Comments on: Blessings Stumbled Upon http://anunslife.org/2009/11/17/blessings-stumbled-upon/ Catholic Sisters and Nuns in Today's World Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:24:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Lutheran Susan http://anunslife.org/2009/11/17/blessings-stumbled-upon/#comment-48944 Lutheran Susan Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:45:43 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=4327#comment-48944 Tom, I'm right there with you. I considered getting a teaching certificate in college, but decided I really didn't want to teach (so, having a degrees in English, I did the only other thing I could--became a librarian!) I resisted this for years, but ending up as a substitute teacher--a perfect option for me as I continue my seminary studies. I enjoy the challenge of doing new things every day, but knowing the same kids. They are invigorating, frustrating, exciting and annoying, but I love them all. I actually look forward to teaching confirmation classes and Sunday School because of the joy I get from teaching. Ironic, isn't it? Tom,

I’m right there with you. I considered getting a teaching certificate in college, but decided I really didn’t want to teach (so, having a degrees in English, I did the only other thing I could–became a librarian!) I resisted this for years, but ending up as a substitute teacher–a perfect option for me as I continue my seminary studies. I enjoy the challenge of doing new things every day, but knowing the same kids. They are invigorating, frustrating, exciting and annoying, but I love them all. I actually look forward to teaching confirmation classes and Sunday School because of the joy I get from teaching. Ironic, isn’t it?

]]> By: Tom Cloutier, SFO http://anunslife.org/2009/11/17/blessings-stumbled-upon/#comment-48916 Tom Cloutier, SFO Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:44:16 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=4327#comment-48916 Mother Teresa once remarked that, if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. When I was younger, the one thing i NEVER wanted to be was a teacher. For a number of years I was a member of a religious order which, among other things, trained teachers! I went to seminary, received my Masters, followed the road to priesthood, then, for reasons beyond my control, found my self no longer on that road. So, for 20 years I have been a junior high school theology teacher! (so much for time in Purgatory). It is not how I pictured my life, but the blessings have been such that I will never be able to give enough thanks, for I have the opportunity to be both a teacher and a student every day. Mother Teresa once remarked that, if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. When I was younger, the one thing i NEVER wanted to be was a teacher. For a number of years I was a member of a religious order which, among other things, trained teachers! I went to seminary, received my Masters, followed the road to priesthood, then, for reasons beyond my control, found my self no longer on that road. So, for 20 years I have been a junior high school theology teacher! (so much for time in Purgatory). It is not how I pictured my life, but the blessings have been such that I will never be able to give enough thanks, for I have the opportunity to be both a teacher and a student every day.

]]> By: Marigold http://anunslife.org/2009/11/17/blessings-stumbled-upon/#comment-48907 Marigold Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:22:19 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=4327#comment-48907 For some time I've been pondering the difference between my strong and genuine desire to go out and save the world, and the people and situations closer to home that desperately need love and help. Which is the more genuine call? Is one type of service - for example, charity work abroad - better than another - for example, being a constant and selfless friend to the people around me at college and at home. Is one type of service more pleasing to God? Is one type of service more loving, selfless, sacrificial? Was it Mother Teresa who said that it is easy to love people who are far away, but much harder to love those in your immediate environment? What I'm beginning to see, as I 'scale down' my ambitions to save the world and am trying to concentrate on my friends, family, and town, is that there are quite enough crosses to be carrying as it is. You don't have to go abroad to find suffering, heartbreak, starvation, and the rotting and the stink of the world. It's very humbling. x M. For some time I’ve been pondering the difference between my strong and genuine desire to go out and save the world, and the people and situations closer to home that desperately need love and help. Which is the more genuine call? Is one type of service – for example, charity work abroad – better than another – for example, being a constant and selfless friend to the people around me at college and at home. Is one type of service more pleasing to God? Is one type of service more loving, selfless, sacrificial?

Was it Mother Teresa who said that it is easy to love people who are far away, but much harder to love those in your immediate environment?

What I’m beginning to see, as I ‘scale down’ my ambitions to save the world and am trying to concentrate on my friends, family, and town, is that there are quite enough crosses to be carrying as it is. You don’t have to go abroad to find suffering, heartbreak, starvation, and the rotting and the stink of the world. It’s very humbling.

x M.

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