Educating Priests.

There are times when even I wonder why seminary is so expensive. I mean really look at how much it costs to educate our future priests and you will get a sticker shock. But, then there are moments like today that remind me that the cost is totally worth it. I'll briefly explain below. 

I was in the parish Bible study and we were talking about Heaven, hell, and Purgatory when someone asked about limbo. So in a very kind and pastoral way I explained what I believed to be the Church teaching. I was in seminary for three years and have a masters in theology, but by NOOO means claim to know all of the depth of the Church's teaching. And believe it or not even though the Church is 2,000 plus years old it still hasn't gotten around to answering every question. Probably having to do with being guided by the Holy Spirit. Anyway, so after the class I went over to chat with Fr. Dave about what I said during class for some clarification. He quickly went to the Catechism, which duh, would have been a great place to go. But, the answers there weren't crystal clear.  Then, Father was able to crystallize an answer for me to be able to take back to the group that is consoling. Having educated priests really helps us as parishioners because not only do they remind us of the sources that the Church has at it's disposal, like the Catechism, but they are also able to crystallize or explain in simpler terms than the sometimes heady wording of the Church's writing. I can only hope that I am able to relay that crystallization in an understandable way. Please pray for me, but more importantly pray for those in seminary. God bless you.