Trouble talking to my priest

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epiclotus

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My parish is a fairly sizable one, with a head priest and two full-time associate priests. As far as I can tell, they’re all really busy men. I’ve been trying to get in touch with one of the associate priests (I like his homilies) for some spiritual counseling for two weeks now. The problem is, I can’t seem to get ahold of him. I began with an email asking for some advice, and he got back to me a week later (last week Friday), saying I should call him this week. I’ve tried calling every day, but he doesn’t ever seem to be in his office. I left messages Monday and Wednesday, but no return calls, either.

I’m starting to get more than a little frustrated (and bummed out :(), and am unsure how to proceed. Even if I get ahold of him now, I’d hate to have to go through this if I wanted to have any follow-up meetings with him. Should I try contacting one of the other priests at the parish, or is there some other avenue I should try?
 
Maybe it would be best to contact another priest. It took me years to find a priest who wasn’t too busy for spiritual direction, but that’s mostly because every time I got turned down or couldn’t contact the priest, I immediately gave up and didn’t try again for several months. Pray that God will help you find the right priest for you and continue searching.
 
That’s kind of the way I’m leaning.

I didn’t want to bother the head priest, as I figure he’s probably inundated with requests like mine all the time. The other associate priest primarily serves the Spanish-speaking part of our congregation, but he has a heavy accent, which kind of puts me off since he’s hard to understand at times. The choice is sort a rock and a hard-place scenario :confused:.
 
It is always good to understand that priests are overworked and often undervalued, which is a reason we must continue to pray for vocations and our priests, deacons, and religious. However, do not lose heart, a priest should also be more than happy to assist with a problem no matter how many people ask for he is a leader of God’s people. I also recommend speaking with one of the other priests. I would not let language discourage you from speaking with a priest. I have found it is a lot easier to understand a person with a strong accent when you are face to face in conversation rather than when they are up on the pulpit for example. There was a Polish priest at my parish when I was in college and everyone said it was hard to understand him, but he turned out to be a great confessor and director once I started speaking with him.
 
Is there a secretary at the parish office through whom you could schedule a face-to-face meeting with the priest? I would try that next.

I understand it is frustrating. Perhaps this has been an unexpectedly busy week for him. :o
 
There are two part-time secretaries, but I think the priests mostly manage their own schedules. When I asked one of them what time would be best to call and catch my priest in the office, she told me she was only there part-time and couldn’t help 🤷.

I will see about calling the other associate priest, though. If he’s more available and I take him up on it, anyone have a tip for if the first priest actually does eventually get around to calling me back? I hate awkward moments like that 😊.
 
I worked for several years in a parish office, and I know from first-hand experience that priests really are quite busy. This is not to say that we should avoid setting appointments and visits with them, but we should be aware that it may take several days to get back to us if it is not an emergency. I know that during the day, several of our priests would be out and about with their meetings and various duties. I also happen to know that at night time, most of them would wander down from the rectory into their offices to read emails and such… do you have an email you could contact instead of by phone? That way, the priest will be able to respond to you on his own time as opposed to waiting for a good time to call you. Just an idea.

If you continue to have no luck, I am so sorry for your difficulty. Be persistent, because our priests genuinely have love for their congregations and want to avail themselves as much as possible.

And if the first priest responds to you after you have already made contact with another priest, you can simply laugh it off and say, “Thank you for calling me back! I was able to meet with Fr. So-and-so and he was able to help with my issue. Have a great day!” 🙂
 
I’d give it more time and keep trying to make contact the priest whose homilies you like. Waiting a few weeks these days isn’t at all uncommon because priests are so very busy. How about touching base with him one day after Mass?

This is from CAL’s Open Forum. As you’ll hear, finding a spiritual director hasn’t ever been easy. (It starts around 28.)

catholic.com/node/5330/4883
 
I remember the little guy in the crowd who touched Jesus, and Jesus demanded to know who touched him, busy as he was, for he felt his power leave him. Ask Christ to get your priest to contact you! If the priest is holy, he may well feel Christ’s will. I find modern life is full of the in-essentials that keep us from what is truly important. So is the life of the Church. I have never met my Bishop except when he was opening fetes; or a local confirmation. Do I miss the Spiritual Direction? Too bloody proud! You might even be tempted to speak to him in Confession on the days he is on; if ever in the modern Church.
 
Petaro said:
I remember the little guy in the crowd who touched Jesus, and Jesus demanded to know who touched him, busy as he was, for he felt his power leave him. Ask Christ to get your priest to contact you! If the priest is holy, he may well feel Christ’s will. I find modern life is full of the in-essentials that keep us from what is truly important. So is the life of the Church. I have never met my Bishop except when he was opening fetes; or a local confirmation. Do I miss the Spiritual Direction? Too bloody proud! You might even be tempted to speak to him in Confession on the days he is on; if ever in the modern Church.
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👍
 
Sigh…

Well, I called and left a message for the other associate priest last Friday, and I haven’t heard anything back from him, either. I decided to email the first priest today and just start asking my questions. Even if it takes him a week to reply again, hopefully I can at least get some spiritual direction.

So frustrating. 😦
 
epiclotus said:
Sigh…

Well, I called and left a message for the other associate priest last Friday, and I haven’t heard anything back from him, either. I decided to email the first priest today and just start asking my questions. Even if it takes him a week to reply again, hopefully I can at least get some spiritual direction.

So frustrating. 😦
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He might be on vacation.
 
I think you could maybe spend less time & energy on the priest & more on God - who will direct you always when you pray.
 
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