After the census

I would like to offer the following points for the mature and calm reflections of your numerous Catholic readers.

To my fellow priests. A famous actor was asked to entertain at a dinner party one evening. He rose and recited Psalm 23 ("The Lord is my Shepherd"). When he finished the recitation, a thunder of applause greeted him. The crowd knew they were in the presence of a master performer.

The next speaker was an elderly priest. "I too would like to recite the same Psalm", he said quietly. Turning his face upwards, he closed his eyes and began. When he was through, all were silent. There was no applause, but neither was there a dry eye in the room.

Later, a man approached the actor. "I don't understand it," he said. "You both said that same thing. Your presentation was letter perfect. Yet, when the priest spoke in his own halting manner, people were moved too deeply for words. What made the difference?" "I know the Psalm about the Shepherd", replied the actor. "But he knows personally the Shepherd of the Psalm". (Morris Mandel)

If the priest preaches more than 10 minutes, he is too long-winded. If his sermon is short, he is too easy-going. If the parish funds are low, he's a bad businessman. If he mentions money, he is too grasping. If he visits his parishioners, he is never at home: if he doesn't, he is snobbish. If he runs bazaars and ballots, he's bleeding the people; if he doesn't, the parish is lacking social life. If he takes time to the confessional, he's too slow: if he doesn't, he has no time for the people: If he starts Mass on time, his watch is fast: if he's a bit late, he is holding up the congregation. If he decorates the church, he is spending too much; if he doesn't, he is letting it run down. If he is young, he is inexperienced: if he is old, he should retire... If he gets a transfer, or dies, there will never be his equal again. (Anthony Castle).

Back when the West (in the US) was being settled, the major means of transportation was the stagecoach. We've seen persons riding in stagecoaches in Western movies. What we might not know is that the stagecoach had three different kinds of tickets - first, second and third class.

If you had a first-class ticket, that meant you could remain seated during the entire trip, no matter what happened. If you had a second-class ticket, you could also remain seated - until there was a problem. In that case, you would have to get up until the problem was resolved. You didn't, however, have to get your hands dirty. If you had a third-class ticket, you would definitely have to get off if there was a problem. Why? Because it was your responsibility to help solve the problem. You had to go out and/or push and/or help to fix the broken wheel or whatever was needed because you only had a third-class ticket. Sometimes it seems as if most parishioners hold first-class or second-class tickets! (William J. Bausch)

A French daily recently asked its readers: "Why do you think, the world over, in prisons there are by far many more males than females?" The response was revealing: "because in all types of churches, there are many more females than males." Much food for thought for all.

I earnestly suggest daily Mass for all. HE deserves it. We badly need it.