Fr. Gregory Plata, OFM, is pastor of St. Francis of Assisi and
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parishes in Greenwood and
St. Thomas the Apostle, Lexington, and Sacred Heart of Jesus in Winona

+ Last book read — “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett
+ Favorite book — “Forgotten Among the Lilies” by Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI
+ Favorite male saint — St. Francis of Assisi
+ Favorite female saint — St. Elizabeth of Hungary
+ Favorite city to visit — Philadelphia, of course!
+ My hobby or hobbies — Reading, fishing, biking, Catholic apologetics, music and visiting historical sites.
+ Person I’d like to invite to dinner — Pope Benedict XVI
+ On my 75th birthday I’ll eat — As St. Francis commanded — whatever is placed before me (hopefully lasagna)
+ Most enjoyable holiday — Easter
+ Most cherished religious article — Hand-carved crucifix in my office
+ Favorite place to pray — In my room
+ When do I pray — In the morning
+ Favorite artist or work of art — Salvador Dali’s “The Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus”
+ Favorite childhood memory — Going for long Sunday drives with my family into the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania
+ Favorite class in high school — Biology
+ Who influenced my vocation — Father Gratian Murray, my uncle, and many Franciscans at my high school
+ Favorite season — I live for summer
+ Favorite type of music — Jazz and classic rock
+ Best part of job as a priest — Experiencing people’s joy when they celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation after having been away from the church for so many years
+ Best blessing — The affirmation and love I feel from so many people
+ Greatest challenge — With the shortage of priests, trying to be more present to so many people
+ Do you have a wish? — That more young men might pray about and consider this way of life

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