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April 17, 2006
God or the Girl?
Did you watch it?
What did you think?
Thread closed - new thread up top of the blog.
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Comments
Excellently produced, very true to life, exciting to watch. I'm already waiting for the sequal: "Seminary Survivor"!
I must say, I really like Joe's brother. He's just so.... "happy".
Seriously, tho
Posted by: tim at Apr 17, 2006 1:34:47 AM
grrr... accidently hit post too soon.
What I was trying to write at the end there was that this is the kind of show which we need in order to reach the average Catholic (and even non-Catholic)in communicating a message which the modern world can understand.
Posted by: tim at Apr 17, 2006 1:37:19 AM
I think Joe's brother would make a better priest than Joe! What a dolt -- the way he treated that girl in Germany. Completely shameful.
I really hate reality tv, and this show is reminding me just why I hate it. I want my life scripted my an award-winning screenwriter, thank you very much!
Posted by: Jenn at Apr 17, 2006 1:39:32 AM
Fascinating and very respectful. Thanks for making us aware of it.
My forecast is that the guy who carried the cross that weighed 80lbs is seminary bound. The other ones are going to have a much harder time.
Posted by: Michael Barber at Apr 17, 2006 1:41:23 AM
Predictions already, eh?
Well, ok, here are my thoughts:
My feel is that Joe has some life learning to do. He'll stay away from seminary for now, maybe get away from home (why is he bringing laundry back to mom at the age of 28, anyway?), and find himself first. Who knows where life will lead. Probably to marriage eventually. Actually, considering that he's already been though seminary twice, I think that they would be really reluctant to accept him under the circumstances, also. What's particularly worrisome is that his runs at the priesthood seem partially to have to do with a certain escapism from commitment and interacting with women.
Steve will keep heading down the path. He's learning some important things. He's scared, but he's growing in and towards a deepening of this way for all it is worth.
Mike, boy wouldn't you hate to be in his spot? Now THERE's a real "God or the Girl" for ya! I think that Mike is the kind of guy who really needs seminary. He has to take the time to discern more intensely. And I think he may be genuinely called. He has a very sincere and deep relationship with the Lord. If he doesn't "try it on", he'll live to regret not having given God the chance. I won't be overly surprized if he goes for the girl, though. But if he does, I'd like to talk to him again when he turns 30, life is a little rough, and he's wondering whether he made the right choice.
Dan... I see a lot of youthful exuberance in him. I think that his response will be "not right now", however. He may well need more time to live in the secular world and think about just where he belongs first - working though various options. I also think that this experience of carrying the cross will teach him that it isn't just about being gung-ho for God, but genuinely laying down one's own will and life for the Lord, wherever that might be. Eventually, he may find his way into seminary (or quite possibly a religious community).... but not just yet.
Posted by: tim at Apr 17, 2006 1:53:52 AM
I didn't watch the show, but the description of it and the comments here remind me of a real life situation involving an acquaintance (I hesitate to use the word "friend" because I get such weird vibes from this person) in which he has been vacillating (sp?) between seminary and marriage for several years now - he actually met his latest "fiancee" while on some kind of missionary trip or exchange program through his seminary. He's in his thirties now and he has had three fiancees, all of whom he's completely dumped and upon whom he's placed all the blame for the failed relationships, and he's gone back to seminary after each one. I really have to wonder why these seminaries keep taking him in. He's obviously the one with unresolved issues and problems, yet they seem to think he'd make a good priest. Heck, he's not even a decent boyfriend or fiance! If you can't even treat someone you claim to be in love with politely, how can you be a spiritual leader?
His situation really opened my eyes to the fact that a lot of priest probably shouldn't be priests.
Posted by: HAP at Apr 17, 2006 8:04:45 AM
I really enjoyed the show. I thought that it truly reflected the real attitudes of guys considering the seminary. As a graduate from Franciscan University where almost every resident male thought about entering the priesthood, I related to all 4 stories.
However, the one guy seems like he is being pushed into the seminary by his mom. The priest seems to overwhelm the other. One seems like a perfect candidate but has not discussed or dealt with the celibacy/girl issue yet. And the other seems like he would be a good administrator.
You should read the comments on A & E.
Outside of church minded people, the call to the priesthood really must seem crazy. This shows demonstrates just how challenging and perplexing its call can be.
Can't wait until the next episode.
Posted by: DJP at Apr 17, 2006 8:33:49 AM
I liked it because it shows the deep desire of 4 young Catholics to live their faith.
Dan and Steve are willing to make sacrifices. They appear to be "other" directed. Both of these guys look like good husband and father material too. I think they see the priesthood as a path to expressing love, service and fatherliness.
Mike said after assisting at the wedding that he wanted that experience even though he knew the priesthood would offer him something else...still in the what's-in-it-for-me mode and not a good harbinger for priesthood or marriage.
Joe has issues that he needs to address so he can grow up. For one - his mom who seems to be steamrolling him.
As someone who prays the Rosary regularly at the Presidential abortion clinic in West Palm Beach I found the segment of Dan and his friends praying the Rosary at a clinic authentic. Usually the media caricatures participants and distorts their motives.
For drama's sake the show gives the erroneous impression that once they are in the seminary the door will slam shut behind them, while the reality is they will still be discerning their vocation.
Posted by: Judy at Apr 17, 2006 8:59:16 AM
We watched the first few segments, before putting on the DVD of The Chronicles of Narnia as our Easter's family celebration. I enjoyed the segments, which seemed to ring true despite the classic "reality TV" editing, background theme, and conversations which seemed somewhat "forced". I'm having it taped for our youth group and young adults, so that we can watch it together. My fervent hope is that it sparks interest among young men to pray for the grace to authentically discern their vocation and to embrace it wholeheartedly.
Bottom line: personal discipline, characteristics, capability, etc., for husbands and fathers OR priests are nearly identical. In the end, God's call is what's decisive.
Posted by: Fr. Andrew Bloomfield at Apr 17, 2006 9:10:50 AM
Some thoughts:
1) I agree with the above statements about Joe re: laundry and his mom pushing him. Also love his brother who I think genuinely wants what's best for his brother.
2) LOVE the guy from UVA who's a campus missionary. Too bad Lincoln, Nebraska will ruin him for the priesthood.
3) The guy who is carrying the 80lb cross is a moron. And when the priest told him to obey him "in obedience" I shuddered. Since when does a priest have that authority over a lay person? I would've laughed at him when he told me about the idea to carry the cross to begin with.
4) The last guy, Mike, is obviously gay. And the priest is obviously jealous. My sense is that they are in a relationship themselves although I don't expect the cameras to record that. I feel sorry for the girl.
Overall, the show is quite entertaining. I'd predict that the UVA guy is the only one who makes it.
Posted by: Anonymous at Apr 17, 2006 9:11:54 AM
There I go, getting fancy with the italics tag. Sorry!
Posted by: Fr. Andrew Bloomfield at Apr 17, 2006 9:12:21 AM
Also, I think the UVA campus minister is from Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS). An excellent group to find your vocation (my sister found her husband there!). But I couldn't disagree more with Anonymous about Lincoln.
I have a couple friends who are priests in the diocese, and have spoken with Bp. Bruskewitz on several occasions. It's an excellent place to be a priest.
Posted by: Fr. Andrew Bloomfield at Apr 17, 2006 9:15:45 AM
Surprisingly well done and tasteful. The priests in it were normal and well-balanced and all the guys were very clearly orthodox Catholics. Of the guys, although Joe is the oldest, he seems to have a lot of growing up to do. Steve seems like the classic "seen the world and it wasn't enough" story and he'd make an awesome priest. Dan seems a little high on Catholicism right now. That's not a bad thing, but that too needs time to grow. Mike has certainly got it good. He too seems to need to discern but I think in the end he's going for the girl.
Other than the title (which is a crazy false dychotomy), the show is very well done.
Are the four guys in any way paralleling the parable of the seed falling on the four types of soil? Steve has fallen on good ground, Dan still needs to grow roots, and Mike has the cares of the world around him. Dan's the only one that doesn't seem to fit the paradigm really well. Still, well done by A&E.
Posted by: Mattias Caro at Apr 17, 2006 9:17:39 AM
I enjoyed the show and will probably tune in again tonight. I thought it did a nice job of showing the men struggling with a real discernment process, so vocations directors should be happy with it. I think Mike will end up marrying his girlfriend but Dan and Steve will become priests (Dan is great, reminds me of some of my brother's friends). Not sure about Joe. Overall, it was also nice to hear grace and Hail Mary's and see crucifixes -- all taken seriously or treated with respect -- on TV. Some of the reality show elements take away from it, but overall it seems well done.
Posted by: Kimberly at Apr 17, 2006 9:19:22 AM
Too slow, too "Catholic lite" and way too "hip"... I agree with Tim above, that it's a good way to reach the average (American?) Catholic. But then again, that's actually a sad statement in my opinion.
Posted by: M. Randall at Apr 17, 2006 9:26:07 AM
Not offensive but not terribly compelling either…
Someone has already pointed out in an earlier post but it bears repeating – choosing the girl is not spurning God.
Best advice I ever got when I was looking into priesthood? “Don’t ask whether it’s a call to priesthood – ask whether you have call to spend some time in seminary!” I suppose that would take a bit of the drama out of the show but, Geez, I hope these guys are at least being told that off camera.
Dan’s spiritual director… perhaps I could see him driving 20 miles for a dozen Krispy Kremes but not walking with an 80 pound cross. I’m just saying…
Joe’s mother – is she for real or is she an actress? What a stereotype. Seriously, she needs to back off and accept the fact that ‘not right now’ is a perfectly good answer to the question of whether you’re called to seminary.
Ditto for Mike’s pastor. Mike can take is teaching job, the girlfriend can graduate, they can let things run their course for a few years and, at the end, if Mike is really called, he’ll still be younger than the vast majority of seminarians when he enters…
Steve’s discernment strikes me as the most reasonable – one step at a time – quit the job and move, try work as a campus missionary, consider the next step…
One more curiosity – we have four guys checking out priesthood and, if the editing of the program is to be believed, only one of them is active in a parish (this probably IS just how they edited down the video)
Posted by: Mike H at Apr 17, 2006 9:26:42 AM
"My forecast is that the guy who carried the cross that weighed 80lbs is seminary bound"
Did anyone see him put Father Manning right on the Larry King show on the question of whether Christ founded a Church?
And did anyone see Father Neuhaus vs. Sister Joan Chittester on "Meet the Press"?
Posted by: marianne at Apr 17, 2006 9:29:22 AM
I lasted fifteen minutes; never have found much use for reality tv.
Posted by: ken at Apr 17, 2006 9:33:07 AM
One more thing: the funniest (and saddest) part of the show was in the second episode where they placed subtitles on the poor Canadian girl whom Joe meet at World Youth Day and who spoke PERFECT english.
Posted by: Mattias Caro at Apr 17, 2006 9:44:42 AM
Didn't see Fr. Manning. He turned quite soft over the years. He used to be a fiery evangelist when he was on the 700 Club. Now, he just sounds like a Catholic version of Joel Olsten.
Fr. Neuhaus - what a champion for Christ. He preached with great clarity. Sr. Joan sounded like someone from Move.org. She is so far out of the mainstream of Catholic thought that my 14 year old daughter was wondering if she was a politican.
Her version of Christianity almost sounds like the false Church in the Book of Revelations. Where every religion is the same and Christianity serves no purpose other than fighting poverty and war. She mentioned nothing about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and nothing about the meaning of Easter. How sad!
Posted by: DJP at Apr 17, 2006 9:53:36 AM
Regarding Joe - I am a retired military officer, and what we would say about Joe is that he "lacks situational awareness." That is, he does not appreciate where he is and what effects his behavior is having on others. That he was totally "shocked" by the German girl's response to his flying 3000 miles to her country and then not calling her for three days is ludicrous. The bottom line is that he is astoundingly indecisive and obtuse. I have had friends like him who, frankly, can't see beyond the end of their nose. A nice enough guy, but would make a horrible priest because he can't empathize.
Mike - His priest is, bluntly, wierd. The guy seems more interested in recruiting the kid than it what's good for him. He was borderline rude with the girl, and his comment that the kid could be a "friend" to the girl and still be a priest was unbelievable. I agree with the earlier poster. Take the job and a couple of years, create a little distance from Father, and see what happens with the girl.
Dan - First, the vertical post of his cross was too short - again a military maxim - proper planning prevents poor performance. Drove me nuts. Two days to go twenty miles with 80 lbs.? Better to drag 100lbs there in a day.
I am always a little suspicious of fellows who are "on fire" for the Lord. Life has a way of dousing fires. I hope there is more to him than the emotional and communal enthusiasm shown in the show. He's seems a good kid.
Steve - I agree with the earlier poster that his approach seems the most reasonable. I just hope he doesn't get discouraged. He seems used to succees in school and engineering. He may find this harder.
Overall, I thought it was better than I thought it would be.
Posted by: Sean H at Apr 17, 2006 10:10:08 AM
I haven't seen the show - I crashed yesterday afternoon after dinner, and I don't have cable anyhow. But I wonder, does the girl have a name? It seems like a strange premise, but that's me!
Posted by: Fr. Totton at Apr 17, 2006 10:31:49 AM
Each of the girls have names of their own. Though, I must say, it would make the series even more gameshowish and dramatic if there were only one girl who one of the guys could, perhaps, have. "Seminarian #2, what's your idea of a good liturgy? Seminarian # 3, same question."
Posted by: tim at Apr 17, 2006 10:45:38 AM
Greetings,
It made it sound like the ONLY thought that goes into being a priest is whether they want to get Married OR be a priest, or as the title puts is: God or Girl. First of all: BOTH vocations include GOD. God must be part of both. Secondly, priestly call is about sacrifice. It is about proclaiming the Gospel, and offering sacrifice in the mass which means that sacrifice must be part of our life. They did not speak enough of God, Gospel, and NOT one person mentioned Mass yet. That is the Heart of being a priest.
Posted by: TP at Apr 17, 2006 10:49:46 AM
I expected it to be typical reality show fare, but I'm very impressed with it. I think it presents young Catholics in a very positive light, except for Joe, whom I think is thinking about the priesthood because he can't handle relating to women. If he found a girlfriend, I doubt he'd be so interested in the priesthood. I'm also a bit disturbed by Father Pauselli's behavior and comments.I also like the commercials about different things that Catholics are doing.
Posted by: nicole at Apr 17, 2006 10:50:35 AM
