Ecclesiastes missed "a time to collapse."
The semester is over. I took my church history (last) final on the 10th and have been recuperating ever since. There was a lovely party held by the upperclasses with banners reading "Congratulations Rising Middlers," lots of cheers and applause and all around good feelings. It's still sinking in as I sink into my easy chair here at home and don't have to worry about reading or papers due or exams for a little while.
I spent yesterday at the Westchester Medical Center doing hospital-wide orientation since I am going to do CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) there. It is a required day by the hospital (all hospitals have them, and as a retired nurse I have been to more than my share!). We begin CPE on the 4th of June until August 10th - all day, everyday with on-call and weekend on-call it's a great way to ruin a summer. As I said I have had my share of hospitals and this program is going to have to go a long way to make it the "wonderful, life-changing time" that many have claimed it will be. Besides, I am not quite certain that at this point I want my life changed. Seems like it, and I, and we are changing quite enough for now. But, it is part of the program and so forward we go to the tune of 6 credits academically and approval sent to the Bishop.
I shall be speaking at St. Bart's on Sunday. Fr. Gawain asked that I address the parish and tell them about my first year at seminary. I hope that I don't bore them to death! You know how some events have that "you hadda' be there" aura about them? I'm not to certain that a year in the life of a seminarian isn't something like that.
Graduation is tomorrow. Our seniors move on, to parishes for some, to continue the job search for others. Some are not ordained deacons yet, some are. Our NY seniors were ordained deacons in March and will be ordained priests in September. None have jobs. A couple of them are really terrific so I am certain they shall find something soon. There is something to be said for being "assigned" as you are in some other faith traditions....
your seminarian