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UOJ in other countries:
Albania
Holy Mountain of Athos
Bulgaria
Germany
Greece
Georgia
Serbia
USA
Czech Republic and Slovakia
In one diocese, they appointed a new inspector – energetic, strict, and very eager to enforce standards. He decided to tour the remote rural parishes without warning.
So he arrives at a tiny village in the middle of nowhere, walks into the church, and sees an elderly, good-natured priest in a worn cassock bustling around near the altar.
The inspector, determined to establish authority immediately, sternly asks:
“Well-well, Father! Report to me at once – how are things in your parish with catechesis, missionary outreach, and youth ministry?”
The old priest scratches his beard in confusion, smiles warmly, and replies:
“Oh, my dear fellow… Catechesis is doing splendidly – our catechist’s goat Manka just gave birth to three kids.
Mission work is going well too. Our church warden, old Mykhei, went to the neighboring village yesterday for spare parts, and while he was there he explained to all the men outside the store why swearing is sinful.
But youth ministry… ah yes, that’s where we’re struggling. The only young person left in our parish is me – I’m only seventy-two. All the other 'youngsters' are already resting in the cemetery.”