Quarterly Report

So... we have finished our first quarter of being "Apprentice Catechetical Leaders" in our parishes and I think this is as good of a time as any to look back and reflect on we (or more specifically me)have learned so far. This is just a brief and somewhat censored list on things that I have learned about being an ACL and myself

1. Monkey See. Monkey Do.: After 4 years of going theology professors' classes, I have picked up a thing or two from them. Cunningham's walk with his two arms behind his back (that one's for you Meli). Fr. Odozor's seizing of the dramatic/intense moment. Fr. Daley's "any thoughts?" and getting all exuberant. MacIntyre's penchant for getting chalk all over his clothes when teaching and overly sharp/critical questioning. And of course Cavadini's fixing of glasses and pondering glances. If anything, I have completely found what I want to do with the rest of my life and by doing that I have discovered what I don't want to do as well...

2. "So do you have those TPS reports?": I never want to work a 9-5 or more specifically in my case a 9-4 job. Ever. I don't mind being in my office, but I can't stand being in there for overly long periods of time. Terry the Mentor mentioned the other day that she read an article about how people stay thin by being fidgety and constantly moving-she thought of me. I just want to go explore or camping for extending periods of time. This summer before we start up at ND again, I am going to either Israel or roadtripping. If the college version of me saw me now, he would be pissed how somewhat boring I have become.

3. "Sometimes the truth isn't good enough. Sometimes people deserve more. Sometimes people deserve to have their faith rewarded.": I love all the people I have met while working and living in DE: Terry the mentor, Bob the curmudgeonly priest, Clement the Monsignor, Niamh the pre-school girlfriend, Random Kids at the school who wave at me, the hot yet unavailable teachers, my students young and old, Ed Gordon the Diocesan Director, and Mike and Lauren the neighbors. After years of living with brilliant college students, its great and eye-opening to live with people of all types and backgrounds. They are all good-hearted people. That means they deserve the best that I can give and should give. Being a hero...I mean catechist is more than just being the person that people need; its about being the person that people deserve.

So yeah those are some of the things that I have learned so far and hope to learn more. J-Lew is probably going to say something about how this post is so long, but you know what-Screw it.