Father Gooley's Leaving

My Selfish Parish

My selfish parish? You tell me.

Firstly, they told me he was 'too old,' and ridiculed him every time his hands shook or trembled a bit, or he corrected a mispronounced word, things everybody does at any age.

The man is as sharp as any. My hands tremble sometimes too -- too much coffee, stage-fright 'jitters,' too cold, too tired, for any number of reasons. My Aunt just had the 'jitters' -- that's who she was, naturally.

Now, they say he's being 'forced-out' due to 'influences,' such as the 'new guy with the blonde hair.' Maybe that's me? I think I'm the only natural blonde in the entire parish -- could be more -- I don't really know any of 'em. Anyway, it's as though it's an addiction to faking 'victimhood,' an addiction to 'blaming,' an addiction to 'dividing,' an addiction to 'friction,' an addiction to claiming one is being 'wronged.' Any excuse will do. Apparently.

I remind myself that this is the parish that put together a thousand dollars to help Hatains after the earthquake. This is the parish that feeds the hungry, filling the shelves of the food bank. This is the parish that promotes women from Africa, helping them seek independence and opportunities previously denied, Bead For Life.

Yet there are those whom are intentionally (it must be 'intentional') 'stirring it up' -- so let me explain it:

Father Gooley has unique talents, abilities, capabilities, a man filled with compassion, concern, wisdom and love. Has he not shared enough with your selfishness selves, yet? Has he uplifted you not? Done nothing to heal your trepidations? Nothing at all?

Has he not given all of himself to you?

Has he not defended you?

Has he not counseled you?

Has he not shared enough with you? That you DENY others his special gifts? That you would stir-up contention, down-grading his accomplishments, making it out as though he is being 'punished' by re-assignment, having FAILED you?

WHO IS THAT SELFISH?

He has important work ahead of him, an opportunity afforded VERY FEW, ever. Not you. Him, his assignment, where he will hold the hands of those whom need him NOW -- are you so selfish you'd DENY those in need?

Had he 'failed,' there would be no GOOD WORKS from St. Catherine of Siena parish, or many of the other locations he has tirelessly ministered. A Monsignor to be certain, be it 'quietly' or otherwise. And there is no such thing as 'unnannimous counsel' to Councils or Popes or anything else.

Had he 'failed,' he'd be sworn to silence, sealed-off in a far-away monastery, or outright FIRED, kicked-out -- and his name never mentioned lest it stir-up hateful-rumormongering in 'group/gang-mentality' as the hateful do.

Had he been 'failure,' he'd never have been honored with the position at St. Catherine's to begin with.

He's not being shipped-off to the Moon. There is no need to 'miss him,' -- you can call him -- you can write him -- you can donate funds to him so that he may travel to visit you.

And as all positional-changes incur, he needs your encouragement to ward-off the uncertainty, the trepidation, which goes along with such a change, such a move. Are you too selfish to do that for him? The Spirit dwelleth with him, as reflected by YOU -- what shall it be? Loathing? Or excitement for the important work, the important lives he shall touch ahead?

YOU TELL ME.

Peace be with you;
Kind Regards, always,
Clayton Winton