By David Karas | Correspondent

For teens who may have questions about life in the priesthood, a recent episode of Realfaith TV covers all the bases.

The late December segment features Father Christopher Picollo, parochial vicar of St. James Parish, Red Bank, a young priest who served as the episode’s spotlight guest.

“A Day in the Life of a Priest” touched upon everything from daily routines and responsibilities to the vow of celibacy, family and social ties to the rewarding challenges associated with a life of vocation.

“You definitely experience a lot of different things, all while living out (your faith) and serving the Church,” said Father Picollo, who also serves as the chaplain for Red Bank Catholic High School.

Realfaith TV is a television program produced by teens, for teens, and is created by the diocesan Department of Radio and Television through the efforts of hundreds of teens who volunteer as hosts, studio guests, spotlight guests, interviewers, floor managers and equipment operators.

The episode was the latest in the current season, which has encompassed a variety of topics related to faith, presented through a youth lens.

From classroom visits to attendance at meetings and special activities, Father Picollo described the many ways he stays involved with the school community. That is in addition to his duties with his parish, which include administering the Sacraments, celebrating Mass and presiding at both weddings and funerals.

He also spends time each week on call for any emergencies at the local hospital or within the congregation.

Still, though, Picollo said one of his primary responsibilities as a priest is to pray.

“One of our main goals is to pray for people, to pray for our Church,” he said, adding that he tries to always remember those who have asked for his support during his prayers.

For the studio guests, hearing the details of his weekly schedule was eye-opening.

One shared his thoughts that priests work mainly on Sundays, adding that he was impressed with all of the duties fulfilled by the clergy throughout the week. Others reflected on how many people count on priests each and every day.

The segment also included a clip with Father Picollo discussing his social life and the time he spends with family and friends, as well as fellow priests. For some, it came as a surprise that priests have dinner together, see movies and relax like those in other professions.

There was also a discussion of the vow of celibacy, which many of the teens considered to be one of the most difficult challenges associated with the priesthood. Some, however, saw the rewards of being married to the Church as a special bond that sets priests apart from others in traditional marriages.

Father Picollo said that his first consideration of a life in the priesthood came during his years in college, and though he worked for nearly seven years after graduating before entering the seminary, he always seemed to know that he wanted to become a priest.

“I really always thought I would become a priest,” he said. “This is what God is calling me to do.”