Member Log InFor the first few yea
rs of my life, I grew up immersed in the community of my small Protestant church in northern Virginia, which was a part of a denomination known as the Charismatic Episcopal Church. When I was seven years old, the church split apart and eventually all my family (immediate and close extended) converted to the Catholic faith. The following years were filled with much grace, as my family and I explored our Catholic faith. The possibility of priesthood became increasingly more real to me, especially after my maternal grandfather, Randy Sly, was ordained a Catholic priest through the Anglican Ordinariate.
My family eventually landed in Overland Park, KS, with Church of the Ascension as our home parish. There, I encountered several men, all very different, joyfully living out their call to the priesthood. These men included Msgr. Tom Tank, Fr. Alessandro Boraccia, Fr. Nathan Haverland, as well as Fr. Joel Haug and Fr. Nicholas Ashmore, who were seminarians at the time. High school years were spent at St. James Academy in Lenexa, KS. I graduated in 2018. By God’s grace, and despite my many failings, I grew in love for Our Lord each year. After a lot of thought, prayer, and mentorship from a couple teachers I respected, including Fr. Luke Doyle, I learned that Jesus was inviting me to enter college seminary immediately after I graduated high school.
Jesus is never outdone in generosity. I have found seminary to be one of the greatest blessings of my life, especially that the seminary experience has helped me grow in a personal relationship with Jesus and shaped me to seek His Will over my own. I appreciate deeper love, joy, and peace in knowing Jesus more intimately.
Other random things about me include sports participation, singing choral music, learning new languages, and reading. I listen to podcasts, particularly Pints with Aquinas, Godsplaining, and the Thomistic Institute. I have a strong devotion to the two main food groups: bacon and peanut butter. My favorite spiritual role models are Our Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, Pope St. John Paul II, St. Thomas Aquinas, and the Carmelite mystics. My favorite authors are C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, G.K. Chesterton, Evelyn Waugh, Michael O'Brien, and Fr. Thomas Dubay.
I am the oldest of four boys. The first few years following my family's conversion to Cath
olicism were powerful. I grew in devotion to the Rosary, Adoration, and Sacred Scripture. We were not the perfect family, but because my parents were so enthusiastic and energetic when we did family activities together, I paid attention and tried to emulate them. My father, Kelly, is starting his own business. My mom, Dena, recently obtained a master’s degree in Education and works as a teacher at Ascension School in Overland Park.
To anyone contemplating the seminary or religious life, I offer the words of Saint John Paul II, "Be not afraid!” and “Open wide the doors to Christ!" Our Lord desires infinitely your ultimate good, your ultimate happiness, your ultimate fulfillment. He knows what He's doing if He's inviting you to more deeply consider a vocation that you haven't thought about much. So "ephphatha--be opened" to what He wants to tell you. It will be helpful to begin a practice of discipline. Attend daily Mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least monthly. Doing these things cultivates friendship with Jesus, Who, in the context of that deepening friendship, will speak to you through powerful Sacramental graces He hands down to His Bride, the Church. And if you discern eventually that you are called to a different vocation, e.g., marriage and family life, praise God! Regardless your vocational call, continue to pursue a deep friendship with Jesus. Being best friends with Jesus is not something just reserved for priests and religious!
Pray for Alex and all his seminary brothers!
