Comments on: Halftime

By: gus

gus — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:02:47 +0000

Tom, Sounds like you’d be a good recruiter for the priesthood in generalIn the hussle and bussel of your ministry don’t forget to stop and smell the flowers (spiritual reading and quiet times with the Lord)

By: Tom Gibbons

Tom Gibbons — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:16:12 +0000

Thanks for the comments everyone! It’s always great to hear about people’s experiences with the Paulists. As the blog unfolds I’ll be talking more about why priesthood and why the Paulists, as well as including some of my homilies and stories that are going on with me now.

By: Audrey

Audrey — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:34:39 +0000

Dear Tom, I was introduced to the Paulist Fathers when I was a little girl through a television program the order produced called “Insight.” I was very young but the show has really stuck with me all these many years (I am 44 now!). Somehow even then I knew the Paulists were special! Thank you for your glimpse of life as a seminarian. I am praying for you as you continue your journey to the priesthood. May God Bless You. Audrey

By: Max Lindenman

Max Lindenman — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:19:15 +0000

Well, Tom, I’m thrilled to see you’ve carried the ball past the fifty-yard line. I hope you’ll let us in on some of the backstory — namely, why the priesthood, and why the Paulists?

It’s great you were able to devote such a good-sized chunk of time to reflection and discernment.

Just recently, I started reading about your founder, Isaac Hecker. If I’m remmbering this correctly, he entered the priesthood at a time when Americans had formed a political party for the sole purpose of shutting Catholic immigrants out of America, and when Philadelphians were literally up in arms to prevent Catholic children from studying the Douay-Rheims Bible in public schools. Fr. Hecker’s reaction — “Great! Time to start converting people!” — testfies to the quality of his vision, not to mention the quality of his moxie. I have no doubt you’ll do him proud.

Best of luck, and keep writing.

By: Christy

Christy — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:22:35 +0000

I’m excited to hear about your journey. Our small town parish was recently blessed with the presence of a seminarian embarking on his first year of pastoral care practicum. He got very involved, and was more than willing to share his story of faith. Which I think is more of what is needed if we want young men and women to see that the clergy are normal people too:) Blessings on your journey :)

By: mags

mags — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:34:50 +0000

Tom – it will be interesting to see your journey unfold. many seminarians I have spoken to have seen their first years as a place of safety – a three year retreat. But Jesus sends us all ‘out’.I’m sure this will be an exciting and compelling time of growth. Thanks for sharing and God Bless the journey.