Posted on 09/11/2012 12:21:19 AM PDT by Cronos
Monsignor William Blacet rises early to start his prayers. He celebrates Mass every day at Our Lady of Good Counsel. He hears confessions and gives counsel. He conducts weddings and funerals.
He cruised past his 90th birthday in December.
“I was not ordained to retire,” explains the oldest pastor in the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. “As long as I can do the duties of pastor, that’s what I want to do.”
Seven men were ordained this year in the diocese, the largest single-year number in the last 30... Also, 10 men are beginning studying for the priesthood this year.
“Here we are in a period of unprecedented upheaval in the diocese. Yet more young men are coming to the diocese to enter seminary than in two generations,” he said. “And I don’t know why.”
“In the Midwest, we are doing far better than the coasts,” he said proudly.
..“Most priests enjoy the ministerial side of the work and want to keep their hand in it. The administrative part, they can walk away from that and not look back,” Offutt says.
“It’s like being married for life. When people turn 65, they don’t say, ‘You go your way, and I’ll go mine.
.. “Despite the sexual scandals, some young men say, ‘I know there are some good priests out there, and I know the church needs me.’ ”
“I can tell you stories about the priests who inspired me, about going to seminary, but in the end all I can really say about becoming a priest is that I fell in love, I fell in love with Jesus Christ and his bride, the church. I fell in love with the Gospel
(Excerpt) Read more at kansascity.com ...
I don’t know about the “doing better” — I think it is better all over.
In this west coast archdiocese last year we had eleven ordinands.
Some seminaries on the east coast are bursting at the seams too.
I fell in love with Jesus Christ and his bride, the church. I fell in love with the Gospel.Amen.
I fell in love with Jesus Christ and his bride, the church. I fell in love with the Gospel.Amen.
Seems like men are more willing to devote themselves in the smaller cities and rural areas than the large cities.
This is my parish. It is in Westport in Kansas City. It is FULL of homeschool families that come from all over the metro area. We drive 30+ minutes to get to church on Sunday. The choir is divine! There are always half a dozen alter BOYS up there with Monsignor. He is absolutely the sweetest man I’ve ever met. He gets choked up during his homilies when he speaks about his love of Mary and Jesus. To say I absolutely adore him is an understatement!!
homeschool families — that gives a better understanding of why this is such a devour and blessed parish. Good on you!
Oy vey!
altar
Agh! Thank you! This is what happens when I type before coffee. I appreciate the correction! :0)
I know a priest who is in his 90’s and still administers the sacraments: celebrates mass daily, weddings, funerals, hears confessions, etc. As a matter of fact he was a full-time priest until he was about 87 years old!
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