Relationship with Priest

[discernmentinpr]

I’m not sure if this is in the right place. I am so upset. I feel like I went from a spiritual high to an all time spiritual low. My priest, who serves as my spiritual director, vocational guide, and dear friend in general informed me in private that the Bishop is moving him to a new parish, as part of the “Planning Tomorrow’s Parishes” plan for the entire diocese. He was a young priest, 33 years old only. He announced it to the entire parish at the end of Mass this morning.

Last night, when he informed me in private about the news, I felt terrible. I went home and wept. I was so sad. He has not even been at the parish for 1 year. He has helped me so much in regards to my vocation, and now he will be gone. I feel like I now have to build up on my own, in regards to my spiritual and vocation advancement.

I am crushed. So crushed.

 

[Jon_S_1]

I’m not sure if this is in the right place. I am so upset. I feel like I went from a spiritual high to an all time spiritual low. My priest, who serves as my spiritual director, vocational guide, and dear friend in general informed me in private that the Bishop is moving him to a new parish, as part of the “Planning Tomorrow’s Parishes” plan for the entire diocese. He was a young priest, 33 years old only. He announced it to the entire parish at the end of Mass this morning.

Last night, when he informed me in private about the news, I felt terrible. I went home and wept. I was so sad. He has not even been at the parish for 1 year. He has helped me so much in regards to my vocation, and now he will be gone. I feel like I now have to build up on my own, in regards to my spiritual and vocation advancement.

I am crushed. So crushed.

I am sorry you are so upset. It is pretty normal for priests to move around. I am sure he has email and phone and is in the same diocese, so even though your relationship might change, I see no reason why he can’t be a spiritual director for you.

 

[Blue_Rose]

I’m sure he can still be a Spiritual Director for you right? You don’t have to have one at your local Parish. As long as he’s not too far to visit that is.

I liked my priests but I had to move interstate and was sad about it but I’m slowly meeting new Religious and finding them helpful on my spiritual journey.
I drive 40 minutes to see my Spiritual Director though - so they don’t have to be local.

If it’s the case that you can’t see him any longer, then just accept that the time is changing and it’s God’s will that you move to a new stage in your spiritual life and discernment.
God probably has new people for you to meet that will help you along your path and maybe your time with your Spiritual Director has served it’s purpose and is at an end.

Trust God and pray to him. I know it’s hard when people leave I had to move and leave a whole Parish behind and community that knew me but I realise that the order I want to join is established in my new town so now I understand why God led me here.

 

[tawny]

I’m not sure if this is in the right place. I am so upset. I feel like I went from a spiritual high to an all time spiritual low. My priest, who serves as my spiritual director, vocational guide, and dear friend in general informed me in private that the Bishop is moving him to a new parish, as part of the “Planning Tomorrow’s Parishes” plan for the entire diocese. He was a young priest, 33 years old only. He announced it to the entire parish at the end of Mass this morning.

Last night, when he informed me in private about the news, I felt terrible. I went home and wept. I was so sad. He has not even been at the parish for 1 year. He has helped me so much in regards to my vocation, and now he will be gone. I feel like I now have to build up on my own, in regards to my spiritual and vocation advancement.

I am crushed. So crushed.

You can still remain in contact with him as a Spiritual Director for vocational guidance.

 

[oldgraymare2]

Hi discernment,

I am sorry that you are so sad.

As the others have said, maybe you will still be able to keep him as your spiritual director if he will not be moved too far away.

If he will be moved too far away for you to go see him, perhaps you can call your Archdiocese office and see who they have listed for spiritual directors in your area?

In the past, I was given the name of a spiritual director by referral, through word of mouth through someone I knew. Perhaps you could ask people you know, too, if you feel comfortable doing that.

 

[Joy2day]

If others felt the same way, you could rally the crowd and protest against his removal - like they did with St Padre Pio when the church authorities wanted to move him out of the town. Basically the people kicked up such a fuss, the vatican had to let him stay. You could try kicking up a big fuss. St Padre Pio would say 'I want everyone to be able to say ‘Padre Pio is mine’ - so maybe you feel this way about your priest. If it is his vocation, there will be others who feel like that too.

 

[Oneofthewomen]

If others felt the same way, you could rally the crowd and protest against his removal - like they did with St Padre Pio when the church authorities wanted to move him out of the town. Basically the people kicked up such a fuss, the vatican had to let him stay. You could try kicking up a big fuss. St Padre Pio would say 'I want everyone to be able to say ‘Padre Pio is mine’ - so maybe you feel this way about your priest. If it is his vocation, there will be others who feel like that too.

As well meaning as this is, this is terrible advice.

The Bishop is responsible for the whole diocese and must make the best use of his resources, which sometimes means moving beloved priests. By “protesting”, the priest is put in a very bad situation, as he has given a promise of obedience to his Bishop.

We really need to remember that these decisions are not for us to make, and we must trust that our Bishops know what they are doing.

 

[InLight247]

I’m not sure if this is in the right place. I am so upset. I feel like I went from a spiritual high to an all time spiritual low. My priest, who serves as my spiritual director, vocational guide, and dear friend in general informed me in private that the Bishop is moving him to a new parish, as part of the “Planning Tomorrow’s Parishes” plan for the entire diocese. He was a young priest, 33 years old only. He announced it to the entire parish at the end of Mass this morning.

Last night, when he informed me in private about the news, I felt terrible. I went home and wept. I was so sad. He has not even been at the parish for 1 year. He has helped me so much in regards to my vocation, and now he will be gone. I feel like I now have to build up on my own, in regards to my spiritual and vocation advancement.

I am crushed. So crushed.

I understand how you feel. This happened to me a few years ago but I fully agreed with the bishop’s decision. The Holy Spirit is alive in the Church and helps the bishops make decisions as such. God knows when to send a SD in our lives and when to remove or replace him. It took me a while to stop shedding tears back then when my SD moved away, and it was a spiritual growing experience for me as well. You may continue to see your SD periodically depending on how busy his new schedule is. Pray for him and pray for God’s guidance for you. God bless!

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

I admit, this is one of my fears regarding my spiritual director. We’re supposed to be detached from people, relationships, etc, but when it comes to those particularly close relationships, it’s easier said than done.

St. Alphonsus Liguori wrote about this in his short writing, “Uniformity with God’s Will”. It’s really short and not expensive, about $4. I would strongly recommend buying a copy. It has been immensely helpful to me in my spiritual journey as I discern my vocation while dealing with all the trials and tribulations of life.

 

[PHSshamrock]

I’m not sure if this is in the right place. I am so upset. I feel like I went from a spiritual high to an all time spiritual low. My priest, who serves as my spiritual director, vocational guide, and dear friend in general informed me in private that the Bishop is moving him to a new parish, as part of the “Planning Tomorrow’s Parishes” plan for the entire diocese. He was a young priest, 33 years old only. He announced it to the entire parish at the end of Mass this morning.

Last night, when he informed me in private about the news, I felt terrible. I went home and wept. I was so sad. He has not even been at the parish for 1 year. He has helped me so much in regards to my vocation, and now he will be gone. I feel like I now have to build up on my own, in regards to my spiritual and vocation advancement.

I am crushed. So crushed.

I went through a very similar thing. At first I visited his new parish as often as I could, and that eased some of the pain. Then God started introducing new people into my life to help me with my spiritual life and vocation. Don’t worry, God will care for you. He has a plan.

 

[Jon_S_1]

If others felt the same way, you could rally the crowd and protest against his removal - like they did with St Padre Pio when the church authorities wanted to move him out of the town. Basically the people kicked up such a fuss, the vatican had to let him stay. You could try kicking up a big fuss. St Padre Pio would say 'I want everyone to be able to say ‘Padre Pio is mine’ - so maybe you feel this way about your priest. If it is his vocation, there will be others who feel like that too.

I don’t think I can recommend this. This just happened in Bend Oregon and now the priest has left the Catholic Church with much of his flock.

 

[marywarfield]

If others felt the same way, you could rally the crowd and protest against his removal - like they did with St Padre Pio when the church authorities wanted to move him out of the town. Basically the people kicked up such a fuss, the vatican had to let him stay. You could try kicking up a big fuss. St Padre Pio would say 'I want everyone to be able to say ‘Padre Pio is mine’ - so maybe you feel this way about your priest. If it is his vocation, there will be others who feel like that too.

Absolutely not. Every priest and layperson owes
loyalty to their Bishop. Obedience is the key word.

If the priest and laity were to “kick up a fuss” this
would show their hearts are not in the right place
to begin with.

 

[phil_at_dayboro]

I may be completely wrong with a theory I have,so forgive me if you disagree,
But I think they move priests around so that they don’t become to close to parishioners …
Faith at arms length …

 

[Deus_tecum]

I may be completely wrong with a theory I have,so forgive me if you disagree,
But I think they move priests around so that they don’t become to close to parishioners …
Faith at arms length …

I think it is more about moving them where they are most needed. I do not have a spiritual director so I don’t know the protocols, but it seems unwise to choose a young priest if one wants to have a long term relationship. Maybe the better choice would be a local parish deacon. Anyway Paul was a dear brother and mentor of Timothy, but Timothy did not cling to him. Rather, he sent him out to reap the harvest elsewhere. Agape is never needy.