The Priest's Ritirement Speech
Subject: FW: The Priest's Retirement Speech
You don't need to be Catholic and go to confession to appreciate this
story. But, make sure you always live by the last line!.......!
A Priest was being honored at his retirement dinner after 25 years in
the parish. A leading local figure and member of the congregation was
chosen to make the presentation and to give a little speech at the
dinner.
However, he was delayed, so the Priest decided to say his own few
words while they waited:
I got my first impression of the parish from the first confession I
heard here. I thought I had been assigned to a terrible place. The
very first person who entered my confessional told me he had stolen a
television set and, when questioned by the police, was
able to lie his way out of it. He had stolen money from his parents;
embezzled from his employer; had an affair with his boss's wife; had
sex with his boss's 17-year old daughter on numerous occasions; taken
illegal drugs; had several homosexual affairs; was
arrested several times for public nudity and gave a STD to his
sister-in-law. I was appalled that one person could do so many awful
things.
But as the days went on, I learned that my people were not all like
that and I had, indeed, come to a fine parish full of good and loving
people.
Just as the Priest finished his talk, the politician arrived full of
apologies at being late. He immediately began to make the presentation
and give his talk:
"I'll never forget the first day our beloved Priest arrived", said the
politician. "In fact, I had the honor of being the first person to go
to him for confession."
MORAL: Never, Never, Never Be Late.......................... ..
