The article about Rev. Charles Kelly was one of the sillier things I’ve seen in the 50 years I’ve been reading the Tribune. Did Ron Grossman intend to do a hatchet job on Rev. Kelly or does he just misunderstand the situation?
Personnel policies make 70 the mandatory retirement age for a pastor-the chief administrator of a parish. Rev. Kelly is not retiring as a priest. He can keep “his pocket appointment book with its scribbled entries. . . .” In fact, he will have more time to visit hospitals when he no longer goes to all the meetings that are a pastor’s lot.
Most Catholics know former pastors who are as busy as their health and energy allow. They still “stand on the church steps after services and greet the faithful.” The difference is that the former pastor no longer is in charge. Mr. Grossman gives the impression that Rev. Kelly intends to sit on his duff and sulk the rest of his life because he isn’t boss anymore. That sort of man would hardly be so well-liked by parishioners.
There is much priestly work for Rev. Kelly to do. If St. Daniel the Prophet Parish is so overstaffed-which I doubt-that his help is not needed, there are many parishes and Catholic institutions needing a priest who is willing to be priestly. After that article appeared, they probably began calling Kelly.
