Looking back at the weekly messages of Father Paul Counce, first published in The Carpenter, our weekly Parish Bulletin
Published: October 09, 2016
This past week was “retreat week” for the priests of the Diocese of Baton Rouge. While in odd-numbered years we share in a “mandatory” retreat all-together at Manresa House of Retreats near Convent, in even-numbered years like 2016 we’re free either to go to that retreat or make our retreat elsewhere. I decided on the latter, and in fact chose to make a private retreat, all by myself. I looked forward to this for quite a while, for I have learned that my best prayer tends to happen when it’s just God and me in the room together!
You might ask, what do I spend my time praying about? Well, I always have lists of intentions to pray-for: names of persons and issues which I “hold up” to God and beg His mercy and blessings upon. But at times of retreat there are almost always two other things that – for every priest, I’d wager, not just for me – come to the fore in prayer.
The first is my personal commitment to priestly life and service. I’m not as young and idealistic as I once was, and so I have to deal not only with the changes of this world but also within me. And despite years of experience as a priest I am by no means perfect in the way I live out my vocation. In fact, given the unique quirks of my personality and tendencies, it’s good to take the opportunity to re-focus, very purposefully, on what I need to do to be an even better priest. In particular, I like every priest need to make sure my lifestyle is not too comfortable, my friendships and activities truly holy ones, and my interests centered as much as possible on the Lord Jesus and His will. I have to stay balanced, fighting my impatient and judgmental tendencies while insisting the right thing. For me it’s difficult to be both hardworking and easygoing, active and contemplative, serious and smiling, but God and the Church both ask this.
Another good use of a retreat is often that it allows us to wrestle with an important decision or two. Lots of silence and prayer can permit clarity when choices have to be made or when diverse opportunities lie ready before us. Whether these choices are personal or vocational or professional, the hard ones deserve a lot of thought and prayer. (Two quick examples: One, I’m only five years from my retirement age in 2021: what should I do then? Or two, what would be the best choice of times for our reduced Sunday Mass schedule? These are not easy decisions, but I’ve gotta decide! The serenity that prayer can bring to a decision often helps.)
In any case, there’s one other bit of prayer that goes on during retreat, and for that I have to thank you and the other good people from throughout the diocese. These are the prayers offered for me and your other priests. Despite our imperfections and the burdens of ministry, we really are buoyed up by your love and support shown in so many ways, including that essential “care of prayer” that you offer. While on retreat we very much become more aware of how much we are appreciated and blessed by you!
Now, on to a few more items: again, if you’re a reader, server, usher or lay minister of communion here at the Cathedral, I hope you can attend the special Morning of Reflection that will be held from 9 am until 12 noon on Saturday, October 22. (Only if the Ole Miss-LSU game is televised that morning will we reschedule!) Father Christopher Decker, pastor of the three parishes in Livonia, Maringouin and Grosse Tête, will be the principal presenter and share his wisdom about liturgical ministry that day. Have you marked your calendar yet?
Another thing for everyone to “sign up” for is the new Pictorial Directory for the Parish that’s being planned. It’s such a useful tool for knowing the other members of our Parish family. Plus, if you and your family come to sit for a picture you’ll get a free family color photo portrait as well as a Directory. Picture taking will take place in about a month, in November!
Yours in the Lord,
Fr. Paul
