South Texas Catholic (Corpus Christi, Tex.), Vol. 18, No. 42, Ed. 1 Friday, March 18, 1983 Page: 9 of 16
sixteen pages : ill. ; page 19 x 14 in.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Know Yonr Faith »•«•»
* _________ _
‘It never occurred to people we were human ’
Father Joseph Kelleher is the pastor of
Our Lady of Assumption Parish in
Charlotte, N.C., and president of the
diocesan priests senate there. In an in*
terview, he discussed why the priests
senate decided to publish a statement
titled “Toward a Deeper Understan-
ding” in the fall of 1982, The statement
called for greater understanding of the
need priests have for some time of their
own.
Lather Kelleher said priests in his
dioee-e initiated the discussion because
they wt re concerned about what was
happening in the diocese where most
parishes, like his, are staffed by a single
priest and where the median age of
priests is up and their numbers are
down.
He has taken only two days off since
Christmas, something which is not un-
common in the diocese. As the priest ex-
plained in a soft Irish accent, “I worry
about what’s going to happen. I can’t
spend too much time away, the people
need me,"
In preparation for about 18 month*,
the statement discussed the problems
priests face in trying to balance their
responsibilities toward the parish, the
diocese and toward themselves, to main-
tain their health, spiritual development
and emotional welfare.
Alter the statement was drafted, a let-
ter from Charlotte’s Bishop Michael
Begley was added, The bishop pointed
out that church ministry is “the respon-
sibility of all members of the faith com-
munity” and calls for greater dialogue
between priests and parishioners. The
statement then was distributed to all
parishes in the diocese, In many cases,
Father Kelleher said, the statement was
printed in the parish bulletin.
The statement “was a revelation to
people,” Father Kelleher said. “It
never occurred to people we were
human,” he added with a laugh in his
voice. Many people expressed surprise
at the amount of work priests are ex-
pected to do.
Overall, the priest added, the state-
ment resulted in a “great outburst of
compassion” and greater understanding
of tensions priests encounter.
Father Kelleher emphasized that rela-
tionships between priests and people in
his diocese are “warm and clc.•. We
know our people and are a part of their
joys and sorrows.”
The diocese recommends that priests
take one day off a week, at least. But, as
Father Kellehe'- said, it’s up to each
priest to decide how much time to take.
And many priests find it very hard to get
away.
(Copyright (c) 1983 by NC News
Service)
All priests, together with
bishops, share in one and
the same priesthood and
ministry of Christ. Priests
express the unity of the
priesthood during con-
celebrated Masses.
(NC Photo)
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Feist, Joe Michael. South Texas Catholic (Corpus Christi, Tex.), Vol. 18, No. 42, Ed. 1 Friday, March 18, 1983, newspaper, March 18, 1983; Corpus Christi, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth840550/m1/9/: accessed July 1, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; .