We Catholic priests form a unique community. In Gift and Mystery, Pope John Paul II reminds us that we are guides for men and women, teachers of holiness, stewards of the mysteries of God. These are among the essentials of our vocation. Yet as priests and pastors under today’s conditions, we sometimes find that the ever-present daily demands of running a parish can be as overwhelming as they are real. None of us is alone with this feeling. Thomas Merton is right when he says, “He who attempts to act and do things for others…without deepening his own…capacity to love will not have anything to give to others.” Ours is a life that constantly searches for balance. CatholicPastor.org is designed to help by bringing to life Pope Benedict’s call to use the new technologies in our service to the Church.
The forum links our community together so that we can engage in an extended conversation and learn from one another. The Keys to Confident Ministry, listed on the left, reflect our role as pastors. Here you will be able to contribute your experiences in each category as well as learn from your brother priests.
The forum is the result of an extended dialogue and generous grants from the Catholic Extension Society and the Lilly Endowment Inc. The forum is protected space with exclusive access for Catholic priests in good standing where we can be a positive voice focusing on improving our pastoral skills, solving problems that we all face, helping each other learn and grow, and making practical resources available to even the most remote parish. We are all grateful for the gifts and opportunities that God has given us; we hope that you will join in this dialogue and share what you have been given with others. If you are interested, please click the “learn more” button below.