From the Sounds of St. Francis.
The Christian life is sustained by texts and practices, ideas
and experiences. We learn to follow
Jesus by reading the Bible, listening to sermons and participating in classes. But we also grow through common worship,
observing the decisions that fellow believers make and reaching out our hands
to serve the poor.
When people answer God’s call to serve as leaders in the
church, we prepare them best by a combination of rigorous study and practical
experience, giving them opportunities to observe congregations close up and to
try their hands at the tasks of pastoral ministry. Priests are not made by
diplomas alone.
