The Humble Priest

In the past several years, we have all been appalled and saddened by the sex scandal in the Catholic Church. Although the number was small, it is still is horrendous.

And now, thanks to the internet, TV and other electronic media, there are more and more what I call celebrity priests out there. Yes, if you are not Catholic or a nominal Catholic, you probably won't know them but to many of us, they are an important part of their lives as they bring the message of Jesus Christ to millions.

However, let us not forget the humble parish priest. He goes about his business day by day, not looking for fame or fortune. Some still have schools to run besides the rest of the parish. They labor outside the spotlight, often not getting recognition or praise. If they do one thing a parishioner does not like, they will be criticized and talked about in the parish. Many of their flock do not ever offer a helping hand or even an invitation to dinner to their pastor.

We have a priest who offers the Extraordinary Form of the Mass for us at my parish in Jersey City. Fr. Carroll is quite elderly and he is the epitome of the humble priest. He does not ask for anything and is just there to serve God. I don't think the word retirement is in his vocabulary. He reminds me of all of the great priests of my childhood. God bless him and those parish priests who serve so well and with so much humility.

St Jean Vianney, pray for them.