12/15/14 attended noon mass at good shepherd Beverly hills today..Father Tom presided ...he's quite a character..I remember when he first arrived..it's always awkward when a new priest arrives ...all the long-time parishioners know the routine and layout of the church and also know the new priest does NOT know everything..doesn't know the people, the parishioners, the community, the neighborhood...and so the priest has to make a decision to somehow "take control" (as most priests think they need to do ) while also not being authoritarian and thereby alienate the entire congregation...let's face it we the people want a friend in the pulpit...we want a "brother" more than a father....and so it's been interesting watching Fr. Tom evolve as such..I'm not sure what the consensus is..I just hope he is becoming accustomed to everything at good shepherd and that he feels the love of the body of Christ..and that he continues to grow and not feel as if he must be "in control" but simply be a beacon of love ...help facilitate love !
