Article in the Record

In this week's issue of The Record (10-29-09) I have an article about my Pastoral Year and the Year of the Priest.

Seminarian reflects on his pastoral year and the Year for Priests
Matthew Hardesty
Matthew Hardesty is a seminarian of the Archdiocese of Louisville.

Around this time last year, I was a little disappointed. I had finished one year of philosophy and two years of theology at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, Md., in formation to be a priest of the Archdiocese of Louisville. I had one more year of theology until I would be ordained a deacon, God willing, and then another year until priesthood.

I was anxious to be ordained a deacon so that I could assist at my twin brother’s wedding. I wanted to move forward toward the priesthood.

Instead of continuing my studies, however, I was assigned a pastoral year in which I spent one academic year in a parish in order to gain more pastoral experience. My assignment took me to St. Athanasius Church in Louisville with Father Terry Bradshaw, pastor.

Now, having completed my pastoral year and returned to seminary for my third year of theology, I realize how much better God’s timing is than mine. The pastoral year turned out to be a great blessing, filled with substantial experiences and many new graces. But at first it took me a while to get going.

...Read the rest here...