Two priests chosen to minister to their peers

The two priests plan to visit each priest in the Diocese at least once during their three-year terms, but they will be available to talk or listen whenever priests find themselves in need of support.

"Many of the priests are by themselves, and there's a need for more communication," Father Gilchrist said. "If there's anything priests are concerned about, they can come to us."

Reaching out

Having ministers to priests will facilitate "internal, personal, private exchange of information with someone who knows the experience of being a priest," Father Brucker noted.

Father Gilchrist feels comfortable ministering to priests, and they should know they can come to him "in times of crisis, whether personal, spiritual or psychological," he said.

One issue that Father Gilchrist expects to come up is burnout, as the number of priests in the Diocese dwindles. "Priests are feeling overworked, and they can't do everything," he said.

Priority

"I think this is the first time there have been these kinds of people in the Diocese who are there specifically for the priests," he said.

The two ministers to priests have busy schedules, but Father Deimeke is confident that they will handle their new part-time ministry just fine. "Somehow, I think this will be a priority in their lives," he said.

(Father Gilchrist can be reached at 463-4817; Father Brucker can be reached at 377-8886.)

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