{"href":"http://player.captivate.fm/services/oembed?url=http%3A%2F%2Fplayer.captivate.fm%2Fepisode%2Fb847a6d5-47dd-46ba-ba45-80aa985023fc","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Captivate.FM","provider_url":"https://www.captivate.fm","width":600,"height":200,"type":"rich","html":"","title":"When 'Father' Is Also 'Son'","description":"Parents of Archdiocese of Detroit priests talk about the joys, challenges and blessings of raising a member of the clergy\r\n\n\n(0:04) The narrator talks about Catholics\u2019 perspectives about their priests, who can take on a larger-than-life persona and at times seem almost superhuman with everything they take on \u2014 caring for their parishes, being a spiritual refuge for their flock, and providing God\u2019s people with the sacraments. But priests also have parents, who take a very different view.\r\n\n\n(0:50) Mark and Susan Tibai, parents of Fr. Mark Tibai of St. Fabian Parish in Farmington Hills, talk about what it\u2019s like when their son comes home for the holidays. Gail Lajiness, the mother of Msgr. Todd Lajiness of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Plymouth, and Amy Roelant, the mother of Fr. Kevin Roelant of St. Thecla Parish in Clinton Township, add their perspectives.\r\n\n\n(2:29) Ann Heenan, the mother of Fr. Grayson Heenan of St. Andrew Parish in Rochester, talks about the reaction she gets from other parishioners when they learn she raised a priest \u2014 a mix of awe, curiosity and adulation. \r\n\n\n(4:17) The Roelants discuss how they knew Fr. Kevin had a calling to the priesthood since he was little. Gail Lajiness says her son\u2019s vocation was an answer to prayer.\r\n\n\n(6:40) Not all parents were as sure of their son\u2019s calling. The decision of their son to enter the seminary came as a shock to Fr. Heenan\u2019s parents, who had dreamt of grandchildren. There was a period of sadness when they realized that wouldn\u2019t happen, but Fr. Heenan\u2019s priesthood has been a blessing in its own way, they say. \r\n\n\n(9:50) The Tibais had a feeling their son would enter the seminary, but that didn\u2019t make it any easier when the rural country family had to drop him off in the middle of Detroit, where Sacred Heart Major Seminary resides.\r\n\n\n(11:19) Amy Roelant discusses the unspoken bond parents of priests share with one another. At Fr. Kevin\u2019s ordination, she recalls sharing a moment with the mother of another priest, who became emotional at the sight of her son\u2019s \u201cwedding day.\u201d\r\n\n\n(13:33) Parents share the blessings that come from their sons\u2019 vocations, including Masses celebrated at home, pride in watching their child lead a family of faith, and joy in watching others\u2019 lives changed because of their son\u2019s ministry.\r\n\n\n(15:16) Even though the life of a priest is busy, they all stress, that doesn\u2019t mean he doesn\u2019t have time for family. They discuss sharing their son during the holidays and weekends, but say that makes the time spent visiting even more special.\r\n\n\n(16:16) Parents talk about the spiritual benefits to their own lives that have come from their sons\u2019 vocations. \r\n\n\n(18:50) Fr. Tibai\u2019s parents give advice to other parents whose sons are considering a vocation. With a priest shortage in the Archdiocese of Detroit, it\u2019s imperative that families are supportive of their sons, they say, praying for God\u2019s will and trusting in the Holy Spirit, which ultimately leads to happiness and fulfillment.\r\n\n\nReporting by Daniel Meloy; narration by Leah Butalid; script by Casey McCorry; production by Ron Pangborn\r\n\n\nThis episode is brought to you by Angela Hospice, helping families provide the best care possible for the people they love. Visit us at AskForAngela.com\r\n\nListen to \u2018Detroit Stories\u2019 on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Fireside. Podcasts also will be posted biweekly on DetroitCatholic.com.","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/aff8fcf9-e252-4246-93c0-b00992b8d4aa/cover.jpg"}