The Life
There is only one Priesthood but two ways to live it, either as a diocesan priest or as a religious order priest. You should investigate both options. However, on this website we are concerned with being a priest of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.
Since 1850, when the Diocese was established, hundreds of men, young and older, have heard and responded to “the Call”. Today in our Diocese almost all priests are involved in parish ministry exclusively. This entails:
- Celebrating the Sacraments
- Sunday and weekday Masses
- Praying the Liturgy of the Hours
- Preaching with love, conviction, and hope
- Preparing those going to receive the Sacraments
- Baptism, weddings, and funerals
- Visiting the sick in the hospital, nursing home or at home
- Assisting the underprivileged, poor, homeless, transients, etc.
- Listening to and helping people going through difficult times
- Instructing in the Faith, adult and youth
- Overall administration of a parish
- Attending meetings of various parish groups
- Attending Diocesan meetings and workshops
- Being a man of prayer, including a yearly retreat
- Good self-care
The mix of these activities changes from day to day.
Some “additional” duties may include: VA chaplaincy, prison ministry, campus ministry, Hispanic ministry, working with Diocesan groups, central administration, etc.