I'm driving through the neighborhood on my way to the store and see this young guy walking along with a rosary hanging from his hand. He looked like a football player - a big guy - dressed in black. I took a closer look, and it was our new pastor, out for a stroll on a warm, sunny, 40 degree day. Praying his rosary - walking alone through the neighborhood, at least a couple of blocks from the church.
Walking the neighborhood, praying the rosary, all by himself. Smelling like his sheep.
Just like Ganswein and Pope Benedict.
What a guy!
What a priest!
Thank you God!
You are truly blessed to have such a Pastor. May our Lord Jesus keep him safe and faithful and close to his people.
ReplyDeleteTerry,
I want to share the Japanese story with others herein who might like to watch it. It reminded me of Pope Francis in a way and all he has said about gossip, bearing false witness and lack of charity towards one's neighbor.
Here is the link for those of you who want to see of what I speak.
"The Martyr"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcZIYQtGfcw
Part of a 1986 Japanese TV series called “Animated Classics of Japanese Literature,” this half-hour segment is adapted from a story written in 1918 by Ryunosuke Akutagawa (1892-1927), best-known as the author of “Rashomon.” This tale of early Christianity in 16th century Japan deals with Lorenzo, an adolescent orphan accepted into the Church of Santa Lucia in Nagasaki and whose piety impresses everyone until a local girl accuses Lorenzo of impregnating her. Cast out by the church, Lorenzo wanders alone until a catastrophe strikes the village and a selfless act brings out the truth. It’s a sad, tragic tale and a rare look at the practice of Christianity in Japan before it was suppressed in the 17th century. In Japanese with English subs.
I increasingly pray for priests...and for my two Bishops who are so foolish in their retirement mansion fetish which costs laity over $20K a year in property taxes because it is not exempt...Newark....google Bishop mansion and you'll pray for them too. But yours sounds good. Just don't give him a subscription to Architectural Digest.
ReplyDeleteNo worries. We're bankrupt anyway. Abp. Hebda was here this week. The country property where the Abp. Emeritus used to stay has been sold, along with a few other misc. properties as part of the bankruptcy proceedings here.
DeleteSorry to hear that Nan...where are you state wise.
DeleteMN
DeleteSt. Paul..Minneapolis....followed the trail. Awful.
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DeleteYeah, we have a lot going on. The thing we have is this guy, the priest Terry posted about and a lot of other faithful young priests. We have many families with enough kids that they swarm, who go to daily Mass at least some of the time.
DeleteI became aware of a family with about 80 kids at a time the dad and 18 mo. old girl went to Mass, followed by Adoration, where the rest of the family joined them. No idea if it was because she wasn't in school and other kids were or just daddy bonding time. It was adorable.
Nan is right - our young priests are awesome - our seminary is awesome. Despite the problems of the past, we have excellent formation and priests. The new pastor at my parish is a dynamic preacher as well. Very natural down to earth style, but his enthusiasm is infectious. I hear young parents saying stuff like "He makes the scriptures understandable" or "I never knew that before about this or that." It's getting to be like a new Pentecost at the parish. I'm serious.
DeleteRosaries for this post here.
ReplyDeleteWait, is this the same priest you were worried about having to change his diapers and warm his bottle?
ReplyDeleteWell I wouldn't go there - but - yes - I had some concerns - but he's an excellent priest. I hope they leave him alone and don't rush to make him a rector or a bishop. Let him grow as a pastor. He has excellent experience with NET and other stuff. He and his former spiritual director are my new hero priests. ;)
DeleteIs his former spiritual director the one who's doing the First Saturday program for March at the Cathedral?
ReplyDeleteIt's Fr. K. Don't know who is doing anything at the Cathedral any longer.
DeleteHe's the one!
ReplyDeleteYay! He's the best.
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