Diocese of St. George's

Bishop Lahey with two newly ordained priests for our Diocese, Father Roger Poblete, and Father Edmund Camacho.

     As a Diocesan priest, you can shape the future!

What is a diocesan priest?

A priest is called "diocesan" because he commits himself to serve the people of a particular local church in a geographic area known as a diocese. Our Diocese of St. George's serves the whole of the western part of the island of Newfoundland, from St. Anthony on the northern tip to the island of Ramea on the south coast.

What does a diocesan priest do?

The diocesan priest serves the day to day needs of the people of his church parish. He might serve as a counselor to young people, parents, and married couples. He works with youth groups, and church organizations. He visits the sick at home and in the hospitals. He is a preacher and teacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He celebrates Mass and other sacraments such as marriage and baptism. His main work is to lead the people in prayer and to walk with them in their journey with God.

What is the difference between a diocesan priest and a religious priest?

A diocesan priest ordinarily serves the Church within a rather well-defined area (a diocese). He ordinarily serves the people as a parish priest, but he may also be involved in many other forms of ministry: teaching, Chaplain in hospitals, prisons, campus ministry, etc. A religious priest, on the other hand, is a member of a community which goes beyond the geographical limits of any diocese. As a religious he also takes formal vows, which diocesan priests do not.

Whats the difference between a priest and a brother?

A brother is a layman who commits himself to Christ by the vows of poverty, celibacy, and obedience, who lives in religious community, and who works in nearly any job: teacher, electrician, cook, lawyer, mechanic, artist, etc.

A priest's distinctive role is as minister of the sacraments: celebrating Eucharist, Baptism, Penance. He does a variety of other works as well, but sacramental life is his special ministry.

Can a priest have fun?

Yes, he most certainly can! Besides the ministry that a priest gives to the people, the life of a priest can be very fulfilling. While meeting the needs of others, he finds joy in his own life. Helping others can be very rewarding.

Besides helping others, a priest finds joy in his friends and with other priests. Priests enjoy the same things that other people do - such as vacationing, going to movies, visiting friends and family, and developing hobbies.

Do diocesan priests get specialized training?

A diocesan priest is first of all trained to be a parish priest. He is trained to do all the things that are needed in the every day life of the Church. He is especially trained in the Bible and in theology so that he can bring to others the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Priests may also receive specialized training in areas such as counseling, teaching, youth ministry, communications, working with the poor, and any other area where the Church foresees a need.

Students for our diocesan priesthood have generally studied at St. Agustine's Seminary, Toronto, St. Paul's University Seminary, Ottawa, or Le Grande Séminaire de Montréal.

Can a diocesan priest sometimes serve outside his diocese?

Periodically, a priest may ask his bishop for permission to serve outside his diocese. Sometimes, diocesan priests will serve as teachers, missionaries, or in another capacity in another diocese.

How long does it take to become a diocesan priest?

It all depends upon the person, his background, and when he begins his preparation. To be ordained a priest, a candidate needs a four-year graduate school degree, what we refer to as theology. A person can begin the seminary training usually after having completed college. Sometimes there are special circumstances that can be considered.

How do you know if God is calling you to be a priest?

Making a decision about the priesthood is not as complicated as it seems. It is a process of discovering, with the help of the Holy Spirit, what God's will is for you. Spiritual directors call it "discernment". As you work through this process, you will deal with two persons - you and God - and before you have finished, you will begin to know both better! You will also begin to realize that you and God ultimately desire the same thing - your happiness. As you strive to make an intelligent and informed decision, therefore, God is on your side.

Want to take a quick test?  Just click the blue button to the left.

A real help is to spend time in prayer and in discussion with others. Contact your pastor, the Vocation Office, or an active lay person in your parish to discuss your feelings and your faith. In sharing our faith with others, we often will hear the voice of God.

What if you are not ready to make a decision?

You are not alone. You may join a prayer group which will give you the opportunity to pray and share with others who have similar thoughts about the priesthood and religious life. Or you may meet regularly with a spiritual director. The diocesan vocation team is there to help you through the discernment process.

If you desire more information about the priesthood or religious life - why not contact one of our Vocation Directors? He would be pleased to give a confidential, no obligation, realistic response to your questions. If you like, they could also arrange for other priests to talk with you as well. After all, they're the ones in the trenches, so to speak.

The Vocation Directors for our Diocese are:

  Father Ariel Garcia, St. George's (709) 647-3255

  Father Ed Terry, Port au Choix (709) 861-3603

  Father Aidan Devine, Deer Lake (709) 635-2444 or at the Diocesan Center (709) 639-1868

Feel free to contact one of them.

Do you have some interest in becoming a diocesan priest?  Or do you have questions about the diocesan priesthood?   Send an Email message to one of our Diocesan vocations directors, Father Aiden Devine.  Just click the button to the left.