tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26883902.post3209667558501567655..comments2024-03-25T11:09:41.538-04:00Comments on a minor friar blog: The Priest Didn't ComeBrother Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07780326836452864455noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26883902.post-15130781775217709132010-05-21T19:19:10.465-04:002010-05-21T19:19:10.465-04:00We still have 24/7 duty where I work. Phone forwar...We still have 24/7 duty where I work. Phone forwarding and a good phone system make it possible for us without being burdensome. It also means that when I answer my office extension, nobody knows where I really am!Brother Charleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07780326836452864455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26883902.post-68169152996005283042010-05-21T17:52:20.447-04:002010-05-21T17:52:20.447-04:00In the archdiocese of NY, parishes still have prie...In the archdiocese of NY, parishes still have priests-on-duty, but some other places (such as Newark, and Washington, DC) have discontinued this. I remember a legendary priest of Newark telling me that when he was newly ordained he left the rectory to go pray in the church when he was "on duty" (meaning he had to be available to answer the door or phones in case of an emergency). He was reprimanded by his pastor.<br /><br />Of course, technology today allows a priest more leeway in leaving the rectory itself when "on duty." However, I've had suprise visits on people who just "showed up" for a confession or needing help with a spiritual crisis. [I've also had the people who report that "the church has been stolen" or who "are hungry" but only want "money" and refuse every offer of food. <br /><br />Of course, we do need down time to relax, as Jesus Himself did by fleeing to the mountains with the apostles. But a practical part of our priestly celibacy is supposed to serve to make us available to the people of God.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26883902.post-86490689375930758342010-05-16T05:59:15.234-04:002010-05-16T05:59:15.234-04:00My father recently died. He was visited (twice) by...My father recently died. He was visited (twice) by the good Sister from my parish (Dad's parish was far away), and she suggested I contact the hospital chaplain. I left word so Dad could get annointed the next day, which was several days before he actually died.<br /><br />I'm grateful for the spiritual care he received.<br /><br />Dad was 77 and a stroke patient. He had been in a nursing home in my county - not his - for several years, so his contact with his home parish was minimal. My parish stepped in. Besides Sister's visit, my parish priest stopped by to see Dad during a previous hospital visit. And at the home Dad was in for the past three years there was a deacon who visited on a weekly basis, and there were regular Masses or communion service. They were a comfort to Dad.<br /><br />I do wonder what happens to older folks who might not have a relative around to advocate for them,, or are in a home where there is less Catholic involvement. One home Dad was in a few years back had weekly Protestant services, but not Catholic ones.<br /><br />I also sympathize with parish staff. They may get lists - but with fewer priests - many parishes are one-preist ones. They get days off - they need them. What happens on those days if there's an emergency? I'm sure many a good priest has received complaints about not "being there" when it wasn't through neglect or not caring. I also wonder how many times a priest or the parish gets complaints from relatives who never contacted the parish in the first place to let them know about an ailing parishioner? And what of hosptials that don't have a regular Catholic chaplain on staff or available? The sidtuation in my diocese might get tougher as our cleicla numbers are dropping - and no ordinations scheduled for three years. There may not be enough priests to cover everything.<br /><br />I know if I were a priest and I heard of someone who died without annointing, I'd feel terrible - even if it wasn't due to my neglect.A Secular Franciscanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09184259228282290040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26883902.post-48062594426448925172010-05-15T22:07:01.830-04:002010-05-15T22:07:01.830-04:00Stole her kidney during confession?? I HATE it whe...Stole her kidney during confession?? I HATE it when that happens!<br /><br />Father, as you are a convert, let me tell you the "I left because Father "X" never came..." is as old as Catholicism. An annecdote: back in "the old country" my sainted grandmother did a lot of charitable work in her parish. She was a bit of a "groupie" and doted on the priests (there were about 12) as many women did back then (to military as well). For some reason, one priest after being there for 2 years not only did not know her name but would treat her as one would a maid, ordering her to bring him this or that (even using the familiar "tu"). One night my grandfather, her husband was shot and as my grandmother rushed to the hospital with him, she told my uncle, her son, to run to the rectory for a priest to meet them at the hospital. My uncle literally ran there and was turned away by, guess who. The reasons are still hazy, but this was in the early 70's and my uncle was quite a hippie, which most likely did not impress the priest. <br /><br />Luckily, the hospital was lousy with priests, and there was someone to give my grandfather last rights. Just before his funeral, when it was learned who my grandmother was married to, the priest in question clamored to be the presiding priest at the funeral. And the story goes that just before the mass began, my grandmother learned he would be the presider and marched into the rectory and said, "you never knew my husband. And after two years you never knew me. And you will never be known as the priest who gave my husband his funeral mass." Whereupon another priest promptly began dressing for the mass and carried it out.<br /><br />Long story, I know. But this was back in "the olden days" before you were Catholic and I was born. So, it's the same problem, different era. But honestly, I think you have cracked the code so as to be ready, but not spread too thin.Qualis Rexnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26883902.post-82290047759145081412010-05-14T17:16:10.662-04:002010-05-14T17:16:10.662-04:00Thank you for all your difficult and dedicated wor...Thank you for all your difficult and dedicated work, and for your concern over the people affected by these situations. <br /><br />As a recent convert I feel like maybe I should keep my mouth shut about this, I don't want to minimize anyone's feelings of hurt or betrayal. But I have run into many lifelong Catholics who can't wait to tell me about the reasons they left their parish or the faith. Often they have simple "because the priest did/didn't..." type of reasons, but if you ask a little more, the personal, more complicated motivations for walking away come to the surface. So it is a scandalous thing... but I think it's more complicated too.Saranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26883902.post-69286888287909261672010-05-14T15:03:53.298-04:002010-05-14T15:03:53.298-04:00I worked in an icu at a hospital for a period of t...I worked in an icu at a hospital for a period of time. The local parishes gave a monthly "on call" calendar to the hospital for them to use to obtain a priest in the event of an emergency. I doubt this is unique to this hospital. It may not be ideal to have a priest from another parish for times like this but it is a way for priests in an area to be proactive about maintaining "coverage" for emergencies.aFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07717803788914437553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26883902.post-77877887979346748482010-05-14T12:31:21.378-04:002010-05-14T12:31:21.378-04:00I think that your concerns mirror (are similar but...I think that your concerns mirror (are similar but the inverse of) the concerns that many of us faithful have. Some of us desperately need the council of clergy, but because of the complexity of Parish life nowadays, it is hard for us to "connect" with a priest. <br /><br />For example, as a newer Catholic (2006) I have always desired some further formation, questions answered, even a partial friendship with a priest. In todays world, that is a big task... especially when many priests are responsible for 1-3 parishes, several masses, the administration of the parish (which is many times in debt), possibly the administration of a school or other facility. <br /><br />Maybe I will do a blog post over at my blog on this :)Joe @ Defend Us In Battlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15230524215323916396noreply@blogger.com