Hello all! When I started this blog, my intention was to use it as a tool for my family and friends to kept up to speed with my progress in seminary. However, over the past year, the blog has evolved into a tool to express my thoughts on issues that are facing the church in this day and age. Now that Whispers of the Spirit has been launched, I have decided to bring the blog back to its roots, informing everyone of my personal journey through seminary, including the struggles and challenges.

On June 1st, I started my first summer assignment at Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Merritt Island, Fl. The last month has been truly remarkable. There have been many graces and blessings that have emerged from this experience.  The friendships I have made are endless, feeling tremendously welcomed by all the parishioners. These friendships include two fantastic Irish priests and an Irish seminarian that have become my brothers in the last few weeks. Because there is no rectory on campus, I have been entrusted to the care of the two Mercy Sisters who live on site; they take pretty good care of me! I am truly blessed to be in this parish!!

Fr. Karl, my supervisor, has given me certain duties that are required for the summer, but has left most of the things up to me to decide what to get involved with – as long as I get involved. So for a little taste of what I do around the Divine Mercy community.

• Monday is my day off, which is usually spent in Orlando.
• Tuesday:
  • In the mornings, I go with Sr. Maura to the local nursing home and various residences to bring communion to those who are sick and homebound.
  • During the afternoons, I either go to the St. Vincent de Paul store or stay around the office.
  • On certain Tuesday nights, there are Website Committee meetings that I am obligated to go to by request of Fr. Karl. (I wonder why?)
• Wednesday:
  • Wednesday mornings are somewhat easy-going. I usually just hang around the office, observing certain aspects of Church Office life. I usually sit out in the front foyer with the Office Manager, Tracey.
  • Wednesday afternoons I go out with the St. Vincent de Paul guys to deliver food to the hungry of the community. This has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life!
• Thursday:
  • Rather than going to Mass at Divine Mercy, on Thursday mornings I go to the nursing home for a communion service with the residents of the nursing home and the assisted living facility next door.
  • Thursday afternoons are usually spent at the St. Vincent de Paul store in Cocoa.
• Friday:
  • Every Friday morning at the Daily Mass, I give a brief reflection on the readings of the day.
  • Friday afternoons are usually spent in the office or in the convent; things are a bit slow on Friday afternoons as you can imagine.
• Saturday Evenings and Sunday Mornings:
  • I am obligated to be at the weekend Masses, to be present to the people. I usually spend the period before and after Mass to greet people.
  • During the Masses, I fill-in any place they need me, whether it be distributing communion, lectoring, etc.
  • At the 11:30 a.m. Mass I play my trombone with the contemporary choir. I thoroughly enjoy this because it gives me a chance to give back to the community in a personal way.

St. Vincent de Paul Store - Cocoa, Fl

During my second week at Divine Mercy, Fr. Karl and I accompanied the youth group to Catholic Heart Workcamp in Tampa, Fl. I was utterly fascinated with the youth of the church and how they were so willing to give up a portion of their summers to go to a place they knew nothing about to help those less fortunate than themselves. This was my first time participating in a CHWC. I will tell you one thing, the future of the church looks very bright!!

This past week (week of June 22nd), Divine Mercy hosted its annual Vacation Bible School. Throughout the week, I helped out with the Crafts station. I had a blast, especially assisting the little ones cut and paste all kinds of arts and crafts.

As you can tell, my time at Divine Mercy has been rather busy. The most rewarding things I have done are visiting the sick and homebound and distributing food on Wednesday afternoons. Visiting the sick and the homebound has been truly a remarkable experience. Every time I give communion to someone, I always ask myself, “Who am I to be carrying out this ministry and to receive this remarkable gift?” I cannot help but think about my unworthiness; in my eyes, I will never be worthy enough to bring the gift of Christ to others. All I can do is carry out the Lord’s will.

I hope that I have been able to give you a little synopsis of what I do here at Divine Mercy. I am thoroughly enjoying my time here and I hope that the growth that is occurring here may continue throughout this next year in formation. May God bless all of you!

Bye for now…..