By Paula Graham
Catholic Herald

Priest balances retirement, parish ministry

This is the third of a six-part series based on A New Springtime, a pastoral letter by Bishop Raphael M. Fliss.

Part III: "... planning efforts undertaken by the Diocese of Superior ... should: Respect the gifts that the priests of the diocese bring to the community of faith."

PHILLIPS -- Fr. John Patrick "J.P." Slowey, Phillips, retired from parish ministry in October, 1995. He could have propped up his feet in front of the TV and zoned out with the Green Bay Packers. He could have been content to putter in his garden and tinker with woodworking projects. Instead, Slowey took a 2-week break and got back to work. "I was already signed up to help before I retired," he said.

Creating alternative ministry assignments for retired priests who wish to continue to minister is one topic Bishop Raphael M. Fliss hopes will generate discussion as the Diocese of Superior addresses its priest shortage. In his pastoral letter "A New Springtime," Fliss outlines the most critical issues facing the diocese, including finding ways to minister to a growing faith community with fewer priests. Tapping the talents of those priests who no longer want the responsibility for a cluster of parishes may be a key to meeting the priest shortage.

Slowey finds it a blessing to be retired from the administrative duties of parish ministry. "Many priests have to retire to become full-time pastoral servants, just at a time we may be running out of steam. Ninety-nine and a half percent of the world is run by lay people. Let them use their administrative gifts to allow priests to minister in a pastoral way," he said.

At 73, Slowey loves retirement. He says he can get up when he wants, start projects and have a better chance of finishing them without "important, necessary" interruptions. "I'm known to be living up to my name: Slowey. I'm glad to be without constant deadlines, yet when I look back they were really life lines because as priests, we're called to serve."

Most weekends, by invitation, Slowey substitutes at Mass in parishes throughout the eastern portion of the Diocese of Superior. He says it's not unusual for him to celebrate four Masses per weekend. "As a priest, retired or not, we remember Eucharist as the source and center of our Christian Life. It's not second nature to us, it's super nature to us. We want to be involved in some way," he said.

Thankful for the good health that allows him to stay active and readily available to people, Slowey enjoys ministering to all ages, in group retreats like Teens Encounter Christ and Koinonia and one-on- one in spiritual direction. At the request of a parish, he helps at confirmation retreats. Slowey also serves as chaplain for the Phillips Knights of Columbus, helps with reconciliation at communal prayer services and gives talks at parish reflection evenings and adult education classes.

One of his pet projects is the Mass-in-Progress, a five-part historical dramatic presentation of the Mass, which he takes to adult and youth religious education classes. The program, which begins with the enactment of a Jewish Synagogue Service, then presents four Masses: Jewish Seder/ Apostolic Mass; Mass of the 4th Century; Mass of the 14th Century; Mass of the Future.

As Slowey reflects on the current shortage of priests, he looks back to boyhood and remembers some churches having Mass the first and third Sunday of the month. "Following World War II, we had more priests than we were used to in northwest Wisconsin." According to Slowey, the Diocese of Superior was able to open more parishes and extend Mass to every weekend in more places.

"I don't think it is right, but it looks like we are going to return to where we were," Slowey said. "Every church deserves to have its own pastor, not necessarily in residence, but that would be a wonderful thing." The greater the priest shortage, says Slowey, the more people will try to accommodate themselves to assisting in parish leadership. "Parishioners might be called upon to make greater sacrifices, like traveling, when necessary," he said.

Slowey notes that while the church has grown in abundance, it is not producing its leaders. "Where are we going to get our priests?" Slowey suggests that priests, young and old, approach young people and let them know they may have the qualities God and the bishop are looking for. "Teachers, parents, grandparents can encourage young people to look into God's call. We can pray for affirmation from our people to God's various calls to Holy Orders and Lay Ministry."

Looking at his role as a retired priest in the Diocese of Superior, Slowey has mixed feelings. On the one hand, he feels it is good for retired priests to make their talents and expertise available. "Once a priest, always a priest. Some are adept in liturgy, some in preaching. Retired priests can be called upon to consult on sanctuary design or financing a building project."

Slowey worries, however, that by accepting assisting roles in parishes, retired priests are enabling the Church to hesitate making greater strides to solve the problem of the priest shortage. "This is my vocation prayer: God, please enlighten your Church to ordain all those whom you are calling."

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2001