Description
Lead a parish in worship, sacramental ministry, and pastoral care according to Church teaching and tradition. Preach, administer the sacraments, guide the faithful, and oversee parish ministries and administration.
- • Celebrate the Eucharist (Mass) and lead regular parish worship and devotions.
- • Preach homilies rooted in Scripture and Church teaching.
- • Hear confessions and offer absolution and spiritual direction.
- • Administer sacraments, including Baptism, Matrimony, and Anointing of the Sick.
- • Preside at funerals and memorial services.
- • Prepare couples for marriage and parents or godparents for Baptism.
- • Catechize and prepare children and adults for the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist).
- • Provide pastoral counseling for spiritual, emotional, or personal needs.
- • Visit the sick, homebound, and those in hospitals or prisons.
- • Study and interpret Scripture, liturgy, and Church doctrine.
- • Oversee liturgical planning, schedules, and volunteers (lectors, servers, musicians).
- • Collaborate with parish and finance councils on pastoral and administrative matters.
- • Manage parish operations, facilities, and staff or volunteers.
- • Maintain sacramental registers and ensure confidentiality and records compliance.
- • Respond to emergencies and provide Last Rites or crisis support.
- • Refer parishioners to community, social, or clinical services as needed.
- • Lead or supervise religious education, youth ministry, and adult faith formation.
- • Engage in evangelization, outreach, and interfaith or ecumenical initiatives.
- • Communicate parish news through bulletins, talks, and digital channels.
- • Promote stewardship, vocations, and volunteer leadership.
- • Participate in fundraising and development to support parish ministries.
Related specializations
Interview options
Interview options
Interviewee gender
Interviewee accent
Interview time
Related Pathways
Healthcare & Human Services
View
Source
Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
Learn more
Sources & Standards:
This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
