[Magdalen] Brother headed for ordination

[Joseph Cirou]

-----Original Message-----
>From: Ann Markle <ann.markle at aya.yale.edu>
>Sent: Nov 22, 2017 1:37 PM
>To: magdalen at herberthouse.org
>Subject: Re: [Magdalen] Brother headed for ordination
>
>Scott, I don’t know how old you are; younger than me, I know. In the
>Episcopal Church, for the priesthood, at least, age is sometimes a factor
>(though I know those who were ordained well into their 50s). Remember, part
>of the call is individual, and part is the Church's determination. Good or
>bad, part of their determination is how many working years a priest will
>have to pay into the pension system (based on retirement at age 72), before
>the pension system starts paying out to them. It sounds crass, but it’s
>realistic. It’s also not the only, or even primary consideration, but it
>might factor in, and might be worth asking the bishop or Diocesan ministry
>commission about. I think you should try a formal discernment process, or
>at least discuss it with your rector (always the first step). And I’m
>certainly not trying to throw cold water on your discernment. Eventually
>you’ll need to discover if you’ve been running away from God, or not! I’m
>putting you on my prayer list, because this is a welcome development, IMO.
>
>On Wed, Nov 22, 2017 at 12:22 PM Scott Knitter <scottknitter at gmail.com>
>wrote:
>
>> I'll ask my abbot about it; he may support this.
>>
>> On Wed, Nov 22, 2017 at 9:52 AM, James Handsfield <jhandsfield at att.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>> So, why not offer yourself for discernment?  Do it to find out, not to
>> > convince.  Whatever the result, you will learn about yourself.
>> >
>>
>> --
>> Scott R. Knitter
>> Edgewater, Chicago, Illinois USA
>>
>-- 
>Ann
>
>The Rev. Ann Markle
>Buffalo, NY
>www.onewildandpreciouslife.typepad.com

I agree with all of Ann's caveats, but I am inwardly glad that these thoughts have crossed your mind. I believe you would be a credit to the ministry and perhaps the permanent diaconate would be a possibility  while maintaining  your secular job  I know of several persons in your position who were called to the diaconate. The best example is our first deacon at St. Mary's who decided on the diaconate after reaching the rank of full bird colonel in the reserves and not being considered for 1 star general was obligated to retire from the military in his early to mid 50's. He and his spouse considered that a sign that his vocation lay elsewhere. I don't remember but he worked for Allstate for years and I don't remember when  he retired from Allstate.

Joe Cirou