Priests and pastors

[Tommy999]

Many don’t ask for a stipend, and others only accept what the person feels they can give. But many charge nothing.

Good to know, Clare. I figured that was probably the case, and am glad to hear you confirm it.

Follow up question:
I wonder what percentage of Catholics avail themselves of a spiritual director. To me, that sounds like a very helpful option to have, especially for those who are relatively new to the faith or are having struggles.

 

[Phemie]

Good to know, Clare. I figured that was probably the case, and am glad to hear you confirm it.

Follow up question:
I wonder what percentage of Catholics avail themselves of a spiritual director. To me, that sounds like a very helpful option to have, especially for those who are relatively new to the faith or are having struggles.

If you live in a large center that may be available to you, but I doubt that there are that many spiritual directors in rural areas or small towns. In fact, there seems to be nothing available through my diocese. The Archdiocese (in a city of 100,000) says it can refer me to someone.

 

[twf]

If you live in a large center that may be available to you, but I doubt that there are that many spiritual directors in rural areas or small towns. In fact, there seems to be nothing available through my diocese. The Archdiocese (in a city of 100,000) says it can refer me to someone.

I would tend to agree, but it depends on the local priest. In my hometown in rural BC the local priest met with me one on one each week for a year to answer my questions and guide me as I prepared to be received into the Church. Years later returning there to get married, the priest (a different one by this time), spent many one on one hours with me above and beyond normal marriage prep. Depends on the priest and the demands of the parish.

 

[Phemie]

I would tend to agree, but it depends on the local priest. In my hometown in rural BC the local priest met with me one on one each week for a year to answer my questions and guide me as I prepared to be received into the Church. Years later returning there to get married, the priest (a different one by this time), spent many one on one hours with me above and beyond normal marriage prep. Depends on the priest and the demands of the parish.

True. I think you tend to see what you experienced in places where the priest does one on one teaching for converts and does his own marriage prep. In a parish where there is a team approach to RCIA and Marriage Preparation, perhaps not so much.

Not to mention that priests are so crazily busy these days, what with the drastically declining numbers. Whereas every parish (~13) in the area where I grew up had a priest and the parishes in the two towns had two or three, now there are only 9 parishes but 1 priest is responsible for all of them.

 

[twf]

True. I think you tend to see what you experienced in places where the priest does one on one teaching for converts and does his own marriage prep. In a parish where there is a team approach to RCIA and Marriage Preparation, perhaps not so much.

Not to mention that priests are so crazily busy these days, what with the drastically declining numbers. Whereas every parish (~13) in the area where I grew up had a priest and the parishes in the two towns had two or three, now there are only 9 parishes but 1 priest is responsible for all of them.

That makes it really tough . I know the outlining dioceses of BC are struggling with priest shortages, but not to the degree you describe. My hometown in the Diocese of Nelson was without a pastor for over a year, but in the end the bishop came through. Typically one priest per town who may also serve a mission in a near by village / reserve.
Here in Vancouver, the archdiocese has been blessed with a good number of vocations…the local Benedictine monastery runs the seminary and they do very good work .

 

[Don_Ruggero]

For those in Holy Orders, or seeking Holy Orders, the Spiritual Director must be a priest.

No, it is not correct that those in Holy Orders must have a priest as a spiritual director.

 

[Tommy999]

Thanks to all for the replies, references to links, and general information on the subject. As usual, you have been most helpful.

I feel I understand much more about these terms now and learned about the role of a spiritual director in the process.

I also learned that in some rural areas where there are fewer priests and laymen, the priest in charge might wear many hats and could potentially be priest, pastor, spiritual director and perhaps perform other roles as well.

Who knows, maybe there are a few priests like Father Brown out there who solve mysteries and crimes, too.