Father Lange

 


I grew up in Holy Name Parish...

In Sister Marcella’s fourth grade class...

I was always looking forward to being an alter boy... 

And assisting Father Lange with serving Mass...


I wasn’t always the perfect alter boy...

One time, I took a sip of the wine...

Another time, I took a bunch of hosts...

But I confessed it all, so everything was fine...


Father Lange was a wonderful priest...

He was always available to hear my woes...

His direction that I needed to serve more...

Was his way to say ‘Behave!’ as everyone knows...


To be honest, I thought I wanted to be a priest...

At a time when I was indeed very young...

But I started liking this special girl at school... 

So the Jesuit priest idea was indeed far-flung...


I always respected Father Lange...

As a priest, he was truly a wonderful man...

I am still blessed to have had him in my life...

His spiritual guidance still helps me be who I am...


© 2022 Jeffrey Pipes Guice

My Wonder Years: A Book

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