to preach the Gospel, to sanctify God’s people through the Sacraments, to draw believers together and guide them. . . to the Father . . . through his Son . . . in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
Besides their all-important teaching and sacramental ministry, priests engage in a wide variety of works:
being pastor of a parish, guiding young people in high schools and colleges, visiting the sick as a chaplain in a hospital, visiting shut-ins, nursing homes and prisons, promoting social justice, helping families with their joys and struggles, preparing couples for marriage, and joining in the celebration of life events among God’s people.
Through these and many other responsibilities, the priest exercises Jesus Christ’s commission to his Apostles to preach the Gospel, sanctify, unite and guide all believers to the Father.