When young people ask me about the priestly life, one of my stock responses is to say that in 23 years of priesthood I have had many joys and sorrows but that I do not remember ever having had a boring day. Today is a good example.
Tired from the Oxford LMS Conference, I got up a little later than usual but still with time for a meditation and a some spiritual reading; and then went down to prepare for Mass which on Saturday is in the usus antiquior. After exposition, confessions and Benediction, I gave a brief refresher on the Latin responses to my young server who needed to brush up after the summer holidays. His companion has broken his foot while on holiday so I have to catch him and tell him that he can still serve.
Then on to a family to talk about a loved one who had died, and reassure them that he would always be remembered in the prayers of the parish. The funeral is to be a simple Liturgy of the Word at the Crematorium, followed by the Committal - this is common in England - but I always include such deceased in the Memento of the Dead.
Back at the Presbytery, the newsletter I have to finalise is the first of the new scholastic term, advertising the RCIA, various extra Masses during the week (Monday early because I am teaching at Parkminster), and the leaflets to request anniversary Masses for 2008.
Once all these things are printed out, the early evening sees confessions and then the anticipated Sunday Mass, followed by the booking of a Baptism for a Nigerian family who have come here because they have heard that they will be welcomed. This is something of a highlight for me: I always try to ensure that African Catholics feel at home in the parish because I know that they are in more of a minority than some parishes I have served in.
When those duties are finished, I drive over to an 18th birthday party for one of my parishioners and spend a little time with family and friends. Back at the parish I call into the Parish Club for a pint of beer (Novus Ordo Eurofizz) and a chat with the men there before returning to have a look at John Allen's latest comments ...
If you feel that God is calling you to the priesthood, there may be various siren voices calling you away. Never believe any that say that it is boring.
8 comments:
God bless you Father for all that you do.... please keep a friend of mine, Fr. Gerard in your prayers. He's struggling with much now. He's been a priest for 22 years and just under attack right now, big time.
PAX,
susie
What?!!! Novus Ordo Eurofizz??!!! Modernist!
Speaking of vocations.... were you able to ask Bishop Rifan about the Franciscan order in Brazil?
Thank you for the wonderful blog!
If you feel that God is calling you to the priesthood, there may be various siren voices calling you away. Never believe any that say that it is boring.
Indeed, Father. You work hard Father and it can be clearly shown in your posts here. God bless,
Mark
23 years of Priesthood...amazing..Andrew & i have been married 23 years. Both vocations so important...i love listening to your day..sometimes mine contains as much but i really don't think there's anyone on this planet who works as hard as you Fr. It's a real lesson to us in using our God-given time well.
We have a few African families now..very enthusiastic..
God bless
You really must arrange for the Extraordinary form of beer to be available in the Parish Club.
I have tried in the past - perhaps time for another hint! Sadly, most of the patrons are devotees of the fizz. As a compromise, there are some quite good bottled beers, including Spitfire, Late Red and Bishop's Finger. But I know this is not the same as proper stuff hand-pumped from the cask.
I think that in places like Malaysia where the priests are assigned as many as 3 parishes (with 3000+ parishioners each) and numerous stations which are very far apart, boredom is very very far away. Thanks for a timely reminder that this is true for most priests as well.
For many parishioners, their only encounter with a priest is via the Mass and so they tend to wonder what exactly Father does before and after that. A day in the life of a priest should quickly assuage their curiosity.
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