tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123808496292529808.post3420458528509433216..comments2024-01-21T04:26:20.215-05:00Comments on A Shepherd's Post: A Letter to A Brother Priest Thinking About Leaving the Priesthood Fr. David Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448576898945830796noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123808496292529808.post-56786704239197612642018-03-05T12:00:53.307-05:002018-03-05T12:00:53.307-05:00Believe me, we also felt betrayed when the bureauc...Believe me, we also felt betrayed when the bureaucracy showed itself more concerned with their collaborative plan than with the shepherding of real people. It has been a big adjustment, especially for the people of St. Mary's. Some of us are adjusting, but some are not. It is a real test of faith to continue to be faithful in these circumstances, but I have learned that it is all part of God's purpose in allowing these trials. The test is whether to be faithful to Jesus and the Church that He lives and breathes in, or to abandon Him because we don't like the temporal circumstances we live in. Being older, I have lived through many changes in the externals of the Church, many different types of personalities in the priests assigned to our parish, many "fads" in liturgy and religious education. The weeds and the wheat grow together, but eventually the chaff is separated from the wheat. Most of the great saints lived through trying times WITHIN the Church, but they triumphed and reformed the Church from within. May we do the same. Jesus said that only one thing is necessary: fidelity to Him. May we live for Him amidst of the passing things of this world to arrive in His Eternal Kingdom.Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00885983328171138313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123808496292529808.post-62508838608911821192018-03-03T12:26:56.586-05:002018-03-03T12:26:56.586-05:00Beautifully written, and utterly true. Optime feci...Beautifully written, and utterly true. Optime fecit!Jay Scott Newmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05983835520470686424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123808496292529808.post-73167591232026162342018-02-26T11:39:55.084-05:002018-02-26T11:39:55.084-05:00Sounds like you are a great supporter of priests. ...Sounds like you are a great supporter of priests. Thanks for asking. I’m doing great (which I hope came across in my post and in many other posts). The priesthood is a joyful vocation. Thanks for all that you do. Fr. David Barneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14448576898945830796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123808496292529808.post-66033069438127176242018-02-26T10:01:08.024-05:002018-02-26T10:01:08.024-05:00Thank you for sharing your heart. Over the years ...Thank you for sharing your heart. Over the years I have known several priests that have left the priesthood and it breaks my heart to see them discouraged to the point of leaving. One day I sat down and wrote the name of every priest that had been a blessing in my life, the list was long and put a check next to those that had left the priesthood. The list was too long. It was then that I decided that my most important ministry within the Church would be to pray for and encourage those that are priest and those that are considering the priesthood and/or religious life and to pray for their saintly and holy perseverance. I have been blessed to know some very good priests but I have also known some that were abusers be it sexual, emotional, and/or spiritual. Praying for our priest, if we want good priest is crucial!!! When I see a priest do something I like I tell him, write a note of encouragement, and let him know that I appreciate his ministry. When he does something that I do not like - I keep it to myself and pray all the more for him. God bless all the priests that faithfully serve our Lord and His Church and may their eternal reward be beyond their wildest expectations! Thank you Fr. David Barnes for sharing your heart with us. How are you doing today? Please be assured of my prayers for you and your ministry. Psalmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01953590904866891036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123808496292529808.post-15309161569265026972018-02-25T12:50:38.605-05:002018-02-25T12:50:38.605-05:00Fr. Cipolla is a great priest. I sent him a note t...Fr. Cipolla is a great priest. I sent him a note this morning complementing him on his "Better a Millstone" on Rorate. I'm sorry he's retiring. There aren't too many like him. Fr. Barnes comes close.Ferdehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05801567820634470968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123808496292529808.post-33598381320764384212018-02-24T10:47:32.117-05:002018-02-24T10:47:32.117-05:00Thanks. Right back at you. Thanks. Right back at you. Fr. David Barneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14448576898945830796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123808496292529808.post-60455928281696504032018-02-24T07:23:04.869-05:002018-02-24T07:23:04.869-05:00The pastor of my parish (St. Mary’s, Norwalk, Conn...The pastor of my parish (St. Mary’s, Norwalk, Connecticut) long has felt that priests need a greater sense of community to support one another. In recent years he has been inviting a (usually young) priest to preach at Vespers (at 5 PM on first Sunday of each month; usus antiquior cum cantu gregoriano). He then prepares dinner for them in the rectory. He will retire in June, but I hope that his (already-named) successor will continue this practice. Christopher Schaeferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00570532676719405077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123808496292529808.post-90193846927827434482018-02-23T21:31:22.972-05:002018-02-23T21:31:22.972-05:00Very well written and moving David. I was in a si...Very well written and moving David. I was in a similar boat 5 years ago and feeling the same way, disillusioned and abandoned. I wished I had had it in me to schedule out to you at the time, bit I felt very much alone. I enjoy following you ministry at BU, you have done amazing things. You are indeed a fine and dedicated priest of the Church! Thank you for your priesthood. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13759526611562546763noreply@blogger.com