The priest continues the work started by Jesus -- the salvation of all people.

No one but a priest can change bread and wine into the living Christ. At his words, what had been bread and wine become Jesus, the Son of God.

No one but a priest can absolve sinners and restore them to friendship with the Creator whom they have offended, through the Sacarement of Reconciliation.

He proclaims the Good News, following in the footsteps of the apostles.

You need to talk to God, and you need to listen. This is prayer.

God has a plan for everyone.

Start with this:
Lord, I ask you to send the Holy Spirit to enlighten me, so I may know your designs for me. All paths are before me. I know you want was is best for me. I offer myself to you without reservation.

Priests meet people in the highs and lows of life: birth, death, illness and reconciliation. To share a moment with someone in great joy or sorrow is to share one's heart with others. In these situations, life becomes truly real; we walk with one another in faith, hope, and love.

Such encounters provide meaning and context for those parts of ministry that are not so intense. Parish life also includes meetings, administration, office work, and countless phone calls (and e-mails). Much of this work can seem mundane -- until one realizes that from this structure the parish provides a spiritual home for the people of God.

A priest never knows when the next phone call is really a cry for help; when the next meeting is an opportunity for reconciliation; when the next budget report is a chance to explore new needs and ministries within the community. A priest has the chance to see in the ordinary the possibility for God to work in extraordinary ways.

This is from the Cathechism of the Catholic Church, section 1579:

"All the ordained ministers of the Latin Church, with the exception of permanent deacons, are normally chosen from among men of faith who live a celibate life and who intend to remain celibate "for the sake of the kingdom of heaven." Called to consecrate themselves with undivided heart to the Lord and to "the affairs of the Lord", they give themselves entirely to God and to men. Celibacy is a sign of this new life to the service of which the Church's minister is consecrated; accepted with a joyous heart celibacy radiantly proclaims the Reign of God."

There are many paths for men to follow. Check this link to see a listing.

Just like most adults, we spend a portion of each day working. The model and motivation for what we do is Jesus, who asked that we follow his example of service to God’s people.

But we don’t just work! In order to live in a healthy, balanced way we try to keep a mix of prayer, ministry, and play in our lives.

Many priests, brothers, and sisters have one main job, such as teaching, parish ministry, social work, or hospital work—all of which have somewhat regular hours and predictable demands. Our daily schedule can look different than the typical adult’s. Often we have evening meetings, and those of us who are priests or parish ministers usually work on Saturdays and Sundays and take some time off during the week.

The unpredictable demands also lend richness to our lives. These often center around meeting the needs of people, whether those be children in schools, families preparing to celebrate the sacraments, or the sick, elderly, angry, hurt, hungry, or imprisoned. We try to share our lives with others and to reveal Christ in all we do.

Those of us who are members of contemplative communities (communities dedicated to prayer) fill our days with a combination of work, prayer, and recreation. The difference is that we might dedicate more of our time to prayer than other brothers, sisters, or priests. Sometimes we will grow our own food and do income-producing work, like baking and selling the hosts used for Mass, or making cheese or candy. Our prayer usually consists of Mass, silent prayer (called contemplation), reading, and praying the psalm-based Liturgy of the Hours (an ancient practice of praying psalms together at regular hours throughout the day).

The terms “nun” and “sister” are often used interchangeably. In Roman Catholicism, there is a difference.

A Catholic nun lives as a contemplative life in a monastery, which is usually cloistered (or enclosed) or semi-cloistered. Her ministry and prayer life is centered within and around the monastery for the good of the world. She professes the perpetual, solemn vows living a life according to the evangelical counsels of poverty, celibacy, and obedience.

A Catholic sister lives, ministers, and prays within the world. A sister’s life is often called “active” or “apostolic” because she is engaged in the works of mercy and other ministries that take the Gospel to others where they are. She professes perpetual, simple vows living a life according to the evangelical counsels of poverty, celibacy, and obedience.

Just like most adults, we spend a portion of each day working. The model and motivation for what we do is Jesus, who asked that we follow his example of service to God’s people.

But we don’t just work! In order to live in a healthy, balanced way we try to keep a mix of prayer, ministry, and play in our lives.

Many priests, brothers, and sisters have one main job, such as teaching, parish ministry, social work, or hospital work—all of which have somewhat regular hours and predictable demands. Our daily schedule can look different than the typical adult’s. Often we have evening meetings, and those of us who are priests or parish ministers usually work on Saturdays and Sundays and take some time off during the week.

The unpredictable demands also lend richness to our lives. These often center around meeting the needs of people, whether those be children in schools, families preparing to celebrate the sacraments, or the sick, elderly, angry, hurt, hungry, or imprisoned. We try to share our lives with others and to reveal Christ in all we do.

Those of us who are members of contemplative communities (communities dedicated to prayer) fill our days with a combination of work, prayer, and recreation. The difference is that we might dedicate more of our time to prayer than other brothers, sisters, or priests. Sometimes we will grow our own food and do income-producing work, like baking and selling the hosts used for Mass, or making cheese or candy. Our prayer usually consists of Mass, silent prayer (called contemplation), reading, and praying the psalm-based Liturgy of the Hours (an ancient practice of praying psalms together at regular hours throughout the day).

There are many different orders for women serving God. Below is a brief listing.
  A listing of many orders
  Sisters of Mercy
   Carmelite Nuns of Baltimore
  IHM Sisters of Monroe, Michigan
  A Nun's Life

Deacons are ordained ministers of the Roman Catholic Church. They perform various services at the parish level and are regarded as servants of the Pope, as opposed to priests, who are assistants to the Pope. Men who are interested in becoming deacons must go through a rigorous eligibility process before they are allowed to train for this position.

Deacons help the bishop and priest in the celebration of the Mass, assist at marriages and funerals, and in preaching/are ordained ministers of the Roman Catholic Church. They perform various services at the parish level and are regarded as servants of the Pope, as opposed to priests, who are assistants to the Pope. Men who are interested in becoming deacons must go through a rigorous eligibility process before they are allowed to train for this position.

1. You must be at least 35 years old.

2. You must be a baptized in the church and a practicing Catholic.

3. If you are married, the Church must recognize the marriage. If you are divorced, you must have an annulment. Deacons who are unmarried or widowed cannot marry and are expected to be celibate.

4. Be active in the parish.

5. Have at least a high school diploma or a GED.

6. Be in good health/

7. Ensure you can dedicate the time to study, which takes about five years.

8. If you are married, your wife's consent is required.