Holy Orders

If you, or someone you know, is interested in becoming a priest or a deacon, contact our pastor at the Parish Office. He will help you discern your calling and guide you to take the appropriate steps in learning more about the process.

Some of the baptized faithful are called to the special ordained ministry of pastoral service and leadership in the church. The roles of Bishop, Priests, and deacons are not of power and authority, but rather of caring and humble service.

A key role of the priest is to recognize, nurture, and enable the gifts of the laity to emerge and serve the church. Vatican II states the role of the ordained” to “preach the gospel, shepherd the faithful and celebrate divine worship” and “for the penitent among the faithful, priests exercise fully the ministry of reconciliation.” (Constitution on the Church No. 28).

The Bishops are shepherds of a flock and the apostles’ successors whose main roles include spreading the gospel and providing for church life. They do this by proclaiming the good news, teaching, serving as judges in matters of faith and morals and seeing to the proper administration of the sacraments and of the parishes in their diocese. He ministers all sacraments, is the normal minister of Confirmation and is the only one who can administer Holy Orders.

The priest presides at Eucharist, preaches and teaches God’s word, calling on God’s blessing for the people. He is the builder of the Christian community and the minister of all the sacraments except Holy Orders. The priest is the ordained minister with which we most often come into contact, as he serves us in our daily lives.

Since the 12th century, church law for the Latin rite has required celibacy of its priests and bishops. Vatican II cited reasons for this as the opportunity to give more freely with undivided heart to God and his people.

Since Vatican II we have had the restoration of the permanent deacon who may be married, single or celibate men ordained by the Bishop. They serve him and the laity by baptizing, distributing communion, teaching, conducting marriages and funerals, administrating “sacramentals,” doing works of charity and in some cases doing administrative works of the church.