True Stories of Priests In Need

    December 1st, 2011

    Monsignor Patrick is an elderly priest living in the Northeastern United States.  He immigrated from Ireland many years ago to serve the Catholic Church in America.  All his family is now deceased.  Very sadly, he has been out of ministry since 2003 after an accusation dating back 35 years ago was made against him.  Monsignor had been the pastor of a very wealthy suburban parish and never before had to beg for assistance for himself.  He kept very little of the money he received during his fifty three years of active ministry.  The rest he gave away to people in greater need.

     Monsignor Patrick is now physically unable to continue working in the manual labor position at the local hardware store where he was employed.  Having nowhere else to turn, he called Opus Bono for help.  Humiliated and embarrassed, he explained how his pension is not enough to cover his basic living expenses.  He assured me that if we couldn’t help him, he would surely “get by” since he said, “I know so many of my brother priests are worse off than me”.

     Like all the priests who call us for help, Monsignor Patrick did not want to impose too much on us, and so it took quite a lengthy phone conversation to understand his most pressing needs. As I listened intently to him, I noticed his voice was trembling and I could swear that his teeth were chattering! I asked him, “Monsignor are you cold?”  He replied, “Freezing.”

     Monsignor Patrick has been sleeping on his cold kitchen floor, atop a thin worn out futon mattress. He kept the oven door propped open in order to get heat in the winter after he could no longer pay the oil bill for his furnace.

     My heart sank to the pit of my stomach, and that all too familiar feeling of outrage and deep, heartfelt sadness crept over me. Monsignor began to weep out of the shear humiliation of revealing his awful plight.  He asked for my forgiveness for his sudden breakdown.  “It’s not too bad,” he said through his sobs of bitter anguish.  “When we were kids in Ireland, we had to sleep on the floor on our mattresses with the fire going to keep warm.  It’s just very tough now getting up and down with my arthritis in the cold.”

     I assured him that there was nothing to be ashamed of, and that many of his brother priests are receiving help from Opus Bono.  I emphasized that I am simply the person who has the privilege of representing thousands more of our Partners in Mission who love him and want to help.  Within a couple of hours we paid the oil bill for his furnace.  By the following day the oil company had visited his house and the furnace was once again running.  Monsignor Patrick will be warm for Christmas.

     On behalf of Monsignor Patrick and the thousands of priests like him who depend on your help, I sincerely thank you and ask again for your continued prayers and support.  YOU are the God-sent hope this Christmas of so many fearful and forgotten priests who have no one else and nowhere else to turn as they seek the Lord’s mercy and strength.

                                                                                                 

                                                                Gratefully in the Heart of the Infant Jesus,

                                                                

                                                                Joseph R. Maher, KCHS

                                                                President

                                                                joemaher@opusbono.org

P.S.  Please please consider making a special $100 Christmas donation to provide for the pressing needs of priests like Monsignor Patrick who are desperately in need of our help at this time.  The costs of shelter and utilities increase in the cold winter months, making it even more difficult for many poor priests who are struggling with the basic necessities of life.  Your continued assistance is urgently needed to help alleviate their sufferings.  With Monsignor Patrick, I make this cry from the bottom of my heart.  Thank you for your continued charity and goodness during this Christmas season.

 

September 11, 2011

     Father Leo is a priest who has been out of ministry for some time. When Pete Ferrara and I visited him recently, we were shocked and troubled to find the house where he lives alone in shambles. His refrigerator was empty, and the stench of mold and mildew permeated the air. In an embarrassed and apologetic tone, he told us that he has no resources to “keep the place up properly.”

     Father Leo is a highly educated man who earned two doctorates in ministry. Sadly, he has been on hundreds of job interviews over the last few years but still can’t find meaningful work other than an occasional manual labor position. And then, as soon as someone finds out that he is “one of those priests” with an accusation leveled against him, his employment is terminated.

     Pete and I visited Father Leo to offer him your assistance, caring and consolation. Because of your goodness and kindness, his spirits were lifted. When it was time for us to leave, Pete and I knelt for his blessing. Overcome with emotion, he choked up and could not say the words of blessing. Visibly distressed, he could barely make the Sign of the Cross over us. He confided that it had been many years since someone asked for his blessing. He no longer felt worthy. He was humiliated by his situation. He said he no longer felt dignified as a human being, much less as a Catholic priest.

     Upon leaving, we embraced Father Leo, promised to return, and reminded him that we were just two, representing many, many more of our partners in mission who wished to express their love and encouragement personally to him through us. Once again he was moved to tears.

     Weeks later, we received a thank you note from Father Leo, expressing his gratitude to all of YOU who make our service to priests like him possible. Included in his note was an inspiring quote from the humble St. Francis of Assisi, himself not a priest, which Father Leo applied to our ministry:

     “I am determined to reverence, love and honor priests. I refuse to consider their sins; because I see the Son of God in them and because they alone administer to others His Body and Blood.” St. Francis of Assisi

     As I’ve shared with you before, urgent, dire need is a daily reality for us. Every call to our office from a new priest is another crisis! It is vital that we answer the phone and respond in a caring way. We must do it. We must do it for you and all our partners in mission. You provide the means for us to care for so many priests through your on-going prayers, and the financial sacrifices you make for Catholic priests who are experiencing often terrifying difficulties.

     On behalf of Father Leo, and the thousands of priests like him who depend on your help, I sincerely thank you and ask again for your continued prayers and support. YOU are the God-gifted hope of so many fearful and forgotten priests who have no one and nowhere else to turn as they seek the Lord’s mercy and strength.

                                                             Gratefully in the Sacred Heart of Jesus,

                                                             

                                                              Joseph R. Maher, KCHS
                                                              President
                                                              joemaher@opusbono.org

P.S. Please, please consider making a $100 donation to provide for the pressing needs of priests like Father Leo who are in desperate need of our help at this time. The costs of food, health care, shelter, utilities and transportation are on the rise, making it even more difficult for many poor priests who are struggling with the basic necessities of life. Your continued assistance is urgently needed to help alleviate their sufferings. With St. Francis of Assisi, I make this cry from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for your continued charity and goodness.