It’s all part of the (priest’s) job

By Sharyn McCowen

So what DO priests do every week?

The vocation center for the Archdiocese of Sydney has produced a short video, “A Week in the Life of a Priest.” It features Father Michael de Stoop, diocesan vocations director and priest at St. Benedict’s, an inner-city parish.

The 10-minute video follows Father de Stoop as he administers the sacraments, visits schools and youth gatherings, spends time in prayer and formation, relaxes with family and friends, and even takes to the field for his weekly game of rugby with the Crusaders.

The video is also being shown in schools across Sydney.

Teacher Jessica Nohra, 22, described the reaction of her students after she showed them the DVD.

“When they saw Father playing footy (Australian football), they were amazed and kept asking, ‘Miss, is that still the priest’?”