The Final Blessing

[ahs]

I have been away for a time, and then went on retreat for a blessed and long weekend. I’d like to share my story about it and how God showed me that, even when we think we are filled as much as He can fill us, He has still more to give:

The Final Blessing

"…though I was completely at peace, I was dumbfounded. I didn’t know what to make of it. I became confused. God had blessed me so much on this retreat, and then decided to end it for me in THIS WAY?! Why? What was this supposed to mean? Did God want to bring me down from the “high” He had given me? Certainly that could not have been it, because I still felt “high”…I still felt blessed. What was this?

I got my answer about half way home. My wife, though tear-stained and wet eyes, looked at me and said, “…blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you and speak all that is evil against you falsely for My sake; be glad and rejoice for your reward is very great in Heaven.” Then it hit me: God was giving me yet ANOTHER blessing."

 

[FathersKnowBest]

I have been away for a time, and then went on retreat for a blessed and long weekend. I’d like to share my story about it and how God showed me that, even when we think we are filled as much as He can fill us, He has still more to give:

I’m not sure if you only wanted to share this story or if you would entertain suggestions, but might I suggest a Matthew 18 type of resolution for this?

See if you can arragne a 3-way meeting between the Msgr and the parochial vicar you mentioned, and try to come to a peaceful resolution. Approach the vicar privately first since he witnessed some of the confrontation & explain that you really want to make peace & prevent this thing from happening again.

Even if you don’t intend to go back there, it might be nice to not leave as enemies (even if the perception is his only).

Just my 2 cents. Take it or leave it as you will. Peace of Christ.

 

[ahs]

Thanks for the advice, and yes, I would love feedback and suggestions. As of now, I have written a letter to the Msgr. asking him to address his conduct per CCC 2477 and 2487 and provided him the GIRM reference that he accused us of disobeying. Because he said, “I don’t care, go ahead and contact him” when my wife said we would be contacting the Bishop, I also wrote a short letter to the Bishop with a copy of the letter to the Msgr., obeying the Msgr. guidance.

Since this is a different Diocese than where we attend Mass, I am hoping that any lack of response will open the door for a moderated meeting between myself, the Msgr. and my own Pastor, where he can substantiate his claims in front of a brother Priest. I doubt there would be anything the Parochial Vicar could do because he would have to submit to the Msgr, who happens to be Vicar General of the entire Diocese, would he not? (I’m not sure how the chain-of-command works there.)

A great irony, I think, that the Msgr. also happens to be the Promoter of Justice for the Diocese Tribunal, as well as the staff Psychologist for the Tribunal and Diocese Priests.

 

[FathersKnowBest]

Thanks for the advice, and yes, I would love feedback and suggestions. As of now, I have written a letter to the Msgr. asking him to address his conduct per CCC 2477 and 2487 and provided him the GIRM reference that he accused us of disobeying. Because he said, “I don’t care, go ahead and contact him” when my wife said we would be contacting the Bishop, I also wrote a short letter to the Bishop with a copy of the letter to the Msgr., obeying the Msgr. guidance.

Since this is a different Diocese than where we attend Mass, I am hoping that any lack of response will open the door for a moderated meeting between myself, the Msgr. and my own Pastor, where he can substantiate his claims in front of a brother Priest. I doubt there would be anything the Parochial Vicar could do because he would have to submit to the Msgr, who happens to be Vicar General of the entire Diocese, would he not? (I’m not sure how the chain-of-command works there.)

A great irony, I think, that the Msgr. also happens to be the Promoter of Justice for the Diocese Tribunal, as well as the staff Psychologist for the Tribunal and Diocese Priests.

Thanks. I like your plan. You seem to be working out of charity, which is one point I wanted to emphasize. Probably more than I would have been able to muster in your position, but I’d hope that others would help me to moderate my tone, too, given such an emotional situation.

Please keep us informed of any progress. You’re welcome to PM me if you wish as well.

One thing further needs to be asked: is it possible the Msgr. has some health issues which could impair his judgement in this matter? I know that could be a sensitive can of worms to open. I don’t know his age or status. But it’s always a possibility, and perhaps one that you need to consider in the interest of charity.

God bless you for being a peacemaker.

 

[ahs]

…One thing further needs to be asked: is it possible the Msgr. has some health issues which could impair his judgement in this matter? I know that could be a sensitive can of worms to open. I don’t know his age or status. But it’s always a possibility, and perhaps one that you need to consider in the interest of charity.

God bless you for being a peacemaker.

Yes, quite possibly. We know almost nothing about him (being visitors and we had never been to that parish before). He appeared to be up in age, possibly late70’s or even late 80’s. It hard for me to guess a Priest’s age, since they typically have looked younger than they really are in my experience.