mommy4ever
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Joined: April 08 2011
Location: Canada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 596
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| Posted: May 02 2011 at 10:39am | IP Logged
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I have to say that I love Father Jim.
I don't know that this is typical of today's church, but we have a truly young at heart priest in Father Jim. As the procession walks to the front, he is going side to side waving to the kids, high-fiving the kids that are near the end of the pews. He always makes me smile.
Another part of the ceremony, just before preparing the communion, all the kids(who want to) go to the front, they get hugs, shake hands or high five Father Jim. I don't know, I had never seen this until I returned to the Catholic Church this year. I find it touching :) That all children are able to participate, not just those who have started communion.
His homilies are fantastic, he is a very well spoken man. It is so different from when I was a child. While not a young man, he is definitely very young at heart.
At the end of the service yesterday, we were putting things away in our pew, the hymn books, dd's book. And Father Jim was walking by, he came into the pew, I told dd to look behind her, so he didn't scare her, she's very shy. He winked at her and asked for a high five. She was so excited for that. She won't go to the front, too shy. But he's quickly and gently bridging the gap with her. She loves going to church. Even though I do have to bring a book for her to read at some point to keep her from getting restless, she can tell me about the readings, the gospel and the homily. (to be able to multitask like that!) She is only 7, and a really really young 7 at that.
I'm not sure this is typical of the Catholic Church of 2000's as I've not been to any other parish other than for funerals, and that is something altogether different. But I find Father Jim to be very approachable. And I think that'll make the difference for my children. DD14 is always telling me 'I love Father Jim.' DS16 is very much a cynic with religion(we're working on him) totally enjoys Father Jim too, there is wit, a little dry humor. He is dynamic and it appeals to him. So I'm praying he'll join us. DD12 enjoys when Father Jim is doing the service as well, though she finds it really long. I remember being restless too. Though now, it's so different for me.
I'm so thrilled to have found a parish that is relatively 'modern' with it's staff, and approach. The associate pastors are really nice as well, though not as engaging and well spoken.
Father Michael reaches me in a different way, I can't explain it, I really enjoy him, but it is different. He is a young man, but I feel he's 'old', there's something very traditional and deep about him, as I said, it is very different. He has the most haunting singing voice too. It gives me the goosebumps when he starts singing. In 6 weeks he's only been there once at the service I attended.
Father Raj is a sweetheart, and aging priest, he is losing his vocal capability, but he is dear and puts 100% into everything. He's very difficult to understand between the vocal challenges and his accent. He normally with Father Michael, not alone due to this. He is very friendly as well.
This is SO not the church I grew up in! When I see kids happy to see the priest, not awkward and uncomfortable, it tells me that something is right! When they have 15 teens fundraising to do a pilgrimage, it tells me something good is happening.
I can see there have been many changes in the last 20 years of so! And so many are positive!(not to imply there is anything negative I haven't seen any) I can't wait to see all that there is to learn!
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4Real Forums : We Pray to the Lord
Topic: I love our priest! He's amazing.
