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what they know is right, and what they'd rather do. It all comes down to a battle between heaven and

earth, Father. We have to take sides once and for all."

               Father Kevin's face was tight and emotionless. He spoke like a soldier dutifully accepting an

enemy's torture, without conceding top-secret information. He looked to the side, his dark eyes

moving to the rhythm of his thoughts. A strand of black hair now hung loosely over his brow.

               He continued, "I think you'll agree that this is a problem too large for one church. That's why

I've come to you. I propose that we join our congregations to initiate the start of this battle. I'd like to

arrange a mass where parishioners from both our churches can come together to hear two perspectives

on rediscovering the passion in their spiritual lives. It's a bit unusual, but I think we can overlook the

minor disagreements between our churches for just one day. Father , I'd like to ask for your

participation in a community-wide mass of renewal. The two of us working together may be just what

the people need."

               Father Feinstein winced. He leaned back in his chair and rolled his head, as if squeezing

himself between two large pricker bushes. "Yeah, it sounds great. But do we really need to do this

thing together? I mean, it would take a lot of rearranging schedules and changing plans, that sort of

thing."

               Father Kevin nodded slowly, "That's true..."The unnatural tension across his forehead made

him look like Bill Clinton or a career social worker. "However," Father Kevin said, "this is something

we should deal with as a community. And with you and I each presenting sermons, we'll give

parishioners the opportunity to accept a new approach to spiritual life. People will most likely return

to their old churches, but with a feeling that they've chosen a new beginning. Many may immediately

start to experience the kind of renewal I'm hoping for. Inevitably, a few people may prefer the style of

a new priest, and decide to switch churches. But even if that happens, so be it. All a priest is

concerned with is the spiritual best interest of his community. Wouldn't you agree?"

               Father Feinstein's eyebrows raised up like the flicker of a dying light bulb. "Uh, yeah...

community. Very important."Whatever the hell Father Kevin had been talking about was starting to