Parishioners can be unaware of the totality of heavy demands made on their priest. It is also true that people’s expectations can be unrealistic. The priest needs to learn how to deal with their disappointments I count myself fortunate to be in my second parish as parish priest. When appointed to my first parish, I was under the deluded impression that popularity in that role would be automatic. The delusion sprang from my sense that there would never, in all the world, be a parish priest like me. I would do all the things expected of me and more, much more, besides. I would give myself to the people of the parish which had been put in my care, 24 hours a day, seven days a week: I would be utterly dedicated to them and they would appreciate my efforts on their behalf and love me in