Fellow Catholics: The Columbus Dispatch is doing a 6-day newspaper series on Catholic seminary life...?

I'm glad to see that they're showing so much of the reality of what goes on in a seminary, how most priests are really just regular guys who happen to hear the call from God to serve Him and His church.

I also like the positive spin it puts on celibacy for priests. It really is something far too many lay-people, especially non-Catholics, don't understand, that it really is a gift, a call from God, and something freely chosen.

Something I've found interesting was mentioned in, I think, the second part of the series, that a lot of people think that seminaries are havens for homosexual behavior. It's interesting because people don't thinnk the same thing about frat houses, and it's really the same type of situation: a bunch of men living together while studying for a degree to answer their particular calling.

I'm glad to see that we are seeing more new priests, and I hope that even more young men will answer the call. We truly need more new priests, especially since, as the article said, the number of American Catholics has gone up by 46%. (And to think, the numbers in Protestant denominations have been DROPPING, according to an article I read in USA Today. Catholicism is the only denomination with rising numbers.)

'Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us:therefore let us keep the feast' 1 Corinthians 5:7-8. The Eucharist is a sacrifice,a presence and a food. Sacrifice. It makes present Jesus Christ's sacrifice on Calvary for our salvation. Presence. It is Jesus Christ himself under the appearances of bread and wine. Food. It is the nourishment of our souls by which we share in God's own life. The Eucharistic sacrifice is the Mass, the centre of our worship and highest prayer, in which Jesus becomes really present in the bread and wine which are changed into his Body and Blood by the words of consecration by the priest. I believe Jesus' words 'This is my Body. This is my Blood' The greatest gift I can have! 'Blessed are those who are called to the Marriage Feast of the Lamb' Rev 19.9. The Mass is a sacred banquet on earth. Jesus said 'I am with you always;yes, to the end of time' Mt 28:29. This promise is fulfilled in the real presence of the Eucharist in the tabernacle of every Catholic Church. So I can spend time with Jesus and adore him there especially during the times of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. These are very blessed times when people have received many graces, strength and healing. God bless

Jim you are a good man,

will read later.

thank you for this information

thanks for the link

will read later and comment