Year of the Priest

What’s that old saying, while the cat is away the mice will play. This week I was given control over the blog, after promising to behave, I shall keep that promise.
This is going to be a short post; I’ve been busy and have no desire to research facts but as many of know Our Holy Father Pope Benedict the 16th has declared this year, the year of the Priest. At a time where priests are needed more than ever this is an important idea for Catholics all over the world to focus on. In later posts I may focus on what the Year of the Priest means, but right now I just want to share some memories of a priest I knew.
I having moved have had many priests but the one that sticks out was the assistant pastor of my church in Florida. Due to carpooling to March For Life, we knew when we arrived back at the airport at about midnight no one would be waiting for us, we’d just pile into the van and drive home, but our priest surprised us. We got off the plane and through security, and there he was, at midnight ready to welcome the group of us teens, all tired and grumpy. It meant a lot to us that someone cared about us enough to drive the hour to the airport at midnight to welcome us home. This memory I will never forget even though I’ve moved away and don’t see him anymore.
Another favorite memory was from this same priest at the annual Lenten Fish Fry. We’d set up a TV screen to watch a TV program a parishioner had been in. He sat the whole time watching it with my family, even trying to answer some of the questions. People sometimes forget priests are people too; they may like to watch TV and just relax. It was a nice night just spending with him, being “normal” people watching TV. Everyone needs a break and it was nice to share this one with him.
So there are two of my favorite memories, now share yours. I can’t wait to read them. I will close with a greeting Pope Benedict probably used in his homeland of the Bavaria.
Gruss Gott
God’s greetings
MJ