Message from Father John Phalen
A message from Father John Phalen, CSC
Year For Priests
Here are some ways you can support your priest this year, patterned after the Mysteries of Light.
1. The Baptism in the Jordan
Pray the family Rosary for your priest and
for a possible vocation from your family.
The faithfulness of the laity to their
Baptism and the priest to his Ordination
commitment both depend upon prayer.
The Rosary helps all to conform their
lives to Christ’s life.
2. The Wedding
at Cana
Invite your priest
to a family dinner,
preferably not a
banquet. Get to know
and understand him.
He’s a human being
who appreciates being
treated as such. He
needs you as much as
you need him. You can familiarize him
more with the blessings and challenges
of married life and family life today.
3. The Proclamation of the
Kingdom of God
Give your priest the benefit of the doubt.
Have you noticed that there are too
many “liturgical police” out there trying
to tell the priest what he can and cannot
do? Priests have different styles. Try to
learn from your priest’s way of doing
things rather than re-fashioning his
personality through a rule book.
4. The Transfiguration
Give your priest helpful feedback on
his homilies. The Sunday when he hits
the nail on the head and helps you to
see the glory of the Lord as the apostles did at the Transfiguration is the best
occasion to write him a congratulatory
letter explaining what you learned from
that homily. You will hear more like it:
guaranteed!
5. The Institution of the Eucharist
Suggest to your priest events that will
help the parish grow spiritually. The
Eucharist is the source and summit of
our lives as Catholics. As an example,
don’t just suggest that your priest offer
Eucharistic adoration. Get enough
theoretical commitments from members
of the parish to cover the hours of the
day and then offer to coordinate it. That
will answer all objections (don’t pick his
day off!).