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Paulist novice Mark Alblinger is a former high school teacher from Titusville, Fla., who first encountered the Paulists when a Paulist mission preacher came to his parish in 2005.

Mr. Alblinger is now preparing for his first hands-on ministerial experience by spending his Lenten apostolate at Old St. Mary’s in Chicago and will begin his academic requirements for priestly ordination at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., this summer. He talked to Paulist.org about his novitiate experience thus far, and all the future has to hold.

How would you describe your novitiate experience so far?

My life has become a whirlwind in that I have traveled across the United States, learned the complete history of the Paulists and am now preparing myself to spend two months in Chicago and start classes [at The Catholic University of America] in the summer. I have not been in a classroom for more than 10 years or so; I am not lying when I say this concerns me a tiny bit! But everyone here has been marvelous and supportive.

What has been the best part of your experience?

The best part of my experience involves two areas: meeting people and traveling. I have met some of the most intelligent, kind-hearted and interesting people here at St. Paul’s and in Washington, D.C.,

What have some of the challenges been?

Personally, my biggest challenges have been getting into a routine, and just figuring out where I am in the city. We awake at 7:45 for morning prayer and down the road, classes at CUA this summer. Before I arrived here, my normal wake-up time was around 10 a.m. As far as getting around in Washington, the first couple of months were quite daunting; driving is rather scary until you know that there are no specific patterns to traffic and that practice is your best friend.

What is something about the novitiate that was unexpected for you?

I think I have become a lot more outgoing since coming here. I have always tended to be on the quiet side, but for some reason – or maybe reasons – which I cannot identify, I feel much more secure in suggesting ideas, helping others and voicing some type of opinion.

You are soon heading out for your Lenten apostolate in one of the Paulist parishes or centers. What are you most looking forward to in this experience?

Going to Old St. Mary’s in Chicago and actually living there for two months definitely appeals to me. Both of my parents were from central Illinois, and I can attest to the notion that folks from this part of America are very kind, down home and have a knack for making one feel at home. By living at Old Saint Mary’s and seeing the day-to-day operations, meeting new people and taking some responsibilities on myself – that is the ultimate on-the-job training program. Also, I love the simplicity of Midwest cooking – meat and potatoes! And I would enjoy seeing the Blackhawks play live, though I hear that’s a tough ticket to get.