On Mondays, I answer questions frequently asked by those considering a return to the Catholic Church. How do I know this stuff? I was away for more than 30 years myself, and am the co-author of When They Come Home: Ways to Welcome Returning Catholics, a book for pastors and parish leaders interested in this ministry.
I run into priests on the street in my neighborhood sometimes, and it just feels so weird, kind of like seeing a grade school teacher outside the classroom except he’s still dressed like a priest. What am I supposed to say? I’ve only been to Mass a couple times, so the priest doesn’t recognize me–I don’t think.
I guess it depends on how you react to other people you see on the street. If someone says hello to you, whether you recognize the person or not, it’s good to say hello back unless you think that level of engagement could lead to something dangerous. It also can’t hurt just to say hello to a priest first, though I wouldn’t recommend doing much more than that in a street encounter with a man who doesn’t recognize you.
How wonderful that you’re seeing priests on the street, though. Sometimes, we think of them as Mass celebrants and dispensers of other sacraments. Their service does not end with those very important responsibilities, however. They provide pastoral counseling. They advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves. As Pope Francis recently said of priests: “He stands apart from no one, but is always ready to dirty his hands. A good shepherd doesn’t know what gloves are.”
And because they’re human, sometimes they go out to dinner with friends or go to a movie or concert or the theater.
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