A priest once told me of an experience related by his former professor, the priest who taught his religion class at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. He said, "I was in my first parish. It was a peaceful setting. I had a big St. Bernard dog who slept under the front porch of the rectory.

"One night I heard Robo barking furiously, but I was tired from a long day of calling and eventually I went back to sleep. The next night I heard Robo barking again, about the same time of night, a little after midnight. I went to the window and saw there were lights on over at the church.

"I hastily dressed and stepped outside to find out who could be there at such a time. Then I saw Robo with his hair up, pointing with his body toward the church. Something in his manner made me nervous. I was fearful now of disturbing an intruder.

"But, when I arrived at the church, I saw a priest at the altar celebrating the mass! He had his back to me as a priest would at that time, so I could not see his face. I hesitated, but then started down the center aisle. Who could it be? Parish pastors are very careful not to go into another man's parish without permission. And why past midnight?

"As I came closer the strange priest suddenly whirled and faced me, his robes flying outward, his eyes flashing fire. He held the flat of his hand at me and said, 'Stay back! Stay back! I still have five nights of masses to say.'

"The face was strangely familiar to me, yet I knew him not. I backed away and left the church at his command. For five more nights Robo barked and I saw lights on in the church, but something held me from saying anything to anyone at first.

"At last the nightly sessions were over. I talked with members of the parish committee. We looked into the historical records and found the photograph of a former pastor in our parish. The face was of the man at the altar!

"A member of the parish committee said, "That priest took many contributions for masses to be said, but he was accidentally killed before he could fulfill his obligations.'"

My friend heaved a sigh and said, "We in the ministry take these commitments to say masses very seriously. He had taken the small contributions fully expecting to conduct the masses he had promised."