May 1, 2023
EDITOR’S NOTE: This reflection was originally posted by Paulist Fr. Joe Scott to the Facebook page of Old St. Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco.
I’m thankful I was born into the family of Joseph and Frances Scott, who always gave me a feeling that I was loved and supported. So many in our world do not experience this, and I feel very, very lucky and very, very blessed to have enjoyed being with my birth family and every one of its newest members!
At age 17, I applied for the Paulist seminary. I wanted to be a priest but knew nothing about the Paulist Fathers. I learned about being a Paulist by meeting its members, who shared great stories and laughter, and a common sense and humane way of living out my faith. It wouldn’t be honest to say that EVERY Paulist was this way, but enough to keep me going. They taught me that “all are welcome in this place.”
It’s because I’m a Paulist that I’ve met so many women lay leaders and Sisters whose talent and generosity make our Church alive. It’s because I’m a Paulist that I was able to hear these women preaching in our parishes and learn how effective they were as proclaimers of the gospel. I’ve come to believe that our Church will not be truly healthy until at least 50 percent of its leaders are women.
It`s because I’m a Paulist that I got to work with so many members of the LGBTQ community who were making our parishes thrive. Our Church has not always easily welcomed them, but their faithfulness and generosity have brought Jesus to me. I’m pleased and proud that our Paulist Press is now publishing so many powerful voices of LGBTQ Catholics.
It’s because I’m a Paulist that I’ve been able to meet, work with, pray with and enjoy the friendship of members of the Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh and Christian communities. They’ve have opened my heart to so many ways of seeking and celebrating the God of merciful love.
I’ve served the people at the Catholic Student Centers at Ohio State, Santa Barbara and Austin, and at the Paulist Press, Old St Mary’s in Chicago, Portland’s St. Philip Neri parish, St. Paul the Apostle Parish and School in Los Angeles, and most recently at San Francisco’s Old St. Mary’s, with our wonderful Chinese community and our many weekly visitors.
When I applied for the Paulist Fathers seminary in 1964, I thought that a priest wore colorful robes and spoke to God at an altar with his back against the people. As a lifelong introvert, that suited me just fine. Not in my imagination as yet were the millions of miracles called the people of God. YOU have taught me what a priest is, with your patience and honesty, and good humor and yes, love. And for YOU I am eternally grateful!