My Priest, Fr. Paul
Most Sundays I attend mass. Usually the 11:00 mass. Yesterday was no exception. Kurt did not attend with me because he has some illness. My friend Joanna did go with me. So I was not alone. Not that I really would be. I have made lots of friends in the church and feel quite comfortable by myself.
I started attending St. James about three years ago. I wanted to get back to my faith. I had attended a few other Catholic masses at other churches but hadn't really connected. It just wasn't right. But then a new priest was sent to St. James right around the time I started going with my husband in tow.
Something was very special with Fr. Paul. He got life, real life not the confined life of a priest who goes into the vocation at 18. He was not ordained a priest until he was 45 years old. Prior to that, he had lived quite a rowdy life. He understands temptation. He understands the desires of sin and how easy it is to fall prey to them. He didn't judge, he offered real life solutions and could REALLY relate. He offers history and background lessons in his homilies, he helps his congregation grow spiritually as well as intellectually. He is a wonderful spiritual leader. I rely on Fr. Paul’s spiritual guidance and wisdom. He is a wonderful leader.
But on Sunday he delivered some very devastating news. He was being called back to his Monastery. Being a Benedictine Priest he has taken a vow of obedience. Though I am pretty sure all orders take that vow. He will be replaced by a German priest.
Fr. Paul has done SO much for our parish. It has grown by at least 40% since he has come. He makes children feel welcome. He always has a kind word and remembers his parishioners names. He makes you feel a part of the Catholic Community.
I want to believe this is not some Bull Shit Catholic politics. But I am having a hard time believing this. We just elected a new Pope, a German, and now we all of a sudden are getting a new priest. Fr. Paul six month ago, stated he had been instilled as our pastor for the next SEVEN years.
I started attending St. James about three years ago. I wanted to get back to my faith. I had attended a few other Catholic masses at other churches but hadn't really connected. It just wasn't right. But then a new priest was sent to St. James right around the time I started going with my husband in tow.
Something was very special with Fr. Paul. He got life, real life not the confined life of a priest who goes into the vocation at 18. He was not ordained a priest until he was 45 years old. Prior to that, he had lived quite a rowdy life. He understands temptation. He understands the desires of sin and how easy it is to fall prey to them. He didn't judge, he offered real life solutions and could REALLY relate. He offers history and background lessons in his homilies, he helps his congregation grow spiritually as well as intellectually. He is a wonderful spiritual leader. I rely on Fr. Paul’s spiritual guidance and wisdom. He is a wonderful leader.
But on Sunday he delivered some very devastating news. He was being called back to his Monastery. Being a Benedictine Priest he has taken a vow of obedience. Though I am pretty sure all orders take that vow. He will be replaced by a German priest.
Fr. Paul has done SO much for our parish. It has grown by at least 40% since he has come. He makes children feel welcome. He always has a kind word and remembers his parishioners names. He makes you feel a part of the Catholic Community.
I want to believe this is not some Bull Shit Catholic politics. But I am having a hard time believing this. We just elected a new Pope, a German, and now we all of a sudden are getting a new priest. Fr. Paul six month ago, stated he had been instilled as our pastor for the next SEVEN years.
Well
Seven years is NOT up.
I DO NOT WANT TO LOSE MY PRIEST!!
I DO NOT WANT TO LOSE MY PRIEST!!
posted by Kelly @ 12:33 PM
1 Comments:
At 2:51 PM,
Melissa said…
You can confess to FA whenever you want to! I'm not really German!
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