orders because they feel called to work with that order's charism. Franciscans work with the poor. Carmelites pray contemplatively. Dominicans preach. Jesuits teach. Get the idea?
What charism does a priest who works for a diocese have? This was a question that Father Wally said he once had. One day, as he looked over his congregation he saw:
- the family whose husband wasn't Catholic but came to Mass anyway
- a man who had cancer and only months to live
- a young lady who was struggling with alcoholism
- a teen who thought he had a vocation
Looking over his parishioners, he realized his charism. He was to minister, or serve, the many different people, with their unique and different problems.
The charism of a diocesan priest is to serve the people.
