Priests are called to act in the person of Christ throughout the Diocese or religious Congregation, preaching, teaching, and celebrating the sacraments. As participants in the ministry of the local bishop, they baptize children and adults, visit the sick and imprisoned, bury the dead, teach the faith, celebrate weddings, forgive sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and celebrate Mass. Click here to learn more about the priesthood and diaconate. Deacons also collaborate with the bishop in an ordained ministry of service to the Body of Christ. Click here to learn more about the permanent diaconate.

The state of life to which most people are called is the married life. In Holy Matrimony, the natural human love between a man and a woman is taken up into God’s own love. Husband and wife love each other with the love of God Himself, and receive the strength to guide each other and their children to a life of holiness. Click here to learn more about Holy Matrimony. 

Some men and women experience a deep desire to follow Christ more closely, with a distinctive spirituality and form of service. These consecrate their lives to Jesus through vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience in a particular religious family, such as Dominicans, Benedictines, Franciscans, or Carmelites. Click here to learn more about  Religious Life.

Similar to those who live the Religious Life, those called to the single life share in the mission of the Church through a life of joyful friendship in this world. By their manner of life, they are living signs of the new world which has already begun. Click here to learn more about Single Life.