There’s a well-known Internet marketing expert with whom I have consulted on a few occasions. His name is Rich Schefren. I first learned about Rich when I read the Internet Business Manifesto, a report that he wrote and released in 2006. Rich is one of two experts in the marketing world who have had the most influence over me. The other marketing expert is Dan Kennedy.
Six years ago, while I was doing a holy hour in the adoration chapel, a young local businessman that I knew stopped by the chapel to say a prayer. When he saw me, he brought up an incident involving the pastor in his parish. He said that the incident upset him so much that he was going to circulate a complaint petition around to his fellow parishioners to sign, and then send the signed petition to the Bishop of Peoria. After I asked him some questions about the incident, I told him, “You’re not going to circulate a petition against the priest!”
About 10 years ago, I saw a young priest I knew at an out-of-town graduation party. I asked him how everything was going and he answered, “Terrible!” When I asked why, he said, “The people in my parish hate me.” I started laughing. I thought he was kidding. He was a good and holy priest, had a good sense of humor, and liked to joke around.