Michael M. VanHelsing D.D. 

Much of the priestly life revolves around people.

There are no two days that are the same, but here is a glimpse of what my typical day could look like.

I begin my day with morning prayer, meditation and perhaps some office work. In the afternoon, I make my visits. Then in the evening, after more prayer and supper, there is almost always some kind of investigation, meeting or prayer service.

I accompany people in very dramatic moments of their lives: the birth of a child, a wedding engagement, or even death.

There is a saying, “What a person goes through in a lifetime, a priest goes through in a day.” It’s important for me to maintain a healthy prayer life to sustain myself in the midst of these emotional events.

Being a Priest is not a 9:00am – 5:00pm job. Spiritual service is not a businesses with office hours. I am always a priest and always present.

I am preeminently a man of sacrifice. I am called to be an agent of mercy and compassion by bringing people to God and God to the people.
 

I am a spiritual father, mediator, provider, teacher, spiritual warrior, means of God’s mercy, bridegroom and brother.  I have been given the sacred power to serve God’s people, to lead them to union with God. I do this principally by teaching the people, shepherding them through leadership, offering ministerial care and spiritual guidance. I very well can experience in just one day what some experience in their whole lifetime.

My Specialties, Duties & Services

Bishop.
As a Bishop, I am responsible for guiding churches or congregations in their spiritual practice.

While many religions refer to this position as a pastor, other common titles include priest, rabbi, shaman, minister and reverend. Some of my most common job duties include writing sermons, presenting educational lectures, performing sacred rites and presiding over religious ceremonies. I also counsel members of my organization when they need help in overcoming challenges.

Chaplain.
As a Chaplain, I visit people in need of spiritual assistance and members of my congregation to provide spiritual support outside of the church.

I may make routine visits to military bases, schools, hospitals and prisons. I use my spiritual wisdom to guide and counsel individuals when they're experiencing challenging situations, such as an illness. My primary goal is to provide comfort and help people strengthen their faith. I also offer advice to help people overcome moral dilemmas.
 

Spiritual Writer.
As a Spiritual writer, I use my mastery of language to create materials that help others develop a deeper understanding of a specific religion, belief or practice. I write sermons, educational blog posts, spiritual books, theology texts or motivational materials. Often I use allegory to help people understand complex spiritual ideologies. Depending on the type of work I produce, I may also host book signings, teach classes or travel to attend conventions.

Motivational Speaker.
As a Motivational speaker, I often share spiritual messages with communities. I may travel to speak in front of different groups of people, present at conferences or share my wisdom through videos. I also develop educational lectures about religious texts, lead meditation practices or share stories that help people understand complex spiritual topics.


Naturopath.
As a Naturopath, I use my knowledge of natural remedies to help patients improve their health. Also known as a naturopathic doctor or naturopathic physician, I diagnose diseases and develop holistic treatment plans.

Some tools I may use to heal patients include botanical therapies, meditation practices, herbal remedies, massage therapy, diet plans, exercise regimens and hydrotherapy. I also meet with patients to assess their emotional, mental and spiritual health. This allows me to identify underlying issues and help patients adopt healthier lifestyles.