21 Reasons To Thank (God for) Your Pastor

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The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus. When you see a priest, think of our Lord Jesus Christ. | St. John Vianney

Give thanks to God for a good pastor, a priest who... .

  1. draws attention to the Holy Eucharist, not to himself.
  2. helps others to follow Jesus Christ and to keep the Lord's commands (John 14:15-31).
  3. encourages respect for the sacred Liturgy.
  4. by his passion for truth and his reminders of God's justice and mercy, leaves no doubt that he loves and protects his flock.
  5. is forthright and not a flake.
  6. speaks in a normal voice during his homilies, not in an overly affected tone, and draws attention to the content of Holy Scripture.
  7. offers ways to apply the wisdom of Holy Scripture to daily life.
  8. by his reverent actions, helps you purify your own intentions and worship God in spirit and in truth.
  9. assigns penances that are clearly intended to help you get to heaven.
  10. is a man of prayer.
  11. loves God and the Church.
  12. is organized and a tireless worker for Christ.
  13. is kind and his kindness helps others be kind as Christ is merciful and kind.
  14. by his word and example, encourages you to take up your cross and follow Jesus.
  15. maintains a clear focus on Church teaching from the pulpit and does not abuse the pulpit as his own personal soapbox.
  16. is open to feedback and fraternal correction.
  17. dresses in clericals and by doing so enables people to recognize him as a priest of God, as someone who listens to and engages those who are in most need of God's mercy.
  18. encourages beautiful celebrations of the Mass.
  19. is not easily flustered and helps others to become models of virtue and goodwill.
  20. says what he means and means what he says, and that which he says is charitable and never mean-spirited.
  21. possesses a sense of humour and can laugh at himself.
The world looks to the priest, because it looks to Jesus!  No one can see Christ; but everyone sees the priest, and through him they wish to catch a glimpse of the Lord!  Immense is the grandeur of the Lord! Immense is the grandeur and dignity of the priest! | Pope Saint John Paul II

If we want vocations to the priesthood, then there are only two things necessary for preparing the fields for harvest: holy priests and holy families.
  1. Holy priests ensure the Liturgy is served with beauty and reverence. Sermons are God-centred. Parish life is saturated with the means to engage young men. Boys and men are encouraged to serve in the sanctuary, to support each other as brothers in the Faith, to pray together.
  2. Holy families share in the formation of their children primarily by modelling the life of Faith, which is the guidance of children toward Jesus in the sacraments, the embrace of the commandments of Jesus, and the immersion of children in the school of charity. Children learn sacrificial love from devoted parents who pray and celebrate the Faith by teaching their children how to pray and to live Eucharistic lives, to speak the truth and to put God first in their lives.

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