Meet a Seminarian

Topeka native, Will Sutherland, shares his vocation story and his enthusiasm at the prospect of being ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. I connected with Will on a recent Tuesday over a cup of coffee and a cinnamon roll at McClain's Market in Shawnee, KS. Take a few minutes to read his story. I anticipate it will bless you just as it blessed me!
Recognizing a vocational call during his sophomore year of high school, Aaron Waldeck addressed it four years later, during his sophomore year at KU. Waldeck says, "This life is an incredible adventure, and Jesus is with you every step of the way. God cannot be outdone in generosity, and even saying yes to time in seminary, saying yes to giving priesthood a consideration, will result in God’s generosity overwhelming you." Learn more about Waldeck's vocation story here.
A most unusual vocational story that will inspire you in your faith journey. Read about Will Carey's conversion to the Catholic faith and almost simultaneous recognition of a call to the priesthood. Carey's enthusiasm for life and for his vocation is visible and palpable.
God uses our presence in the lives of others, often when we do not realize it, to reach those sheep He relentlessly pursues. Read Cesar's vocation story and learn how God used others to influence his vocation, and now uses Cesar as a means to reach more souls. Having a relationship with Our Blessed Mother is key to a relationship with Jesus, Cesar confides, as he tells of his conversion experience and subsequent journey into vocational discernment.
Jonathan Fox had a litany of reasons why he could not become a priest. A chance meeting (knowing nothing is really chance!) in the Catholic Student Center at Pitt State led to a life-changing encounter that opened the door to seminary life. But the journey took another turn. Read on to learn about Fox's vocation story. He gives some sage advice, as well!
His heart pierced with sorrow on learning at a 2017 FOCUS conference of the staggering numbers of young people leaving the Catholic faith, Dan Mauro heard God speak: "I heard him inviting me to be a priest." Read Dan's vocation story.
Seminarian, Alex Rickert, shares the incredible story of his family's conversion to the Catholic faith and his subsequent discovery of a vocational call to the priesthood.
John Donart, Pre-Theology II at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver, CO, is a 2015 graduate of St. James Academy in Lenexa, KS. With a degree from KU in Geography, John's vocation was shaped both by his family and by the witness of priests and seminarians he has known. Son of John and Lisa Donart of Shawnee, KS, John enjoys making rosaries in his spare time. His story follows.