Is it normal to miss your priest when he is leaving?

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Candlefan

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On March 22nd our priest announced that he accepted a teaching position at Mundelein Seminary. When we first got this priest in July of 2013 I did not care for him but in September I sat down with him about going to a different college and he really help with my fears and has been a great friend ever since. Our former priest we had before you couldn’t talk to as he had a little bit of a attitude on him.

I know from some of the stationary members that our priest wanted to teach at the University and they kept telling him no so that is why he accepted the teaching position, one of my friends said that if the university would have allowed him to teach he would have stayed put.

I just feel like I’m losing a great friend as well as a Father figure in my life since my mom is divorce and even though he won’t be leaving till June 30th I will really miss him and I just wonder if the new priest will be as involved with the college kids as Father David was.
 
I’m much, much older than you but I know I’d really miss our priest if he left the parish, he’s been here over 12 years and everyone loves him. However, priests do move on, they go where they are sent or in your case, where he feels he needs to be. If you have a really excellent priest, it’s good that other people will also get to enjoy the benefit of his kindness and wisdom.

All priests have different personal qualities, just like the rest of us and we are bound to relate better to some than to others. However, your new priest will have his own strengths and there’s every chance he will also be a wise and supportive counsellor for you. 🙂
 
Isca said:
All priests have different personal qualities, just like the rest of us and we are bound to relate better to some than to others. However, your new priest will have his own strengths and there’s every chance he will also be a wise and supportive counsellor for you. 🙂
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:nope:

Try not to give candlefan false hope. For all we know, the next priest could be a commander in chief.
 
The only thing that half raises my eyebrow is that your priest isn’t gone yet. Why are you missing someone who is still around? Make the most of the time left before he moves on. If you consider him a friend, surely the two of you will continue to keep in touch.

You do not yet know what you will find in the incoming priest. Try to keep an open mind, and do keep both priests in your prayers.
Faxero said:
:nope:

Try not to give candlefan false hope. For all we know, the next priest could be a commander in chief.
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It’s not false hope—it’s assuming the best possible outcome in the absence of concrete evidence to the contrary. This, I would think, is the charitable way to view things.
 
It depends on the priest…😉

In your case - yes it is quite normal to miss such a man. However - - please consider that you might be able to keep in touch with him. Talk to him about this…

And do give his replacement a chance.

Peace
James
 
JRKH said:
It depends on the priest…😉

In your case - yes it is quite normal to miss such a man. However - - please consider that you might be able to keep in touch with him. Talk to him about this…

And do give his replacement a chance.

Peace
James
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👍
Especially the last bit: So much angst and drama is kicked up unnecessarily when congregations want to re-create their former priest with the new one. Each is unique and each one does have something to offer that the parish needs. God does it that way. If we get out of the way and let them work in their own way, we could learn so much.
It’s normal to miss your spiritual Father, yes. But people should never be unkind to the new person (not saying you would but I’ve seen it happen again and again).
The last time we had a switch the parish was so brutal and unwelcoming that the poor priest had a breakdown. And he was a great guy. I asked some of his detractors:
"Just exactly how do you think giving Fr. A a very difficult time honors the memory of Father B??? " In truth, Father B would have been horrified, not flattered.
It doesn’t. As has been said, keep in touch, (not too much, they do get busy 😉 ) and remember that the new priest is also trying his best to serve the parish.
It’s great when a priest connects with the young people as well as the parish at large. You are blessed!
 
Of course it’s normal to miss anyone when they are leaving, but don’t get too caught up in the loneliness. Pray, pray, pray and pray even more to the Holy Spirit; there is a reason for this change in both of your lives and you will only find out what is in store for you through prayer. There is a reason your pastor was put into your life. Perhaps you are to take the lessons he taught you and go to the next steps in your life. So, pray, pray and pray some more, and Easter blessings to you.
 
Yes! 👍

Our Catholic priests are truly our spiritual fathers. With some, that commitment to the spiritual well being of their flock is palpable. Think of the personal sacrifices they make to faithfully serve us. In my region, priests are stretched pretty thin. Are we not to respond to their charity towards us with a sense of charity (brotherly love) towards them?

My parish priest is anything but what one would characterize as charismatic, entertaining or “funny”. He does however, faithfully deliver solid doctrine through well thought out homilies. He gives his parish family the teaching and sacraments they need. At times, his homilies speak more directly to people at various levels of spiritual maturity, however, the concern is always the well being of all.

I have and will continue to travel to attend (daily) Mass at parishes with priests who exemplify this “spiritual fatherhood”. Thankfully, my family has been blessed to have a wonderful priest lead our parish for the past ten years. If he were to leave I’d miss him a lot.
 
Yes it is! I remember when one of our beloved Priests left and we were all saddened by it… One of our new priests reminded us of the Scripture where St. Paul left his followers in one area and spoke of them missing him… I wish I could find that scripture now… Many wrote to that Priest through the diocese office and he wrote back cards and general letters to us and those letters brought us much joy to know that he was okay and we were okay and we were also reminded that we really are supposed to come to mass because of Jesus anyway and it is our priests who are supposed to turn our hearts to Jesus… and so. it’s not unusual to realize that our priests do touch our hearts and it’s natural to miss them when they leave…When we look at priests, we see Jesus and who cannot love Jesus when they get to know Him??? So we want more!! Each priest is different though so bring their different gifts to the table so it’s important not to fall into the trap of comparing one with the other…🙂
 
Candlefan said:
On March 22nd our priest announced that he accepted a teaching position at Mundelein Seminary. When we first got this priest in July of 2013 I did not care for him but in September I sat down with him about going to a different college and he really help with my fears and has been a great friend ever since. Our former priest we had before you couldn’t talk to as he had a little bit of a attitude on him.

I know from some of the stationary members that our priest wanted to teach at the University and they kept telling him no so that is why he accepted the teaching position, one of my friends said that if the university would have allowed him to teach he would have stayed put.

I just feel like I’m losing a great friend as well as a Father figure in my life since my mom is divorce and even though he won’t be leaving till June 30th I will really miss him and I just wonder if the new priest will be as involved with the college kids as Father David was.
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It will be quite normal to miss the old priest, but you must give the new one a chance; remember, you were not fond of your current priest until you sat down and got to know him better, you owe the new guy the same chance. Be sure to get this priest’s email and writing address before he leaves and stay in touch, many priests stay in touch with former members of their parishes for years after they leave. It is quite possible, years from now, for him to officiate at your wedding or baptize your children! :cool:
 
It is like losing a family member. I’ve felt it several times. The good, genuine ones are truly missed. It’s a shame when the good guys have to move along.
 
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