new thread
Was out in Las Vegas last week, and saw several longhairs of various lengths around town. Didn't have a camera, so no new shots.
That kind of begs the question, for me at least -- are we multiplying in number? Or become more rare, for the most part?
Just thought I'd add that in here. =)
A couple years ago Ray and I were in Vegas and saw a scant few longhairs, kind of depressing in a way. it's good to hear there are more there now.
At a recent visit to the Bristol Ren Faire I managed to snap a few pics I'll share one of them. The two in the middle holding a flower I know and are longhairs the dark haired one has it pulled back tight so it's hard to see. I'll be going back soon and will post more.
Hope you had a great time in Sin City and won lot's or at least broke even.
Kevin
Definate thumbs up on that pic Kevin:)I've never been to a Ren Faire but would like to check one out someday.I'm sure there must be some here in jersey or possibly NY or PA.Thanks for posting this cool image.
Mark
I've noticed a LOT of long-haired men lately. An upturn in the trend?
- Fr M
Are you Roman Rite, Byzantine, Orthodox, what? If RR, what diocese? Or are you an order priest, Like Fr Stan Fortuna, who is well-know Franciscan Friar of the Renewal? A lot of diocese's have hair restrictions. For example: when I was in Philadelphia Archdiocese, they preferred no longer than collar-length, but tolerated shoulder-length; priests could not have facial hair, though, they must be clean-shaven. I was in a parish where the assistant pator was an ItaliaAmerican with shoulder length waves.
Here in Baltimore Archdiocese, the rules appear to be similar. The local Catholic affiliated university had a student pastoral advisor who was a priest with shoulder-length hair. The only lonhgaired priests I've seen, are the Orthodox ones that are building a monastery and retrest center up in the mountain, and some Franciscan Friars of the Renewal who attended a local university's seminary. Have been curious as to where you will be serving, and how long you will be allowed to grow.
Hello Carol,
I am a Roman/Latin Rite Catholic priest. I am in a west coast diocese, which probably explains the higher tolerance than other places.
As far as I know, there are no specific rules about hair length or facial hair. As a seminarian, I used to get razzed about growing a beard by a few friends. Apparently one bishop in the past was well known for insisting that all of his clergy be clean-shaven. I checked into that and was told that as long as it doesn't disrupt my ministry, it is fine. As I understand it, the same goes for hair. We'll see. 'Enjoy it while you have it, cut it if told to do so' - thats the mentality I've assumed (and should, given that little promise of obedience I made! ;) )
The thing that I have found - both in and out of seminary - is that you simply incorporate it into who you are. Don't let your hair become some artificial focus. So I have hair.... and eyes, a nose and a couple of ears. I don't make it some big 'thing' and simply deflect when people try to. If you want to talk about me, fine - but lets get down to the nitty gritty of who I am, not just the secondary, incidental things that I happened to be born with.
Peace,
Father M
Interesting that West Coast diocese's are a bit more 'hair tolerant' than in the East Coast. Well, it will be an interesting experience to see how far you can go before your bishop says "cut it"! The two priests I mentioned, both worked in Youth Ministry, so I think they were tolerated for that reason. The young people responded better to a young priest with a more relaxed, less conservative, look. Catholic priests in the Byzantine Rite are given more leeway in regards to hair length, due to their roots in the Orthodox Faith.
With ordination, you have professed your obedience to the Bishop and the Church, so ultimately how long you can grow your hair, is up to the whims of the local Bishop, since the Church itself has no rules prohibiting long hair on men. Hopefully you have a more hair tolerant Bishop who is relaxed on the rules. Congrats on getting through the seminary training, and making it to ordination. Will you be doing parish work, or assigned to some other ministry? I wish you well on your priestly journey, and hope you can continue your hair growing journey.
Prayerfully yours...
Thanks Carol,
I am assigned to a 'cluster' of parishes - which is simply to say that I am joining several other priests who have been assigned together to support several parishes that can not operate independently. But I'm also hoping to get involved in other ministries - youth and college work has always been something I've liked, as well as vocational discernment. For now though, its just the basics while I settle into this new life!
It is interesting how unconcerned my bishop and superiors seem in my hair length. It was quite the controversy at seminary, but as a priest there is much more respect for decisions like this it seems - and also (perhaps?) more understanding that this is not some rebellion against authority but simple self-expression.
It helps to have only one person at the top of the totem pole. The seminary - like any college/university - has many people at the top who have varying ideas that are attached to their sometimes whimsical authority. When you're a student, you're pretty much at the bottom of the decision-making ladder....
At the end of the day, I'm happy being a priest and glad to be able to grow out my hair.
Peace,
Father M
I'm glad that you've continued with your vocation Father. The Church has gotten a bad rap lately and it's good to see that there are still people that care enough about God and humanity to give of themselves. I'm sure the road less travelled will be a rocky and uncertain one and I wish you well as you journey along it.
BTW - no, I'm not particularly religous.
AndrewB
Thank you Andrew. I certainly hope to contribute to changing how people see the Church.
Peace,
Father M
(No worries about being particularly religious or not. We're all different types in the world, just trying to figure out what we're doing here)
Mr. Frodo !!
I wish I had known you were going to be in Vegas, I would have driven down and taken you out to lunch.
Hope you had a good visit.
Walter
Unfortunately, was there due to the passing of my father. One of these days I'll get to visit Vegas for the fun of it.
Jim, I am sorry to hear of this. My sincerest condolences.
Thanks Matt and Kevin.
My dad was one of the greatest men I've ever known. He taught me everything worth knowing about honor, integrity, being a good father, doing an honest day's work for an honest day's pay, and always being ready to help a friend or neighbor.
Ironically, although he was never happy about my hair since I started growing, it was his example of doing what he felt was right for him that inspired me to do what was right for me.
Hi Jim,
I'm sorry to hear of your fathers passing and you have my sincerest condolences.
It's great to know what when we are inspired to do something it's doing great for you and hair certainly shows that.
Cheers,
John.B
I'm very sorry for the passing of your Father you have my deepest sympathy.
Kevin
My condolences....no matter what age are how prepared we are, when a guy loses his father it is a unique loss.
Walter