Gracious and loving God, we are so thankful for the great love and sacrifice of our parish priests and deacons. Lord, protect them, guide them, and keep them in your heart. We ask you to comfort them during times of loneliness, strengthen them in times of sorrow, and remind them, Father, of how much they are truly needed. Allow them to experience joy in their ministry as they are sacred instruments of your divine grace, and grant them the strength and courage they need to be the divine shepherds of your people. We ask this through Jesus Christ, who is the giver of all good things in life.
Congregations don’t want a good, human leader … they want superman. People expect their pastor to be a very dynamic and engaging speaker, a brilliant theologian, a top-gun ‘CEO’ to carry the church forward as an organization, a comforting, nurturing personal counselor to the people of the congregation, and prophetic social critic, and a prayer warrior. The expectations go on and on…
Source:Catholic Online Resources Newsletter, August 2019
