I hope all who reads this are either at the beach, lake, or inside with the air conditioning running. I'm in my recliner. My pooch is on my leg rest in front of me. Dennis is in his recliner also. We're watching our tv and I'm trying to write this blog post on my laptop.
I have finished my first draft of my book. I tried to share it with some close friends, but after sending it found some huge mistakes. I should have proofread it before hitting enter or send. Some day, maybe I'll learn that lesson.
So I'll be working on fixing my booboos, and try to apologize to my recipients about the errors.
We received some shocking news at Mass this morning. A neighboring parish had some reports of sexual abuse by the priest. I can't even imagine how that family feels. There were no names of the children of course. They would keep that secret to protect the family. But the name of the priest was mentioned, and I was very surprised to hear his name. I haven't had much contact with him, but I've known his name from activities around our diocese.
He's not an older man, but a young, fairly new priest. Fr. Andrew, our priest, said today's homily (sermon) is one of he hardest he has had to deliver. I believe he had been friends with the accused priest.
I know these things happen around the country, but this has hit pretty close to home. I grew up not far from that parish. I wasn't Catholic then, but I knew some of the parishioners when I was going through college, just out of high school.
Fr. talked about how the effects of sin can affect those in a concentric fashion, going farther than we can imagine. I have a feeling this story will be a tragedy spoken behind covered lips and in hushed tones for years to come.
I am praying for the families involved: both the parishioner and the priest. His family will be affected negatively as well.
May God have compassion and deliver justice and mercy to all involved.
Amen.
