So, the secret is out... the happiest job according to Forbes Magazine is http://www.forbes.com/sites/stevedenning/2011/09/12/the-ten-happiest-jobs/In June I will, please God, celebrate my 35th anniversary of ordination; to be honest I have known for many years what Forbes is now telling the world.
To be ordained and especially, I believe, to serve as a parish priest is one of the most privileged, exciting, fulfilling and, yes, happy vocations. Many years back I withdrew from ordained ministry for a while and quickly I realized I had to return to my vocation; in fact, those around me discovered this truth more quickly than I did!
At the beginning of my ministry I served with a senior curate who once said, in earnest, "This job would not be too bad if it weren't for the people" - he resigned before retirement age!
Of course it is tough for the priest, and partner, to be used a punching bag by frustrated, powerless, mean-spirited and visionless church members but this is all greatly balanced by the tremendous opportunities to come alongside people at profound, traumatic and transforming times of their lives.
I guess if I had the resources I'd choose to focus on some particular aspects of parish ministry given my experience and talents but the unexpected still never fails to amaze me. If boredom is a sympton of unhappiness, I think no ordained person could ever be unhappy for long.
Of course this is all dependent, I think, on the clergyperson seeing this as a vocation and not as career. To know that Jesus has called and will support us is crucial (read John 15:16 sometime).
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