The Life of a Priest

In this Year for Priests, we wonder: Why does a man choose the priesthood? What does it take to become a priest? What is the life of a priest like?
Catholic men who answer the call to priestly vocation do so because they feel that God has a plan for them, as He does for us all. It’s a matter of listening to God and cooperating with His will.

Monsignor Richard’s call to the priesthood led him to the seminary, where he spent 12 years. There, he received guidance in knowing himself in order to be better able to serve God’s people. There is also formation in the Tradition of the Church and effectively preaching Scripture.

While some seminarians train to be members of Religious Orders, like Franciscans and Norbertines, Monsignor Richard chose to be a diocesan priest, a priest who serves the people of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. At his ordination, he promised vows of respect and obedience to the Archbishop of Santa Fe and his successors. That was 3 bishops ago! His first assignment was as an assistant at Our Lady of Fatima. He served as pastor in two rural parishes, Mountainair and Vaughn. Priests in rural areas work with lay leaders, but often must do all of the administrative work themselves.

In urban parishes, like ours, there is more delegation of administrative tasks, and more time to focus on spiritual direction. There is also time for personal enrichment; for Monsignor Richard, this would include golfing, flying, reading, and cheering the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Diocesan priests may be appointed by the Archbishop to serve in other capacities. Monsignor Richard has been Vocations Director, Chancellor, Vicar General, and currently Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Affairs Officer. He has served on several boards and committees as well.

While he enjoyed being a diocesan priest, Monsignor Richard had always felt drawn to missionary work. He had an opportunity to do just that, spending three years as a missionary in Peru.

While there are some frustrations – like not being able to do more than listen when people are hurting – there is also joy in being a priest. For Monsignor Richard, fulfillment comes in assisting parishioners in their relationship with God and celebrating the sacraments and rites at pivotal points in people’s lives. He enjoys being invited into people’s lives. We ask for God’s grace on Monsignor Richard as he continues to live and love his vocation as priest.