Paul--Thanks for your notes. Why am I angry? It's endless. The irony is that some of my all time personal friends have been priests. But more than that I have known privilieged, entitles, selfish, absolutist men, many of whom have traumatized their parishoners in one way or another. I actually considered converting to Episcopalian and going to seminary. My first "mass" was lead by the bishop of the diocese and the parish priest. I can't tell you how deeply, deeply moved I was and how it clarified my anger.

I'm ranting...but you asked. When my mother in law died ten years ago, the grandchildren were a little anxious as the walked up with the flowers. He said

"Slow down slow down, she's not going anywhere.

And then when when one of the kids read something about Granma being with God in heaven, he said, /actually she wasnt in Heaven, whe was in purgatory, blah blah. I could have slapped him. When my mother died a few weeks ago a guy was dispatched from the parish who had probably been ordained for ten minutes. But he was so sincere. We talked. He was interested in who my mother was and how we were. He was clunky, soaked us with holy water and when the blessing was over he delivered the all time classic, "Well, she's good to go." He probably got into his car and was horrified of what he'd said. But I probably disagreed with him on everything and it didnt matter, because he ministered to us. And it was of great comfort. martha