Today I had my monthly Jesu Caritas group, a group of 5 priests who gather to pray together, share on our ministry experiences, and offer mutual support.
My personal sharing was on the experience I’ve been having lately of being an “authority” within the diocese. That doesn’t mean that I’m *in* authority — I don’t occupy a position that shares in any sort of executive power. Nevertheless, by being within the diocesan structure, including as head of a couple of committees, I become a reference point for people, and by that same token acquire a sort of “authority” whether I expect/desire it or not. This was driven home to me during the regional Christmas parties I attended this year: FAR more people knew who I was than vice versa. It was really odd, and something that I’ll just have to get used to I guess, for as long as I am at 2000.