Warren LaCoste retired from the priesthood and moved into medical surgical sales. He thought his days of ministering to people's spiritual needs were over. LaCoste was wrong. As a salesman, LaCoste developed a new ministry counseling the people he encountered in his new line of work. In Market Street Priest, Warren recounts some of the moving encounters he had that earned him the trust, confidence and, yes, even love of those whom he helped in his 20 years sales career. LaCoste spent his sales career in south Louisiana. The names of the characters have been changed to protect their privacy, but the stories and encounters are as fresh and moving as if they were happening today. LaCoste's stories include everything from light-hearted banter to deep discussions of theology. Market Place Street is not a traditional religious book; instead, it is a book of personal encounters involving people in spiritual crisis who turn to a trusted friend for advice and consolation. Most didn't suspect that they were turning to a retired priest.
About the Author: Warren LaCoste always wanted to be a priest. He had sacrificed everything to become a priest, but the church didn't want him. LaCoste gave up the liturgical roles, such as saying mass, and promised not to hear confession, but he never stopped looking for ways to serve "I chose to leave the active ministry not knowing if I could survive in a layman's life," LaCoste says. "I had no idea how I would earn a living, but I filed a request with Rome to absolve me from my vow of celibacy, and, amazingly, it was granted." Once LaCoste received his dispensation, he believe he had left the ministry. It left a void in his life. Several priest friends allowed him to lead adult education programs; another gave LaCoste permission to begin what turned out to be a very successful parent program for baptismal preparation. Nevertheless, he was forced to jump around from parish to parish because sooner or later, someone -- usually the pastor -- objected to dealing with an ex-priest. Unable to lose stigma of the judgment of his former peers, LaCoste was forced to move on. He began a career selling surgical supplies. In that new field, LaCoste was called to counsel his customers who needed spiritual help. Most of the people who turned to him were women who were burdened with religious hang-ups and who were gasping for answers regarding church matters. LaCoste was in his element and founded, in essence, a new ministry. Over nearly twenty years in sales, LaCoste accumulated hundreds of stories, the best of which are included in Market Street Priest. LaCoste is now retired and lives in Lafayette, Louisiana with his wife Kaye. They are parents and grandparents. Warren, however, is still working his ministry, even in retirement.