« Aww...poop. | Main | Settle my Soul »
April 07, 2004
Bless me Father...
A little over one year ago I started actively attending church again. I was raised Catholic, went to Catholic schools for all but 6 months of my life when I was living in Castroville, Texas. Prayer and faith were something I felt that I needed back, desperately. A priest, Father Mike Sciumbato, a former teacher of mine from high school was pastor at a church in Ogden. He is a priest I felt I could relate to well. He is liberal, open and has one of the most generous hearts.
I became very involved in the church beginning on Ash Wednesday, last year. The turning point was when I attended an Easter Reconciliation rite with my parish. When I went to individual confession, I was suddenly overcome with emotion. I became tearful, for reasons I couldn't place. Although I was not confessing to Father Mike (Four priests were available and Father Mike's line was very long) the priest I confessed to had a generous and gentle heart. He told me he knew from my reaction that this was needed and that I would always be welcome after an absence. My spirit was lifted.
After that, I started attending a weekly Saturday get together hosted by Father Mike. Needless to say, I was the youngest in the group. Everyone else involved in the weekly lunch and movie had to be over 50 but I loved being a part of that community.
When I went to Washington, D.C. I was luck enough to find a parish, just across the street from the Middle East Policy Council office that fit my needs. I began attending mass daily, in the morning before work. I loved it. In the Catholic Church you are required to go to confession at least once after Easter before the Feast of the Ascension. After careful, examination of conscience, I attended a brief luncheon confession session at Saint Matthew's. The priest was amused by the fact that someone as young as I had spent considerable time examining what I had done since Easter. For my penance, instead of the requisite 10 Hail Mary's, he asked me to contemplate things that I had done in my life that were good, to focus on things that God wanted for me to fulfill in my life. That seemed an odd penance to me, but again it lifted my spirit.
When I returned to Utah, I was disappointed to find that Father Mike had been moved to another parish, that is a considerable distance from where I live. Since that time I have failed to attend church regularly because I have a hard time connecting with priests who focus entirely on sin, hell-fire and brimstone, etc.
It is Holy Week. Even though I pray regularly I feel disconnected and my spirit is significantly not lifted. When I was asked if I wanted to go to church on Sunday, my instant reply, without hesitation was "No." This is saddening. I feel a connection to God and to my Catholic background but I am unable to find a good parish to commune with. Until that time I am keeping up with my faith as best I can, solo.
Posted by Sarah at April 7, 2004 09:54 AM
Comments
i find your faith and spiritual reflection inspiring. and when combined with your compassion and tolerance for the people int he world around you, it makes you a truly beautiful human being.
Posted by: jodi at April 7, 2004 10:27 AM
Aww, shucks. Thank you. That compliment brought tears to my eyes. :)
Posted by: Sarah at April 7, 2004 12:57 PM
I know how you feel. I'm also a parishioner at St. James parish in Ogden. I was in tears when Father Mike left. I had never felt such an attachment to a priest. I was not as close to Father Mike as some in the parish were, but I connected to what he said every Sunday. I have branched out somewhat, attending Mass during the week at Hill AFB where I work. The priest here is also very warm and personable. He has that same energy.
I read in today's Salt Lake Tribune that Father Mike had been called back to "Who Wants to be a Millionaire". Apparently, it was taped last November and will air on 5-19 and 5-20 at 3:00 pm. His winnings will now go to his new parish.
The Lord works in mysterious ways. Perhaps it was God's will that he move to a new parish and help them build a church (they currently hold Mass in a gymnasium). All I can say is, way to go, Father Mike!
Posted by: Janice at May 18, 2004 12:32 PM