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Question
Fr. Tim,
Thanks for taking the time to read this question.
As I have more time and start researching on my own more and more about religion and God, I find that I am entertaining the idea more and more about going back to school to study Theology, or the like. Would I follow that up with becoming ordained? I think it would be too easy for me to make a yes or no decision right now - I'd have to actually try it first.
Now the questions themselves:
1) What are methods of finding a proper College to go and study? Are their resources that list schools of higher education based on the quality of religious study they offer?
2) How long does it take for someone to go from beginning to end to get a degree suitable to become a Priest?
3) How do previous degrees factor into the length of time from question 2? This one may be more for an University Staffer than yourself, but I figure if I am asking...
In the end - I think I will start off with more volunteer work at my local Church to get a better feel for things before diving headlong into tuition bills and the like. Going back to school is a long road!
Thanks,
John
Hi, John:
Thanks for the questions.
It would not be most helpful to try to give the detailed answers to each one you have listed above. I would only like to encourage you that, if you think you have a vocation to the Priesthood, you talk to a Priest in your local area, and ask about seeing the Vocations Director of your region. He could supply you with literature, answer questions, etc.
I wish you the very best!
Fr. Timothy Johnson
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Answers by Expert:
Fr. Timothy Johnson
Expertise
A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.
Experience
I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.
Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)
Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology;
MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary;
2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality.
BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy;
BA - Liberal Arts;
AA - General Studies.
Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15.
Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office.
I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church.
Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.
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