> Men with a mission

Priests are called to be forthright messengers of hope, strong community leaders and spiritual guides for both the lost and the faithful.

Messengers of Hope:
Jesus Christ has had an incredible impact on the world. His teachings have shaped many values held by our society, and his love has transformed countless lives. A critical part of a priest's mission is to tell Christ's story of hope. That story brings comfort to those who are weak and without a voice, and encourages and activates those who have the power to make the world a better place. Jesus' message of hope is not always popular; people have suffered for preaching the Gospel, but it is a powerful message that must be told.

Community Leaders:
One of the most satisfying things about being a priest is being part of a faith community and being a pastoral leader. This occurs on a number of levels, including presiding over communal worship of a faith community and joining with families at big moments like weddings and baptisms. Priests are often called upon to enter the lives of people when life is darkened with sadness and difficulty. Even in these difficult moments, a priest can experience a profound satisfaction that he has been an instrument of God.

Spiritual Guides:
The priest of the future will need to continue to assist people in developing their spirituality. Nourishing the Catholic community with the Body and Blood of Christ is a vital role for a priest. He also needs to explore ways of helping people make spiritual sense of their lives in a dynamic and changing world. Before speaking into other people's lives, priests need to be students of prayer themselves. A priest develops his personal relationship with God, to learn the ways of God and to lead others on those paths.