Any help with resolving this issue? Its not that we put all of our trust in one man (pastor, priest) its that if a person helps to lead us to be a better Christlike person, helps in our spiritual development and is guiding us all of a sudden is not there…its like the ground that is holding you up has suddenly fallen. I’ve met some people who are content to come to mass then go, should this be enough? Some of us need additional guidance. Why are there not enough priests? Why do they get shuffled?
Please pray for more holy priests and deacons. (I need to make that a permanent fixture in my signature)
I sense your exasperation, and I’m truly sorry. Remembering you in my daily prayers!
However, there is no issue to resolve. Diocesan priests rarely stay in one place for the entirety of their priesthoods. The (arch)bishop does not take moving them around lightly, either. He has to consider the needs of the whole (arch)diocese, and most (arch)bishops have fewer and fewer resources at their disposal with which to meet those needs. The reasons there are fewer ordinations now than there were in the past are many and varied, but one common characteristic I’ve found in places with few ordinations is that no one speaks to the youth around them about vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Where these possibilities are discussed openly and from an early age, the situation is less dire (and in some rare cases, actually not dire at all). We need to encourage more boys and men to consider the priesthood. Sadly, what I have found around me is that everyone wants more priests—just not from their own family.
When a priest moves on, he doesn’t cease to exist. There is nothing that prevents you from seeking occasional contact with him in order to keep your interaction going, as long as he is open to this and able to meet his other obligations as well. In the meantime, perhaps the incoming priest has fresh perspectives to offer that you would not otherwise be exposed to without his presence. He might be just the spiritual companion you need.
Should we be content to come to Mass and then just leave? For some people, even that is a struggle. For others, it is indeed enough. Whether or not it is for you is something only you can determine. For those in need of more guidance, there are several options and not all of them require a priest.
In no way do I intend to belittle your lamentations, and in fact I can relate to a lot of what you say. My current parish priest has done more to bring me to God than all other priests of my life combined. He does not, however, belong to me, and I’m fully aware that one day he will no longer be our pastor. When that day comes, I just need to trust that the archbishop will send us the pastor we need at that time. I have no reason to believe he won’t. After all, he sent us the one we have now! And I will sincerely be happy for the parish who gets Father next, as they will be welcoming a real gem.
I wouldn’t be as squashed by the lost of our pastor, if we weren’t merging with a neighboring parish. Fifty years gone in an instant.
Your parish’s history doesn’t disappear because of a merger. That said, I do feel for you. I belong to a three-church parish that is the result of a merger made necessary by the shortage of priests. This merger took place eleven years ago, three years before I came to the area. I’m told it was more than just a little awkward at first, but over time most people came to appreciate the richness this fusion brings. There are a few holdouts who make life really difficult for everyone else by maintaining an us-and-them attitude about the whole thing, but for the most part the parishioners consider themselves to be one community.
Praying for you at this delicate time, and asking the Lord for a peaceful transition.
