As the Year of the Priest draws to a close I think about the changes I’ve seen in the priestly ministry over the years.  The essentials remain: the ministry of Word and sacrament and pastoral care, but much has changed in the organization of parishes, and the changing expectations and lifestyle of priests.

If you spend any time around priests you will notice certain differences between older and younger priests. Older priests sometimes call themselves “Vatican II priests.” They began their ministry right after the historic council in the mid 1960s which called the church into closer contact with the world and promoted revival in biblical studies, preaching, church organization and relationships with other churches. Younger priests may call themselves “John Paul II priests,” drawn into the priesthood by the example of the beloved former pope. John Paul II priests tend to be less enthusiastic about some of the directions taken after the Second Vatican Council. They want to restore what they think has been lost from the tradition of the church. These differences of perspective can be healthy, but they can also create tensions when priests of different generations must live and work together. This is just one of the changes I’ve lived to see.

The declining number of priests is another. Older Catholics recall when there may have been two or three or more priests in a parish. Today it is more common for one priest to serve two or more parishes, and the graying of the clergy means that the work load increases rather than decreases with age. Offsetting this decline is the enormous growth in the ministry of deacons and lay persons. In many ways the pastor is more like the conductor of the orchestra than the one who does all the ministry himself. This is great, but for some priests it is a major shift in their expectation.

Pastors find themselves immersed in many civic and neighborhood and interfaith projects, way too many diocesan meetings and reports, and ever growing administrative and maintenance and financial responsibilities in their parishes.
For all the changes and attendant stress it’s still a wonderful life. In survey after survey priests say that if they were starting over they would do it all again. So would I.                            –Fr. Peter

CRAB FEAST
The time for our annual Crab Feast is fast approaching. It will be held on Saturday, July 24, from 1:00 to 5:00 pm at Columbus Gardens, 4301 Klosterman Avenue. Please help us spread the word, using the flyers in the back of the church. Tickets are available in the church office and the outreach center for $50 each or $450 for a table of ten. All proceeds go to support the Lucielle Fitzgerald Outreach Center.

SUMMER BIBLE CAMP

The annual summer bible camp, sponsored by the Missionary Sisters of Charity, will be held in the lyceum from July 12 to 31, Monday through Friday, for children ages 5 to 12. Applications are available in the back of the church. The application must be signed by a parent and brought to the convent any day after 3:00 pm. The camp features spiritual, cultural and practical learning experiences and field trips, and breakfast and lunch each day. There is no charge for any of the camp activities.

SHARE THE BLESSINGS

Fr. Peter Claver Mawanda from Uganda visited us on May 30 are left some literature about a ministry of sharing between the people of the US and the poor of Uganda. “Share the Blessings” is a project to provide clean water and educational opportunities to  poor villages in Uganda. Mr. Kevin Green, son-in-law of Margie McDonald, is the US contact person for this ministry. Donations can be made payable to Share the Blessings and left at the church office or mailed to
Share the Blesings
500 Francisca Lane
Cary, NC 27511

JOB OPENINGS
Information on job opportunities is available in the back of the church. Currently there are listings for nursing assistants and for airport porters and wheel chair attendants. Many in our community are seeking employment. Those who may know of job openings are encouraged to let us know or post them on the church bulletin boards.

OTHER ACTIVITIES THIS WEEK…
Tuesday, June 15       Survivors Group meets at noon at the rectory.
Wednesday, June 16              Monthly prayer group meeting, 7:00 pm at the rectory
Thursday, June 17     St. Frances Academy “Beans and Frankly Yours” fund raiser for Children’s Peace Camp, 4:00 – 8:00 pm. $5.
Friday, June 18          St. Thomas Aquinas parish Bingo Night, 6:30 pm at 37th and Roland Avenue.
Saturday, June 19      African-American Heritage Festival at Camden Yards. Office of African-American Catholic Ministries will be there, starting at 12:00.

-FATHER’S DAY BREAKFAST

In celebration of Father’s Day weekend, St. Wenceslaus is joining with the Men and Families Center and A Good Black Man, Inc. in hosting an Awards Breakfast in the lyceum on Saturday, June 19, from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. Five men of St. Wenceslaus will be honored as outstanding fathers: 

        Isaac Clayton
            Pete Moody
            Craig Randall
            William Sewell
            Gregory Spriggs, Jr.
Tickets for the event are available in the church office and at the door at $20 for individuals or $10 each for families of three or more.

FATHER’S DAY NOVENA

We will begin a nine day novena of Masses for all our fathers, living and deceased, on Father’s Day, June 20. To remember your father by name at the alter, please fill out one of the envelopes in the back of the church. A free will offering may be included but is not required. We also have Father’s Day novena cards you can send to your father. During the Masses next Sunday we will offer blessings and gifts to the fathers who are present.

KINGS DOMINION TRIP

Final payment is due today for the Kings Dominion bus trip June 26. As of last Sunday there were five seats left on the bus. Call today to see if any space remains. Departure time is 8:00 am, with estimated time of return at 8:00 pm.

PRAYER REQUESTS
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Mrs. Frances Sparrow, mother of Lewis Sparrow, who died last week.

PRAYER WALK FOR PEACE
St. Wenceslaus will be participating in a neighborhood prayer walk on Friday evening, June 25, to greet our neighbors and share prayers for peace. The Memorial Day weekend shootings are a sobering reminder of the need for our community to stand together, in solidarity and prayer, for an end to the violence on our city streets. Please come out and support this effort which is organized by our local Safe Streets Initiative. We will gather at Monument Street and Patterson Park Avenue at 6:30 pm.