Kinda lost without my priest

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Lane

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My priest went back home for the month of July and I honestly don’t feel like going to my church now, I know the mass is the same regardless of which priest says it…but honestly I don’t feel the same when he’s not there…I don’t know…Am I just attached to him because I like his masses, he’s a great priest, he’s one of the only priests I’ve ever met that actually talks to me like I’m an important member of his congregation ?..i don’t know…(I know it doesn’t matter which priest says the mass. That’s not what I’m asking/talking about). Any thoughts on this ?
 
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He’s coming back in a month. Surely you can handle dealing with some other priests for one short month?

What’s going to happen when your priest gets transferred to another parish or you need to move somewhere else?
 
Exactly. I don’t know. Eventually he’s going to go back home for good. I just don’t know why I don’t feel comfortable going to my church without him.
 
I think it is ok to be where you are. When you take what you are feeling and thinking about --up one more notch --you can take it to your relationship with Christ. I would guess you might see Jesus in this priest and Jesus is very much someone who attracts everyone–even those who hated Christ wanted to engage with Jesus in some way.
But like Bear bear said…what happens when he leaves…maybe you will stay in touch with him. And yet ,Jesus wants our full love and attention. The next notch is letting the priest go and clinging to Christ. Ask Jesus to bring you closer to him in the mass etc. Let Jesus into your sadness in missing this priest and you will be amazed how Christ fills all the desires of your heart. Because truly Jesus is the only priest. They are his sacred ministers …
 
I do see Jesus in this priest WAY more than any other. Which makes sense as to why im feeling lost without him. I guess it’s because my personal experiences with all the other priests I’ve met haven’t been too great (nothing scandalous) it’s just that they didn’t make me feel welcome in the church the way he has. Other priests wouldn’t care if im there or not. My priest makes me feel like an important member of the congregation. Sends me Christmas/Birthday cards, he makes me feel like a friend. I just feel better when he’s around. He brings me closer to Christ, which is why I miss him.
 
Lane said:
Any thoughts on this ?
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I understand that it is difficult for you, but it is also an opportunity for personal and spiritual growth. While he is away, what can you do to build your faith and live according to your faith? I’m not suggesting a radical change, but maybe some adjustment of your prayer routine, or some spiritual reading, or maybe a shift of your perspective.
 
Thanks for understanding, everyone. It’s a good feeling to have people of the same faith who are compassionate and understanding.
 
Receiving the Eucharist is most important. It is nice to have a priest you like but, the body of Christ is the most important and fulfilling.
 
True. But having the priest you like say mass makes it so much better. I know it’s all the same regardless of the priest but I honestly think my priest draws me closer to Christ. He’s a good role model and a fantastic priest. It’s comforting to know the priest as a friend who’s saying mass. And not someone you don’t know.
 
One of my parish priests is going to be transferred. These things happen so that we aren’t reliant on the priest but on Jesus. I will miss him so much but I will see him again
 
That’s true. You’ll always have memories. Plus Facebook and such is an awesome way to stay connected. Same Sun and Same Moon. Regardless of our place on God’s Earth.
 
I used to rely on the priest and homilies. They are not permanent. I’ve known a few priests as friends. My brother recently lost his friend and priest because of a transfer to another diocese. We still invite him for graduations, Christmas parties, and other events. It is nice to be able to relax and go fishing with him and ask him questions.

Just a funny story. My brother took him fishing once out on the ocean. He is a Vietnamese immigrant priest. His family owns a restaurant that sells fish. My brother and he were catching a lot of fish. The priest wanted to take the fish to give it to the restaurant. However, the boat sprung a leak and they were sinking. So my brother asked him if," maybe they should call it a day? " They were standing in ankle deep water and a thunder storm was approaching. His priest friend said,“no this is great.” “We are catching so many fish this time,” as he pulled in another fish. They caught almost 200 pounds of fish that day. They managed to make it back to shore safely.
 
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I can understand where you are coming from. Just know there are many wonderful and kind priests out there. There are other priests who are just as caring as your priest, I personally know one. Like everyone else said, what will happen when he leaves or you move?
 
I have always looked forward to having other priests come and celebrate Mass when my parish priests went on a holiday, retreat or whatever. It is an easy way of getting to know the priests in the area and also receive a different perspective during the homily on the same readings. There are a couple who have even asked me what kind of homily would suit the parish as in “heavy Theology”, Mass with lots of young children or a “typical homily”. My reply have always been: “There are those who look forward to a homily deep in Theology. There will be lots of children all the way to the elderly. There will be those who speak the vernacular very well and those newly arrived who understands the word Hello and that’s about it. What seems to work very well is to speak with the kids for 2-3 minutes and then 3-4 minutes adult vocabulary. That way almost everyone will understand something. Oh, and you can expect a packed church building on a Sunday.”. One priest replied “OK. Will there be coffee and tea after Mass? It is the worlds best invention.” I do missed that priest very much when he left to study in another country.
 
I’ve been through something similar with a former pastor while he was still in my parish and asked myself many questions at the time, @Lane. In the end, I took advantage of the temporary absence of my pastor to forge closer relationships with the parish’s four other priests, as well as with priests outside the parish. During the four weeks that my pastor was away, I learned that each priest brings his own particular talents to his vocation, and that benefits us in different ways. The time just flew by.

Father is now serving another parish and we’re still in contact, but I’m blessed to have my Mass experience and spirituality enriched by a number of priests and not just one. In addition, I’m sure the people in Father’s current parish are benefitting from the unique pastoral qualities he brings to them. It’s all good 🙂 He is leaving on vacation again tomorrow and will be gone until the end of the month. I wish him well and will be happy to see him again when he returns (or rather when I return from my own vacation in early August).
 
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