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Deacon Duncan Amek
Level of Study: Pastoral Year
Home Parish: St. Paul Cathedral, Homa Bay, Kenya
My parents played a significant parental and formational role that inspired my vocation to the priesthood. Besides my family members' inspiration, I was fascinated by the enormous work and commitment of my pastor, Fr. Philip Odero, who inspired me. I was equally inspired toward priesthood by an old exemplary priest, Fr. Joseph Musanda, in my parish.
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Blayne Riley
Level of Study: 3rd Theology
Home Parish: Shrine of St. Padre Pio, San Antonio, Texas
My vocation story is one of a long road beginning with my conversion to Catholicism. It was during my time altar serving that someone first asked if I had thought of becoming a priest. Since that time, and reflecting back, I have seen Our Lady, Mother of Priests watching over me and guiding me to where I am today. What attracts me personally to the priesthood? Celebrating the Sacraments and serving God's people and accompanying them on their faith journey.
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Matthew De Leon
Level of Study: 3rd Theology
Home Parish: St. John the Evangelist, Hondo, Texas
My vocation was aroused most by the Catholic community in which I grew up. I learned very early in my life about the examples of such holy men as St. Josemaría Escrivá and St. Pio of Pietrelcina. My life has always belonged to our Father.
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Ricardo Ramirez
Level of Study: 3rd Theology
Home Parish: Resurrection of the Lord, San Antonio, Texas
I first felt the call to priesthood in my early childhood. The faith of my family and the encouragement of my parish community, formed me to respond with courage when prompted to answer God's call to follow Him.
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Ian Robbins
Level of Study: 3rd Theology
Home Parish: St. Mark the Evangelist, San Antonio, Texas
My vocation was inspired by those priests who met with me and talked with me in a personal way. I look forward to serving others the best way I can and giving my all to them.
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Edward Gonzales
Level of Study: Pastoral Year
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Helotes
Home Parish: St. Monica, Converse, Texas
My vocation really manifested itself while I was teaching for Confirmation preparation at my home parish. My desire to spread the Good News grew under the guidance of Father Mauricio Lopez. He helped me realize that although I enjoyed serving people, I truly desired to shepherd God's people as a priest.
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Paul Melgarejo
Level of Study: Pastoral Year
St. Gregory the Great, San Antonio
Home Parish: St. Francis of Assisi, San Antonio, Texas
I was inspired by the witness of priests like Fr. Dennis Arrechiga, Fr. Jimmy Drennan, Fr. Eric Ritter, and Fr. Larry Christian who inspired my vocation. They helped me to see God's call in many ways and to feel the Holy Spirit's movement in me. Because of this, I decided to follow Jesus Christ's call to serve him with all my heart and soul. If granted the grace of priesthood, I hope to help bring unity to my community, with compassion and humility. "For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation." - Psalm 149:4
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Michael Coronado
Level of Study: 2nd Theology
Home Parish: St. Francis of Assisi, San Antonio, Texas
My vocation story started in high school and was nurtured by the movement of Life Teen and its mission to lead teens closer to Christ, especially in the Eucharist. As a college student, youth minister, and high school teacher, I attempted to ignore the call, but through the Eucharist, God has called me to be a father. I am in seminary to discern if I am called to be a spiritual father in the Priesthood of Jesus Christ, or even a physical father as husband. Pray for me.
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José Sandoval
Level of Study: 2nd Theology
Home Parish: St. Anthony Mary Claret, San Antonio, Texas
Through my pastor, I heard a vocational call to the priesthood. Though it took me a while to respond, I am now really excited about discerning at a deeper level after ordination. I look forward most to helping change our culture for the better.
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Jorge Emilio Verduzco
Level of Study: 2nd Theology
Home Parish: Corpus Christi, Chula Vista, California
I found my vocation during a retreat in 4th grade, when the priest asked, "Who would like to be a priest?" Immediately, without thinking, I raised my hand. Since that moment, I fell in love with God, especially in the Eucharist.
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Juan Villanueva
Level of Study: 2nd Theology
Home Parish: St. Joan of Arc, Kirby, Texas
Different people have pointed out to me my call without my noticing it at first. Fr. Francisco Puente has been inspiring to me in my call to priesthood since I met him. His sincerity and his love in service is what allows me to see God in his life. I myself would like to serve God and my community with the same joy and love.
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David Chacko
Level of Study: 1st Theology
Home Parish: St. Pius X, San Antonio
My vocation was most inspired by Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen. Reading and hearing about his holy example and love for Christ and his Church truly inspired me. Additionally, the example of holy priests that I know aided me in my discernment. I look forward to the opportunity to provide the sacraments to others a priest. To be able to nourish others both physically and spiritually and to be an instrument of God's grace to them are joys that I cannot wait to embrace!
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Jordan Milligan
Level of Study: 1st Theology
Home Parish: Holy Family, New Braunfels, Texas
My family - parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins - have shown me what it is to love without ceasing. Together, along with our parish community members, they have helped me realize my vocation is one rooted in God's love.
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Stephen Santos
Level of Study: 1st Theology
Home Parish: St. Anthony de Padua, San Antonio, Texas
No one particular person (save perhaps Christ) has solely inspired my desire to seriously discern a vocation to the priesthood. I have encountered many men and women both lay and ordained whose love of God and the Church is evident in their ministries. The witness of these men and women’s lives has had a deep impact on me – particularly in a world that seems so fallen at times. In short, I want what they have – a life lived for others for love of Christ. They motivate me to do what seems foolish in the eyes of the world. So for now, that means trying out seminary life. If I am ever ordained a presbyter, I look most forward to being a means by which people are drawn into the life of Christ through the ministry of the sacraments – particularly the Eucharist. As a priest, I would hope to be a visible symbol and instrument of God’s love and reconciliation – particularly for those people at the margins of the Church and society at large.
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Stephen FitzSimon
Level of Study: 2nd Pre-Theology
Home Parish: Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
St. Hedwig, Texas
My vocation was inspired by the example of the Marianists at Central Catholic, and most importantly by my parents. As a priest I look forward to helping others grow in Christ through the Holy Mass and the sacraments.
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Bernardo Castañeda
Level of Study: 1st Pre-Theology
Home Parish: San Agustín, Monterrey, N.L., México
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Juan Cristhian Ramirez
Level of Study: 4th College
Home Parish: St. Patrick, San Antonio, Texas
Faith has played a major role in my life. My family has passed on this faith to me, and I am here to listen to the Lord. I hope to be faithful and follow God wherever he leads me.
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Thomas Lyons
Level of Study: 3rd College
Home Parish: Sts. Peter and Paul, New Braunfels, Texas
My entire Church community inspired my vocation by surrounding me with the love of Christ. I look forward to being able to help people know God and to give them support in their needs.
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Robert Shelton
Level of Study: 3rd College
Home Parish: Our Lady of Guadalupe, Helotes, Texas
My vocation was first inspired by the actions of the saints and martyrs throughout history. Their devotion to defending the Church and its people inspired me to serve. As a future priest, I am most looking forward to administering the sacraments and being there for people in their times of need.
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Arturo Garcia III
Level of Study: 2nd College
Home Parish: St. Joseph, Del Rio, Texas
My father and grandfather inspired my vocation in many ways. My father showed me what it's like to lend out a helping hand to the less fortunate, and my grandfather always saw me with a big heart. After my grandfather's passing, I heard God say, "Trust in me, my Son." I've served the church and the community ever since I was little, and as I discerned priesthood, I served families through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. I look forward to focusing on families, helping to keep them together with God in the center of their life, praying together, worshiping. I look forward to the opportunity to serve.
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