very upset with church...

Just a little background. Fh converted to be catholic this year. It was a VERY long and time consuming process (just ask divabride ) However, we enjoyed it and it really brought FH and I closer to our faith as a couple (cheesy but true) Well through this process we got to know a priest Fr. Steve (not REALLY REALLY well, but we saw and chatted with him a lot) We asked him to marry us and switched from the priest (the pastor, fr. Bill) we were originally assisgned to. Fr. Bill is a Nice man, but not the greatest of speakers, a little boring too. We have been so happy with our decision, Fr. Steve met the whole family, both sides..everything was great.

Fast foward to 2 weeks ago. He got a promotion and is being transferred to St. Chris's parish and being promoted to Pastor. I am very happy for him. He deserves it. HOWEVER, he is leaving St. williams TWO days BEFORE our wedding. I placed a call to him as soon as I found out and said i needed to talk to him (I said I wanted to talk about the readings we wanted and going over our program )... I may have had very bad cell service and maybe he couldn't understand the message.. MAYBE.. I heard all the brides were getting letters telling them that Fr. Steve wasn't doing thier weddings. But I held out hope that he would still do ours.

Well he never called back.. so I gave him the benifit of the doubt and called him today again. He didn't answer so i left a message. Then I got home and got the letter. It said. I am not doing your wedding, I am leaving the 29th of june and the new priest will start the same day. He will take over your wedding at that point. UMMM WHAT??? 2 days before the wedding the new priest starts. How much will our homily suck??? It will be so impersonal. PLus when do we meet the new priest... at the Rehearsal? I am sooo SAD

We really wanted someone who could recognize how much we have grown together in church and whatnot. There are other priests we can switch to but we need Fr. Steve to call us back first!

AND Why won't he call me back. We still need to talk to someone about our readings, music (the choir director says we all meet about a month before, you know, NOW) and the order of our mass (we need to print the programs) We don't know who the priest is.. What do we put in the programs.. MYSTERY PRIEST??? I am NOT NOT NOT waiting until 2 days before my wedding to talk to someone about this. I JUST THINK A CALL BACK WOULD BE POLITE!!!

I am just soo sad. If he doesn't call by thursday I am just calling the Pastor and begging for him to re-take on our wedding.. I am not above begging.


I just don't need this stress.

I am so sorry this is happening to you.

Thats horrible!!! Im so sorry. Maybe that letter was a general one to all the brides to be. With that said maybe by writing back or trying to leave another message will make him understand that two days before your wedding really isn't the right time to switch officiants. Good luck and I hope it works out!!!

Oh soo sorry to hear that.

I thought I was the only one having problems with the Church, they are absolutly insane! They give nothing but problems! I'm sorry hun

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Posted by Backinneyork

Try writing him a letter since he won't answer your calls. That really ***** - I am so sorry!!!

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I don't think I will write him (great idea though). If he doesn't call me by thursday I will call him again. If i get his voicemail I will leave a message. Then on Friday I will call the pastor, go over my priests head and ask the pastor to do our wedding. Hopefully the priest will call me back though because I feel funny about the whole thing.

Is there any way you can find out who this new priest is and contact him at his current parish?

Explain that you have a special situation (a converted Catholic) and because of that you would like to meet with him in advance.

Also, years ago, my grandfather and step-grandmother had grown close to the priest that married them (after their spouses had passed). When my grandfather died, this terrific priest came back to do his eulogy, even though he had been transferred to another parish. If he wants to, and isn't moving too far, he might be able to come back for you.

Trish - I had to come and find your post (I knew you'd post it)... I am so sorry about this.

For those that asked, yes, the letter was a form letter that he just signed. I got the same one but since my wedding is 10 months away it wasn't upsetting.

I actually suggested what the last poster said - to call whoever the new priest is (we have an idea) and try to see if you can meet with him. But overall, girl, I think you just need to call the Pastor.

BTW, he was at the FireHouse on Memorial Day I heard.....

to you and Stephen - seriously, no matter who it is marrying you, the most important words are not in the homily...it'll be your vows. i love you!!!!

That totally *****! I can't imagine why he wouldn't return your phone calls.

Trish dont take this personally. I too left various messages for Fr Steve, and he NEVER returned them. He would always see me in class and take care of business there. I would suggest trying to talk to him after mass (so he cant run away ) or we can always get in touch with Big Robin, since she follows his schedule to a T
Anyway, since its only a two day difference, I dont see why he wouldnt come from his parish to St William for 1 hour.
If worse comes to worse, do you think maybe he'll write a homily of you two and pass it on to the new priest? Just a thought.......