Volume > Issue > In the Country

In the Country

A PLACE FULL OF GRACE

By James Schmitmeyer | September 1997
The Rev. James Schmitmeyer is a priest of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and Pastor of St. Louis Church in North Star, Ohio, and St. Nicholas Church in Osgood, Ohio.

“Where are your sheep, Father?” Jay asks as he throws another rock on the pile behind the barn.

“They got mad and left,” I respond as I try with a hoe to pry loose a slab of cement. “They got tired of this rocky manure yard and decided to go to the city. I think they’re headed for Chicago.”

“Father, priests aren’t supposed to lie.”

Jay is 10 years of age and old enough to provide some direction to misguided adults.

“I’m just telling you what they had on their minds. You don’t see them around anywhere, do you?”

“So where are they?”

Enjoyed reading this?

READ MORE! REGISTER TODAY

SUBSCRIBE

You May Also Enjoy

Why Pope Pius XII Was Right

Pius guided the Church with a combination of caution, courage, and compassion. In so doing, he lessened suffering, saved many lives, and even helped the Allies win.

You Can Spit on God, But Don't You Dare Affirm Him

The First Amendment never intended, nor does it presently intend, that any mention of God or Jesus Christ in public prayer is cause for men to scurry to court.

Briefly: March 1994

Reviews of Man and Woman: Love and the Meaning of Intimacy... Islam and the West... Sephardim: The Jews from Spain... The Jews of Spain... Spain and the Jews... 1492: The Life and Times of Juan Cabezon of Castille... The Strength Not to Fight... Caring for Creation in Your Own Backyard... The Anatomy of Antiliberalism... A Historical Commentary on the Major Catholic Works of Cardinal Newman