Looking back at the weekly messages of Father Paul Counce, first published in The Carpenter, our weekly Parish Bulletin
Published: May 23, 2021
As I sit down and write this column for The Carpenter, I’ve just returned from the Parish picnic held last Sunday at the Pavilion and grounds of Magnolia Mound just south of here. Over 40 children and grandchildren were wonderfully noisy and rambunctious: they especially liked being able to run around, play games, smash piñatas, and eat candy and ice cream. We grownups – at least 80 of us! – just liked sitting and eating in the shady breeze, and visiting without masks!
It really was a wonderful, fun and yet simple thing to do. It’s been so long since we’ve been able to visit like that. While a full life of faith is always founded on private prayer, shared worship, active ministry, and generous charity, it also necessarily includes fellowship within community. Spending time with each other reinforces our commitment to Christ and one another, and is just as uplifting as magnificent liturgical music or inspiring sermons. So thanks must go out to Mrs. Bobbie Carey and the Parish’s Development Committee which she chairs. All they needed was to be given the idea, and they ran with it: it was a great time had by all.
This weekend we’ll celebrate the great Solemnity of Pentecost, and light our sanctuary fire to remind ourselves of the workings of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit empowered the early Church to begin the conversion of the world. What is Christ’s Spirit doing in our times, I wonder? I guess we’ll see! Over the past 12 years here in St. Joseph Parish we’ve been inspired to care for our historic Cathedral as well as for the welfare of the poor and needy among us. The Spirit’s prompted us to be constant in prayer and an example to the rest of the Diocese of Baton Rouge in liturgical – and especially musical – excellence. I know that Father Cary will be counting not only on the Holy Spirit but also upon you to keep the Spirit’s fire alive here on Cathedral Square!
In fact, when a good friend of mine in a nearby diocese retired a couple of years ago, he left behind him an exceptionally good letter to his parishioners. In it he begged them to treat the next pastor properly. He did not suggest they give him lots of money, or even be sure to keep coming to church. He did not say that volunteering to do more was what was needed first of all. No, what he did say was to communicate ideas and feelings! Nobody can read minds – not even priests! – so we depend on you to tell us what you want and want you’d rather avoid, what you like and what you dislike, what you think would be an improvement and what you think is worth dropping, and so forth. Now the pastor can’t always agree with everyone. He’s constrained by the teachings of the Church, after all: the truth always triumphs, even if nobody wants to agree with it! He’s often limited by practicalities, since, for example, you can’t spend money you don’t have. And choices often can’t all be done at once, but instead must be prioritized in proper order. But I guarantee that without information even the best leaders will fail, since decisions always must be based on facts, not guesses or wishes.
So be honest, be kind, be fair and be thorough in sharing your ideas with Father Cary, and indeed with any other decision-maker you ever have to work with. It’s best!
Sincerely yours,
Fr. Paul Counce
