Say Something Nice About a Priest Meme
Swissmiss tagged me for the “Say something nice about a priest” meme. We are to say something nice about a particular priest and we are to pass it on to three other bloggers to do the same.
In 1984 my brother was rushed to the hospital. He was brought home from school early by my Dad. The school nurse called him because Wayne was acting disoriented for no apparent reason. Dad worked at night so he was home and available. I was home from school for the day and I went with Dad to the hospital. I think Mom joined us later because she was still at work. Wayne was acting disoriented. He didn’t seem to know where he was or what was going on.
It was a horrible afternoon and evening. We waited and waited and waited. Everything was a blur. First there were scans that showed a mass at the base of his brain. Then, a biopsy. Eventually, we ended up in a room-the three of us on a couch being stared at by three doctors. A priest appeared in the doorway. The lead doctor told us again that the scans revealed a mass at the base of Wayne’s brain. There’d be an operation, as soon as possible, to remove it.. Due to the location of the mass, it was entirely possible he’d die on the table or if he survived he may never walk again. There was more. It was cancerous and malignant. Even if they got it all, he may only live for two years. It was a nightmare. I can still remember what I was wearing. My Dad was stunned, my Mom was angry. I, completely, lost it and fell on my Mom bawling and my Dad reached over and held my hair. We got to go see my brother before surgery. The priest Anointed him and granted him the Apostolic Pardon (Wayne was unconscious). He went into surgery and we waited in a waiting room-staring at the TV but not watching it. My Dad was calling the family. This is before cell phones so he was using the pay phone in the hall. Most of the family lived out of state or in outstate Minnesota. It was just the three of us. I was a person of little and indifferent faith then. I’m sure my Angel was there but I ignored him-as I usually did. I didn’t even think to pray.
The surgeon came in, preceded by the priest again. The priest, immediately, walked straight over to me and put his hand on my shoulder. He didn’t say anything. I put my hand up to cover his. I couldn’t say anything. Remember, Father had seen me break down in the counseling room earlier. Father stood there, silent, but a reassuring presence nonetheless. The surgeon told us he felt the surgery was a great success. He felt he’d gotten all of it. However, were were still facing the cancer and the possibility of more tumors appearing later. He was right. We did face that. My brother died in January 1989 at the age of 17. He lived 5 years. 5 very difficult years. I learned much from it and I can see now how the trial deepened my faith. But, it took a while to see that.
To this day, I’ve no idea who that priest was. I’ve no idea who called him. Did anyone call him? Maybe the doctors told him we may need him? How did they even know we were Catholic? Maybe it was a regular practice to call the ‘on call’ chaplain and he happened to be a Catholic priest that evening. I can’t even remember what he looked like. I could barely look him in the eyes. I don’t know his name. Maybe I never will. It doesn’t matter. I’ve never forgotten him and his kindness. He said nothing that I remember but his presence is unforgettable. What a tough duty. What do you say to families in that situation? He tried. God bless him.
This is a post for the simple priests among us. They are not famous. They are not asked to speak at a public event. They don't have cooking shows. They don't write for newspapers. They don't have their own blog. They are not notorious. They are not "conflicted". They are neither progressive nor conservative; they are Catholic. Period. They are always ready to administer the Sacraments at a moments notice without complaint. They may be tired but they are tireless.
I'm not faulting any priests who are high-profile but there walk among us a great number of priests who are not well-known. Their simple ministry is taken for granted. They are rarely thanked because they do what they do and we are too complacent because we've grown to expect they will always be there when we need them-like a rock.
To those simple and humble men of God and, in particular, that hospital chaplain: Thank you. I will pray for you, all of you, during this Year of the Priest.
I tag: Ray, Terry, Adoro
In 1984 my brother was rushed to the hospital. He was brought home from school early by my Dad. The school nurse called him because Wayne was acting disoriented for no apparent reason. Dad worked at night so he was home and available. I was home from school for the day and I went with Dad to the hospital. I think Mom joined us later because she was still at work. Wayne was acting disoriented. He didn’t seem to know where he was or what was going on.
It was a horrible afternoon and evening. We waited and waited and waited. Everything was a blur. First there were scans that showed a mass at the base of his brain. Then, a biopsy. Eventually, we ended up in a room-the three of us on a couch being stared at by three doctors. A priest appeared in the doorway. The lead doctor told us again that the scans revealed a mass at the base of Wayne’s brain. There’d be an operation, as soon as possible, to remove it.. Due to the location of the mass, it was entirely possible he’d die on the table or if he survived he may never walk again. There was more. It was cancerous and malignant. Even if they got it all, he may only live for two years. It was a nightmare. I can still remember what I was wearing. My Dad was stunned, my Mom was angry. I, completely, lost it and fell on my Mom bawling and my Dad reached over and held my hair. We got to go see my brother before surgery. The priest Anointed him and granted him the Apostolic Pardon (Wayne was unconscious). He went into surgery and we waited in a waiting room-staring at the TV but not watching it. My Dad was calling the family. This is before cell phones so he was using the pay phone in the hall. Most of the family lived out of state or in outstate Minnesota. It was just the three of us. I was a person of little and indifferent faith then. I’m sure my Angel was there but I ignored him-as I usually did. I didn’t even think to pray.
The surgeon came in, preceded by the priest again. The priest, immediately, walked straight over to me and put his hand on my shoulder. He didn’t say anything. I put my hand up to cover his. I couldn’t say anything. Remember, Father had seen me break down in the counseling room earlier. Father stood there, silent, but a reassuring presence nonetheless. The surgeon told us he felt the surgery was a great success. He felt he’d gotten all of it. However, were were still facing the cancer and the possibility of more tumors appearing later. He was right. We did face that. My brother died in January 1989 at the age of 17. He lived 5 years. 5 very difficult years. I learned much from it and I can see now how the trial deepened my faith. But, it took a while to see that.
To this day, I’ve no idea who that priest was. I’ve no idea who called him. Did anyone call him? Maybe the doctors told him we may need him? How did they even know we were Catholic? Maybe it was a regular practice to call the ‘on call’ chaplain and he happened to be a Catholic priest that evening. I can’t even remember what he looked like. I could barely look him in the eyes. I don’t know his name. Maybe I never will. It doesn’t matter. I’ve never forgotten him and his kindness. He said nothing that I remember but his presence is unforgettable. What a tough duty. What do you say to families in that situation? He tried. God bless him.
This is a post for the simple priests among us. They are not famous. They are not asked to speak at a public event. They don't have cooking shows. They don't write for newspapers. They don't have their own blog. They are not notorious. They are not "conflicted". They are neither progressive nor conservative; they are Catholic. Period. They are always ready to administer the Sacraments at a moments notice without complaint. They may be tired but they are tireless.
I'm not faulting any priests who are high-profile but there walk among us a great number of priests who are not well-known. Their simple ministry is taken for granted. They are rarely thanked because they do what they do and we are too complacent because we've grown to expect they will always be there when we need them-like a rock.
To those simple and humble men of God and, in particular, that hospital chaplain: Thank you. I will pray for you, all of you, during this Year of the Priest.
I tag: Ray, Terry, Adoro
posted by Cathy_of_Alex at 11/12/2009 01:14:00 PM
0 comments
links to this post
