Thanksgiving..

Well, I just finished celebrating my first Thanksgiving in the US. It was a fantastic meal with 30 other friars from the area. I am just stuffed though; so much different from thanksgiving in Canada. We just returned from a retreat at St Meinrad's; a Benedictine Archabbey. It was a great week, we got to meet the friars from the Assumption Province. We had a good week of getting to know each other and good discussions in our group sessions. I am very hopeful on the future of the province and my journey with the friars. The other friars were quite excited to see the Order growing and the enthusiasm we bring. It is certain that our novitiate will be moving next year, because of the lack of space at the present location.

God Bless

5 Months....

Well it's already been 5 months since i've started started formation, and things are going quite well. I am completing an assignment for my spanish class tomorrow, and heading down for night prayer in about 10 minutes. My brothers in formation are fantastic, I could'nt ask for 5 better guys to be with, we are building a fraternity that will carry on for many years and hopefully the rest of our lives.

God is Great

Well, I know it's been a while since my last post; but it's been quite busy...First of all, the formation is going well, and I'm quite content being here.. On Sunday, we celebrated the Transitus ( passing of St Francis), it was a beautiful liturgy; Sr Madonna, led the reflection, and she really touched us. The following day, we had dinner at the Motherhouse with our guests the Dominican Novices. It was a great night of fellowship and a chance for us to meet the other friars. Next week, we are invited to the Dominican's, as it will be the feast of St |Martin de Pores, and we will be having a prayer service followed by dinner. It such a joy to be able to meet all these different people from all over.

This week will be having a week long workshop on profiling. I am looking forward to it because we will be also hosting the postulants from 3 other provinces here. It will give us a chance to get to know one another, as next year we will be in novitiate together.

The Lord continues to bless me every day, and I look forward to continue my journey in the Franciscan spirituality.

Pax et Bonum

2 Months. Yeah!

Well Everyone,

It's already been 2 months since I've started the Postulant formation program and I am certain that I am being called to the Franciscan way of life. I began my apostulate on Thursday, and it was an incdreble experience. I am voluteering at Bishope Leiblod nursing home with is run by the Little Sisters of the Poor. Joe , who is another of the postulants and I are both there. Mandy, the activities coordinator had us help with bringing residents down for their physical therapy. This was quite demanding as we had to go get the residents one by one and bring them to the therapy room and assist the therapist with their exercises and other tasks that they have the residents work on. Next we brought residents for the mass in the chapel. After lunch we spent some time with Fr. Cyprian, one of the friars that resides at the home, and completed our day by helping out Teresa with the games . I am looking forward to next Thursday to get to know the residents more and spend some time with the others that may not get any visitor.

This weekend the friary are welocming 8 new prospective applicants for a Come and See weekend. It was exactly a year from this day that I did mine, and I see myself in alot of these guys. The Lord is blessing us with many vocations to our way of life. My decision to move to the U.S. was difficult, but now I am certain that the God is calling me to be a franciscan. My spiritual director and I met this week, and he really grounded me by telling me that my journey has only begun, to contiue, I need to spend a little more time working on my spiritual life.... I now spend time in the morning in the chapel when I can. The Lord is definetely shinning on me and guiding me through this journey..

Peace and Good

Trip around the Province

Well guys!,

I'm sorry for not posting too often, but it's been a crazy week. We got back last Friday from a 14 day, 3000 miles trip around the franciscan province; beginning in Bloomington Ill., going to Peoria, then to Ava Missourri, Shreveport, La; then off to Houston and Galveston Tx,next stop was Lafayette, La and Homa and our next journey brought us to New Orleans, and finally Franklin TN, just outside of Nashville. It was a incredible experience; to see so much of the country and the beautiful landscape in each state was breathtaking. I will be adding photos that I took of our journey together as soon as I can find my SD card...... I got to know my fellow postulants on a different level. We had alot of great moments together, and some moments where we needed some time to reflect and just be alone. Now that we have returned and been back for over a wee, i reflect on the trip, and I am glad that these five guys are my BROTHERS...
It's taking some time to get to know each other but I think it's going well. We began music liturgy classes last week, and you know what? I liked it and I am thinking of joining our choir next Sunday... I am starting a class on sexuality and celibacy tomorrow and I haven't finished reading the book yet.. It's a difficult subject, and I think alot of the guys have a difficulty with it as well, so we'll have to see in the morning how things go..... I am signing off for tonight and wish you a peaceful night.

God Bless

Pax

I've Arrived

Well I have finally settled in to my room, and it has finally hit me; I ve arrived ! This is a great place with a fantastic bunch of guys. This is going to be a wonderful year. I am attaching a video of our reception into the postulancy program with the Provincial of our province. We're we are presented with our Tau crosses. It has already been a week since my arrival and it's been a incredible journey so far. The five other postulants and I have been getting to know each other, and building a community with our program director. In one week we will be leaving for a trip around the province, not too far just 3000 miles over 10 days.......

I will be posting again before I leave for our trip.


God Bless


Pax




Father Don's Vocation Blog - Vocations - Franciscan Friars - Province of St. John the Baptist in Cincinnati, Ohio: "Video of Postulants' Reception



Wednesday, July, 7, 2010 4:55:54 PM Comments (0)"

Thank You

I am very greatful for all the wonderful people in my life, I realize that more now than ever. I arrived at the Cathedral today to help with the 4:15pm liturgy, and was advised that there would be a special collection at all the masses this weekend and next weekend to help cover the costs of my personal expenses for the next year. I was not expecting this whatsoever; I then realized how much the parishioners appreciated me, and cared about my vocation. Without their support and encouragement, I would not be where I am today. My departure for Cincinnati is in 8 days now, and I will miss the friends I have made during my four years at the parish. i know that I haven't been very good at updating my blog recently, but I promise you all that once I arrive in the U.S., I will make an effort to update it on a weekly basis. I still have alot of packing and organizing before my departure, so I may not have time to write again until I get settled in the friary.

God Bless

Pax

The Final Countdown

It's the final countdown; 44days and counting until I move to Cincinnati and begin the postulancy formation program with the Franciscans. I am feeling a little anxious, now that reality is setting in and I will actually be leaving a town that I have called home for 14 years, and leaving behind many close friends, colleagues, and especially my family.

But the the anxiety is a normal behaviour, and it's something that I look forward to; I will become part of a religious order that has survived for over 800 years, helping the poor, and the one's most in need. And this is what keeps me going, knowing that I will be one of seven postulants beginning a whole life. I am excited to finally meet my six brothers that will become the postulancy class of 2010. Please follow the link just below to read the newest newsletter.

http://franciscanblogs.typepad.com/files/april-2010-newsletter.pdf

God has truly blessed this community with seven new candidates; in this the year of the priest. The holy spirit is definitely blessing the franciscans with men full of zeal and love of living the gospel as St Francis and his followers did. My prayers are with all of you and especially the six other candidates that will be proud to call my brothers in Christ. We will be growing in the franciscan spirituality together, and will give me the opportunity to get out of my shell and overcome my shyness. I am especially greatfull to Fr. don Miller and Brother Tim Lamb, who have walked me throughout the whole process. Fr. Don, went above and beyond to make the process entering the US easier, and for this I will be eternally greatfull.

I should be receiving my Visa to enter the US soon, hopefully............. Until then God Bless

Pax

Happy Birthday!

Well, yesterday was my birthday, and I turned 40! I really don't feel any different, but I do know that it will be the beginning of a great year. I started off the day by enjoying some delicious cake that was baked for me by one of the volunteers at the church I work at; and yes, it was absolutely delicious, and being able to share it with the people I work with made it even more special. I then attended the 12:15 mass with my friend Chris and then went out for a nice lunch. It was nice to be able to spend some time in the afternoon to just relax and watch a movie. I ended the day by having dinner with three friends of mine, it was a nice evening of watching The Journey Home on EWTN, and watching a movie on St. Fautisna. The movie was a great end to a wonderful day. I did not know allot about St. Faustina and the Divine Mercy before watching this movie. I realize how much I still have to learn about my faith when I don't know much about the Saints who marked our faith.

I also decided to start reading the Bible every day; even if it's only 5 pages . This is something that I never really took the time to do before. This will be a challenge for me, because most of you may not know that I really have difficulty taking time to read a whole book. I am slowly preparing myself because I know that in July, I will be in the Franciscan Community, and will be expected to read allot of books. The Lord will give the energy to do whatever is necessary. I am starting to count the days until my big move, and looking forward to a new beginning in my journey with my brothers in Cincinnati.

Many people have told me that since I have begun discerning with the Franciscans; they have seen many changes in my behaviour, especially since my acceptance into the postulancy program. I had achieved my goal to become a friar and to live a life of service to the Lord and to those in need. At the end of June, I will leave many dear friends and my family; who are very close to me, and who I will miss tremendously, to begin a life of helping others in the church and the homeless, the sick and people who are just lonely and need someone to talk to. As St. Francis gave all his possessions to the ones in need, I also am getting rid of my material possessions and giving it to those in most need. The Lord will give whatever is necessary for me to live on.

God Bless

Pax

A Fantastic day

Today was really a fantastic day. I spent an hour at my parish this afternoon in front of the blessed sacrament. I try to go to adoration 2-3 times a week during lent. It nourishes my soul and gives me a new energy to continue my day. I have done this the last 2 years during lent and it really has helped to become closer to our Lord. The time I spend in front of the blessed sacrament, is like having a one on one with God. I have gotten to know him on a more personal level. I have become more in tune in my discernment process, as I learned to listen to God in silence.

My time working at the cathedral is nearly over, and I am slowly starting to pack some boxes for my move, this process has given me the chance to go through all my things in my apartment, and rid myself of things I will no longer need. Ever since my acceptance into the franciscan postulancy program, I have never felt so much joy in my life. When I visited Cincinnati the first time in September, the moment I entered the friary; the friars accepted me with open arms and gave me a sense of belonging.

Over the next few months, there will be alot of changes going on; packing, moving to a new country, and beginning a whole new chapter in my life, but I am really looking forward to starting my new ministry, and meeting the postulants who will be my brothers in Christ and beginning a new journey in our lives together; like St Francis and his followers in Assisi.

God Bless

Pax

Hooray for Canada... 22 medals

Wow! we have 22 medals; what an accomplishment. I pretty much feel the same way; I have been discerning the last 6 years; first to diocesan priesthood, and now beginning postulancy with the Franciscans in about 5 months. It seems almost like an Olympic athlete who trains for years to be on the podium and finally after all his efforts he is rewarded with a medal.

I don't think that I can see myself doing anything else with my life, than being a friar. The Franciscan spirituality speaks to me because of it's wide variety of ministries, but mainly of it's focus on the one's most in need; the poor, sick, and the people that are rejected from society. I believe that is why I was put on this earth, to help those in most need. My upbringing in a large family; and my work in the hospitality field has prepared me to become a friar. I know that I have already thanked all the people that have encouraged me during the last few years, but truly without these friends, I would not be on the same path, and would probably not be writing this blog. As someone once told me after hearing the news that I would not be entering the seminary, he said never look back to the past, set your eyes on the future, as you cannot change the past but look forward to what is to come. This helped me tremendously, as I would always look back to mistakes that I made, or opportunities missed, or maybe even people I may have hurt. Now, I only look forward to a new beginning in my life, giving up my possessions ( which are most of the time distractions), and giving myself completely to my new community. It may sound like allot to take in, but for some reason, it doesn't really frighten me.

To conclude, I will quote Cardinal Van Thuan, who speaks on the will of God "Accept the will of God, obey the will of God love the will of God". I have finally decided to follow God's will.

P.s. My blog will be updated every week; Until then, keep me in your prayers, as I will do the same .

God Bless

Pax

Thank You...

I want to begin by saying thank you to all the friends and family who have supported me in my discernment over the last five years. Without all of your prayers and words of encouragement, I know I would not be entering the Franciscan Friars in five months. I am extremely grateful for the friendships that I have formed in the last five years at Notre-Dame Cathedral. These experiences are moments that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

I began this blog in order to keep you, my friends and family, up to date on my progress and journey. My plans over the next several months is to keep you posted as to what is happening in my life as I prepare to move to Cincinnatti, Ohio to begin my discernment with the friars.

I am also making arrangements to set up a bank account for anyone who is interested and wishes to help support my vocation financially during the first two years of my formation. Since as my personal expenses will not be covered (i.e. bus passes, toiletries, movies, trips home, etc.) by the friars, any financial assistance you could provide would be very much appreciated.

I have included an excerpt from the letter sent to me from the Provincial Minister Fr. Jeff Scheeler OFM who wrote; " On behalf of all the friars, I wanted to welcome you to the Postulancy Program of St John the Baptist Province! The Admissions Board feels that you are ready to make this step and that you will make a good postulant and friar." I will continue to keep all of you up to date. To conclude this post, I would like to quote an influential author Cardinal Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan; " Your decision to follow the Lord is not just a matter of signing your name on a document or of pronouncing vows. There is the continuous day-by-day sacrifice involved in living such a decision throughout you whole life"

P.S. The above photo was taken in the chapel at the friary in Cincinnati.
Also please watch the following video.



Pax

In the Begining

Well, it's official; I will be entering the Franciscans Friars of St John the Baptist province in Cincinnati Ohio this coming July 1st. I meet with the admissions board last Saturday, and was welcomed into the Postulancy program. I have been discerning with the friars for the last year, and was welcomed into the community by all the friars. This road was a long one as it really began about five years ago, while I was discerning the Diocesan priesthood in Ottawa, and now I will be moving to a different country and becoming part of a amazing community of friars. Please keep me in your prayers as I continue to walk with the Lord and begin my journey with the Franciscans.

Pax