[NYer]

I used to be against the practice of moving pastors around, but, I have also seen the cult-of-personality thing, and maybe it is a good idea.

Having experienced this a few years ago, I can personally testify to how parishioners, and pastor, react. It is the policy of our bishop to move priests every 8 years. The only exception made is for aged priests. In a private meeting with a group of us from the parish, the bishop explained his policy. He cited those parishes with a priest who has been there a long time and where the chemistry has become solidified, to the point of stagnation. Meanwhile, there are other parishes where the priest and community, for whatever reason, do not click. By moving priests on a regular basis, each parish enjoys a limited time with any given pastor.

At the parish level, I watched as parishioners who claimed to be "devoted" to the parish, left, while former parishioners, who previously left because of some personal rift with the pastor, returned. For my part, I attend church to worship God, not the priest. Out of love for God, I give my all - time and talents - to whoever serves as pastor.

[married21]

“Out of love for God, I give my all - time and talents - to whoever serves as pastor.

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Catholic church parishes are geography based, not “good pastor” based, so in general people go to the church near them. But in our area, there are a few parishes more or less nearby, and there is parish-hopping, depending on how well you like the pastor, the school, the music, the mass schedule. Our parish seems to reap the benefit of those who will drive out of their way to get here, and have extra talent and motivation to participate. And yet, I always thought we were supposed to bloom where we are planted, so to speak. Not sure how to resolve that tension.