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‘What does a priest do, Father?’

‘What does a priest do, Father?’

By FATHER RICKY ORDOÑEZ
Special to The New Vision

Inquisitive young minds often ask questions that adults assume to be common knowledge.  I am often asked by young kids, “What does a priest do, Father?”  Well, what do you think we priests do?
On the second week of January, we celebrated “National Vocations Awareness Week” with a week-long program at Salpointe Catholic High School.  As Vocations Director, I made 24 presentations to as many classes from the freshman year to the seniors, and this question was asked countless times.  Recounting what I do as a priest made me realize that we are “God’s workers called to wear many hats.”
My first assignment as a priest was as a Parochial Vicar at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Tucson for two years.  Because of the parish’s location, I was also a pager-bearing Sacramental Minister at the University Medical Center (UMC).   Aside from my parish duties, I was also a teacher, teaching 8th graders “Morals and Values,” and the Spiritual Director of a Catholic Charismatic Community among others.
With all these activities, I have led a most exciting and hectic life.  On one such day I recall the pager jolted me out of deep sleep at about 2  a.m.  It was UMC calling for a baptism for a child born prematurely.  Almost always, before I go to bed each night, my clothes are laid out in case I have to make a “mad dash” on an emergency in the middle of the night – and this was definitely one of them.
I was in the nursery (neo-natal ICU) in 15 minutes baptizing a child that was no bigger than my hand.  I spent the rest of that early morning comforting the distraught parents.  At 6:30 a.m. I had returned to the parish to celebrate Mass.  By 8:30 a.m., I was at the school teaching the first of two classes that would end at 10:45.
Returning to my office after class, I found a couple waiting for me for counseling.  Truly, I was not their counselor.  I only had to be a mediator – sometimes also a “referee” – as they try and find a workable solution to their marital problems.  Shortly after they left, a parishioner arrived asking if I can hear her confession.  By the time she leaves, it is past lunch time.
At 2 p.m., I had to prepare the church for a 3 p.m. wedding.  The bridegroom came unusually early and sought a “meeting” with me.  After a brief chat, I was relieved to find that it was just a case of the pre-wedding “jitters” -  “Yes!”, he still wants to get married…and the wedding pushed through and I got to have a great meal at the reception.
By 10 p.m., I was just about to call it a night when my cell phone rang… “Father, my grandpa is dying.  Can you come?”  Of course!  And off I went!  I held the old man’s hand and gave him the Anointing of the Sick and Commendation of the Dying as he faded away at the last blessing.
All of this does not happen every day – but it did on that particular day!  In hindsight, I did almost everything that a priest can do in one day – ministering to the people of God, from “womb to tomb.”
It has only been a little more than three and a half years since my ordination to the priesthood and when I think about it, I sometimes feel guilty that I have not done enough.  It is only when people ask me what I do as a priest and I start to recall what I have done that makes me realize that God has used me – and used me wonderfully!  It is truly humbling for me to know that this “ordinary” human being had been called by God to do “extraordinary” things for Him and his people.
As Vocations Director for the Diocese of Tucson, it is now my quest to share my life as a priest with everyone hoping that those whom He has called to the priesthood would respond positively.  Priesthood is a “charmed” life of responsibility, ministry and service filled with a great sense of fulfillment and excitement.  After all, we priests never really know what God has planned for us at each corner of the day.