the official word

Here's the official word, as I promised! From an IM with a friend at work:

Matt Hardesty
we had a great conversation :)
Chris Galtenberg
of course :)
Chris Galtenberg
but tell me deets
Matt Hardesty
he's a great man, very supportive
Matt Hardesty
the first thing he said when we sat down was "you're here because you want to be a priest...and I'm here because I want you to be"
Matt Hardesty
that was comforting
Chris Galtenberg
nice
Matt Hardesty
he said he had read through all my files (evaluations, essays, interviews, info, etc) and was very pleased
Matt Hardesty
he was too kind :)
Chris Galtenberg
good!
Matt Hardesty
a little background: yunno how I said the three options before me for seminary are St. Meinrad (hour west), Mundelein (north of chicago) and St. Mary's (Baltimore)
Chris Galtenberg
yes
Matt Hardesty
the teachers at St. Meinrad are all monks...
Matt Hardesty
and yunno how I said I'd prefer to go to St. Mary's...
Chris Galtenberg
si
Matt Hardesty
at one point he said "I wish you were going to St. Meinrad because being a Dominican, I really appreciate the spirituality of the monks there. But, since you want to be a diocesan priest, I think St. Mary's will be great for you"
Matt Hardesty
right after he said "I wish you were going to St. Meinrad" my heart skipped a beat
Matt Hardesty
hehe
Chris Galtenberg
wow :)
Chris Galtenberg
he did that on purpose :) kidding
Matt Hardesty
hehe
Matt Hardesty
I'm so pleased by how the whole conversation went, and very humbled by his comments and advice
Chris Galtenberg
I'm curious about the comments + advice, but I'm sure they're very personal
Matt Hardesty
not too bad...we talked about my twin brother Nick some, he was impressed that I recognized how much of a gift from God to me that he is...he said most people my age don't realize that about others
Matt Hardesty
he was happy that we have such a good relationship and thankful for his support
Chris Galtenberg
sweet
Matt Hardesty
he told me to relax :) he said I won't hear God's voice leading me unless I relax (he knows me already! hehe)
Chris Galtenberg
it's very true
Matt Hardesty
he said that through formation parts of who and what I am now will fall away and that's OK
Chris Galtenberg
yes
Matt Hardesty
I commented that I have already seen that happening somewhat, my computer passions yielding too faith passions
Matt Hardesty
he said, from what he'd read in my files, my motivations for discernment and the priesthood are on track, where they should be at this stage, and will change as I move forward (this was comforting, I want much for my motivations to be...true, or pure, or whatever)
Chris Galtenberg
right
Chris Galtenberg
so now... application to seminary?
Matt Hardesty
yeah, but the good thing is he said that he'd talked with the rector at St. Mary's and the rector wants me to go there
Chris Galtenberg
wow
Chris Galtenberg
so a pretty sure thing with that?
Chris Galtenberg
I mean :) as far as you can tell
Matt Hardesty
yeah I think so
Chris Galtenberg
very exciting!
Matt Hardesty
yeah!
Chris Galtenberg
and that should be sewn up by... end of August?
Matt Hardesty
oh, it'll have to be, the arrival date for new seminarians to St. Mary's is Thur Aug 25 (I'd already checked ;))
Chris Galtenberg
hm
Chris Galtenberg
so even sooner you'll need to hear... how soon COULD you hear?
Matt Hardesty
well, my vocation director is on vacation till Fri July 29
Matt Hardesty
but I'm gonna call him today, tell him my talk with the archbishop went well, and get the ball rolling
Matt Hardesty
seems like I've been rolling this ball forever! haha
Chris Galtenberg
:)
Chris Galtenberg
but you're no Sisyphus - your mountain is almost summited!
Matt Hardesty
ah, but a whole new mountain awaits