Holy Orders is a sacrament of service through which the mission which Christ entrusted to his apostles continues to be carried out by the Church. Through a special gift of the Holy Spirit, this sacrament enables the ordained to exercise a sacred power in the name and authority of Christ to serve the People of God.
At the deepest level priesthood is about union with Jesus Christ: the goal is to become more and more like him. Being a priest is more than a job – it’s a way of life, requiring strong personal and professional commitment that is reflected in all that you do, all that you are. The opportunity to serve God and bring hope, joy and healing into the lives of many people brings with it a deep happiness and a sense of peace.
Priests serve God and others through:
Offering pastoral care – visiting the sick and troubled, counselling individuals, married couples or families, animating parish projects and activities.
Proclaiming God’s word – through the witness of our lives and through homilies founded on daily reflection and prayer.
Ministering the Sacraments – celebrating Eucharist and baptism, witnessing marriages, leading funerals, and bringing God’s healing presence to people through the Sacraments of Penance (Confession) and the Anointing of the Sick.