tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54074409750760599162012-02-16T09:46:08.908-06:00Thoughts on the spiritual life, liberal arts education, and social justice from a Catholic seminarian...Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17990526718080353441noreply@blogger.comBlogger181100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407440975076059916.post-15748475976249522502010-04-18T19:28:00.002-05:002010-04-18T19:37:05.456-05:00

I had an amazing conversation with my eldest nephew who is six years old. I was explaining to him that the seminary I go to will close next year (for financial reasons) and so I might be going to live in a different town. He looked disappointed because he likes to see me a lot, and so he had an idea: "Hey, uncle Johnny, why don't we save up our money and give it to the seminary? That way they

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17990526718080353441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407440975076059916.post-55603579190562850262010-04-10T15:36:00.003-05:002010-04-10T16:01:37.087-05:00

Do you grow your own vegetables? I hope you do. Anyway, I received a few seed catalogs this year and I think the cutesy names for the whizbang varieties they develop are the tops! Here is my own step-by-step process for making a vegetable name:Step 1: Begin with the name of a Southern U.S. OR English city/place.Step 2 (optional): Add a really off-the-wall noun or adjective, such as Zesty,

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17990526718080353441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407440975076059916.post-89826606641851865342010-03-06T11:01:00.004-06:002010-03-10T15:27:33.946-06:00

Here's a great homily on scrupulosity. I have scruples. It almost always coincides with forgetting to take an antidepressant for a week or more, or when I'm trying to wean off of them. But that physiological thing somehow triggers the problem of scrupulosity which must be both psychological and spiritual. It is spiritual in that when someone is paralyzed by worries and scruples, they don't focus

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17990526718080353441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407440975076059916.post-1066828129486623612010-03-04T13:47:00.002-06:002010-03-04T14:02:37.055-06:00

According to their website, their bishops met in Florida and resolved to do just that, in response to Pope Benedict's Anglicanorum coetibus (is it called a pronouncement or a decree or....) which they said was "extremely generous and pastoral." This is great news for the Universal Church. On a personal note, I have a friend who described himself as either "Traditional Anglican" or maybe "

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17990526718080353441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407440975076059916.post-44389625856046400102010-02-06T11:11:00.005-06:002010-02-06T11:26:04.006-06:00

Isn't the internet ridiculous? The way it connects people is unprecedented. I never thought I'd actually be praising the good aspects of the world-wide-interweb but come on...I got an E-MAIL from Mark Shea. I'm kind of A Big Deal. Mark Shea and I are tight. And just the other day I became FACEBOOK FRIENDS with a leading distributist blogger. HE knows Fr Mitch Pacwa and Archbishop Vinny Flynn.

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17990526718080353441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407440975076059916.post-55828347923070502452010-01-14T15:07:00.002-06:002010-01-14T15:12:07.483-06:00

The world needs to pray right now for everyone affected by the eathquake in Haiti, especially for those who have died or will die. I plan to pray and fast in the spirit of www.fastforhaiti.com and then I will donate money to Catholic Relief Services. I tried to upload a picture from their website but it doesn't seem to be working...May the Father hold these poor children in His loving arms!

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17990526718080353441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407440975076059916.post-22313454793309870082009-12-22T19:32:00.002-06:002009-12-22T19:45:01.235-06:00

Big thanks to the illustrious Mark Shea (http://markshea.blogspot.com) for mentioning me in a post. I just wanted to email him to tell him I thought he was "cool." Not like I want to ride on the success of others, but if that ride is offered, I will gladly hop on.On a completely unrelated topic, I'll have you know that I bear a slight resemblance to a young Paul McCartney. Maybe we're related,

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17990526718080353441noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407440975076059916.post-26836079094465592012009-12-21T21:41:00.004-06:002009-12-22T20:03:09.346-06:00

As I read the posts from the last few months I almost feel embarassed.Relating my feelings, desires, sensations, and thoughts to the Lord is certainly the first step toward making a good decision, and I know I was probably over-thinking in some situations over the summer. When I'm over-thinking, I'm not praying.Reason and thought isn't the enemy, but as my Formation Director says, the intellect

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17990526718080353441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407440975076059916.post-68300961730262362302009-12-03T13:47:00.006-06:002009-12-26T12:48:07.933-06:00

Dedicated to the local shopping mall, which has the word 'west' in the name. That's why I changed east to west, y'see?(to the tune of "People Look East")People, look West, the time is near,Of the shopping of the year,Fill up your house, as you are able,With pointless re-gifts and designer labels,People look West, for here today,Gimmicks and sales are underway!People go West, and shop 'til you

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17990526718080353441noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407440975076059916.post-70377467981959935292009-07-09T14:12:00.001-05:002009-07-09T14:30:49.668-05:00

About two weeks ago, I ordered several books on distributism from the local Catholic bookshop. They still have not arrived, so I've been doing other things: reading through dozens of essays on the ChesterBelloc Mandate (my favorite website) and actively trying to live a more simple, green, local, self-sufficient lifestyle. It's tough, but I'm glad I am doing it! Socially it can be a challenge

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17990526718080353441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407440975076059916.post-42210957527042872062009-06-24T17:20:00.003-05:002009-06-24T17:39:47.520-05:00

Wow, these posts are just flowing from my brain to my pointer fingers today! As I wrote my last post I had a batch of chocolate shortbread in the oven. Now, I have nothing against butter. It's natural, historical, good-tasting...and in moderation can be EATEN! But there is no butter in the house, only margarine, which I hardly give the time of day, and some cooking oils. I thought I'd take a

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17990526718080353441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407440975076059916.post-18531361355580941952009-06-24T16:19:00.003-05:002009-06-24T16:36:40.280-05:00

It's been a while since I've written! Well, I have some exciting news. In the parish bulletin, a call was put out for summer volunteers. The St. Vincent dePaul thrift store in town needs help immediately. It sounds like it would be a wonderful experience and totally in line with my Catholic social viewpoints. Should I quit my job and work there for the rest of the summer???Before I made this

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17990526718080353441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407440975076059916.post-26402166973204988202009-06-10T12:48:00.004-05:002009-06-24T16:37:07.912-05:00

Wow. This post is fantastic. Consider subscribing to this blog.http://distributism.blogspot.com/2008/09/pro-life-or-just-anti-abortion.htmlI've been looking into distributism the last day or so. I love it. I should have an original post about it soon!

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17990526718080353441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407440975076059916.post-37036422129860004322009-06-03T11:48:00.003-05:002009-06-03T12:16:29.955-05:00

I enjoy trying new foods, especially ones that are visually interesting or from different world cuisines. Cooking is one of my most prominent hobbies. I also have a "sweet tooth" for desserts and candy, especially chocolate. But, as someone who is relatively healthy and active, I know that I could not go on eating chocolate for long periods of time. I love whole, natural foods, and most of

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17990526718080353441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407440975076059916.post-81815037659966915522009-06-01T19:37:00.003-05:002009-06-01T20:51:32.807-05:00

I noticed a funny thing at my work place a few days ago: in the cracks and crannies of almost every dish and pan there is a curious brown film. Could it be earth? I don't think so. These dishes never go outside. Is it residue from ice cream or another food? Probably not, it's on containers that hold all kinds of things. Aha! It's our chemical sanitizer that ALL our dishes get dunked in!!!

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17990526718080353441noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407440975076059916.post-38865207578231190932009-05-27T13:51:00.008-05:002009-05-30T13:06:29.423-05:00

So, what's this blog going to be about? Will it be personal stories or world news coverage? I know that as this is meant for others to read I don't want it to be full of things that only apply to me. However, I'm going to bend this rule and tell you a little bit about who I am and what is important to me right now. I hope it will help you understand why I selected three main topics (Catholic

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17990526718080353441noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407440975076059916.post-57386024301646581302009-05-26T19:35:00.006-05:002009-05-26T22:49:22.018-05:00

This summer I was offered and accepted a job at a popular ice cream franchise. (HINTS: we mix your ice cream on a frozen granite slab, it's a bit expensive, and we sing for tips.) I applied at this place because it is very close to my home. I never need a car to get to work, which is awesome. I don't own a car...yet...As I was looking for a job, this was one of my first picks because it is

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17990526718080353441noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407440975076059916.post-77182444714419441232009-05-25T14:21:00.009-05:002009-05-30T00:32:31.180-05:00

Thank you for reading the Catholic Collegian! The subheading of the blog describes the future content in a nutshell, however I mean to share almost anything interesting even if it doesn't fit under any of these categories. Here's something interesting about liberal arts education:I recently read most of a book by Mortimer Adler entitled "How to Read a Book." It deals with several issues

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17990526718080353441noreply@blogger.com0