In Mysterious Ways: The Death and Life of a Parish Priest Book

This is a haunting book about the final years of Fr. Joesph Greer, the pastor of St. Patrick parish in Natick. In Mysterious Ways is as much about the realities of the Catholic Church in Boston as it is about the illness--bone marrow cancer--that Fr. Greer faces. The author set out to learn about what it means to be the pastor of a large Catholic church, and ended up following Fr. Greer through his ultimately unsuccessful fight for his life. Knowing one priest who I would actually call a friend, I have some idea about what the life of a pastor is all about: work, work, and more work, as well as loneliness, disappointment, and frustration. At the same time, being a priest is about connecting with people at the most important parts of their lives, and being a part of something much greater than one's self. With all of the day to day issues of a parish (parking lots, leaky roofs, fund raising, the politics of the Archdiocese, not to mention administering the sacraments, dealing with those who need guidance, etc.) Fr. Greer had to face his own very severe illness, and ultimately, his mortality.

This was a powerful book. Written nearly 20 years ago, the issues the author points out with regard to the Catholic priesthood--simply not enough priests to do the work--have only become exacerbated by the passing of two decades. I can't help but wonder what the indomitable Fr. Greer would have said about the abuse crisis. I'm sure he would have had some very choice words.