A day in the life: Parish priest leads people to Christ in many ways

Father Clement Davis, pastor of St. Bartholomew Parish in Columbus, elevates the Eucharist during a Dec. 6 Mass in the Seymour Deanery faith community’s church. (Photos by Sean Gallagher)

By Sean Gallagher

COLUMBUS and FRANKLIN—Leading a parish of more than 1,600 households means that most of Father Clement Davis’ days are busy with various tasks, from early in the morning until late in the evening.

But the pastor of St. Bartholomew Parish in Columbus is usually focused in all of them on leading his parishioners closer to Christ.

That might happen through celebrating Mass, hearing confessions or anointing and giving spiritual comfort to the sick. The priest also does this through his interactions with the staff members of his parish, and in attending ministry meetings at his Seymour Deanery faith community.

But like most parish priests, his ministry stretches beyond the particular parish to which he is assigned. He supports the ministry of brother priests by assisting at penance services and through building up friendships with them.

They also include quiet moments of prayer when he intercedes for the Church and the world, and seeks in his own soul to draw closer to Christ.

The Criterion followed Father Davis through much of a day of ministry in December to show what a day in the life of a parish priest is like.

Click on the photo essay below to see some of the ways that Father Davis leads many people to Christ in his day-to-day ministry.

(For more information about a vocation to the priesthood in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, log on to www.HearGodsCall.com.) †

The Criterion

January 11, 2013

2013 Religious Vocations Supplement

A day in the life: Parish priest leads people to Christ in many ways

By Sean Gallagher

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