Hello from a Moose!

[Crusader Moose]

Hello Everyone! This registration is LONG overdue. I am a Catholic, and I belong to Saint James Catholic Church here in Wisconsin. I have been on the forums for about 1 1/5 years defending the CC from Leftist criticism on Political forums (I am here from political buddies). I am pretty young (I am the youngest person I have ever met on a forum), but still take place in Church every weekend I can find possible. I enjoy Politics, Shooting, Hunting, Trapping (kinda), and most stuff outdoors. I am very familiar with different forums, as I come from, and am part of the following frums:

-Political Buddies
-Republican Operative
-Bladeforums
-Muzzleloading forums
-Reagan Forums
-Conservative Forums
-Liberal Forums
-Gun & Game
-AND NOW!!! Catholic Forums!

I do not get along with Leftists, Statists, Progressives/Liberals/Protectionists, Atheists (depends, Ive met very nice, and extremly horrible Atheists), and, at least with the politics side, Muslims (Although, again, I have met very nice Muslims before )

I am hoping to be a Gunsmith, and Hoarderculteralist... although have seriously thought about becoming a Catholic Priest, and/or Chaplin with the Military. I also am going to be in politics.

[RSD]

Originally Posted by Crusader Moose

Hello Everyone! This registration is LONG overdue. I am a Catholic, and I belong to Saint James Catholic Church here in Wisconsin. I have been on the forums for about 1 1/5 years defending the CC from Leftist criticism on Political forums (I am here from political buddies). I am pretty young (I am the youngest person I have ever met on a forum), but still take place in Church every weekend I can find possible. I enjoy Politics, Shooting, Hunting, Trapping (kinda), and most stuff outdoors. I am very familiar with different forums, as I come from, and am part of the following frums:

-Political Buddies
-Republican Operative
-Bladeforums
-Muzzleloading forums
-Reagan Forums
-Conservative Forums
-Liberal ForumsJ
-Gun & Game
-AND NOW!!! Catholic Forums!

I do not get along with Leftists, Statists, Progressives/Liberals/Protectionists, Atheists (depends, Ive met very nice, and extremly horrible Atheists), and, at least with the politics side, Muslims (Although, again, I have met very nice Muslims before )

I am hoping to be a Gunsmith, and Hoarderculteralist... although have seriously thought about becoming a Catholic Priest, and/or Chaplin with the Military. I also am going to be in politics.

.

Okay, I'll bite. What is a "hoarderculteralist"?

[LoyalViews]

Hello! Happy to have you. Get a cuppa tea, sit down, read and write, because CAF is addicting.

[chaunceygardner]

Welcome to CAF. I think you will feel right at home here.

Just one suggestion: Based on what you wrote about yourself, it may not be a good idea to seriously consider the priesthood. It really doesn't sound like a vocation for someone with your interests. On the other hand, the military would be a perfect fit.

Originally Posted by RSD

Okay, I'll bite. What is a "hoarderculteralist"?

Based on the rest of the post, I am thinking it has something to do with "survivalism". Doubt that it has anything to do with growing flowers.

[april32010]

what interests aren't compatible with priesthood? not getting along with such a wide group of people and different beliefs,now there i would say that attitude is problematic .which also would be the case with a military career.

[edward_george]

Originally Posted by chaunceygardner

Welcome to CAF. I think you will feel right at home here.

Just one suggestion: Based on what you wrote about yourself, it may not be a good idea to seriously consider the priesthood. It really doesn't sound like a vocation for someone with your interests. On the other hand, the military would be a perfect fit.



Based on the rest of the post, I am thinking it has something to do with "survivalism". Doubt that it has anything to do with growing flowers.

Just to play devil's advocate a little bit, a wide range of interests (and some of the ones the OP has mentioned) are not incompatible with priesthood. Certain attitudes and positions certainly would need work, but that would be the job of formation. If someone thinks they have a calling to the priesthood, it's best to go ahead and at least give them a shot. I know that in my two years, so far, of seminary, there have been a lot of things I've had to learn to let go of, but that weren't "incompatible." Priesthood isn't about being perfect before you go to seminary, nor is it about being perfect upon leaving seminary. If someone thinks they have a vocation, they should pursue it further, with the guidance of a spiritual director and with careful prayer--and not because someone looks at one post on a forum and deigns that the person does not have a vocation. Discernment takes longer than just a forum post.

-ACEGC

[InspiritCarol]

Originally Posted by chaunceygardner

Welcome to CAF. I think you will feel right at home here.

Just one suggestion: Based on what you wrote about yourself, it may not be a good idea to seriously consider the priesthood. It really doesn't sound like a vocation for someone with your interests. On the other hand, the military would be a perfect fit.



Based on the rest of the post, I am thinking it has something to do with "survivalism". Doubt that it has anything to do with growing flowers.

Are you kidding?
Priests can have some seriously wide ranging interests.

I'm sure this individual is not limited to these interests alone.

[chaunceygardner]

Originally Posted by edward_george

Just to play devil's advocate a little bit, a wide range of interests (and some of the ones the OP has mentioned) are not incompatible with priesthood. Certain attitudes and positions certainly would need work, but that would be the job of formation. If someone thinks they have a calling to the priesthood, it's best to go ahead and at least give them a shot. I know that in my two years, so far, of seminary, there have been a lot of things I've had to learn to let go of, but that weren't "incompatible." Priesthood isn't about being perfect before you go to seminary, nor is it about being perfect upon leaving seminary. If someone thinks they have a vocation, they should pursue it further, with the guidance of a spiritual director and with careful prayer--and not because someone looks at one post on a forum and deigns that the person does not have a vocation. Discernment takes longer than just a forum post.

-ACEGC

Yes, he should check into it and see if it would be a good fit...for him and for the Church. I am concerned that he would be disappointed if it wasn't. He should be able to find that out from meeting with other priests and with vocation directors of his diocese or religious orders.

I guess I am most concerned about his list of the kinds of people he "doesn't get along with". A priest should not pre-judge people based on a label or an affiliation (of course, none of us should do that, but especially priests). He might be surprised to learn that many of those people he doesn't get along with could be in a parish he was serving. That wouldn't bode well for a good relationship between pastor and parishioners. Finally, I think about Jesus, and don't recall him ever listing groups of people he didn't get along with. He even got along with pagans, outcasts and those of various religions, nationalities and ethnicities, even to the point of praising some of them.

He just reminds me of those people I knew from 50 years ago who were prejudiced toward certain groups, ethnicities, religions and/or races (during a time when it was more acceptable to be openly prejudiced) yet could then say that they knew some "nice" people who were members of those groups. Yet they saw no irony or incongruity in saying that. I was kind of hoping those days were long gone.

Just my humble opinion, but I would not want my parish priest to have that kind of attitude.

[edward_george]

Originally Posted by chaunceygardner

Yes, he should check into it and see if it would be a good fit...for him and for the Church. I am concerned that he would be disappointed if it wasn't. He should be able to find that out from meeting with other priests and with vocation directors of his diocese or religious orders.

I guess I am most concerned about his list of the kinds of people he "doesn't get along with". A priest should not pre-judge people based on a label or an affiliation (of course, none of us should do that, but especially priests). He might be surprised to learn that many of those people he doesn't get along with could be in a parish he was serving. That wouldn't bode well for a good relationship between pastor and parishioners. Finally, I think about Jesus, and don't recall him ever listing groups of people he didn't get along with. He even got along with pagans, outcasts and those of various religions, nationalities and ethnicities, even to the point of praising some of them.

He just reminds me of those people I knew from 50 years ago who were prejudiced toward certain groups, ethnicities, religions and/or races (during a time when it was more acceptable to be openly prejudiced) yet could then say that they knew some "nice" people who were members of those groups. Yet they saw no irony or incongruity in saying that. I was kind of hoping those days were long gone.

Just my humble opinion, but I would not want my parish priest to have that kind of attitude.

And this gentleman would not be your parish priest for about 8 or 10 years at minimum. Just because you had bad experiences in the past with bad priests doesn't mean that all priests will be like that, and the fact that this guy can identify his own shortcomings at this point will serve him well--again, there's a reason for the lengthy formation process.

-ACEGC

[chaunceygardner]

Originally Posted by edward_george

And this gentleman would not be your parish priest for about 8 or 10 years at minimum. Just because you had bad experiences in the past with bad priests doesn't mean that all priests will be like that, and the fact that this guy can identify his own shortcomings at this point will serve him well--again, there's a reason for the lengthy formation process. -ACEGC

I have not had "bad experiences in the past with bad priests"; I apologize if I gave that impression. The great majority of my experiences with priests have been quite positive, and I have great respect for them and what they do. I like priests, both as a group and as individuals.

I am not seeing that the OP has "identified his own shortcomings"; he doesn't seem to think they are shortcomings at all. And the lengthy formation process is exactly my point. Is it beneficial for either the person or the Church if a candidate goes through years of formation and preparation but then doesn't "make the grade"? I would hope that the individual and the Church (whether a diocese or religious order) could determine the likelihood of a good fit before a lot of years have gone by.

Originally Posted by april32010

what interests aren't compatible with priesthood? not getting along with such a wide group of people and different beliefs,now there i would say that attitude is problematic, which also would be the case with a military career.

Good point. You are probably right about that. Some years ago I knew a guy like that who wanted to be a policeman. Fortunately, he did not make it, as he failed the psych evaluation. He couldn't figure out why they didn't want him. I said a silent prayer of thanks.

[edward_george]

Originally Posted by chaunceygardner

I have not had "bad experiences in the past with bad priests"; I apologize if I gave that impression. The great majority of my experiences with priests have been quite positive, and I have great respect for them and what they do. I like priests, both as a group and as individuals.

I am not seeing that the OP has "identified his own shortcomings"; he doesn't seem to think they are shortcomings at all. And the lengthy formation process is exactly my point. Is it beneficial for either the person or the Church if a candidate goes through years of formation and preparation but then doesn't "make the grade"? I would hope that the individual and the Church (whether a diocese or religious order) could determine the likelihood of a good fit before a lot of years have gone by.



Good point. You are probably right about that. Some years ago I knew a guy like that who wanted to be a policeman. Fortunately, he did not make it, as he failed the psych evaluation. He couldn't figure out why they didn't want him. I said a silent prayer of thanks.

He has pointed out that he doesn't get along with certain groups of people. Probably a good start. And the lengthy formation process is beneficial for the person--it enables them to discern what their vocation is. We can't think of this in terms of cost-benefit analysis or job training. If a man goes through four years of seminary and discerns that his vocation is not to the priesthood, then he has been served well by the process and thus can be better able to serve the Church as he is called to. It's better to let someone in, give them the chance to discern in the environment intended for that, than to turn them away before they even have the chance. More people would respond to the Lord's call to priesthood if they were encouraged to do so, and not discouraged since they don't fit a certain mold going in.

-ACEGC

[LoyalViews]

Okay, besides all this, I want to know one thing that's making me mad.

Why a moose? Not a deer? Could have been a beagle, but not a Shetland Sheep? A faerie or goblin too. Robin or a partridge, no. Moose.

Why is there a moose on CAF?



(I'm hiding the fact that I really like that username)

[Crusader Moose]

Originally Posted by RSD

.

Okay, I'll bite. What is a "hoarderculteralist"?

They deal in self-reliance, and professional gardening, and maintaining a healthy, "Off the grid" lifestyle.

[Crusader Moose]

Originally Posted by april32010

what interests aren't compatible with priesthood? not getting along with such a wide group of people and different beliefs,now there i would say that attitude is problematic .which also would be the case with a military career.

No, I get along great with EVERYONE... the differences only come through when speaking serious politics, for longer periods of time.

[Crusader Moose]

Originally Posted by edward_george

Just to play devil's advocate a little bit, a wide range of interests (and some of the ones the OP has mentioned) are not incompatible with priesthood. Certain attitudes and positions certainly would need work, but that would be the job of formation. If someone thinks they have a calling to the priesthood, it's best to go ahead and at least give them a shot. I know that in my two years, so far, of seminary, there have been a lot of things I've had to learn to let go of, but that weren't "incompatible." Priesthood isn't about being perfect before you go to seminary, nor is it about being perfect upon leaving seminary. If someone thinks they have a vocation, they should pursue it further, with the guidance of a spiritual director and with careful prayer--and not because someone looks at one post on a forum and deigns that the person does not have a vocation. Discernment takes longer than just a forum post.

-ACEGC

Thanks for the kind words. As I said earlier, no one agrees with everyone all the time... no one. This is the same with me. I usually do not get along with certain people when they engage ME in a political discussion.