Our Q and A with Father Jeffrey E. Lee on the meaning and value of the lay vocation. A priest of 27 years, Father Lee is the pastor of St. Mary Parish, Colts Neck, and formerly served in several positions of diocesan leadership.

How would you best describe the gifts and responsibility of a lay vocation and how this vocation impacts the Church and her people?

The Second Vatican Council affirmed the Universal Call to Holiness, recognizing the importance of the common priesthood of all believers (the baptized) and the particular (ministerial) priesthood of the ordained as being mutually supportive in advancing the mission of the Church.  Some might suggest that one is better or greater than the other. However, it is not so. They differ in substance but are ordered toward the salvation of souls in the Local Church and the Domestic Church of the home.  Therefore, these expressions of ministry are by nature mutually supportive and life-giving.  The common priesthood can be lived out in the vocation of marriage or as a single person.  The particular priesthood of the ordained is generally lived out in a chaste celibate vocation as priests.  There also exists the ordained deacons who may be married or otherwise called to embrace the chaste, celibate life. 

What are some of the key ways that laymen and laywomen can live out their vocation in meaningful and impactful ways?

One of the things that has always challenged me as a believer, a priest, a diocesan director and as a pastor is the reality that Jesus sends his apostles and disciples out two by two.  Therefore the Sacred Scriptures offer us a blue print for accomplishing the mission and a reminder that as individuals we do not possess all of the requisite gifts and talents alone to serve the community entrusted to our care. 

The most important aspect of assembling a pastoral team is the honest recognition of gifts and talents each person has and how that shapes the group.  As our faithful become more educated our parish staff persons are challenged to be more educated.  Priests who participate in continuing education and formation opportunities continue to grow in their ability to lead others while being open to others leading them.  Searching for well-educated, faith-filled persons to serve in parish leadership is paramount in calling forth parishioners to share their time and talent.

How have you, your parish or the Church overall worked to empower the laity to serve as part of their call from God?

Calling forth good stewards within the parish community is the role of the pastor and those collaborating with him.  The Stewardship of Time and Talent is not only about existing needs but rather our desire to share the blessings we have received from God.  The priesthood of all believers thrives when the parish staff serves to oversee the many aspects of parish life calling forth members from the community who serve in tandem with the pastor and staff.

I have been blessed to serve with many faith-filled persons during my time in parishes and diocesan administration.  The priests, deacons, married couples, religious and single persons have not only assisted in serving people but most importantly in enriching me as a diocesan priest.  Serving together is a living icon of how Jesus is calling us to build the Church in our time.  The vocation of a diocesan priest fundamentally is a call to serve with others to advance the Kingdom of God in our midst.