Job Title: PriestA day in the life of a priest will include the celebration of Holy Mass, praying the Liturgy of the Hours, and personal prayer. Some priests are in parish ministry and will meet with couples who are preparing for marriage, prepare and celebrate funeral Masses, visit parishioners in the hospital or nursing home, anoint the sick, counsel those who are in need, minister to the poor, meet with different parish ministries, as well as parish administration.

Job IdentificationThe parish priest is responsible for the spiritual welfare of all the people of his parish, and the parish is a defined geographical area, not a building- often people don't realize this.

Essential FunctionsAll priests are required to offer Mass at least once a day and to pray the Divine Office, a set of traditional daily prayers. The Mass need not be a public Mass, but he must offer the Mass. Second, he must attend to his parishioners. He is often summoned to deathbeds to administer the last rites. He presides at weddings. He is also usually the chief administrator of his parish, although in areas with priest shortages often a lay administrator is appointed so the priest can divide his time among multiple parishes.

Job SpecificationsA priest must make himself available for counsel, advice, and confession as his parishioners need it. Each day the priest prays the Office, says Mass, and then does whatever his flock needs from him- visiting the sick, comforting the dying, celebrating marriage, baptizing infants, ensuring that his parish is well-run.