What is Father Dan Thinking? 11-24-24

Priestly Spirituality and Catholic Evangelism.

The SCP that you’ll often find at the end of my name stands for the Society of Catholic Priests (in the North American Province). No, we’re not Roman Catholic. We are faithful Episcopalians who affirm the historical catholicity of the Church of England and its global offshoots. One way to describe us is as liturgical traditionalists and biblical/theological/social progressives. We came to be in response to the needs of liturgical traditionalists who embraced the ordination of women and the full sacramental inclusion of lgbtq+ people.

Members of the SCP aren’t professed religious, unlike, say, Br. Desmond and the members of the Society of Saint Francis. But we are inducted into our society, observe the society’s rule of life, pay annual dues, and commit to meet and support one another as best we can. Priestly spirituality and catholic evangelism – their formation and support – is why we exist. Here is how I live into these principles as the rector of All Saints’.

My priestly spirituality includes the keeping of the Daily Offices of Morning and Evening Prayer, the regular celebration of Mass, specific time for personal prayer and devotion, receiving and hearing the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and meeting with a spiritual director. These practices, of course, are part of the baptismal covenant we all share. Priestly spirituality simply means that, because of my ordination vows, the Church sets me and my colleagues apart to pay particular attention to these. It’s our job, you might say.

Catholic evangelism is using the tools that the tradition gives us to spread, by word and example, the good news of Jesus. While few of us wear a cassock and cap most always, as I do, we’re certainly found in our white collars while we wander about our parishes. Being priests visibly, with all the joys and peculiarities and occasional insults it brings, opens people’s eyes to the existence of the Church and the possibility of conversation and, yes, conversion.

Your faithfulness in prayer, in weekly attendance, and in generous financial giving helps me live into my priesthood and, more importantly, helps me help you draw closer to God. Thank you!

God’s blessings and peace,

Dan+