Seminarian Profiles

Home Parish: Our Lady of Loretto, Novato

Year in Seminary: Pastoral Year

College and Degree: St. Patrick’s Seminary & University, B.A. Philosophy

When did you first believe God might be calling you to be a priest?
My first inspiration towards the priesthood came during my junior year in high school. It was at this time when I thought priesthood could be a future vocation.

What helped you during your discernment?

Eucharistic Adoration and a relationship with Our Blessed Mother

How did your family react to your decision to become a priest?
My parents were ready and familiar, because they had been through the process before with my older brother, now Fr. Cameron Faller, who is a priest for the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

What did you do before becoming a seminarian?
I entered seminary halfway through my college career at Franciscan University of Steubenville

What has the seminary been like for you?
The seminary has been formative ground where through the guidance and grace of the Holy Spirit, I am slowly and silently being shaped into the priest Christ is calling me to be.

What do you look forward to the most after ordination?
I look forward to my ordination with a great longing to offer the holy sacrifice of the Mass, where, in a Christ-like disposition, I may empty all that I am for the salvation of souls.

Home Parish: Holy Angels Parish, Colma

Year in Seminary: Pre-Theology II

College and Degree: San Francisco State University, B.A. in Liberal Studies, Minor in Philosophy and Religion

When did you first believe God might be calling you to be a priest?

As a five year old boy, whenever someone would ask me of what I wanted to be in the future, I would always respond with an answer far from the ordinary—“I want to become a priest!” Going to church as a young child always filled me with an unexplainable excitement. It was in seeing the priest celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass every Sunday that this joy intensified, alongside my desire to bring Jesus to others as one of His priests.

What helped you during your discernment?

Eucharistic Adoration has been key in my discernment of the priesthood. Through my silent encounters with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, I developed an intimacy with Him that has led to a better understanding of His holy will. I also believe my devotion to the Blessed Mother has helped me immensely in my discernment. By turning to Mary and placing myself under the mantle of her motherly care, I have been able to hear the gentle bidding of her Son to come and follow Him, and to imitate her fiat or yes, to the call of the Lord.

How did your family react to your decision to become a priest?

When my family began to realize that I had become more serious about becoming a priest, many were very supportive and not surprised. However, a few were opposed to my vocation and thought it would be better for me to pursue a “normal” life, a life consisting of a family and a secular job. Nevertheless, as time went on and with many prayers, all of my family grew to accept God’s will and are now happy with my decision.

What did you do before becoming a seminarian?

Before entering seminary, I was a full-time student at San Francisco State University. As a college student, I also worked at my alma mater, Holy Angels School in Colma, as a teacher’s assistant with the after-school care program.

What has the seminary been like for you?

My time at the seminary has been characterized by a sense of peace. Seeing the joyful witness of my brother seminarians along with the great love for the priesthood that is expressed in the community, creates for an environment that has truly nurtured my discernment. Though seminary formation has its trials at times, happily, I have been able to persevere with the grace of God, knowing that this is where He wants me at this moment in my life.                                     

What do you look forward to the most after ordination?

After ordination, I most look forward to having the everyday opportunity to bring Jesus to people, the only hope that will ever lighten their burdens and fill the emptiness in their hearts. As a priest, I will journey with them in the carrying of their individual crosses, and when they fall, I will be able to restore them to new life in Christ through the sacraments. Such work of the priest—the salvation of souls—is simply heroic, and to possibly be part of such heroism God-willing, there would be no greater way to spend the rest of my life

Home Parish: St. Francis of Assisi, East Palo Alto, CA

Year in Seminary: Pre-Theology II

College and Degree: San Jose State University, B.S. Aerospace Engineering

When did you first believe God might be calling you to be a priest?
When I was 5, I told my parents that I wanted to be a priest, though no one took me seriously. When I was 30, I felt a call to the priesthood again, but it was not until I was 33 years old that I finally decided to apply to the seminary. This moment was in front of the Blessed Sacrament in Adoration.

What helped you during your discernment?
Keeping close to the sacraments (daily Mass and regular confession) helped a great deal, but more importantly was my time spent in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, of which I spent 1-2 hours a day for 2 years before entering the seminary. I discovered that surrounding myself with friends that led me towards God, not away from him, was of great importance during this time. Also, reading the right books (to name a few): The Confessions by St. Augustine, How to Listen When God is Speaking by Fr. Mitch Pacwa, and The World’s First Love: Mary Mother of Godby Ven. Bishop Fulton Sheen was helpful. What was of great value was also having an amazing spiritual director for 4 years before deciding on entering the seminary.

How did your family react to your decision to become a priest?
Most of my family members were quite happy, some shocked, and others not surprised. But overall, they are extremely supportive of my decision and my vocation.

What did you do before becoming a seminarian?
Before entering the seminary, I worked in the aerospace industry for 12 years working with the U.S. Armed Forces, Department of Defense, and various domestic and international partners (JAXA, ESA, LM UK). I worked for NASA, Lockheed Martin, and for Pratt & Whitney. I was also a teacher for 5 years where I taught computer basics and GED classes in English and Spanish. I loved teaching so much that I received my teaching credential. Helping out my community was very important for me, so I volunteered in different parishes (young adult groups, catechesis, etc.) and many non-profit organizations that focused on math and science in the Bay Area.

What has the seminary been like for you?
The seminary has been an amazing experience! It is full of challenges, both internal and external, but I can sense God’s hand on all these things. The courses have been absolutely enlightening and have only deepened my faith. Meeting other men that share the same road towards the priesthood has been enjoyable, some of which have become life-long friends. Having the time to spend in prayer is the most peaceful time of my day. Either in community or on my own, spending time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament continuously reminds me of my call and the reasons why I am here.

What do you look forward to the most after ordination?
I hope to celebrate Holy Mass with great reverence and to hear many hours of confessions. As a priest, I hope to teach catechism, give lectures on philosophy and theology, and lead retreats for men and women. I love the idea of being a spiritual director, but more important, is to be present to the people of God as His servant.

Parroquia: St. Francis de Assisi, East Palo Alto, CA

Año en Seminario: Pre-Teología II

Colegio y Licenciatura: San José State University, B.S. Ingeniera Aeroespacial           
                    
¿Cuándo fue la primera ves que creíste que podrías ser llamado para ser un sacerdote?
Cuando tenía 5 años, le dije a mis padres que quería ser sacerdote, aunque nadie me tomó en serio. Cuando tenía 30 años, sentí una llamada al sacerdocio de nuevo, pero no fue hasta cuando que tenia 33 anos que finalmente decidí a aplicar al seminario. Este momento fue en frente de el Santísimo en adoración.

¿Qué te ayudó durante tu discernimiento?
Mantenerme cerca de los sacramentos (Misa diaria y confesión regular) ayudó mucho, pero lo más importante fue mi tiempo dedicado a la adoración del Santísimo Sacramento, del cual pasé 1-2 horas al día durante 2 años antes de entrar al seminario. Rodeándome con amigos que me acercarían hacia Dios y no alejarme de él era de gran importancia. Lectura de los libros adecuados (para nombrar algunos): Las Confesiones de San Agustín, Cómo Escuchar Cuando Dios Está Hablando de Padre Mitch Pacwa, y El Primer Amor del Mundo: María Madre de Diosde Ven. Obispo Fulton Sheen. Lo que fue de gran valor fue en tener un director espiritual increíble durante 4 años antes de decidir entrar en el seminario.

¿Cómo reaccionó tu familia a tu decisión de ser sacerdote?
La mayor parte de mi familia estaba muy feliz, algunos sorprendidos, y otros no sorprendidos...pero en general me apoyan extremadamente de mi decisión y mi vocación.

¿Qué hiciste antes de ser seminarista?
Antes de entrar en el seminario, trabajé en la industria aeroespacial durante 12 años trabajando con las Fuerzas Armadas de Estados Unidos, el Departamento de Defensa y varios socios nacionales e internacionales (JAXA, ESA, LM UK). Trabajé para la NASA, Lockheed Martin, y finalmente para Pratt & Whitney. También fui maestro durante 5 años donde enseñé clases básicas de computación y GED en Inglés y Español, y me encantó tanto que recibí mi credencial de enseñanza. Ayudar a mi comunidad es muy importante para mí, así que me ofrecí voluntariamente en diferentes parroquias (grupos de jóvenes adultos, catequesis, etc.) y muchas organizaciones sin fines de lucro que se enfocaban en matemáticas y ciencias en el área de la Bahía.

¿Qué te ha parecido el seminario?
¡El seminario ha sido una experiencia increíble! Está lleno de desafíos, tanto internos como externos, pero puedo sentir la mano de Dios en todas estas cosas. Los cursos han sido esclarecedores y han profundizado mi fe. Conocer a otros hombres que comparten el mismo camino hacia el sacerdocio ha sido agradable, algunos de los cuales se han convertido en amigos de toda la vida. Tener el tiempo para pasar en oración es la época más pacífica de mi día. Ya sea en la comunidad o por mi cuenta, pasar tiempo con Jesús en el Santísimo Sacramento me recuerda siempre a mi llamada y las razones por las que estoy aquí.

¿Qué esperas más después de la ordenación?
Espero celebrar la Santa Misa con gran reverencia y escuchar muchas horas de confesiones. Estoy discerniendo la Capellanía Militar pero no estoy seguro de esto todavía. Como sacerdote, espero enseñar catecismo, dar conferencias sobre filosofía y teología, y dirigir retiros para hombres y mujeres. Me encanta la idea de ser un director espiritual pero mas importante, es ser presente al pueblo de Dios como Su siervo.

Home Parish: St. Rita, Fairfax

Year in Seminary: College 2

College and Degree: Currently attending Mount Angel Seminary for B.A. Degree in Philosophy

When did you first believe God might be calling you to be a priest?
I had felt a calling to the priesthood on and off, beginning from an early age. I really began to feel the call in high school, and decided to pursue the priesthood in my junior year.

What helped you during your discernment?
Prayer is the most essential aspect of discernment. Attending Mass on a daily basis, praying the Rosary, and making holy hours in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament helped me the most.

How did your family react to your decision to become a priest?
The initial reaction from my family was mixed. My mom was very joyful and supportive, while my dad was entirely opposed to the idea (he has since changed his attitude and is now very pleased a well). My siblings gave the general response of, “Whatever makes you happy.”

What did you do before becoming a seminarian?
I entered the seminary after graduating from high school, so prior to becoming a seminarian I was enjoying my “high school career.”

What has the seminary been like for you?
The seminary has been a wonderful place of prayer and fraternity. I have had the opportunity to build excellent friendships with my seminary brothers and to work on deepening my spiritual life. At the seminary, we are molded and formed into better men so that one day, God willing, we may become good and holy priests. 

What do you look forward to the most after ordination?
I most look forward to administering the Sacraments, most especially through the Holy Mass and Confession. Priests are able to make Christ Himself truly present Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in the Eucharist. Indeed, it is truly an amazing and awesome gift. In Confession, the priest brings the forgiveness of Christ to the penitent. It is a wonderful power given to priests to forgive sins in Christ’s name and it is so essential in the priestly mission of working for the salvation of souls.