5 Ways to Care for our Priests with Love and Respect

Parish priests are our shepherds, but sometimes they are taken for granted. Br Keanu Molosi suggests five ways of showing our priests some love and care.

In our busy world, it is easy to overlook the needs of those who tirelessly serve our parish communities: the priests. These compassionate men dedicate their lives to guiding, nurturing, and uplifting our spirits, often sacrificing their own comfort for the benefit of others.

As faithful members of our respective parishes, it is our duty and privilege to return this great love and care that priests provide. How do we do that?

1. Pray for them

One of the most powerful ways to care for our priests is through the gift of prayer. Mention them in your prayers — and not in your gossip. Lift them up in your daily prayers, asking for God’s guidance, patience, strength, and protection to surround them as they shepherd their flock. Let your priests know that you carry them in your heart and thoughts.

2. Show gratitude

A simple “Thank you, Father” or “Great homily, Father” or “That was a Spirit-filled Mass, Father”goes a long way. Express your appreciation for the priest’s hard work, dedication, and spiritual leadership. A kind word, a sign of gratitude or a thoughtful note can brighten their day and remind them that their efforts are valued and cherished by the people they serve.

3. Respect their time

While our priests are often accessible and approachable, it is important to respect their personal time and private boundaries. Avoid overwhelming them with constant demands or expectations, and allow them the space they need to rest, recharge and attend to their own spiritual well-being. Allow priests to fill their cup in order to come and fill yours. Be compassionate!

4. Support and encoutage

Just as our priests offer us counselling, support and comfort in times of need, it is important to extend the same care to them. Be a source of encouragement, a listening ear and a supportive presence in their lives. Let them know that you are there for them, ready to offer a helping hand or a compassionate heart.

Mgr John Clarke of Port Elizabeth once said: “Your husband is my husband. Your wife is my wife. Your child is my child. Your family is my family, and so on.”

5. Celebrate their humanity

Remember that our priests are not only spiritual leaders but also human beings with their own joys, struggles and vulnerabilities. Embrace their humanity with empathy, understanding and love. Treat them with kindness, compassion and grace, knowing that they too deserve to be cared for and supported. Treat priests like your own.

Caring for our priests is a sacred calling and a profound expression of our faith and love. Let us cherish and honour these dedicated servants of God, nurturing them with the same love, respect and compassion they so generously give to us. Together, as a unified and loving parish community, we can create a culture of care and support that sustains and uplifts our priests in their vocation.

May our hearts be open, our hands be ready and our spirits be in agreement with the needs of those who guide us on our spiritual journey. Blessed be the priests who shepherd us with love, and blessed be the parish family that cares for them with devotion.

Br Keanu Molosi is from the diocese of Port Elizabeth and currently a candidate for the Pallottine community in Merrivale, KwaZulu-Natal.

Published in the January 2025 issue of The Southern Cross magazine