A lot of people often talk about of their parish priests whom they referred to as the best parish priest so far. These people state characters that they like and dislike from what their respective parish priest have shown. Wherever we go, we can hear a lot of feedbacks about priests. Some are god to hear, some are not. Some are happy and some are sad. Some enjoy while some do not. This simply shows that whatever we do affect others especially that our characters are observable. It is inevitable that people often caught off-guard even priests. Sometimes we show things that we don’t really intend to. In our vocation campaign, I asked some of the parishioners if who was their unforgettable parish priest and what character that they like. These are the characters they like and I will not mention the names of the priests.
The first that I have interviewed said that she like her current parish priest because he is kind. She also said that all priest are good persons because they are all instruments of God to preach and teach people. The parish priest that she like most is really that kind and generous. She said she didn’t experience the previous parish priest because she was in Manila for so many years and she can only recall the previous and the current.
The second that I have interviewed said that she liked their previous parish priest because he is what she called “suplado.” For her, she knows her boundaries with him and she can’t just do her thing on him. She liked it because she said she has more to discover to a person when he acted that way. She don’t like persons who are so open with himself. This turns her off. She was speaking with her experience with her husband who was also a “suplado” as she said.
I only interviewed people who were at the rectory because they are accessible. With this, I realized that what we show really matters. They can either attract or repel people. What we show does not just came out at an instant but because we build it. We become who we are the way we want ourselves to be. This experience reminds me to show who really am. I have to build my character not just for the people to imitate but because it is a good thing to do. As I struggle in the formation, I am hoping I can build a strong character like what Pope Francis is showing to us. The way he lives makes people do the same especially that he visited the Philippines. How wonderful life isn’t it? He is one of the best parish priests all around the world. He acts who he is. This makes him the best person and man of God. For you, who do you think the parish priest you like the most? Why? What makes him the best for you? Check it out!
-Jeryme Cordero
Philo Notes 