The Calling >> The Life
The priesthood is a life of sacrifice and a life of service because it is the life of Christ. Yet where there is love, sacrifice is possible. In addition to administering the sacraments, a priest may be given one of a number of apostolic and charitable assignments.
A diocesan priest is primarily a parish priest, but he can also be assigned full-time to a specific ministry in the life of the Church. Some priests may completely dedicate themselves to teaching, others to work in prisons and others to serving as hospital chaplains or college chaplains.
Teaching (Fr. LaGiovanni in Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie; Fr. Stephen Norton at Kennedy Catholic High School)
His parish is the school. The priest gives his day over to the rhythm of the school, teaching a subject that he has mastered. Through his priestly presence in the halls and classrooms, in the cafeteria, out on the sports field, and through the sacraments, he serves as Christ among the students. He calls them into a deeper relationship with Christ.
Prison Ministry (Fr. Kevin Gallagher, Infant Saviour Church, Pine Bush)
It is one of the corporal works of mercy: to visit those in prison. The priest chaplain brings them the same Christ who was taken a prisoner while on earth in order to transform their lives and keep them from despair. Whether he offers Mass for the inmates, hears their confessions, runs a Bible Study group, or counsels them to restore hope, the priest carries out the Church’s mission to bring all to holiness and sanctity.
Hospital Chaplain (Msgr. Thomas McGarry, St. Barnabas Hospital)
The hospital chaplain walks the halls of the hospital and the nursing home. He encounters those who want to talk about being ill or are caring for a sick loved one. He meets those who seek a priestly blessing, or desire to make a good confession after years away from the Church. He performs the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick and assists them in uniting their sufferings to the Cross of Christ. At the moment of death, the priest gives a person the <<Last Rites>>, commending his soul to God. “It is the priest who brings the soul home to God.”
College Chaplain (Fr. Mark Connell, Mt. St. Mary’s College, Newburgh)
The college is a community of young people who are on the move and will be gone in four years. As the spiritual father of this community, the priest has a chance to impact young people as they seek to set a course for life. Many have a conversion experience that draws them back to the Church and the sacraments. At the same time, many are tempted to leave the Church and need counsel, encouragement and a father-figure.
The Life
The priesthood is a life of sacrifice and a life of service because it is the life of Christ. Yet where there is love, sacrifice is possible. In addition to administering the sacraments, a priest may be given one of a number of apostolic and charitable assignments.
A Day in the Life of a Priest
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A diocesan priest is primarily a parish priest, but he can also be assigned full-time to a specific ministry in the life of the Church. Some priests may completely dedicate themselves to teaching, others to work in prisons and others to serving as hospital chaplains or college chaplains.
Teaching (Fr. LaGiovanni in Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie; Fr. Stephen Norton at Kennedy Catholic High School)
His parish is the school. The priest gives his day over to the rhythm of the school, teaching a subject that he has mastered. Through his priestly presence in the halls and classrooms, in the cafeteria, out on the sports field, and through the sacraments, he serves as Christ among the students. He calls them into a deeper relationship with Christ.
Prison Ministry (Fr. Kevin Gallagher, Infant Saviour Church, Pine Bush)
It is one of the corporal works of mercy: to visit those in prison. The priest chaplain brings them the same Christ who was taken a prisoner while on earth in order to transform their lives and keep them from despair. Whether he offers Mass for the inmates, hears their confessions, runs a Bible Study group, or counsels them to restore hope, the priest carries out the Church’s mission to bring all to holiness and sanctity.
Hospital Chaplain (Msgr. Thomas McGarry, St. Barnabas Hospital)
The hospital chaplain walks the halls of the hospital and the nursing home. He encounters those who want to talk about being ill or are caring for a sick loved one. He meets those who seek a priestly blessing, or desire to make a good confession after years away from the Church. He performs the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick and assists them in uniting their sufferings to the Cross of Christ. At the moment of death, the priest gives a person the <<Last Rites>>, commending his soul to God. “It is the priest who brings the soul home to God.”
College Chaplain (Fr. Mark Connell, Mt. St. Mary’s College, Newburgh)
The college is a community of young people who are on the move and will be gone in four years. As the spiritual father of this community, the priest has a chance to impact young people as they seek to set a course for life. Many have a conversion experience that draws them back to the Church and the sacraments. At the same time, many are tempted to leave the Church and need counsel, encouragement and a father-figure.
Further information
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