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| From left: Archbishop Naumann, Pope Benedict, Fr. Brian Schieber and Fr. Gary Pennings |
I wanted to take this opportunity to let blog readers know about a big change in my own life that could have an impact on the blog. I’ve been accepted as a seminarian by the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas. My last day with the law firm is Friday, May 4. After that, I’ll be headed off to Olathe, Kansas, to help out around the Archdiocese over the summer. God willing, I’ll start pre-theology at Kenrick, in St. Louis, Missouri, in the fall.
I’m incredibly excited for what the future holds, and wanted to share two things in particular related to this blog. First, the parish I’ll be helping out in is Prince of Peace, under the watchful eye of one Fr. Andrew Strobl, Shameless Popery’s clerical anchor. That’s not a coincidence, but an example of the largesse of my vocations director, Fr. Mitchel Zimmerman (who, I should add, is a blogger himself). Fr. Andrew has been a great spiritual mentor to me over the years, and I look forward to all that I can learn from him.
The second thing I’m excited for is the text that I got today, from Fr. Andrew, asking:
Is it OK if I call the apologetics series we’re doing this summer at the parish “Shameless Popery”?
Seriously… so excited! (I said yes, of course).
Congratulations! May God bless you!
Coolest news one can hear! I think I might have to move up there now.
congratulations! my family goes to St. Paul’s in Olathe 🙂
Yay! Congratulations!
Congratulations!
Oh my gosh!!! And here I assumed you were married with children, ha ha! I am so excited for this wonderful news!!
Congratulations!
Congrats!! I will be so sad to see less of the Shameless posts. But I’m sure that I’ll get over it. Kansas City is close to my in-laws.
Wonderful news. Every blessing.
Congratulations. God bless you as you continue to discern.
Congratulations!
Congratulations Joe! I’m very happy for you.
Dan
So happy for you, man! As I told you before, I’m praying and pulling for you all the way.
God bless your new directions!
That is awesome! congratulations!
Cool! Fr Andrew and I are going to an ordinadtion on the 12th so hopefully we can meet. Just one warning. DON’T TAKE MY ROOM! Haha. See you then.
Wow! Happy for you and Church.
Wow! Congratulations! I had no idea you were discerning a call to the priesthood. May God bless you in this journey.
Wonderful 🙂
Wonderful news! Congratulations!
Woohooo! Congratulations Joe. This is so exciting. God’s will be done.
A priest and friend of mine is a former attorney. It’s been a great combination for him, advising on bioethics for our diocese, having a legal background.
The Church is blessed to have you. God bless your vocation to the priesthood! Praying for you.
I always pictured you as a clever lawyer who would get an overworked priest out of a DUI after praying 3 masses before noon on Sunday in the cluster.
“Your Honor, clearly it was only an accident. Father did nothing wrong in substance! “
What amazing and wonderful news! May God continue to bestow His blessings upon you! Praise Him!
Congratulations, Joe! Here I assumed this was public already.
Congratulations to you, and God bless you for choosing this path!
I’ve been following your blog for awhile, but this prompted me to finally comment! Praise the Lord for calling you to the seminary!
That’s so excellent! Congratulations!
Congratulations! God bless you.
Congratulations, Joe. Be assured of my prayers for you as you move ahead in the discernment of a priestly vocation: exciting!
Wow! Congratulations!
Wow! As one of the dozens (hundreds?) of us more or less strangers who’ve depended on you for support during our journeys of conversion and spiritual growth, I am beyond thrilled for the gift the Church has received. It gets said a lot wrongly, but you are truly an inspiration. Congratulations, thanks for everything and God bless on this next step. I will be praying for you. Robert Ritchie
That is great news Joe! The Church is gaining another warrior for Christ in our battle with the devil. I can’t be more excited for you my brother.
My prayers are with you in your journey!
Archbishop Naumann is one of the best bishops in America, I feel comforted by this for a fine Catholic such as yourself to get the best possible seminarian formation and education.
Awesome!
Congrats. Love to see young faithful men step up to the call.
I’ve also been following your blog for a while but haven’t posted until now. This seems like a good time to pipe up. Congratulations!
Awesome news! Just a favor for us all? PLEASE LEAVE YOUR BLOG UP SO WE CAN STILL ACCESS OLD POSTS!
Congratulations 🙂
Congratulations! God has tremendous trust in you to call you to the priesthood. What an honor!
Yeah, I agree with Nick!
AWESOME!!! Congrats… I hope and pray that this is a good seminary and not one that is filled with Heterodox Priests and Nuns that crush the faith of “Good Men”…
Vivat Jesus,
Vivat Christus Rex!!!
AWESOME!!! Congrats… I hope and pray that this is a good seminary and not one that is filled with Heterodox Priests and Nuns that crush the faith of “Good Men”…
Vivat Jesus,
Vivat Christus Rex!!!
Joe, I’ve been reading your blog for quite some time now, but I don’t think that I’ve ever previously commented. Congratulations on beginning your seminary journey, my brother in Christ! Your blog played a role in helping me in my return to the Catholic Church in 2010! Thank you, and I will be praying for you!!
Thanks to everyone for your supportive comments (both here and by e-mail), and particularly your prayers. I’m sure that I can use them in the months and years to come!
Specifically, please pray for my Archbishop, and for all those who will be deciding the course of my near future — and pray that I’ll always have the humility and obedience to follow where they lead. You might also offer up a prayer or two that God’s will be done regarding the future of the blog.
I.X.,
Joe
Standing up like a man when he hears the call – way to go! May the continued discernment and learning be a delightful exchange between God and man and may the redemptive toil be as fulfulling as God intends it!
Please keep the blog running! We don’t need daily posts, but once a week would be helpful.
Joe, I’m glad that you finally posted your great news on your blog. Your mom and I are so proud of you and the man you are. Thanks for answering God’s call, we are thrilled to have you in our home diocese! Please keep on with your blog, I have learned so much from it and you. Thanks for giving me the high water mark in my life since my marriage to your mom. Love, Dad
Joe,
Can I just say awesome sauce….Does this mean I can ball you out when you post less frequently because real life gets in the way….lol…JK…But the post you did about successful blogging awhile back felt like you were convicting me in that.
Like any good little Catholic boy, I fought a long hard battle discerning my vocation. It was on a Good Friday morning when my parish priest and I had a long talk and I realized God wanted me to be a physical father for a few and not a spiritual father of many, that I forged ahead in a secular life. Now I battle a similar discernment battle regarding the possibility of the permanent diaconate.
God Bless you on your journey, May God see the good fruits of your blog and allow you to find the time and the energy to maintain its presence.
Michael
Congrats!
Wow!! Praise be Jesus Christ. I have loved your Blog, Joe and always shared it with my ex-Spiritual Director. I have no doubt you will make a fantastic Holy Priest. PLEASE leave your Blog open so we can continue reading all your Old Posts.
Congratulations! May God bless you in your studies, and make you a holy man and priest.