When Father James arrives at Sacred Heart parish after two years of depression, his time with the older pastor there lifts his spirits and gives him a sense of purpose again. For two months, Father James overworks himself constantly, but is happy and content with his life — until the arrival of another pastor, Father Jonas. The day of the new pastor’s arrival, he comes down with a debilitating illness that sentences him to bedrest for two weeks. During this time, he is hyperaware of the new pastor, who steals away the parishioners’ love and affection, particularly the boys. Father James recovers enough to have Christmas dinner with his two colleagues, but at the dinner, he is overcome by such jealousy and grief at having been replaced that he has a seizure and collapses.