Vocation Story

When I received my first communion I started to wonder if God called me to be a priest.  The pastor of my parish in New Lenox was very friendly and knew everyone in his parish.  His dedication to his parish was something that touched me deeply.  As he said the words of Consecration at Mass, I felt something stir deep inside me, and I could almost hear God tell me that He wanted me serving him on the altar. 

A short time later I moved north because my father changed jobs, but I never forgot that pastor.  This was when I first came to Rockford and met the pastor of St. Bridget Parish, Msgr. Mitchell, who at the time was still Fr. Mitchell.  Msgr. Mitchell showed the same care for his flock as my previous pastor had.  I continued to feel that God wanted me to be a priest and that I had moved up to Rockford for that reason.  It was then that I received an invitation from the diocese to come to a vocational retreat for people who were considering the priesthood.  I had told very few people about my vocation, so I thought that this piece of mail was yet another sign from God. 

As the years continued and I entered high school, I continued to attend all the vocation camps, and was sure that this was what God wanted.  I just had to wait for the right time.  In my senior year of high school, I went to Father Aaron Brodeski and asked for more information about college seminary.  I even got a chance to go visit St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward, NE.  I truly think that God is with me as I begin my first year of seminary.