Monday 3rd October 2022
Fr John joined our Year 6 pupils this morning to talk about his calling to the priesthood and what it takes to join a vocation such as his.
He spoke to us about his aspirations as a child and how this lead him to becoming a priest.
He also talked about some of the sacrifices he had to make to become a priest and the type of commitment it takes to be member of the clergy.
Year 6 classes are invited to comment below:
- anything they found interesting about the vocations talk
- anything they wonder about the life of a priest
- any unanswered questions about a life of vocations
- the key things they will take away from the session
5 comments
6DM
VOJ- I wondered if he enjoys being a priest. He told us that one of the best things about being a priest was that you got to learn all about the people he worked with and sometimes would learn a lot about them, even more than the people they were closest to.
AED – I found it interesting that, before wanted to become a priest, Fr John actually wanted to become a world-famous rock star! He loves playing the guitar and has them hanging in his bedroom!
AJ – I’m still wondering why women can’t become priests.
KP – I’m still wondering if you have to undergo another ordination to become a bishop.
AH – I’m still wondering if, to become a priest, you have to complete all seven sacraments.
We would like to thank Fr. John for his brilliant talk. He has gotten us excited for our vocations unit and we can’t wait to have our wonder questions answered.
Some very interesting wonder moments, 6DM. I would love to hear your answers to them later on the unit.
Miss Dodd 🙂
Things that we found interesting were:
– Alexa found it interesting when Fr. Cahill talked about his childhood and how this lead to him becoming a priest.
– Jean was surprised that Fr Cahill didn’t actually want to be a priest.
– Raffi-Sophia enjoyed hearing about how Fr Cahill’s parents were very encouraging of his involvement with the Catholic church from a young age.
– Divine found it interesting that Fr Cahill spent seven years completing his training in Rome.
Anything the children still wonder about the life of a priest:
– Ra’nell wondered if there is a celebration when you become a priest?
– Dubem wondered if Fr Cahill had any goals as a priest.
– Amadis wondered if there any particular rules for when priests are in training?
– Charlotte wondered how it feels to stand behind the alter?
– Marlon wondered how priests feel about not being able to marry?
Do you have any unanswered questions about a life of vocations?
– Marlon asked how people who have a calling manage all of the emotions of caring for others as well as yourself?
– Oshoma said he wondered how it would feel to have a calling in life?
What are the key things you will take away from the session?
– Remiah learnt that it is not easy to be a priest: it takes time and comittment.
– Faustina learnt that to be a priest means you have to sacrifice many things.
– Divine took away ‘if you are chosen to do something, try and do the right thing.’
– Alexa said even if you don’t want to do something when you’re younger, you might do it when you’re older – just like Fr Cahill!
– Ra’nell learnt that we need to be brave.
– Callie said you never know what your career might be until it feels like the right thing.
– Raffi-Sophia said that God guides you to make the right choices and you shouldn’t ignore it.
– Marlon said that when people tell the job they see you in, it might actually help you to see it yourself!
Fantastic discussions, 6EG! You will be answering some of your questions in your new RE unit: Vocation and Commitment. Come and chat to me about it, I love teaching that unit!
Miss Dodd 🙂
6LS’ thoughts on Father John’s talk:
We found it interesting that he didn’t want to become a priest but he felt like he needed to, that it took him 7 years to become a priest, that he told us about his life before becoming a priest.
The questions that we still have are: A priest has to sacrifice marriage. What other things do they have to sacrifice? Is it a lonely life being a priest?
One of the key things that we will take away is not to give up, for example, it takes 7 years to train to become a priest so Father Cahill might have wanted to give up.