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A Saint and a Sinner: The Rise and Fall of a Beloved Catholic Priest

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Stephen H. Donnelly

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“There’s a certain mystique about a priest’s uniform; black slacks, black shirt, and Roman collar that evokes different responses from different people—sometimes reverence, other times disdain. Being perceived as a pillar of the community can be a heady experience for a new priest, and one’s ego needs to be checked continually. The collar can also be an aphrodisiac for certain women, single or married, who are attracted to and flirt with the “unattainable” priest.”

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Book:A Saint and a Sinner: The Rise and Fall of a Beloved Catholic Priest
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“When he returned from St. John Vianney, Charlie felt fully vindicated. “They couldn’t find one thing wrong with me, Stephen.” All I could think was, “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” I knew in my heart; I could not even cast a pebble.”

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Book:A Saint and a Sinner: The Rise and Fall of a Beloved Catholic Priest
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“Suddenly, there was no anger, no tears, or ultimatums. All that remained was the realization that the dream had withered and died. I guess that’s what happens to love when the expectations are too high, there are a plethora of insurmountable obstacles, and too much at stake. Even fairy tales have unexpected endings; not everyone lives happily ever after. For years, I had been swimming in a sea of other people’s expectations. Perhaps this breakup was the only way I could genuinely rediscover myself.”

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Book:A Saint and a Sinner: The Rise and Fall of a Beloved Catholic Priest
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“The old cliché, “There are no words,” is regarded by many as an empty platitude, but I beg to differ. Well-meaning people use the expression over and over because it’s true. We don’t have the language to describe the grief that comes in waves, swallows us up, and keeps us on our knees. There is no road map through grief: it takes time, patience, and love for the soul to heal and reemerge. A deep faith in God and the belief that, as promised, we will indeed see our loved ones again in heaven has kept many people anchored until such time as they can right the ship and find the joy in living again.”

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Book:A Saint and a Sinner: The Rise and Fall of a Beloved Catholic Priest
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“It took me two relapses,” I shared one evening at an AA meeting, “but I had my last drink in 2002 after I stared down my fears. Some of you may have been dealt a bad hand in life in one way or another, but that doesn’t mean you can’t reshuffle the cards.”

ForgivenessMemoirRedemptionCatholicismBiographiesAddiction Recovery12 Step Program
Book:A Saint and a Sinner: The Rise and Fall of a Beloved Catholic Priest
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“I took a deep breath and willed myself to focus on the questions. “I don’t know. I like to rescue people, especially those in the throes of addiction. It’s like a derailed train; I swoop in like Superman and put the train back on the tracks. Is the train going to get to the next station? I don’t know, but at least it’s out of the ditch and upright before I walk away.”

ForgivenessMemoirRedemptionCatholicismBiographiesAddiction Recovery12 Step Program
Book:A Saint and a Sinner: The Rise and Fall of a Beloved Catholic Priest
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