Pastoral Placement
As promised, a little update on pastoral placements.
In seminary, there are four different kinds of formation. Spiritual, Human, Intellectual and Pastoral formation. This means that prayer, community life, study and pastoral work are part of our daily lives. While I’ve done some internships here and there, more or less on my own, it’s the first time – now that I have moved to my new seminary – that I received a pastoral placement in a seminary context. Praise the Lord 
This year I will be working at *drum roll* St. James Catholic School. I went in last week with Sr. Anne Rajotte, of the Sisters of St. Joseph. She’s been working at the nearby parish for almost twenty years now, and for quite some time she has been visiting the school regularly to speak with the children about religion. We’re talking about an elementary school, so kids are anywhere between like 6 and 12 years old. It’s so awesome… I met with a few grades, and was introduced as a seminarian. We explained to them what it meant and they could ask me questions. It really does relativate stuff when the first question you are asked is “What is your favorite food?”
Today I went in for the first time on my own. I will be helping out one afternoon a week in grade 5, and maybe I will continue to come in with the Sister or do some other work. I’m not going to get ahead of myself there. Today I helped a couple of kids with their math. A few kids just moved to Edmonton and this school, and they are really struggling with math. I just really want to help them get on the right track, as they deserve a good start in life, eh? What a sign of providence that I can use all the years I’ve taught math to high school students here…
At the same time I will be able to learn how to interact with children a lot younger than I am used to teach. The time in class was extremely cool, as all the kids seem to want to get to know you and share things with you. I could barey go back home in time for my next appointment they didn’t want me to leave. What a great gift! Hopefully in the future, I will be able to do some catechesis with them, but for now it is just my presence there that will be the first step in my apostolate. Please continue to pray for my work here, and especially for my time at St. James School!