Sweet Home Seminary...

Yeah, I know Lynyrd Skynard never cut this version of the song Sweet Home Alabama and I do not think anyone else is about to cut it either. I will admit that I was not exactly jumping for joy upon arriving back to seminary after our Spring Break. Before you begin to think that seminary is a horrible place, let me explain.

As I pulled in to the seminary yesterday evening, I did have that feeling of arriving home after a long trip. After I unloaded the car, threw my bags in the middle of the room (where they remain unpacked and completely in my way), and put away my hanging clothes, I sat down for a brief moment and was glad to be “home” after a long day. I was actually surprised that I found more comfort in my worn out twin mattress than I did in the plush Queen sized mattress at the La Quinta Hotel where I stayed the night before. There is just something comforting about your own space where you spend a majority of your time.

I did not have long to relax as I had to join the rest of my seminarian brothers for Vespers (Evening Prayer) followed by a house meeting. After the meeting I returned to my room to write a paper that was due first thing Monday morning. I got to sleep around midnight and realized that 5:40AM was going to come quickly. I was greeted this morning by a nice cold shower. I must shamefully admit that my first thought was that the Rector of the seminary found a new way to shave a few dollars off the budget. My next thought was that it was an attempt to make us live a more ascetic lifestyle during this penitential time of Lent. Either way, I decided to offer it up and remembered all the folks who are in Guatemala this week for the Medical Mission trip. I was there last year and remembered the joys of cold showers. I decided it was God’s little way of reminding me to pray for them.

Anyway, I digress. The point of all this was to let you know that for the first time in my life, I feel kind of homesick. I miss being around my friends and family on a daily basis. The trips home are never long enough. It is hard to get motivated to come back to a challenging academic and spiritual environment like seminary. Thankfully God gives us the grace we need to persevere.

I also realized something else this past week. I really love being in a parish. I guess that is a pretty good thing for someone discerning a life as a parish priest! My point is that I feel truly at home when I am in a parish and not just my home parish. This past weekend I visited a parish in Kyle and gave a talk after communion about vocations. I just love going to Mass with the families and meeting all of the people after Mass. I look forward to the time in my life when I get to be in a parish full time.

Until then, I need to buckle down and get to work. The academic calendar is back in full swing and I have a fairly demanding week ahead. Next weekend I will be traveling to Houston to staff a Confirmation Retreat with one of my brother seminarians. I anticipate it being another much needed shot in the arm for me.

I want to reflect on today’s Mass readings sometime this week when I have a little more time. The readings talk about finding God in the ordinary instead of the extraordinary. Until then I wanted to share with you the text from the talk I gave this weekend. I also want to thank those of you who left comments. I do read them and I appreciate them. Here is the talk (please forgive any bad grammar or typing mistakes):

Good Morning / Good Evening. As Father said, my name is Tom Reitmeyer and I am a first year Seminarian with the Diocese of Austin.

Each year the Bishop asks seminarians to visit several parishes in the diocese. I was excited when I learned that I had been assigned to visit St. Anthony’s. You see, this is a bit of a homecoming for me. I grew up living in Manchaca for most of my life. I went to elementary and middle schools in Buda. My family and I were members of Santa Cruz Catholic Church in Buda. As I drove into Kyle this weekend, I remembered playing little league football in a field located in this general area. When I pulled into the church, I quickly realized that you all built a church on my football field. Don’t worry, I approve. I also remembered making trips to Five Mile Dam with my Father. And, of course, there is not mistaking the smell of the wonderful food at Railroad BBQ.

I am here today for two reasons, the first being to talk to you about vocations. To begin I would like to briefly share with you a portion of my own vocation story. As I already mentioned I grew up here in Hays County. Like most families, my family was not perfect. We had our share of problems and difficulties that we had to work through. However, despite all the difficulties, my parents made sure to instill in me the values of the Catholic Faith, the importance of prayer, and a desire to do the right thing. My family was involved in the life of our parish. My mother taught me CCD and prepared me for First Communion. My father was also involved in the Knights of Columbus and Boy Scouts. By being actively involved in the life of the parish, my parents taught me that love and service to God and His church should be a priority in my life.

After graduating from high school in Austin, I attended college at Texas A&M University. After graduation, I began a career in law enforcement. Admittedly during this time in my life, my faith was not of primary importance. Sure I went to Mass on Sundays here and there, but I made excuses for why it was okay to miss every so often. After all, I was young, single, had a great job, I was advancing in my job quickly, I was making good money, and I had a fast sports car. What else could I possibly want to be happy?

In 2005, a friend of mine approached me and asked me to be his son’s Godfather. I could not believe that this friend would choose me to be an example of faith for his son. I quickly responded to the invitation and said that I would be honored. However, I knew that if I was going to stand before God and make a promise to ensure that this child was raised in the faith, then I better get my act in gear. I first went to confession and then began to attend Mass EVERY Sunday. I even started going to daily Mass when I could. I began reading and studying the catechism and other books about our faith. I prepared for and received the Sacrament of Confirmation as an adult. It was the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit that allowed me to make God a priority in my life. I committed myself to times of prayer and active service in my parish.

As my heart grew closer to God, it grew further and further away from police work. Despite having all the things the world said I needed to be happy, I realized that something was missing. I heard another invitation. This invitation came from parishioners, friends, and priests who asked me to consider whether God was calling me to the priesthood. I began to pray for the grace to hear God’s voice and asked him to change my heart if he was indeed calling me to the priesthood. Through active ministry in my parish, participation in Diocesan Discernment events, and living a sacramental life, I clearly heard God’s invitation to further discernment in seminary. I cannot and will not stand here today and tell you for sure that I am called to be a priest, but I will tell you that God has asked me to put my plans aside and to follow him by continuing to discern His will for my life in seminary.

I would like to speak to the parents that are here tonight / this morning. I would ask that each of you encourage your child to consider his / her vocation carefully. Be open to the very real possibility that God may be calling your son or daughter to a life as a priest or a religious sister. Be active in the life of your parish and instill in your children a sense of priority in loving and serving God and his church. Encourage your child to participate in youth groups and other organizations within the church. Make it clear to your child that while pleasure may be found in the things of the world, true happiness is found in following the will of God. I don’t need to try and convince any of you that your child is a special gift from God. I will, however, point you to the words of St. Matthew’s Gospel when in talking about the gifts we have received it says, “without cost you have received, without cost you are to give.”

To the young people that are here, I echo Pope John Paul II’s words when he said, “Do not be afraid.” Do not be afraid to follow God’s will for your life. Do not be afraid to say “No” to the temptations and empty promises of a society who has little room for God in their daily life. Remember that your vocation, whether it is a call to marriage, single life, priesthood, or religious life, is a direct invitation from God to live your life in the manner that will bring you the most joy and happiness. Do not expect God to reveal his will to you in the form of a text message, certified letter, on Twitter, or on Facebook. You will only hear the sweet sound of God’s voice when you quiet your hearts and free yourself of all distractions so that you can listen closely to what it is He is saying to you.

The second reason for my visit, and perhaps the most important, is to say, “Thank you.” On behalf of all of the Austin seminarians I would like to thank you for all of your love, your prayers, and your continued financial and spiritual support. We all feel truly blessed to be called to discern God’s will for our lives in a diocese that is filled with such faithful people. Please be assured of our sincere gratitude and our prayers for you and those that you love.

Finally, I leave you with a verse of scripture that my brother passed on to me many years ago. It comes from Chapter 3 of Proverbs and it says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths.”

Thanks and God Bless.

Have a good week everyone!

Pax Tecum,
Tom