tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-902102460517670809.post1792957898346168620..comments2024-02-02T19:30:12.868-06:00Comments on Fear Not Little Flock: He's MARRIED? 7 Quick Takes replaypriest's wife - S.T./ Anne Boyd http://www.blogger.com/profile/03792937108732259684noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-902102460517670809.post-87687750911080002952012-09-13T08:46:56.047-05:002012-09-13T08:46:56.047-05:00I love how you balance things out. I remember you ...I love how you balance things out. I remember you "straightened me out" during our conversation, from months ago :). Thinking about it, now, I think about what you say, in terms of a balance, and reflect to recent conversations I've had with a friend in Russian Orthodoxy, say his own parish priest (who's married) says there's much respect for those who go the path of celibacy. As he says, in many cases, family comes first. Is this what you found, in your own experience; and the experience of Father? Thanks!Fluid Motion & Designhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10963717225714324077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-902102460517670809.post-53724842996116725352012-09-13T08:38:53.999-05:002012-09-13T08:38:53.999-05:00Sarah, I've gotten used to a married priesthoo...Sarah, I've gotten used to a married priesthood. It doesn't bother me, at all, to be honest. I got to know various priests, of different denominations; and their wives. You, and they are great people; and take on a certain load, in life. For that, I, and - I hope - the rest of the laity should be thankful for what you do for such men. <br /><br />On the revival of Eastern traditions: after reading about the latinzations occurring, in the past, I felt irked, knowing people within the Western ranks, have some deeply rooted sense of being threatened, jealousy; and whatever else the evil one decides to plant in their hearts, when it comes to the tradition of married clergy. It doesn't help, however, as I encountered a text put out by Catholic Answers, where institutionally celibacy in the priesthood is a pushed at the forefront. <br /><br />Fluid Motion & Designhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10963717225714324077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-902102460517670809.post-48658743088770913492012-09-08T17:02:44.819-05:002012-09-08T17:02:44.819-05:00For the benefit of your readers, the Greek address...For the benefit of your readers, the Greek address a priest's wife as "Presbytera," which also literally means "priestess." For the Russians, "Matushka" means "little mother," and for the Ruthenians (including Slovaks), "Pani" means roughly "Madame" or "Lady." ("Matka" means "mother.") A couple would be referred to, then, as "Father John and Preoteasa Mary."David L Alexanderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13871706129906941567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-902102460517670809.post-65276695870991879972012-09-08T14:29:18.088-05:002012-09-08T14:29:18.088-05:00Hevel- thanks for your perspective! BUT celibate p...Hevel- thanks for your perspective! BUT celibate priests get plenty of experience in 'real' life- they have parents, perhaps married siblings, and they hear the confessions of 'normal' people- a holy celibate priest (in my opinion, from a monastic tradition)is a treasure priest's wife - S.T./ Anne Boyd https://www.blogger.com/profile/03792937108732259684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-902102460517670809.post-58966847451478670282012-09-08T14:27:05.764-05:002012-09-08T14:27:05.764-05:00no- I don't assume that Roman-rite people are ...no- I don't assume that Roman-rite people are hostile- a 'frown' might be simple thinking about something else or not 'actively' smiling- some people don't have a natural smile to their face when it is at rest (that's me too)- no, on the fairly rare occasions when I see hostility from anyone it is very clear. But this should just motivate me to be holier so I am my family don't cause scandal- but the rare people who want to see something bad, I can't worry about that. It is hard enough to be holy without worrying that someone might be scandalized by my girls watching Sound of Musicpriest's wife - S.T./ Anne Boyd https://www.blogger.com/profile/03792937108732259684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-902102460517670809.post-88492621190537308022012-09-08T14:23:24.815-05:002012-09-08T14:23:24.815-05:00but your first point- yes, it does feel a lot like...but your first point- yes, it does feel a lot like that- I have no problem when friends or family or parishioners question stuff...but total strangers- I don't like it so much<br /><br />yes- bishops are always celibate (they should come from monastic tradition)<br /><br />yes- my girls are also helping at the 6:30 Mass- they now lead a Eucharistic song because that Mass does not have a cantor or choir (which for me is weird with a 10,000 family parish)priest's wife - S.T./ Anne Boyd https://www.blogger.com/profile/03792937108732259684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-902102460517670809.post-13590137947632049002012-09-08T14:19:38.384-05:002012-09-08T14:19:38.384-05:00:) literally, it translates as 'priestess'...:) literally, it translates as 'priestess' (so not 'mother' like many of the other languages)- but it really just means 'priest's wifepriest's wife - S.T./ Anne Boyd https://www.blogger.com/profile/03792937108732259684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-902102460517670809.post-64594233108898496772012-09-08T13:29:10.420-05:002012-09-08T13:29:10.420-05:00This was the first post I've ever read by you,...This was the first post I've ever read by you, back almost two years ago! <br /><br />Being in Israel most of the Christians I meet in my day-to-day dealings are not Roman rite, but Eastern Catholics, Orthodox or Coptic. My kids were raised Armenian Catholic in the orphanage they are from (even though they are Jews), and we have a few Armenian nuns who regularly visit us and let us visit to help our oldest Armenian daughter keep her first language. <br /><br />My point is, I run across many married Catholic priests. I find it strange when anyone argues against the married priests. In addition to serving G-d, they have a pastoral responsibility as well, and they are often the person people turn to when they have a challenge or a struggle. A married priest is often more qualified to assist in these struggles, simply because he has experience. I kinda wish Rome would follow suit. <br /><br />(In Jewish tradition, btw, an unmarried rabbi is not taken very seriously by most people, sinply because he has no idea about real life.)Hevelhttp://kosherkola.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-902102460517670809.post-35338559502892384752012-09-08T12:51:43.717-05:002012-09-08T12:51:43.717-05:00God bless you and your family for it's service...God bless you and your family for it's service to the Lord. Please do not assume that Roman rite folks are hostile to you. I'm pretty sure that some are, but a person's frown may not be indicative of their disagreement with Byzantine tradition. Yes, most are probably ignorant regarding your rite. But, I'll bet that most Roman rite Catholics would not have a problem if they knew that the Holy Father "sanctioned" the practice. I respect the practice of celibacy of Roman priests AND married Byzantine clergy. I believe the Pope is "smarter" and has more of a "connection" with the Holy Spirit than I do. And I think that Roman rite folks would feel the same way if they were a bit more "educated". But I also think that many of the people who greet you with a frown are not even thinking about Father being married. Sincere thanks to you and your husband.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-902102460517670809.post-53523148588962440962012-09-08T11:04:24.981-05:002012-09-08T11:04:24.981-05:00Thank you work posting. I have run across you blo...Thank you work posting. I have run across you blog before. I wish more people would see it. One of the things that first struck me when reading this particular post is how similar it is to women who post about strangers who come up to a large family and ask them 'if they know where babies come from', 'don't they have a tv', etc. Comments that generally stem from either ignorance or being set in one's ways. It seems that most people who approach you are the same, either ignorant or stubbornly set in a particular view that you seem to be messing with. <br /><br />I appreciate these posts though because you are helping to dispel misconceptions and prejudices that abound. I am always saddened by people's ignorance of their own Church's teachings. Even when they do know that there are Eastern Churches that are a part of the Catholic Church they do not realize that marriage can only come before, but not after ordination, or that Bishops come (I think always) from the monastic, vocations. The Church needs to "breathe with both lungs" as John Paul II has famously said. But in order to use both lungs we need to be aware that the second lung exists.<br /><br />So thank you. Thank you for answering your vocation to be a priest's wife, with all the work and struggles that that entails. Thank you for posting on the internet so that you wisdom, knowledge and experience can touch a wider community. Thank you for supporting your husband's vocation and ministry when he goes beyond what he originally envisioned to help the Latin diocese where you are. And thank you for raising your children to love and appreciate both lungs of the Church (I am assuming that the life philosophy I see in your writing is also how you live. A safe assumption I believe.) My prayers are with you as you continue to follow God's call in your life.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-902102460517670809.post-10157761305055816432012-09-08T10:51:42.580-05:002012-09-08T10:51:42.580-05:00"Preoteasa." That's Romanian for ......"Preoteasa." That's Romanian for ... uh, something.David L Alexanderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13871706129906941567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-902102460517670809.post-13585627616536127802012-09-07T22:28:10.546-05:002012-09-07T22:28:10.546-05:00we'll be sure to remember you in our prayer - ...we'll be sure to remember you in our prayer - for recovery from the lupus, and that you can opportunities to get some rest.Baron Muckihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00598483796221334060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-902102460517670809.post-38410792987843422482012-09-07T21:13:49.805-05:002012-09-07T21:13:49.805-05:00'Baron'- this is why I try to be anonymous...'Baron'- this is why I try to be anonymous...but your family and others like Steve and Mike and others are the "lovely and friendly people" that I wrote about. And just for the fact that we are allowed to be there after your Liturgy is proof that everyone is open to us crazy Romanians. I'm just such an introvert that it is a struggle to go into that coffee room to greet your priest (which I think is the polite thing to do as I am in his house) when I know that the people at his table see right through me - which is difficult to do as I am not a slim person ;)<br /><br />in any case, for those brave enough to tolerate my foibles, like your family and others- it makes the trek to the mission do-able- just so you know- I have been absent about every other Sunday (but I am at the Saturday Divine Liturgy vigil and the 6:30 Sunday up here) to try to get my lupus under control. Fr and the two big girls got home at NINE PM last Sunday because they had a dinner invite...not the most fun for a severely introverted lupus ladypriest's wife - S.T./ Anne Boyd https://www.blogger.com/profile/03792937108732259684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-902102460517670809.post-14884569147957820032012-09-07T20:56:46.788-05:002012-09-07T20:56:46.788-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Baron Muckihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00598483796221334060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-902102460517670809.post-4810233964541978002012-09-07T19:48:45.391-05:002012-09-07T19:48:45.391-05:00many blessed years to you, Father!
aren't you...many blessed years to you, Father!<br /><br />aren't you a lucky man- your wife's first job as a priest's wife is to see to your household (I should be so perfect...I'm trying)- everything she does for the Church is icing on the cakepriest's wife - S.T./ Anne Boyd https://www.blogger.com/profile/03792937108732259684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-902102460517670809.post-58534662572012276042012-09-07T19:47:05.991-05:002012-09-07T19:47:05.991-05:00I'm glad it is working out for your community-...I'm glad it is working out for your community- it is always an adjustment when changes are made...but reviving our Eastern traditions are so important for unity- don't you think? How can we ask Orthodox to be in union with Rome if their lawful traditions are compromised?priest's wife - S.T./ Anne Boyd https://www.blogger.com/profile/03792937108732259684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-902102460517670809.post-21431107246305585192012-09-07T19:45:14.846-05:002012-09-07T19:45:14.846-05:00thanks Kathleen- and your blog is one I read and e...thanks Kathleen- and your blog is one I read and enjoypriest's wife - S.T./ Anne Boyd https://www.blogger.com/profile/03792937108732259684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-902102460517670809.post-84942668324168574102012-09-07T19:44:26.668-05:002012-09-07T19:44:26.668-05:00...and you need to be married first! ...and you need to be married first! priest's wife - S.T./ Anne Boyd https://www.blogger.com/profile/03792937108732259684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-902102460517670809.post-45184695973602523092012-09-07T19:43:51.132-05:002012-09-07T19:43:51.132-05:00I am 'preoteasa'- pronounce every letter l...I am 'preoteasa'- pronounce every letter like in Spanish- but some people call me matushka, etc depending on the ethnicity of the speakerpriest's wife - S.T./ Anne Boyd https://www.blogger.com/profile/03792937108732259684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-902102460517670809.post-86975325445421338972012-09-07T19:41:44.586-05:002012-09-07T19:41:44.586-05:00depending on the community, they do get 'every...depending on the community, they do get 'everything paid for' (NOT us)...no matter what, the money should be very transparent so that the believers feel comfortable giving!<br /><br />on a side note: my husband, after counseling somebody, gets this comment a lot: "WOW! You just saved me years of therapy!"...and he doesn't get paid :) he's a better person than I; it makes him very happy to hear thispriest's wife - S.T./ Anne Boyd https://www.blogger.com/profile/03792937108732259684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-902102460517670809.post-85701912361728459762012-09-07T19:39:07.044-05:002012-09-07T19:39:07.044-05:00My senior prom was great too- I didn't go but ...My senior prom was great too- I didn't go but went to the big city to watch a ballet instead ;)priest's wife - S.T./ Anne Boyd https://www.blogger.com/profile/03792937108732259684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-902102460517670809.post-58991486173850819212012-09-07T19:38:27.331-05:002012-09-07T19:38:27.331-05:00right back at you!right back at you!priest's wife - S.T./ Anne Boyd https://www.blogger.com/profile/03792937108732259684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-902102460517670809.post-39625333361496814992012-09-07T18:57:46.247-05:002012-09-07T18:57:46.247-05:00Umm... I feel like I should say something... But n...Umm... I feel like I should say something... But nothing good comes to mind, so here's an e-hug. Hope that counts for something.Luke Iyengarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02336498510455350413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-902102460517670809.post-26627538167072362542012-09-07T18:23:34.749-05:002012-09-07T18:23:34.749-05:00As a side note, my only experience with they Byzan...As a side note, my only experience with they Byzantine rite was with a prom date. It was a great experience. Prof. Hannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15300702154669290410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-902102460517670809.post-16833853217317740142012-09-07T18:22:30.575-05:002012-09-07T18:22:30.575-05:00Great post. Why do people always assume that prie...Great post. Why do people always assume that priests rake in the money?Prof. Hannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15300702154669290410noreply@blogger.com