How does a priest care for others?

Answer 1

A priest's primary duties to his congregation is their spiritual care. A priest sees to it that the spiritual needs of the parishioners are tended to.

This includes but is not limited to bringing communion/pastoral visits to the sick in the hospital, nursing homes, or private homes. This includes spiritual care during times of crisis, (funerals) and also during times of joy such as Weddings of Baptisms. Some priests may offer professional counseling. (If they have the credentials and are willing to accept the liability that goes along with that) Priests also offer opportunities for spiritual growth at the parish through offering devotionals such as exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, retreats, classes in the Faith, Scripture classes, etc.

An important note: Canon Law defines a "Parishioner" as one who lives within the territory or boundaries of the parish. (If the parish is a Territorial Parish) What this means is that any prisons, nursing homes, hospitals, or other institutions within the parish boundaries with Catholics in them are considered parishioners of that parish. Therefore in addition to providing spiritual care for officially registered parishioner's, the priest also has a duty to see to it that their spiritual needs are met as well.

Many times people with more practical needs will come by the parish office or rectory. They might need food, money, clothing, shelter, etc. While priests might be able to offer a limited amount of help- maybe a gas card, or a couple of dollars for food, these people are best served by a Social Worker or other professional trained in these matters. Many people mistakenly believe that parishes can offer much more help in these matters then they really can.