Joe’s first knock was unanswered. Perhaps no one is home, he thought. But I’ll try again.
A faint noise from inside answered his second knock. The door opened slowly. To Joe’s surprise he was looking down on an elderly man in a wheelchair.
“Come in!” The invitation was brief but welcoming. “I presume you’re Joseph. I’m Steven.”
Joe warmly squeezed the out-stretched hand. “Glad to meet you Steven. Yes, I’m Joe.”
“Joe, is it! Okay. Well Joe, we’ll start in the kitchen.”
Over morning tea Joe was briefed on what his duties would be. “I know you’re going to fill in for Bruce for six months. We’ll keep times of Mass and Sacraments as usual. But we can rearrange meetings if needed.”
“It’s okay Steven,” Joe interrupted. “Keep things going as before – all fine with me.”
Steven smiled. “Oh to be young again and have your energy and enthusiasm! On a personal note,” he continued, “I would need you to remain in the presbytery on Wednesday nights. I know I’m old-fashioned and I don’t apologise for it!” He continued seriously, “But I think it necessary for a priest to be available at the presbytery at all times for a sick call or for any emergency. On Wednesday nights I meet up with a group of olduns, all retired – dinner at one of their homes – all married men, except, of course, me. Afterwards we play cards and discuss world events.”
“Sounds great,” Joe ventured.
“Well,” answered Steven, now smiling, “It’s a night out with friends. Can be quite noisy if we get onto a subject on which we have differing views! On the whole, I enjoy it.”
“Of course I’ll fill in ‘whenever’. I can be here other nights too.”
“No, just Wednesday nights. We do have meetings some other nights. But they are always here at the presbytery. Now, if you’re ready, I’ll show you around.”
Joe was amazed at how easily Steven managed his wheelchair. He was also fairly sure that the bishop was unaware of the extent of Steven’s immobility. Yet, from what he could see, with the help of his wheelchair, Steven was still an active priest.
The house was old and rambling but modified for the needs of a wheelchair driver.
Overall, Joe’s first reaction to the house was ‘old but comfortable.’
“Let me know any time you need to be driven somewhere,” Joe offered.
“Thanks Joe. But unless something unforeseen happens, I can get around okay. My car is set up so that I can drive lawfully. I can still walk with sticks rather than crutches. You’ll see how the Church is set up so that I can say Mass with just an odd step to mount. Parishioners are very good – there’s always someone to help me up that ‘odd’ step.”
As he settled into the first week of parish life, Joe was amazed at the way the older man moved around and completed any task he set himself – in spite of his physical disability.
On the third morning Joe accepted Steven’s invitation to join him in concelebrating a school Mass after which they joined the teachers at school for lunch.
“Happens quite often after a school Mass,” Steven relayed to Joe with a smile. “But I think these teachers want to sum you up.”
It was a pleasant meal, but a rather disrupted one as most of the teachers were in and out on playground duty. While Steven was in serious conversation with the principal, Joe decided to view the playground games. He had barely stepped outside when he was spotted by Sally, one of the young teachers. “Fr. Joe, come and join us!”
He was soon in the middle of a game of touch footie. Sally confided to him later that he was ‘an answer to prayer’ as she endeavoured to organize the game between Years 3 and 4 boys. Once Joe took charge of Year 4’s leaving Sally with Year 3’s, order returned.
The game, although short with the bell going to signal the end of recess, was fast and noisy.
Most of the students dallied, even after the second bell, to pepper Joe with questions as to when he would play again.
Sally expressed her gratitude. “Gee, Father, you saved my bacon! I usually have the girls group – so much easier. Those boys have so much energy! Naomi usually takes them and she’s good with them. But she had to go to an inservice course today. Thanks again!” as she ran to her class.