With all the mess going on in the Catholic Church, it is easy to sense why more people are stepping back. People have had their trust tested beyond measure by the Catholic Church administrators’ refusal to accept responsibility and accountability for decades of sexual abuse by clergy.
But with all of that said, faith is important. God is important. And it is only through those that hold steadfast to their faith that we not only survive this time in history but return the Church to the level it was meant to be. The level God intended it to be.
What must never be forgotten are the priests who were and are servants of God. Their faith-filled lives gave us strength, hope, and trust. They baptized us, confirmed us, married us and buried us. Now many never come to Church except to get “hatched” “matched” or “dispatched.”
In June, we lost Retired Monsignor George Yiengst. In retirement he moved to Florida to live out his last years. He had a lasting impact on thousands of people throughout his life.
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He would get up at 3 a.m. to sit and pray with someone who was dying. He never had an answering machine. If his phone rang, he answered it. He had committed to be there for God’s people and he was. During his years at St Pius X he was a People’s Priest. He came to a parish that was in debt and in trouble; through his wisdom and faith he left the parish in a financial standing that would have sustained it forever. He knew how to get things done.
When the parishioners wanted air conditioning in the church, he announced that we would decide if we could afford it. We would vote on it and the yes votes would win. But the yes vote had to be a check written out for $100. If enough $100 “Yes Votes” to cover the cost were received, we could have air conditioning. After two weeks, he not only had enough “votes” for air conditioning for the church but also for our church center as well. No fundraisers. No begging. No debates. We were the church. We would decide the outcome.
He died peacefully and I know he entered his eternal life with Jesus by his side. He was the priest that we all once believed all priests were, brave enough to always wear his collar in public, even when there were those who would give him no respect.
Whatever your choice in going through this trying time within the Church, remember the priests who chose to live out their lives as living examples of what Christian means.
Remember those that have been a defining part of your life, giving you hope, giving you strength, renewing your faith. Monsignor Yiengst was indeed a servant of God. He was loved by many and trusted by all. He was what the Catholic Church is supposed to exemplify.
Thank you Monsignor for a life well lived. A life well shared. A life well filled with love, compassion and hope. You changed lives forever and many will forever be grateful for your presence in their lives.
Perhaps this isn’t the time to walk away. Perhaps this is the time to stand up and fight for our faith, our right to be heard and to have a place in our Church. Perhaps it is time to allow Jesus to be in charge again.