Class of 2011

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have been a religious brother for the last 25 years. I loved being a religious brother but I consistently felt that I needed to reach out to the faithful sacramentally. As an ordained religious priest I am happy to continue the apostolate of our religious community while being a channel of blessing through the sacramental activities.

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worked in Thomas Jefferson's house and property as a professional gardener, taking care of the orchard and vinyard there, before entering seminary.

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was a middle-aged meat cutter in a small town when I heard God calling me to be a priest. God made me understand in a very personal way that I was not doing what God wanted me to do and He led me to definitively prepare for a vocation to the priesthood. The best decision of my life was to follow the Lord.

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entered the Church in 2002 at the Easter Vigil. I can recall a strong desire in my heart for many years to become a priest of Jesus Christ; I think God knew what he was doing all along!

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never wanted to leave seminary except during those times when I ignored or became numb to the challenges and struggles of my own humanity. Christ's call to the priesthood is, for me, intimately tied to my own imperfections, and this is something in which I find tremendous consolation.

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am formed for ministry as a priest for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, as a Third Order Discalced Carmelite. I have always had a particular devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Carmelite saints.

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struggled with my vocation even after I entered the seminary. Despite the struggle I knew that it was God's will for me and it was by his grace that I continued to pursue my vocation. A challenge does not mean that something is wrong or bad, it just makes you rely on God all the more.

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thought it was impossible for me to go to seminary, despite feeling that God was calling me to be a priest. I thought the Church would automatically reject me because I was divorced and older than 35.

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first started to think seriously about the priesthood while taking a theology class taught by an Evangelical-Protestant.

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played college football.

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was a successful business manager and traveled the world. God never gave up calling me to the priesthood, which he was doing since I was in 2nd Grade.

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was a graphic designer before entering religious life and the seminary. I thought I would never use those skills again, but as such God continues to use the artistic gifts He has given me in my priestly and religious vocation.

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never participated in Mass as an altar server before the seminary.

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have gone saltwater fishing. I've caught and released bluefin tuna, goliath grouper and several species of sharks.

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lost my entire right leg by a traffic accident in 1990. I lost my leg, but I found my life. Thanks be to God!

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have a twin sister.

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gave religious life a try when I was 14, then when I was 18, and when I was 34. The first time I was with a religious community for six months, the second time I was at the seminary for three years. I have been a monk for almost ten years. I will be a priest in May 2011.

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I began college at a state university but felt unfulfilled with my studies. I talked with the director of vocations and was filled with the "peace that the world cannot give." I knew I was making the right choice to enter seminary.

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I began college at a state university but felt unfulfilled with my studies. I talked with the director of vocations and was filled with the "peace that the world cannot give." I knew I was making the right choice to enter seminary.

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enjoy camping in the deep of winter. In that season the world is so peaceful and quiet that I find it easier to pray and enter into the presence of God.

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grew up wanting to be a scientist.

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it was from the game of soccer where I first encounter my experience to the vocation to the priesthood. It happened when I saw three soccer fields in the minor seminary run by the Salesians, and I wanted to get into soccer for that. But when I got to know the seminarians there, I was attracted to the kind of life they are living. My vocation discernment rolled from there.

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love to run and pray the Rosary.

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have a degree in Jewish Studies and spent several months studying at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem during college.

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have enjoyed the daily Mass and adoration before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament since a very young age, but it took me some time to accept His call. God patiently helped me to trust in His plan for me. I finally left everything behind me: family, friends, work and my own culture to become a priest.

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tried to run away from my sense that God was calling me. I thought that if I did all the wrong things God might stop "bothering me." God kept knocking until I realized that saying yes to God would give me joy beyond my wildest imagination.

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never considered being a missionary priest in the USA. The vocation to the priesthood is tremendous mystery!

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have matured in my vocation through my involvement in organizing low-wage workers around the Country.

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love teaching and discussing faith topics and bringing the faith and Sacraments to God's people.

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was not a faithful Catholic until I had a conversion a month before my college graduation. 3 months after I first experienced God's call to the priesthood when I was asked by the parish prayer group leader to pray about it.

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have thought about the priesthood since the age of 12, although I did not become "serious" about this vocation until my junior/senior year in high school. I would like to encourage all young men to open their hearts to Christ for he will be their only guide in life.

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have run two marathons in the last year, although I never ran track or cross country growing up.

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love music, movies and creativity in general. I think that beauty and art are a key part of re-evangelizing our culture.

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worked answering phones and emptying trash in our parish office. Although I was only a freshman in high school, the associate pastor would always introduce me to people as "a young man who is going to enter the seminary." I guess he was right!

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have two adopted siblings. Both of my parents are converts; one is from a Protestant background and the other from a background of atheism. My desire to become a priest was magnified through pro-life work. By spending much time defending the helpless unborn, I became convinced that becoming a priest and offering the Holy Mass was the greatest possible way to defeat the culture of death and promote a culture of life and love.

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have a twin brother who is a D.R.E., a younger brother who is also a D.R.E., and another younger brother who teaches at the Catholic high school that we attended. My mother is a Catholic elementary school teacher, so teaching has become an important part of our family and our faith.

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believe that I have been called to the priesthood from a very early age. After finally saying "Yes", I have found true peace and happiness.

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was a Lutheran minister before I converted to Catholicism.

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was an attorney and had hoped to work for pro-life causes in my career. I was quite surprised - and humbled - when God called me to enter the seminary and prepare for the priesthood.

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took over 10 years to answer God's call to the priesthood, and the journey has been an even more incredible adventure of Christ's love than I could have ever imagined.

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was not raised Catholic. I found the Catholic faith as a result of a powerful experience of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist on a retreat while I was attending Florida State University. It changed my life and was the beginning of the journey that led me to become a priest.

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was a rowing coach after rowing in college in England. Currently I coach at the University of California, Berkeley, Men's Rowing on the freshman team. A great moment of the diaconate ordination was to see the team there, towering over everyone else, and seeing the Catholic Church in a great moment.

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felt the call to the priesthood as I witnessed people around me ignore the presence of God in their lives. I felt the call to help them know and love God, and I couldn't imagine a better way to do that than by bringing people the Eucharist, the very presence of Christ in the world.

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one of my first loves is surfing with my dad and my brothers. The joy of being refreshed in body and spirit by the salty Atlantic waves is truly unique, especially in February!

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was a working actor in Los Angeles before joining the Society of Jesus in 2001. My "claim to fame" was delivering Chinese food to "Elaine" on the sitcom "Seinfeld."

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considered being a professional golfer before entering the seminary.

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was born in Cheon-Ho (South Korea) where four Korean martyr saints and nine martyrs are buried. Before the I.C.S. Seminary, I served God as a Franciscan for nine years, caring for lepers and helping the poor in a mission in India.

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have been deaf since birth. I will become one of the several Deaf priests in the world.

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worked five years in road construction (heavy equipment, surveying, & plan designing) before entering seminary. Now, I am currently trying to build an attractive detour and bridge to Heaven.

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was not influenced in my vocation by any one active person. I felt drawn to love and serve Jesus Christ and His Church. It was not dramatic in any sense, just following the spirit and the love of God in my life.

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first thought about a priestly vocation when I attended RCIA while stationed in Spain with the U.S. Navy. I was 20 years old then.

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want to be a saint.

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did not even think about a vocation to the priesthood until I spoke with the campus minister at the University of St. Thomas during my senior year of high school. He asked me if I had ever thought about seminary, to which I responded, "What is a seminary?" Thus, my first years of college seminary were basically "Catechesis 101".

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am a die hard fan of the Philadelphia Union Major League Soccer team. I have season tickets with my family, and attended most of their home games during their inaugural season in 2010.

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directed a Catholic camp and had the privledge of working with college students on sharing their faith with campers. What a blessing it was to provide that assist to both staff and campers!

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learned to juggle from the book "Juggling for the Complete Klutz."

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had tried other walks of life...probably all of them...before trying the seminary and exploring the vocation to the priesthood. With me, it was as if God had chosen to allow me to try everything else, gently closing the door to everything else one-by-one as I tried them (dating seriously, finding gainful employment, and so forth), thus, by process of elimination, guiding me patiently to the one door that was wide, wide open for me: the priesthood.

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always desired to be involved in law enforcement agencies all my life specifically as a Police Officer, that's why I decide to study Criminal Justice and become one; but God called me to join His Army and here I am very happy and anxious to become a Catholic Priest and a soldier of Christ.

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will serve as priest to Catholics in the United States, in both English and Spanish ministry. I consider myself an Immigrant among Immigrants.

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always prayed for vocations to the priesthood, even though I rejected the idea of being a priest myself. I felt attracted to the priesthood upon seeing the need for spiritual guidance in the parish community.

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can't imagine being anything other than a priest. I am so excited to respond fully to God's call to become one with Christ himself and lay down my life out of love for Him and my new spouse, the Church.

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spent some time in pathological and immunological oncology research before entering seminary.

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did not even think of the priesthood until I was in college studying to be a commercial pilot, even though I was raised Catholic and received a Catholic education through high school.

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am a drummer and have played in numerous bands throughout the Northeast area. In all things may Jesus Christ be praised...

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rode my Harley Davidson across the country.

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have been able to keep up a variety of interests since entering formation and religious life including: language study, literary criticism, folk music, storytelling, historical studies, and reading/writing mysteries.

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participated in a Metropolitan Opera try-out and received an honorable mention. I was also on a martial arts tour of China and witnessed the Tienemen Square massacre.

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like rap music. I like making Christian rap music.

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entered the religious seminary in my home country when I was very young. After ordination I'll be working as a missionary with Latino people in this country.

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had an anti-Catholic sentiment growing up as a Protestant. My desire to serve God and humanity brought me to the fullness of the Christian faith.

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was a civil engineering research assistant that travelled to Japan for Earthquake Engineering, worked for the Department of Homeland Security, played rugby in college, and began a Catholic fraternity with friends called Esto Vir at Catholic University of America.

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taught medical microbiology at the University of Nigeria; worked as a postdoctoral research fellow at Universities in Germany, Japan and the USA; and then became a novice Trappist monk, before heeding the call to the priesthood.

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grew up in Scotland and was a member of a lay brotherhood for 17 years before entering the seminary.

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am a very ordinary person. Just like anybody, I'm just trying to find my place in God's scheme of things.

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want to serve the Lord. I will tell people that it is a big challenge to be a priest, and it is good to do God's work.

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was studying abroad in Seville, Spain, when I had a powerful conversion to really live my faith, especially after I went to confession in Fatima, Portugal. Then, back home I got very active in the University of Texas Longhorn Awakening retreats and felt God's call to be used as his instrument.

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was inspired to continue my vocation and seminary studies by the visit of Pope Benedict XVI during the seminarian and youth rally in Yonkers.

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played in the 2010 Minnesota Class C State Amateur Baseball Tournament as a Deacon.

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would advise persons not to put off the Lord's invitation to follow him. The Lord has provided in all facets of my vocation, and in Him I have found joy, lasting peace, and happiness.

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decided to enter religious life to become a religious priest. I thought that Jesus Christ sacrified his own life for the world and so I might sacrifice my marriage vocation to God in order to respond to the priestly vocation.

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still keeping my vocation after a long journey in pursuing my vocation in priesthood.

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had long hair from age 9 until I cut it at the age of 15 to get a part in the school play. A few weeks later I was invited to the bishop's residence for an "Operation Andrew" dinner. That was when Bishop Higi asked me to consider seriously going to seminary. I'm glad he asked! It was eight years before I entered the seminary, but I never forgot his invitation.

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served as an altar boy at age 10, and this experience sparked my vocation to the priesthood. Life went on, but that spark remained dormant and never left me. Many years later it was reignited largely to apologetics and what I learned about the faith.

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originally wanted to work in politics.

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am an accomplished choral conductor who resisted the call to priesthood for a long time until Pope John Paul II appeared for several times in my dreams telling me specifically to return to the seminary. With God's grace, I am happy to serve Him and His Church.

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have a twin brother who is an Air Force pilot. I also recorded a hip hop album while living in Atlanta some years ago.

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am half Puerto-Rican and had to force myself to learn Spanish in high school. I love serving both the English- and Spanish-speaking communities.

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have a twin brother who is in the New York Police Department.

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never believed I had the academic skills necessary to complete a Masters of Divinity program.

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was influenced the most through prayer.

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was on my way to becoming a professional jazz musician before I decided to become a priest.

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was only 11 when I thought of becoming a priest. I was influenced especially by my grandma who loved priests and wanted to see at least one of her grandchildren becoming a priest.

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never considered religious life or the call to the priesthood until people suggested it to me. I ran from this possible call for 3 years and finally succumbed to it with faith and hope. This is the best decision of my life ever. May God be praised!!!!!

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have a thirty-five year old son, a thirty-three year old daughter and an eleven year old grand-daughter. I hope and pray that the many experiences of my life will serve Christ's Church.

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enjoy taking care of my computer: upgrading its gpu, cleaning its registry, etc. Taking care of it (and knowing how to) is half the fun of using a computer.

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served in the Army in combat during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm. I wasn't interested in the priesthood until the age of 26, when I left a girlfriend and a teaching job to begin the real adventure of my life through following Christ to be his priest!

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was confirmed as an adult after years away from the Church, not too long before I entered seminary. The example and teaching of one priest helped me answer God's call to leave behind a good career in technology and to serve God.

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the first time I ever thought about the priesthood was probably around 5th or 6th grade, but it wasn't until my third year of college that I finally decided that it was time to become a seminarian and to discern if God was calling me to the priesthood.

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used to breakdance through my junior and high school years.

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had not considered a vocation to the priesthood until as a sophomore in high school I was asked to do so by one of my parish's youth ministers. We should never be afraid to ask someone - and no one should ever be afraid to answer God's call. He is truly generous

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received my vocation as I received my First Communion.

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taught myself to build a computer in the 7th grade. Encouraged by my father to learn a skill, I became very interested in the use of technology for evangelization. I continue to think of innovative ways to preach the Gospel in the new millennium.

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have lived in four countries, six US states and have traveled extensively around the world. I completed two marathons, commanded a 75 man USMC unit overseas, had a golf handicap under 7 and traded on the world's largest exchange; however, I am still just Mom and Dad's youngest son, by the grace of God, Imago Dei.

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made excuses to not enter the seminary because I was afraid that I would not be able to handle eight more years of school. Once I began formation and academic studies, God gave me all the graces I needed to persevere.

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never considered the priesthood until I was 21 years of age.

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have come thus far in life. When I became discouraged I wanted to leave the seminary and do something else. But I've come to realise that my plans will not work. I learned to let God work His plans for me. After all, He is the Father who knows better.

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was tempted at times to leave religious life, but this passage gave me reasons to stay: "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets."

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was an attorney for 12 years prior to entering the seminary.

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am a librarian and a lover of the outdoors. Library work is mostly indoors and intellectual, while hiking and backpacking are outdoors and energetic. The truth is that I find God both in my job of helping others do their research and in the grand beauty of his creation.

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flew on a KC-135 airplane on a seat that was facing not the cabin but the tale--14 hours sitting backwards. After ordination, I will go to Nepal as a missioner. Meeting other cultures, travelling, going abroad, learning another way of life and sharing the little I have with others: that keeps me going.

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never expected to be where I am today and much more to become Priest. It is real blessing from the Lord.

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while my receptivity to God's call was first formed by my parents, I did not hear the call until the faithful witness of my non-Catholic Christian friends in college challenged me to fall in love with Christ.

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wanted to be an astrophysicist. But when the Holy Spirit kept insisting the priesthood, I experienced peace only after choosing His future for me over my own.

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was baptized Catholic as an infant. However, I first experienced God's call while studying at Florida State University through the incredible campus ministry led by the Brotherhood of Hope and the parish priests. It was then that I decided to receive First Communion and Confirmation.

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in College I was awarded a NASA grant to fly an experiment in zero gravity aboard their C-9 "Weightless Wonder." Struggling to make a decision to enter the major seminary, it was while hanging upside down in zero-gravity that I realized I was called to something deeper and should enter the major seminary.

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used to enjoy formulating short homilies as a teenager, while walking the family dog around the block first thing in the morning.

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had a lot of religious experiences in public high school, including spiritual conversations with many of my teachers and an eccumenical Bible study among peers after school.