To my fellow coordinators:
This assignment, as the coordinator, has been a source of many blessings. It is an honor to host Fathers Pfeiffer, Voigt, Hewko and Chazal.
These priests have a difficult task, to travel so far and so much, to give each of our locations the Mass and the sacraments. This can take quite a toll on them, and they deserve to be well-treated while on their mission runs.
I have tried to meet all their needs, whether they are spoken or not. I know this can be difficult, since the scheduling can be hectic, and that situations may arise that make Mass coordinating difficult. However, there are certain expectations each of us must set for ourselves as coordinators. I have provided a list of expectations (as I have seen none on any of the resistance websites), which may serve as a model for a more formalized list that can be used for current and future coordinators. This work is too important not to have some basic formulas for current and future coordinators.
1.Provide for the Priest:
This is an important point. The priest must be given all due respect. This point covers a wide array of duties. This includes ensuring a proper location for the Mass and an suitable area for confessions. One must provide the priest with food, drink and, when necessary, lodging. Coordinators should be willing and able to drive the priest to other Mass locations, or coordinate with others to ensure this happens. When possible, hold a collection, and donate to the priest and to his mission.
I think some points may need to be clarified on what is considered appropriate spaces for the Mass and confession. This list, however, will focus more on the treatment of the priests. These priests need to be treated well. Their food should be well-prepared, and when possible, not from a fast-food location. Ideal service is at table, on china (or similar). The priest should be given high status at table.
There are times when the priest needs to stay the night at our locations. The priest should be given a bedroom and a bathroom. He should not have to share either with anyone during his visit.
Travel time can be useful to these priests, as they can call and make arrangements for future masses, they can say their office or other prayers, and do more, if they do not have to do their own driving. For example, the priest does not have to worry about going from point A to point B, because a good person should volunteer to drive the priest.
If we coordinators can not ourselves take the priest to the next mass site, then we should call the coordinator of the next mass site, and arrange some sort of half-way point between sites, so we can share the load, and make sure the priest gets all the time he needs to attend to his duties of state. We should provide rides for the priests.
When the distance is too great to travel by car, we coordinators should take the priest to and from airports. There is no good reason for the priest to have to rent a car to get from the airport to a Mass site. If this is allowed to happen, then it becomes an issue of whether or not a site should continue to host the Mass.
2.Provide for the people attending the Mass:
One should primarily provide for and guard the safety of the priests who say our Masses. However, we should also ensure the Mass attendees also receive some of our attention. There should be a reasonable, open-door policy. No one should be turned away from attending the Mass, or be pressured into leaving. The Mass is for everyone, not just those we coordinators want to invite.
If anyone is left feeling unwanted at Mass, we have failed as coordinators.
Also, it is ideal to provide food and drink to all those who attend. It may be necessary to arrange a pot-luck after the Mass, so as to alleviate the financial strain on any single host family. No one should be sent from our missions on an empty stomach.
The coordinators must ensure that those who wish to speak with Father may do so, and that Father's precious time is not taken by any one individual.
3.Above all, charity:
We coordinators must ensure that we are models of charity and understanding. We must be kind and respectful towards the priests and the faithful we serve. We must encourage all the faithful to take an active role in the preparation for Mass, and any events which take place around this most Sacred of times.
We, as coordinators, must be able to handle any conflict with the same amount of charity we hope to receive from God. No one should be forced to leave the resistance because of personality conflict or clash. Any such issues should be between those involved and the priest, and should never be aired out in public, without first receiving permission from Father. Any such situation could result in scandal and potential libel.
A good friend of mine once told me, and I paraphrase, “you have to take care of these priests, muchacho, because they are here to take care of your soul.”
I hope we, as coordinators, may do our best to ensure the health and safety of our priests. God bless.