GREAT post! Father Mike sounds like the geunine article. This one makes me want to volunteer.
It is great what writing can remind you of. The picture of Father Mike framed by St Benedict & St Vincent (de Paul) reminded me of being a kid in Buffalo. My Dad volunteered after Church on Sundays and took a big box case of stuff to the Hospital near our house and passed out stuff and visited with people who didn't have visitors. My brothers and I took turns accompanying hiim when he had his turn at the volunteer turnstile. What we all remember was the case was full of literature, lifesavers, gum and other stuff to hand out. Our favorite memory was that it also included packs of cigarettes if that is what the patients really needed. "Would you like some Juicy Fruit?" No thanks just a pack of Marlboros.
I am the complete opposite of religious, but I deeply respect the work that Father Mike is doing.
He is walking the walk, not just talking the talk. I think there are many Christians who avoid the sort of things that he does, despite "Jesus talking about the poor more than any f-ing thing"! :D
I feel like Father Mike's departure from the priesthood and living a somewhat regular life (day job, wife, kids) before returning gives him a ton of perspective that other priests simply don't have.
Thank YOU! And yes I agree that his having a day job and the rest of it did give him an unusual perspective. He's one of the least judgmental people I've ever met. A truly deep empathy for whoever comes along. It's very cool!
That was a wild ride! So many memorable tidbits, from the all-potato diet to his genesis as a fake priest. In all seriousness though, what a remarkable person. You track down the most interesting characters!
It’s rather counter intuitive to give something of yourself when you are feeling miserable but I guess you feel rich when you do. He certainly has something to teach.
Yeah I agree that's likely why it functions. And on a deeper level perhaps we're so connected that we're actually just giving to ourselves. It's fun to think of it that way.
Loved reading about Father Mike. I was actually ordained by the Universal Life Church as well. They are based in Modesto, California, and I remember that their only philosophy was “to do the next right thing “
Tough to argue with that.
I was the only ordained minister in our cell block!
I’ve even got a connection to the old Catholics. Father Roger was a regular leader of our Matt Talbot retreats, and he was an old catholic.
If I lived in the neighborhood, I’d sure would to go to that church. Reminds me of a story Tony Campolo tells about a birthday party for a prostitute. https://youtu.be/kWlMV-UmueM
Two favorite parts: 1“I’ve learned in my own particular spiritual walk that no expectations is the way to accomplish everything in the world,” 2. everyone is miserable.
Love this because it’s about letting go of the pretension in life and being real — it’s obvious he is real and uses that to be of benefit to others.
GREAT post! Father Mike sounds like the geunine article. This one makes me want to volunteer.
It is great what writing can remind you of. The picture of Father Mike framed by St Benedict & St Vincent (de Paul) reminded me of being a kid in Buffalo. My Dad volunteered after Church on Sundays and took a big box case of stuff to the Hospital near our house and passed out stuff and visited with people who didn't have visitors. My brothers and I took turns accompanying hiim when he had his turn at the volunteer turnstile. What we all remember was the case was full of literature, lifesavers, gum and other stuff to hand out. Our favorite memory was that it also included packs of cigarettes if that is what the patients really needed. "Would you like some Juicy Fruit?" No thanks just a pack of Marlboros.
Amazing. That would NEVER happen these days.
I am the complete opposite of religious, but I deeply respect the work that Father Mike is doing.
He is walking the walk, not just talking the talk. I think there are many Christians who avoid the sort of things that he does, despite "Jesus talking about the poor more than any f-ing thing"! :D
I feel like Father Mike's departure from the priesthood and living a somewhat regular life (day job, wife, kids) before returning gives him a ton of perspective that other priests simply don't have.
Thank you for a most fascinating story, Anne.
Thank YOU! And yes I agree that his having a day job and the rest of it did give him an unusual perspective. He's one of the least judgmental people I've ever met. A truly deep empathy for whoever comes along. It's very cool!
That was a wild ride! So many memorable tidbits, from the all-potato diet to his genesis as a fake priest. In all seriousness though, what a remarkable person. You track down the most interesting characters!
Thanks Emily! I feel super fortunate to spend time with these folks.:)
God is definitely manifest and present in a fake priest as much as a real priest. HALLELUJAH!
It’s rather counter intuitive to give something of yourself when you are feeling miserable but I guess you feel rich when you do. He certainly has something to teach.
Yeah I agree that's likely why it functions. And on a deeper level perhaps we're so connected that we're actually just giving to ourselves. It's fun to think of it that way.
Loved reading about Father Mike. I was actually ordained by the Universal Life Church as well. They are based in Modesto, California, and I remember that their only philosophy was “to do the next right thing “
Tough to argue with that.
I was the only ordained minister in our cell block!
I’ve even got a connection to the old Catholics. Father Roger was a regular leader of our Matt Talbot retreats, and he was an old catholic.
Peter you never cease to amaze me. I should do a story on the Universal Life Church!
If I lived in the neighborhood, I’d sure would to go to that church. Reminds me of a story Tony Campolo tells about a birthday party for a prostitute. https://youtu.be/kWlMV-UmueM
Thanks Uncle Ralph I will check it out!
Two favorite parts: 1“I’ve learned in my own particular spiritual walk that no expectations is the way to accomplish everything in the world,” 2. everyone is miserable.
Love this because it’s about letting go of the pretension in life and being real — it’s obvious he is real and uses that to be of benefit to others.
And wow his life was a rollercoaster of emotions!
Two of my favorite parts too! Life seems to get easier (and funnier!) when the misery is just out on the table.
“Street wisdom” comes to mind after reading this. A very refreshing combination of two often separate concepts.
I dig the idea that “there might be more God manifest in a fake priest than a real one” - that is deep.
Reminds me of KM's line that "a fake bodhisattva is the second-best kind of bodhisattva"
👏👏👏
I wanna be that kind of miserable.
Anne, thank you for writing this story.
Me too dcm!
Father Mike sounds like a character right out of an Elmore Leonard novel.
He's like three reality shows in one!
So glad to get this feedback. Thank you Vanessa!