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To: Theoden
First of all, congratulations on your serious contemplation...however, be sure you have a vocation. It would be better off to hold off a while to be sure than to rush into anything you may later regret.

2. I was wondering, roughly, how much a priest makes in stipends each year. I know they do not pay for food/shelter, but I know they get money each year, almostlike a salary. Also, would a priest be restricted from having any kind of money making job on the side, lets say, like being a part time accountant.

The stipend will logically vary based on the diocese where you work. You will also make some monies from wedding stipends, etc. As to making money on the side, there are plenty of priests who do so, but their side work are something that is part of their ministries, such as teaching theology, royalties from book sales, honoraria from speaking/ parish missions, etc. I don't know of any priests who would have secular jobs on the side.

4. Myself. I am not a saint by any stretch of the imagination. I harbour a lot of anger against Islam and many other people on an individual basis, including some other Christians. My mom's side of the family is Scandinavian, and they are a mix of Lutherans, Pentocaustals and Born-Agains. They do not like Catholics at all, and feel free to share their views of our faith right in front of us, and even in our own house. I love them and all, but they, and from what I have seen here on FR, have an extreme, almost loathing view of Catholics, and will not change. They commonly make snide or inflamatory remarks, and then walk away from the conversation so they don't have to hear anything from us. This infuriates me, and I am quite tired of turning the other cheek simply to "keep the peace" in the family. My dad is Irish-Catholic, and I know that they just barely tolerate him, and hold him responsible for my mom converting. I get the feeling that they are turning against me now, since I am standing up for my religion, and because I joined the Knights of Columbus.I hope you can pray for me, so that I can be much more forgiveing, and that I lose my anger. I don't like being angry like this, but I can't seem to help it.

Forgive me for saying so, but you need to seriously get over your anger before you even contemplate going into seminary. This is not to say that you need to all of a sudden approve of Islam or protestants, but blanket anger is not a good thing.

5. Are there any lists around, that provide the do's and don'ts, so to speak, of the clergy? Such as, are priests allowed to own firearms, go to the bar, etc. I am very right wing, and I am very political. I really don't want to give up these things.

Look at the Code of Canon Law...and check the rules in your diocese.

6.If after I am ordained, and something happens that changes my life, like me meeting a great woman, would I be allowed to leave the clergy and honorably attend church, or would I face a penalty, such as excommunication?

Once hands are laid on you and you are ordained, you are married to the Church. Don't commit adultery. Ordination can't be undone, so you need to do a whole bunch of praying first before taking this step...

Somebody mentioned the Mount. I'e seen a whole lot of good priests come out of there in recent years.

My suggestions on things you can do now:

Hopefully the message I'm sending is getting through to you: you ABSOLUTELY MUST have a solid, solid prayer life before you ever enter the seminary. That is a MUST! If you don't, you WILL fail.

Final two pieces of advice: don't rush it; pray some more.

Good luck!

31 posted on 01/10/2006 12:08:51 PM PST by markomalley (Vivat Iesus!)
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To: markomalley; Theoden

And even if it turns out that you're called to marriage rather than the priesthood, that solid prayer life, devotion to our Lord and His blessed Mother, will stand you in good stead as a husband and father. Having a solid prayer life is vital to any vocation.


34 posted on 01/10/2006 12:21:56 PM PST by ArrogantBustard (Western Civilisation is aborting, buggering, and contracepting itself out of existence.)
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To: markomalley
It would be better off to hold off a while to be sure than to rush into anything you may later regret

I would not make this decision for quite a while yet, as I know I have some issues to work out. Thats why I made this post, I really need thoughts and suggestions.

Pertaining to the anger, I have been working very hard on it, and for the past couple of months, my family has stayed away from religious conversations. I know that is my biggest problem. I am not violent at all with my anger and I rarely say anything, but it does make me miserable sometimes if I keep thinking about it. I pray multiple times each day, and am increasingly reading more about the church. I am definitely winning the fight with this one, I now need the prays and encouragement of others in addition to my own, in order for me to defeat it.

Thanks for your thoughtful post.
36 posted on 01/10/2006 12:26:17 PM PST by Theoden (Fidei Defensor - Deus vult!)
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