What do priests do?

The ministry of the priests of Broken Bay is primarily directed towards serving and building up parish communities. 

This involves preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in word and deed, as well as gathering the community together for celebration of the Eucharist and other sacraments.  The celebration of Sunday Mass is the core event in a priest’s life.

The priest is there to represent the Church in the significant moments of people's lives, in times of both great joy and sorrow such as at weddings, baptisms and funerals. 

A priest's pastoral ministry may take him to family homes, schools, hospitals, nursing homes - he goes wherever there is a need to share the Good News.

Each priest and his ministry is different – whatever gifts, skills and interests a man has he can bring them to use in his priestly ministry. Priests use their interest in sport, music, art, nature, literature and film as part of their work.

Priests have an important role in empowering the gifts of the people and overseeing their use in the parish community.  Priests in today’s complex society are increasingly being called to be coordinators of the ministry of others.  Priests are also administrators of their parishes, acting in the name of the community to see that the resources of the community are used for the liturgy, for the sake of the community and for the poor. 

Ultimately, priestly ministry is about answering the call of Jesus to follow him in a special way by giving one's life in love and service to the People of God.

The identity of a priest is founded in the apostolic identity of his bishop and also through his sharing in the community of priests (the presbyterate).  This identity is partly shaped by what he does – his priestly ministry is about service to the people.  But a priest has a special role in a community not just because of what he does, but because of who he is. 

By his ordination he is a sacrament to and for the community - a sacrament of Christ, head and shepherd.

If you would like to discuss any issue related to your vocation please click on this link and send an email direct to the Vocation Director