When newly ordained young priest Neil Boyd arrives at St. Jude Parish, he discovers that the seminary has never been able to prepare him for Pastor Duddleswell, a robust and cheerful eccentric who has been a parish priest for 12 years. Neil is surprised when Duddleswell reminds him that in addition to the usual virtues of patience, love and charity, a parish priest must also have the acumen and ingenuity of a poker player. His confusion is heightened when Duddleswell and his housekeeper are constantly insulting each other.