Coolest priest EVER.

[Geezertar]

Who here knows a really cool priest? lol
One of the newer priests at my church is from africa, he's in his 30's, and just got back from a week in Vegas. lol
We spent the longest time talking about it and stuff.... In my opinion, any priest who goes to Vegas with some of his priest friends and comes back a week later $2,000 richer from Blackjack is....lol awsome to say the least lol
Anyone else have any cool priest storys? haha

 

[LightHearted]

There's a "part-time" priest with in my diocese (I call him part-time because he does not have a parish of his own. He fills in for other priests when they can't be at Mass) that is absolutely amazing.

His homilies are always very entertaining and easy to follow. He speaks in a very non-traditional way that grabs parishioner's attention.

I would love it if this priest took over our parish when my priest leaves!

 

[Veritas]

Who here knows a really cool priest? lol
One of the newer priests at my church is from africa, he's in his 30's, and just got back from a week in Vegas. lol
We spent the longest time talking about it and stuff.... In my opinion, any priest who goes to Vegas with some of his priest friends and comes back a week later $2,000 richer from Blackjack is....lol awsome to say the least lol
Anyone else have any cool priest storys? haha

I'm sure at 16, this priest would seem rather "cool" to you. But is gambling the only thing that impressed you about him?

 

[KennySe]

I'm sure at 16, this priest would seem rather "cool" to you. But is gambling the only thing that impressed you about him?

Weren't you paying attention? The priest won 2 Grand!

 

[BAChristian]

Personally, I don't think going to Las Vegas and gambling is something a priest should do. It's not setting a very good example of holiness.

Just my $0.02...

 

[Veritas]

Personally, I don't think going to Las Vegas and gambling is something a priest should do. It's not setting a very good example of holiness.

Just my $0.02...

My point exactly. He's also possibly encouraging others to do the same and the consequences could be very bad.

 

[BAChristian]

And I would also like everyone to ponder the following as well -- remember, the Bible tells us that, "we shall know them by their fruits", and while I don't see anything wrong with going once and awhile and buying a Powerball or SuperLotto ticket every now and again, I can tell you that as a Protestant, if I had a dollar for every time that I heard a Protestant look at a Catholic priest and go, "See! Those Catholics believe in gambling and look, they're SO liberal! See how sinful that is!", I'd be a millionaire. (BTW, that attitude is a sin of pride. I do not condone it. But people do it regardless...so...and it fuels a lot of anti-Catholic senticism...)

The point is, Catholics wonder why Protestants think they're (Catholics) "liberal and they think they can just sin and get away with it!"...

IMO, a priest should not be in Las Vegas gambling. I read a bio of a priest here locally and in his bio his hobbies included: playing poker.

Now folks, I have no problem with playing poker, and I'm not trying to be prideful here, but c'mon...how do you think that sounds?

Like a wise man once told me -- "I don't think it's right to walk into a tavern and have lunch during your lunch break, even though you're not going in there to drink...even if you're just going to have a Pepsi, and a sandwich, because if another person, who knows you, and say, goes to your church, sees you walk in there, they're going to wonder what you're doing in there -- they don't know that you're eating a sandwich and a Pepsi...what do you think they are thinking? So we should always strive to set an example. People are watching Christians..."

Just a thought.

 

[Credo]

Personally, I don't think going to Las Vegas and gambling is something a priest should do. It's not setting a very good example of holiness.

Just my $0.02...

My sentiments exactly, BA!

The coolest priest I've ever known would have to be divided up between Msgr. Blacet and recently ordained Fr. Klinglie (sp?). Monsignor is on fire for our Lord, totally in love with the Blessed Mother, strongly devoted to the Holy Father, and very conservative and traditional in his celebration of the Mass and sacraments. Not to mention his youthful enthusiasm, great sense of humor, gift of wise counsel in the confessional, and strong connections with the youth of our parish, even though he's in his 80s. And Fr. Klinglie? He's nearly a carbon copy of Msgr. Blacet, just about 60 years younger.

Oh, yeah, and they both wear cassocks...I've never seen either of them in anything but...and I certainly wouldn't go looking for them in a casino. Both are very holy men and I'm priviledged to know them.

 

[raptor13]

I would agree with BA and Veritas. I would think he was awesome if he donated every cent that he won to charities. Now that would be worthy of applaud.

 

[Geezertar]

No its not the only thing that makes him an awsome priest. When he says the mass, even though it may be a little harder to understand because of his accent, its easy to understand what he is saying because he says it in a way that you can say to yourself, 'I understand the message he is giving'
Instead of just talking about what it says exactly in the bible, he throws in alot of humor and fun...definatly keeps your attention and brings a smile to everyones face. He, as well as the other priest at my church, is VERY friendly and kind...Loves to talk to people after mass, wether it be about football, careers and jobs, current events, or just 'Hows school going?' or 'How is your brother in law who was at mass christmas eve'. He loves telling jokes and making people laugh, and with all this he gives a stronger message that i find more effective than other priests who have spent much more time strictly talking about the bible and stuff.
And I dont see whats wrong with priests spending the little money that they do make on entertainment. One of the priests is a golf maniac, the other one likes playing games and traveling to different places and being with lots of people. He doesnt go out there and bet hundreds of dollars, and certianly isnt greedy. His policy is that once you win, get in the car and find your next place.
I dont feel that priests should have to live a plain life with no excitement and give every cent they own to charity. There are different religious positions for that i feel. By going to Las Vegas and going to all the casinos and stuff he isnt hurting anyone, isnt doing anything bad, all he is doing is having a good time doing something he enjoys. And i'm sure that if he walks in with 200 dollars and walks out with 2000 dollars, some of it goes to charity. But what if he wants to buy some DVD's or an X-box. Should he not be able to spend money that he earns on that? I dont think that Jesus would want the people that dedicate their lifes to God to not ever have fun. Know what? I think that if Jesus were living here right now, he would probably drive a sports car and he'd do things that he enjoyed doing in his free time too. Why not. Just because it doesnt say 'Thou shalt drive a Ferrari' in the bible doesnt mean that its wrong for a priest to take all the money that he has saved over the years and buy a TestaRossa. I dont know...I just believe that God wouldnt have ANY problem allowing for small modifications to the bible to better fit our modern soscioty.
Sorry if i started an argument about what priests should be allowed to do or not, thats not what I wanted. What I wanted was just for people to post things that surprised you or you found interesting about priests in your parish..... I'm sure there are priests out there with season tickets to baseball games, that build computers and play games in their free time, that have ATV's and snowmobiles....
If this is going to be a discussion about what priests should and shouldnt do, I ask that this post be deleted because its all a matter of opinion pretty much. Thanks,
-Chris

 

[MattMMMan17]

Well, Mother Theresa lived in our "modern" times and managed to do quite well in poverty, using her time to help the sick and dying. I'm pretty sure Jesus would have to "see her deeds, and raise her a few more" instead of indulging in pleasures such as joyrides in Ferrari's and gambling.

 

[Geezertar]

I'm sorry....I guess everyones got different opinions on what priest should and shouldnt be able to do.

 

[frcorey]

out here I once saw a priest come out of a bar late one night with two women.
err, course I did wait in a bar late one night for a showgirl that had to talk to me after her show on one of her breaks.

 

[Polycarp1]

Well, last month I saw our priest come out of a crowded ladies' room and kiss a man.







Of course, it helps to know that I'm Episcopalian, our priest is a woman, and the man she kissed was her husband.

 

[marciadietrich]

Anyone see the "Life is worth living" Friday night? About "nice" and "awful" people. And how the nice people just hide their sin where the awful people it is out front, lol. Some of those nice people won't be in heaven, some of those awful people will. Christ hangin' with the sinners and all that, because they were the ones who needed him.

Protestants who have an antiCatholic bias will find anything they can to criticize on Catholics if that is what they want to do. They do so with a beam in their own eye. Simply having a glass of wine can be a scandal to them (THEIR Lord NEVER drank it was grape juice, not wine ).

Unless he's an addict I don't expect some occasional get-away recreational gambling is any more of a problem or bad influence than having a beer after work, playing a video game or watching a movie. A lot of Christians need to take a look in the mirror on the sloth and gluttony front ( many protestants eat too much - and it shows! - because they don't gamble, drink or go to secular movies ). Or maybe it is the pride/vanity front. Lust? Envy? Greed in being a work-a-holic rather than gambling? Or that whole "name it and claim it" health and wealth perversion of the gospel. Lots of logs in eyes out there.

If you think he's cool, that is cool with me. Priests are people too, they have hobbies. His vow is simplicity and not poverty. His being a fun and open person can be an inspiration as well. A 16 year old thinks a priest is cool, that can't be all bad.

Marcia

 

[Geezertar]

Anyone see the "Life is worth living" Friday night? About "nice" and "awful" people. And how the nice people just hide their sin where the awful people it is out front, lol. Some of those nice people won't be in heaven, some of those awful people will. Christ hangin' with the sinners and all that, because they were the ones who needed him.

Protestants who have an antiCatholic bias will find anything they can to criticize on Catholics if that is what they want to do. They do so with a beam in their own eye. Simply having a glass of wine can be a scandal to them (THEIR Lord NEVER drank it was grape juice, not wine ).

Unless he's an addict I don't expect some occasional get-away recreational gambling is any more of a problem or bad influence than having a beer after work, playing a video game or watching a movie. A lot of Christians need to take a look in the mirror on the sloth and gluttony front ( many protestants eat too much - and it shows! - because they don't gamble, drink or go to secular movies ). Or maybe it is the pride/vanity front. Lust? Envy? Greed in being a work-a-holic rather than gambling? Or that whole "name it and claim it" health and wealth perversion of the gospel. Lots of logs in eyes out there.

If you think he's cool, that is cool with me. Priests are people too, they have hobbies. His vow is simplicity and not poverty. His being a fun and open person can be an inspiration as well. A 16 year old thinks a priest is cool, that can't be all bad.

Marcia

Thanks.
And as he said to me, he is very good at the game, knows how to win, but doesnt bet too much money because he doesnt like loosing money. He said that a few times he's won 500 dollars just by putting a 1 dollar bill into the game in addition to his bet....thats why he loves that particular casino so much. And why not!
If the worst thing that he does is gamble occasionally and safely, and have a beer or two with dinner that night, then he is one heck of a guy. I would thing a priest like that is a much better priest and person than one who gives all his money to charity, doesnt drink at all, doesnt go on trips like that, doesnt use a computer, etc. but is unfriendly, gets upset all the time, and noone wants to listen to.

 

[Loki]

I heard a similar anecdote from my bf who went to a catholic high school. One of the brothers there (and generally referred to as the nicest, sweetest, and most well liked) came back from a wedding in Canada, and stopped off in a casino to burn some Canadian money rather than hassling with exchange. He came back with 1500 extra, and said "I asked the treasurer of the house, who happened to be me, if I should keep the money, and he said yes."

So, not exactly a priest, but pretty close.

The clergy are still human.

 

[karla]

Coolest priest ever - Father Tim Whalen. He was the priest where I went to college and is one of the main reason why I am so "on fire" for my faith. He is so energetic and is really down to earth. He is now the Chancellor at the Orchard Lake Schools in Michigan and I miss him and his awesome homilies tremendously.

 

[John the Engineer]

And I would also like everyone to ponder the following as well -- remember, the Bible tells us that, "we shall know them by their fruits", and while I don't see anything wrong with going once and awhile and buying a Powerball or SuperLotto ticket every now and again, I can tell you that as a Protestant, if I had a dollar for every time that I heard a Protestant look at a Catholic priest and go, "See! Those Catholics believe in gambling and look, they're SO liberal! See how sinful that is!", I'd be a millionaire. (BTW, that attitude is a sin of pride. I do not condone it. But people do it regardless...so...and it fuels a lot of anti-Catholic senticism...)

The point is, Catholics wonder why Protestants think they're (Catholics) "liberal and they think they can just sin and get away with it!"...

I think what you say is true and unfortunate. A lot of Protestant's would use it to be judgemental toward a Catholics. For those that would I apologize.

However, I have two comments about it. Vegas is a city in which a lot of people (Christians included) have a lot of fun without sinning. Gambling, well, that's something of an issue up for debate. Some might say it's unholy period, others might say if it is done to excess.

Speaking as a Protestant, was the Priest having a good time? The Lord called us to be joyful and happy. As a person who believes that responsible and moderated gambling is not a sin, I would say that the Priest is living life, showing that in the service of the Lord there are times to enjoy life! Especially if he was in the fellowship of fellow Priests!

I can see the reverse though, it does look questionable, especially for a place like that. "In but not of" would be the best phrase I guess. But I ask you this, is it a good witness or a bad witness to show to the world that even in the Christian faith (Really we're not just talking about a Catholic Priest but any person of faith) we can have responsible fun? Are you being a good witness to go to the bar with your friends and have a drink and refrain from drunkedness but be ready to drive them home? You are still going to be in that bar, or Tavern, but you are showing the light of love and being available to the Lord's work.

Before I make this too excessively long (like my posts tend to do), I will say one last thing. If you were a waitress, or a dealer, or whoever, in a casino, and you ran into a group of people who, let's face it, stood out. A group of men who were kind, respectable, cleaned up, weren't drinking and giving over to loutish (sp?) behavior, and you found out that it was a group of Catholic Priests enjoying life, would that change your perspective? Especially if before that your perspective was "Christians have no fun, all they do is sit and pray and are not allowed to enjoy themselves", which is more often the case when you find lost souls. I think you'll find you'll save more people by taking them out to shoot pool and "have a beer" (even if you have a soda instead) than you will by telling them "No, I don't do those things!" All you're really doing is making them feel bad and telling them that their life is completely unacceptable and it's irresponsible enjoyment. "You catch more flies with honey", and Christians are not exempt from enjoying the honey of life in God's Kingdom!

 

[BAChristian]

This guy's pretty cool...