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

Reflections on the Church Hierarchy

Has there ever before been a time in Church history when moral and disciplinary laxity in the hierarchy has had to contend with a free and active press?

Briefly: September 2006

Reviews of Liberty and Power: A Dialogue on Religion and U.S. Foreign Policy in an Unjust World... Jacques and Raissa Maritain: Beggars for Heaven

Modern Martyrs

The drama of martyrdom, for both Edith Stein — philosopher, convert, Carmelite — and Jerzy Popieluszko — priest and patriot — commands our attention.