The Retirement Dinner

The Retirement Dinner

A priest was being honoured at his retirement dinner after 25 years serving the parish.

A leading local politician and member of the congregation was chosen

to make the presentation and give a little speech at the dinner. He was

late getting there, so the priest decided to say his own few words while

they waited.

"I got my first impression of the parish from the very 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 , taken illegal drugs, and gave VD to his

sister.

I was appalled. But as the days went on I knew 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 gave his talk.

"I'll never forget the first day our parish priest arrived," said

the politician. "In fact, I had the honour of being the very first person

to go to him for confession."

Moral: DON'T EVER BE LATE FOR A MEETING.