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WOONSOCKET — For Father Daniel Sweet, pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Woonsocket, discerning a call to the priesthood began with a profound desire for purpose after graduating from college—and a refusal to settle for what society values most.
“I had a strong desire to do something important with my life, and I had a conviction that what was most important was what God wanted me to do,” Father Sweet reflects. “I was not impressed with what the world considered important. I looked to what God would consider important: the salvation of souls.”
During his discernment, an enduring scriptural image captured his heart — that of the priest as a guardian.
“A shepherd must be vigilant,” he explains. “Even though the sheep may be completely unaware, the shepherd must keep watch for the wolves creeping up in the shadows.”
Taking that initial step required trust.
“Discernment wasn’t certain, only that I knew I would regret it if I didn’t give it a try. I said to myself that if this was not what God wanted, He would let me know.”
Today, Father Sweet begins his morning at 5:30 a.m. with a holy hour before celebrating 7:00 a.m. Mass. To balance administration, pastoral care, and prayer, he relies on dedicated lay leaders.
“I try to delegate as many administrative tasks as possible to people who are far more capable than myself. I am very grateful for them.”
Reflecting on his ministry, Father Sweet points to times when God’s grace breaks through human limitations, particularly in preaching.
“There have been so many times when, in preparing a homily or even just about to preach, an image or a connection comes to me that I must admit is far beyond my intellectual capacity.”
When asked about the primary obstacle facing the Church today, Father Sweet identifies an age-old spiritual trap.
“The challenge facing the Church today is the same as it has been throughout history: self-righteous complacency. If we use the image of the wolf stalking its prey, then self-righteous complacency is the darkest of shadows.”
Meeting modern spiritual challenges also requires recognizing deep personal wounds. Over his years of service, Father Sweet has seen an increasing need for total healing — spiritual, physical, and mental — especially through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
“People are not just prideful and obstinate. They are really hurting and need priests to act powerfully and compassionately to deliver them.”
For young men discerning a vocation or preparing for ordination, Father Sweet offers two essential pieces of advice: establish weekly confession early, and never underestimate the authority of priestly prayer during moments of self-doubt.
“There will be days when you feel awful...Those are the really important days. There are thousands of souls that the Church has entrusted to your pastoral care... He places the power of the cross into your consecrated hands. Lift up those hands in prayer, in Adoration, in the celebration of Holy Mass, in the Liturgy of the Hours, the Rosary, in every opportunity to absolve or bless. You can’t have them, Satan. Not today. Not on my watch.”
