Pastor's Note

PRIESTS’ EXPERIENCE
May 6th, 2007

It is very easy to become totally engrossed in the local happenings and the needs and issues right in front of you. That is why I felt truly refreshed by attending a national conference for priests last week. (The fact that the meeting was in Tampa was an added incentive.)
I came back renewed and enthused about what is happening in our church around the country. There are many good priests who are fully committed to sharing the Good News of the Gospel with others.
I also noticed some trends as we priests talked to each other at various breaks or social times: Many have huge parishes made up of consolidated smaller ones. In many, many parts of the country, churches are providing at least one Sunday Mass in Spanish. International priests (mostly from India, the Philippines, and various countries of Africa) are to be found in almost all dioceses of the United States.
From various conversations, I also learned that nearly everyone is trying to better understand a healthy relationship between the ordained and the laity. Most participants were extremely open to creative ways of providing ministry in our church.
You may also be happy to know that I came back even more convinced what a gift we have here at Blessed John Parish. So much of what good pastors are trying to do elsewhere, we are already doing. This is true in terms of evangelization, faith formation, and liturgical participation. As I have said before, we are truly blessed at Blessed John!