There has been little media coverage of the great compassion and humility among the majority of priests today. In my part of western North Carolina, we have had many, many clergy appointed to our parishes over the years, and the upside to all that change has been the opportunity to meet so many wonderful priests. Each one has helped me and taught me different things.
In January 2017, I packed a bag before heading to the emergency room. Although I did not know what was wrong at the time, I knew I would not be going home that day. I reached out to my home priest from the Diocese of Erie, Pa., the very wonderful Father Matthew J. Strickenberger, who throughout these years has remained an endless source of wisdom and compassion while displaying a most impressive collection of fun socks. I also reached out to Father Joshua Voitus, who at the time was serving at the parish near my home, St. Mary, Mother of God Church in Sylva. Father Voitus regularly offered to come to the hospital and, later, my home to hear my confession and give me Holy Communion. We talked many times in his final year at the parish, and rarely about serious things. Once we discussed what we were reading. I, a professor of music history, was reading a book about exorcism, while he was reading a book about the history of music notation. His time and his contagious laughter were a great blessing to me when very little in my life was particularly amusing.
I also received emails assuring me of prayers from Father Peter Shaw at St. Joseph Church in Bryson City. When I attended Mass at his church, he always remembered to break the Host into a smaller piece so I could consume it during the months I struggled to take in solid food. He always responded immediately with willingness to help at a moment’s notice, and he introduced me to the Litany of Humility and the Memorare – important prayers that have benefited me greatly.
I was blessed to be in remission from my illness for 15 months, and during that time, many new parish assignments enabled me to get acquainted with more of the diocese’s wonderful priests. Among them was Father Richard Sutter, then the parochial administrator at St. John the Evangelist Church in Waynesville. In the busyness of Holy Week, he gave me the Anointing of the Sick before I underwent a liver biopsy, and again a few months later when new troubles arose. For anyone who does not know Father Sutter, to call him a bundle of energy would be a big understatement, but he always stopped to help me every time it was needed. I learned from him the importance of fostering a personal relationship with our guardian angels, and his focus on the fruits of the Holy Spirit has had a lasting effect on my prayer life.
In 2019 Father Paul McNulty was appointed to succeed Father Sutter at St. John’s. I was starting a new treatment plan when he arrived and after his very first vigil Mass there, he gave me the Anointing of the Sick. I was able to see immediately that he had such a kind heart. Last September, I had another procedure and Father McNulty went out of his way to provide confession and the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick in a way that was safe during the pandemic.
I would be remiss not to mention Father Christopher Bond, who I only knew for a few months while he was serving at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Maggie Valley. A friend recommended I contact Father Bond to inquire about social distancing and masks for confession to ensure that I could remain safe. He responded immediately, assuring me that I could sit as far away from him as I liked. That made me laugh! He was generous with his time and providing the sacraments upon my starting yet another treatment.
Even though he has since been transferred to another parish, he has kindly let me bother him on occasion with questions I have had.
Because I am immunocompromised, during the pandemic I was unable to attend Mass with singing occurring and no mask mandate. I was fortunate that Father Tien Duong at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Franklin made confessions possible by hearing them in his office while observing social distancing guidelines and wearing masks. Their deacon, Rev. Dr. David Ramsey, has also been helpful in advising me on obtaining the sacraments during these strange times.
Lastly, I have also benefited from the appointment of Father Paul Asoh at St. Mary’s. One can scarcely miss the kindness in his gentle manner and words. He accommodated me numerous times for me to receive the sacrament of reconciliation in a safe and reassuring way. I had not been able to go to Mass in the diocese for over a year, but he required masks and altered his Wednesday Masses to omit singing – providing me and others the opportunity to receive the Eucharist. His accommodation of the vulnerable like me in this way has been an answer to my prayers.
It is so important to give thanks to God and to recognize the outstanding ministries of our priests, whose commitment to the people they shepherd is unwavering. Their names are unlikely to be found in the headlines, yet we are truly blessed by their quiet, seemingly unnoticed actions. As St. John Chrysostom said, “Do you wish to know if the people of any place are righteous? Look what sort of a pastor they have. If you find him pious, just, sound, believe the people will be the same, for they are seasoned with the salt of his wisdom.”
Christina L. Reitz, Ph.D. serves as a professor of music at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. (Photo courtesy of Western Carolina University.)