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Jimmy Mendoza and this author connected in Lenexa, KS, on an August morning, just after the annual Seminarian Sendoff. At one point in our conversation, I commented to Jimmy that his wasn't just a vocation story, it has the makings of a vocation story book! Nearly two hours passed very quickly as I came to know Jimmy the man, whose heart desires most the will of God for his life. Grab your own coffee, kick your shoes off, and dive into Jimmy's story. It'll move you.
While he does not recall an "aha" moment regarding his vocation during his childhood or adolescent years, Nathan Laudan does recall that the idea of the priesthood was part of his thought processes during his college years. He notes that, while "the priest thing" was among the options, it was surely the last option at the time. Then, some years later, he heard the call during the Consecration at Mass. "I heard Jesus say, 'I want this to be you.' Read on for the rest of Nathan's story of his discernment of a priestly vocation.
Connecting with Landry Weber back in July before the summer ended, I learned about his vocational story and some of the unique circumstances he dealt with in the course of discerning seminary life. As he prepared to enter his fourth year of seminary (Configuration Stage), Landry was enthused about beginning formal study of theology. Read his story inside.
We connected at Pilgrim Coffee in south Overland Park on a warm July 2025 morning. (There is a theme here: coffee and conversation with a seminarian!) Andrew Cunningham shared his vocation story - and some great pearls of wisdom - over a cup of Joe. An hour whizzed by and I bid him goodbye, thanking the Lord for the opportunity to connect. Read Andrew's story!
I was able to catch up with Andrew Buyle and Zach McGuinness over a cup of coffee recently and came away grateful once again for the opportunity to learn more about the men in the midst of discerning God's call to the priesthood. While we chatted together, I found myself drawn into their reflections, their honesty, and their individual docility to God's call in their lives. Be inspired by the vocation stories of these two men.
Deacon 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. Deacon Rickert anticipates ordination to the diocesan priesthood in May 2027.
