In November 2010, I was called by the Archbishop of Atlanta Wilton Gregory to be the pastor at Prince of Peace Catholic Church on Spout Springs Road in Flowery Branch.

I am privileged to be the pastor of such an amazing community of 10,000 parishioners, who come together as a community of Catholic Christians in South Hall County. But I did not start my service in the ministry here.

I am originally from Indiana and was ordained a priest in June 2000. I have been assigned to serve in various churches from Marietta, Buford, Decatur and now in Flowery Branch.

The opportunity to serve as a Catholic priest is an amazing life. My days are never the same and full of adventure.

Some folks wonder what a priest does day to day. My duties range from visiting the sick and dying at any time of the day or night to witnessing the union of husband and wife in the sacrament of marriage. I also meet with parishioners to offer guidance and advice.

I celebrate the sacraments of baptism, reconciliation (confession), confirmation, marriage, Eucharist and anointing of the sick. I also break open the word of God and share the good news of Jesus Christ.

A host of other things fall under the title and duties of the pastor. However, I am only able to do anything because of an amazing staff and countless parishioners who serve. Two full-time priests and seven deacons serve this community.

At Prince of Peace, we are focused on the call “to go and make disciples.” We are working on that first and foremost through a deepening relationship with Jesus Christ, community outreach, relevant teaching, building relationships with people, serving others and finally going out and sharing all of this with someone else.

This is a lifelong journey we are called to live in our lives. I feel as the pastor of this community, I am called to help those in my care live out this call as disciples of Christ.

All that we do and are called to do is because of the risen Christ who loves us and expresses his mercy and forgiveness again and again.

Father Eric Hill is the pastor at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Flowery Branch. He can be reached at freric@popcatholicchurch.org.