I'll definitely add this to my list. As a reformed "Good Girl" catholic, I have a hard time listening to anything coming out of a priest's mouth/mind without thinking it's all baloney. But my husband's cousin is a Jesuit priest and probably the most compassionate person I have ever met. He most recently spent 7 yrs as the Provincial (head guy) of the western U.S. region of Jesuits, headquartered here in Portland. It's an admin job that has aged him at least 15 yrs in that time. For the entire seven years, he never quit reminiscing fondly of his previous assignment as a parish priest in East LA. His love and care for his parishioners knew no bounds. His whole face lights up speaking about the many truly difficult scenarios he dealt with in that assignment but clearly it brought him such joy to be of service to the individuals in his parish. And sometimes I think that aspect is missing in my life: being more of service to others, having more compassion for my fellow humans. I see the joy it brings my cousin-in-law and I remember how service brought so much to my mother's life also. I look forward to reading this selection and hopefully fostering more compassion towards others.
Sally, I can so relate to having understandably mixed feelings about priests, and it's certainly heartening to hear of the good ones like your husband's cousin. I've known a few good ones, too. How amazing that your Jesuit connection had served in East LA, which is presumably close to where Gregory Boyle also served. I agree that service can be the answer. All the self-help literature says what anyone has been of service already knows: You get a lot more than you give. Thanks so much for your thoughtful commentary.
I finished listening to Gregory Boyle read his book last week and I loved it! Of course I cried, I laughed. It was very moving and beautiful. It still was a little weird hearing him say "homies", "home-boy", "home-girl"--but it seems to work for him.
I love this book! I put off reading it for years-even though I continued to get recommendations from friends-it was listening to Boyle talking with Krista Tippet that was my tipping point! I wanted to know more!
My Dad has a soft spot for the Jesuits too, according to my mom. She says they were very kind to him at St. Louis University which he attended as a poor, against the odds student. It is that experience which led him to convert to Catholicism. I am now inspired to ask him about it directly when I see him in a few weeks. Thank you!! I have heard about Doyle for years, decades? but shied away from anything more than listening to an occasional interview. He always seemed a bit “rock star” to me. I like your take away. My niece recently said something that your review reminded me of… she said that her family couldn’t remember the names of relatives just two generations prior. Her advice - your legacy is unimportant, no one will remember you after a generation - spend your life focusing on your relationships. And finally - you may enjoy this book or perhaps you have read it already? I loved it!!!! The Prison Angel: Mother Antonia's Journey from Beverly Hills to a Life of Service in a Mexican Jail
Okay, first of all, adding The Prison Angel to my list. Sounds like it was written for me.
Echoing what you said, the most important thing I learned about being a good teacher was forming a relationship with every student.
So interesting what you said about the 'rockstar' image of Boyle (whom I bet I called Doyle in a few spots, too.) Reading Boyle and not having seen or truly listened to the interviews, I read him as a truly humble guy. He is all about his people. He tells some funny stories about celebs in the Homegirl Cafe. He strikes me as a big teddy bear, quick to laugh and cry, a real mensch.
I'll definitely add this to my list. As a reformed "Good Girl" catholic, I have a hard time listening to anything coming out of a priest's mouth/mind without thinking it's all baloney. But my husband's cousin is a Jesuit priest and probably the most compassionate person I have ever met. He most recently spent 7 yrs as the Provincial (head guy) of the western U.S. region of Jesuits, headquartered here in Portland. It's an admin job that has aged him at least 15 yrs in that time. For the entire seven years, he never quit reminiscing fondly of his previous assignment as a parish priest in East LA. His love and care for his parishioners knew no bounds. His whole face lights up speaking about the many truly difficult scenarios he dealt with in that assignment but clearly it brought him such joy to be of service to the individuals in his parish. And sometimes I think that aspect is missing in my life: being more of service to others, having more compassion for my fellow humans. I see the joy it brings my cousin-in-law and I remember how service brought so much to my mother's life also. I look forward to reading this selection and hopefully fostering more compassion towards others.
Sally, I can so relate to having understandably mixed feelings about priests, and it's certainly heartening to hear of the good ones like your husband's cousin. I've known a few good ones, too. How amazing that your Jesuit connection had served in East LA, which is presumably close to where Gregory Boyle also served. I agree that service can be the answer. All the self-help literature says what anyone has been of service already knows: You get a lot more than you give. Thanks so much for your thoughtful commentary.
I finished listening to Gregory Boyle read his book last week and I loved it! Of course I cried, I laughed. It was very moving and beautiful. It still was a little weird hearing him say "homies", "home-boy", "home-girl"--but it seems to work for him.
So glad you liked it!
I love this book! I put off reading it for years-even though I continued to get recommendations from friends-it was listening to Boyle talking with Krista Tippet that was my tipping point! I wanted to know more!
Resistance is futile, as they say!
Meaningful words. I was generally familiar with "Tattoos," but need it now.
Doc, I think his writing is right up your alley.
My Dad has a soft spot for the Jesuits too, according to my mom. She says they were very kind to him at St. Louis University which he attended as a poor, against the odds student. It is that experience which led him to convert to Catholicism. I am now inspired to ask him about it directly when I see him in a few weeks. Thank you!! I have heard about Doyle for years, decades? but shied away from anything more than listening to an occasional interview. He always seemed a bit “rock star” to me. I like your take away. My niece recently said something that your review reminded me of… she said that her family couldn’t remember the names of relatives just two generations prior. Her advice - your legacy is unimportant, no one will remember you after a generation - spend your life focusing on your relationships. And finally - you may enjoy this book or perhaps you have read it already? I loved it!!!! The Prison Angel: Mother Antonia's Journey from Beverly Hills to a Life of Service in a Mexican Jail
Okay, first of all, adding The Prison Angel to my list. Sounds like it was written for me.
Echoing what you said, the most important thing I learned about being a good teacher was forming a relationship with every student.
So interesting what you said about the 'rockstar' image of Boyle (whom I bet I called Doyle in a few spots, too.) Reading Boyle and not having seen or truly listened to the interviews, I read him as a truly humble guy. He is all about his people. He tells some funny stories about celebs in the Homegirl Cafe. He strikes me as a big teddy bear, quick to laugh and cry, a real mensch.
Ugh - Boyle!!