Appropriate behavior with priest?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Corucia
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
C

Corucia

Guest
I cannot find the right forum for this question; hope it gets answered here. What is considered appropriate behavior with one’s priest? Is it okay to invite him to lunch or dinner? Do priests generally prefer keeping a professional distance from their flock (in a one on one situation)? I am female and widowed, and don’t want to embaress my priest or put him (or myself!) in an awkward situation.
Thanks,
Corucia
 
Corucia said:
I cannot find the right forum for this question; hope it gets answered here. What is considered appropriate behavior with one’s priest? Is it okay to invite him to lunch or dinner? Do priests generally prefer keeping a professional distance from their flock (in a one on one situation)? I am female and widowed, and don’t want to embaress my priest or put him (or myself!) in an awkward situation.
Thanks,
Corucia
Click to expand...
Priests in general don’t seem to mind socialising at all, especially if there’s a good meal involved 😉 If you’re a single lady, though, it may be a little awkward for a priest to be in a one-on-one situation with you.

If you want to invite him for lunch or dinner I’m sure it’s fine, but do so only when you have at least a few others dining with you.
 
What would be appropriate for a business associate or superior? for a Protestant minister? For anyone who occupies a position of respect and authority and also a personal and caring relationship? Etiquette, if we still practiced in this country, answers all those questions. What would Miss Manners say? Naturally a single lady would not invite a gentlemen to her home unless others were present, nor probably dine in public alone with him. One would not invite one’s pastor to a social occasion that was problematic (bachelor party for instance).

Most priests enjoy an occasional dinner invite, especially since most don’t have housekeepers and cook for themselves nowdays. Our old pastor subsisted on Stouffers and milk, and loved dinner invitations, he also like breakfast meetings if you had any business to discuss. When we had family gatherings we would invite him and his mother, since otherwise they were without family.
 
It depends on the priest. Our former pastor, would politely refuse invitations to dinner. His reasoning was that he could not accommodate everyone who asked, and so it was better not to accept dinner invitations from parishioners. He however, hosted dinners for parish members who were part of various ministries, i.e. CCD teachers, Music leaders, and such.

Jim
 
My mom was a widow, and used to invite her parish priest for a meal once or twice a year. I don’t think anyone even thought it could be a problem…those were the 1980s ofcourse:o

Anna x
 
Thank you, all. I am a new returnee to the Church and I don’t want to make mistakes. Your answers are just the guidance I was looking for.
Corucia.
 
When inviting your priest, make sure to mention that other people will be present, just so he doesn’t have to worry about impropriety. Something like, “Father, two of the women from the Ladies Auxillary and I would be honored to take you out to dinner. If your schedule allows it, let me know when would be a good time!”

That way, you’ve assured him it won’t just be the two of you, AND youv’e provided him with a graceful “out” (his schedule) if he doesn’t want to accept.

Cheers,
Cari
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top