University of Virginia Library

An Interest In People

But I think there are other reasons besides
the unusual beauty of the church which
prompted one student to tell Father Stickle
that this was the first time in his life that he
had ever wanted to go to church.

Father Stickle's attitude towards life seem
to radiate from the pulpit and strike a common
chord with many of the students. Perhaps the
most important and amazing thing to realize
about him is that he does not see his activities
outside the church as being at all separated
from his life within the parish.

As one student said, Father Stickle has
become very close to many people outside the
church. This is due to the fact that, in his own
words, he mixes with people because he is
interested in seeing them, and sharing with
them.

Indeed, he is happy that students will come
up and talk to him for the first time as if they
had known him intimately. He feels for them,
reacts to them, and goes to them.