been occupying my thoughts and reflection ever since I first got the call about the new assignment three weeks ago. After thinking various things through as best as I could: my own academic situation, the possibilities of the current moment before I move, my relationships with my teachers, and especially the whole history of my successes and--I confess--failures in obedience since I was first asked to apply to BC two years ago, it has been decided that I will take a leave of absence from the BC School of Theology & Ministry. The new assignment seems to have a probationary period of a year or so; applying for leave now could preserve the possibility of returning to BC if I don't work out.
With the time that will open up as I begin my leave and until I am supposed to move to Rome, I will seek further priestly work here in Boston.
Thank you for your prayers as I continue to try to be faithful in these transitions.
16 comments:
Congratulations on this new assignment, Br. Charles. I will keep you in and this transition in my prayers.
God bless.
Sorry to read about the new burdens, tsk; will remember you in my poor prayers.
Hmmm! Should I offer congratulations or condolences! Probably both! This should be a tremendous affirmation to you! Your congregation places great trust in you. Trust yourself a bit more; and certainly trust God above all!!! It kind of confuses me that this would come right in the middle of your doctoral studies, since the same body calls you to both. But then, there must be a greater need for you in Rome, than for you to complete your studies first. You are certainly in my prayers!!!
You can depend on my prayers, Brother Charles. Christ's peace be with you.
If it is any comfort, you seem to be following in the footsteps of some pretty famous people. St. Bonaventure and Joseph Ratzinger both probably would have preferred to stay where they were in their studies and and service to Order and the Church. But the Holy Spirit seemed to have other things in mind and called them to Rome in some way shape or form, one as a Cardinal and the other as our present Pope. Perhaps one day I may say I knew Brother Charles when he and I were both novices in Mt. Calvary, Wisconsin! I join my prayers to your other readers.
Congratulations, Brother! My prayers will be with you!
Thank you, everyone, for your encouragement and prayers!
On the one hand, I'm sorry that you'll have to interrupt your studies. On the other hand, Rome is Rome, and will no doubt present its own program of studies.
I wish I had the opportunity to go back.
Congratulations. As always, even when I'm absent from the Blogging scene, you have my prayers.
With my prayers for you as you move to your new assignment, and my congratulations as well!
For those of us who have been following your journey in this little corner of the blogosphere for some time now, this comes as no surprise. You're a talented priest with real gifts to offer to the Order and the Church. Transitions are never easy, and be assured of my continued prayers as you embrace the new challenges coming your way.
Congratulations! I will be praying for you over the coming weeks and I hope things go smoothly for you.
Along with all the rest, my prayers go with you! May God bring you closer to His Heart through this transition and service.
Cole
Congratulations, Father! I'll be keeping you in my prayers.
Live in Rome--the heart of the Church? Walk and pray in the footsteps of the saints! Visit where St. Catherine of Sienna, Pio, St. Anthony, St. Francis and so many others lived and died. My, oh my.
May I be a tad jealous? More importantly: May the experience give you reams of notes for many, many homilies.
Congratulations! Your life has certainly had some interesting twists and turns. May God go with you...
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