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January 10, 2010 Pastor's Perspective
In a recent piece in “America” magazine, Fr. James Martin, S.J.; one of
its editors reflects on parish life around the country. In his
travels over the last three years he has visited 50 parishes - mainly
in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania - also Maryland
and Massachusetts, California and Illinois. In reading his
observations, it occurred to me that many of you might benefit from his
“unscientific” survey, so I’m going to share it over two weeks and see
what you think!
Part One:
The occasions for my visits are invitations to speak at parishes,
usually in the evening, on a topic like the saints or joy in the
spiritual life. Normally the schedule proceeds as follows:
I am picked up at a train station by the pastor, driven to the rectory,
where I dine with the resident priests (sometimes with deacons, sisters
or pastoral associates) and shown around the church before the
talk. Afterward the pastor or a parishioner drives me back to the
station. In the process, everyone is eager to talk about what is
going on in their parish.
Mind you, these data are rather random, and I do not aspire to the
sociological standards of the Center for Applied Research on the
Apostolate. Nonetheless, here is what I’ve learned (no confidences will
be broken).
- Pastors are astonishingly
busy. Normally, it is the frazzled pastor with his clerical
collar askew, who meets me at the train station. “Sorry I’m
late,” he’ll say. “It’s been a crazy day!” Now everyone
seems busy these days, especially parents of young children and those
working multiple jobs, but I wonder how many Catholics know how hard
their pastors work. In between the sacramental services there is
balancing the books, managing the school, visiting the sick and lonely,
counseling and on and on. Typically, the pastor works with a
small clerical staff. So the first finding: the hard-working
dog-tired pastor is the norm.
- Sisters and lay pastoral
associates are the lifeblood of the church. Last year I spoke at
the jubilee Mass of a woman religious. When I arrived, I was
deluged with stories about how much people loved her and with detailed
descriptions of the dazzling array of activities she had founded.
Even sisters in their 70s and 80s who have had several careers are full
of zeal for the people of God. One night, following news about
the Vatican’s apostolic visitation of American women religious, I met a
sister who ran the parish adult education activities and saw a dozen
people for spiritual direction. I thought, I wish the Vatican
could meet her!
Working just as hard – and taking care
of a family on top of it – are lay pastoral associates, who are usually
highly educated and experienced but low paid. Without these two
groups, sisters and lay associates, our church would grind to a halt.
Interesting yes?!
Fr. Chuck
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