Strengthening priestly ministry through mentorship, ongoing pastoral care

Archdiocesan priests line up in a procession outside the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston ahead of a recent Mass. In an effort to support priests, the Ministry to Priests program pairs priests in the first five years of ministry with experienced priests through workshops, fostering lasting relationships filled with wisdom, encouragement and guidance. (Photo by James Ramos/Herald)HOUSTON — Mentorship for recently ordained priests is vital in establishing strong foundations and providing essential support to help them become compassionate and effective shepherds of their flock. One way this support is offered is through a formal mentorship program provided by the Ministry to Priests, which pairs those in the first five years of ministry with experienced priests during workshops, fostering lasting relationships filled with wisdom, encouragement and guidance. 

In addition to this mentorship program, the Ministry to Priests, led by Director Father Tom Rafferty, offers a variety of support services to all diocesan and religious priests in the Archdiocese to enhance their ongoing spiritual, fraternal and pastoral development. This includes spiritual direction, sacramental reconciliation, support groups, days of prayer and retreats, visits to elderly and infirm priests, and an acculturation program for international missionary priests. 

One participant in the mentorship program was Father David Michael Moses, parochial vicar at Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Community in Spring. He was assigned Monsignor Chester Borski as his mentor during his pastoral year. Father Moses has maintained regular contact with Monsignor Borski, considering their mentor-mentee relationship a gift. Having seen the same impact of mentorship among his peers, Father Moses believes this program can make all the difference early in the priesthood. 
“I like to have a third-party opinion about what I am facing,” Father Moses said. “Monsignor Borski is always kind and gracious when I call him and maintains a strong sense of calm. I believe it’s important for young priests to connect with those who have more experience and have faced various situations.” 

Father Moses said the significant contributions made by priests to their communities demonstrate the importance of maintaining their overall health and well-being. He likened priests to instruments of the Holy Spirit, filled abundantly so that their ministry overflows into the lives of others, blessing those around them. 

“When it comes to priestly ministry, we should be more than just a conduit of the Holy Spirit; we should be a reservoir that fills up and overflows into the people around us,” Father Moses said. “The Ministry to Priests recognizes this reality and strives to ensure that priests are filled with God’s Word and Spirit, enabling them to flow into other areas and preventing us from running on empty. Knowing there is a ministry like this dedicated to supporting our spiritual growth is a significant source of consolation and encouragement.” 

Father Rafferty strives to connect with priests individually throughout the Archdiocese, listening to their concerns and guiding them to needed resources. 

“Our mission is serving the needs of the over 400 priests in the Archdiocese,” Father Rafferty said. “The goal is to ensure they have what they need to be successful and fulfilled in their ministry. I believe the Eucharist and the Sacraments are our most important assets in the Church, and priests are vital cogs in bringing our faithful closer to Christ.” 

Father Clark Sample, episcopal vicar for clergy and director of the Secretariat for Clergy Formation and Chaplaincy Services, oversees the Ministry to Priests’ initiatives. He encourages all priests in the Archdiocese seeking support to know that they have a resource available to address any challenges they may encounter, empowering them to be the best ministers for their communities. 

As priests, we often carry a heavy workload, and there is a significant need for more priests,” Father Sample said. “Having support from the Ministry to Priests is invaluable, as it provides us with brother priests in the Archdiocese who are there for us without any agenda — someone to talk to and support us in our various roles. This sense of support ultimately helps us become better priests for the people of God.”  

As one of over 60 ministries supported by the Diocesan Services Fund (DSF), Father Rafferty said that contributions from the faithful through the annual campaign enable the Ministry to Priests to effectively address the challenges faced by priests across the expansive Archdiocese, which serves a large Catholic population. These programs assist priests in balancing their professional responsibilities, personal lives and spiritual formation, ultimately enhancing their effectiveness in ministry. 
Father Rafferty said the DSF also funds travel to parishes throughout the Archdiocese, allowing outreach to priests in remote areas to ensure they feel connected and cared for. These visits often involve simple check-ins to inquire abut their well-being, reinforcing the Archdiocese’s commitment to their health and the ongoing support necessary for their ministry. 

For those who want to learn more about the work of the Ministry to Priests, go to www.archgh.org/ministrytopriests. To contribute to the 2024 Annual DSF Appeal, which supports 63 other ministries requiring critical funding, visit www.archgh.org/dsf. Every dollar donated to DSF directly supports these vital ministries that provide direct service or education.