Common Questions Asked by Parents

Note that your son or daughter would ever keep you in the dark, but here are answers to some commonly asked questions by parents…

What is a priest?

A priest serves God and the Church as an ordained minister. He celebrates Mass and the sacraments, preaches, leads the community in prayer, and helps people in a variety of other ways. A priest often works full time in a parish although some priests have been trained in more specialized ministries. Some priests are also members of a religious community (like the Franciscans, Salesians, or Jesuits). They make vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience and live, pray, and work with other members of their community. Religious priests can work in parishes or in other ministries. Many priests are diocesan priests who devote their lives to serving the needs of a particular diocese. They work in parishes and in the other ministries of the diocese. They promise to remain celibate and to obey the bishop of the diocese. Prayer and service are important parts of their lives.