Holy Orders

Sacrament of Holy Orders

"The Priesthood is a call, not a career; a redefinition of self, not just a new ministry; a way of life, not a job; a state of being, not just a function; a permanent lifelong commitment, not a temporary style of service; an identity, not just a role. We are priests; yes the doing, the ministry, is mighty important, but it flows from the being; we can act like priests, minister as priests, preach as priests, because first and foremost we are priests! Being before act!"
-Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, Priests for the Third Millennium

In most religions, there is a figure who presides, officiates and most especially offers worship on behalf of the people, one who is set apart in order to be a mediator between God and his people. Christ came to earth to live among us, teach us, guide us and to die for us, for the redemption of our sins. Christ gave us Peter and the apostles to carry on His priestly mission of salvation. A priest engages in people's lives at the most memorable times, both joyful and sorrowful - in baptisms and weddings, funerals and hospital visits. He celebrates the Eucharist with his congregation and brings comfort and meaning to modern day life in his homilies.

This past week concluded the Year of the Priest which ran from June 19th 2009 to June 11th 2010. During this past year we have honored and prayed for those men who received a calling to serve the Lord and we have prayed for young men who are discerning a vocation to the priesthood. As the Year for the Priest draws to a close let us not lose our momentum… let us keep our priests in prayer and pray that more men will hear God’s call to serve. . –God Bless, Holly Clark