Bringing souls to heaven the

goal of soon-to-be priest Kevin Hrycenko

BY EMMALEE ITALIA  Contributing Editor

As his June 3 priestly ordination approaches, Toms River native and transitional deacon Rev. Mr. Kevin Hrycenko reflected on the path his vocation took, with roots in a supportive family and parish, and how his discernment led him to dedicate his life to the Church.

“God calls us in the way that we will respond best,” he pointed out. “My journey may look different from yours, but the result is the same: Follow what God is calling you to do for your life.”

Open To God

Although Rev. Mr. Hrycenko “always had a good relationship with the priests” of his home parish – St. Joseph, Toms River – and attended St. Joseph Grade School and Donovan Catholic High

Rev. Mr. Kevin Hrycenko proclaims the Gospel during the April 3 Chrism Mass in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold. Mike Ehrmann photos School next door, it wasn’t until his 2016 graduation from The Catholic University

Rev. Mr. Hrycenko assists Bishop O’Connell during Mass the Bishop celebrated for seminarians of the Diocese in December. The Mass was held in the Diocesan Chancery chapel. Mike Ehrmann photo of America, Washington, that he began to think seriously about the priesthood.

“I graduated without any real direction,” he admitted, but his contact with a former CUA roommate who had entered the seminary helped plant a seed. “It was a combination of seeing what seminary life was like, teaching religious education at my home parish … and being very open to what God wanted … that led me to apply to be a seminarian for the Diocese.”

Rev. Mr. Hrycenko’s parents, siblings and extended family remained an influence and encouragement throughout his discernment. “They had many questions about the Catholic faith,” he noted, “and [I was] someone that they personally knew who could answer those questions or lead them to where they could find answers.”

Continually asking God, “Are you sure you want me to be a priest?” gave him further confirmation that he was on the right path. “In fact, what finally convinced me … was looking up my ordination day,” Rev. Mr. Hrycenko said. “June 3 is the Feast of St. Kevin … the same day as a saint I am named after.”

His faith evolved over the years as seminary taught him that “knowing more about God will lead you to desiring to love him more and thus wanting to learn more about him … it is a positive feedback loop of knowing and loving.”

Experiencing Ministry

The former Eagle Scout spent his diaconal year in St. Dominic Parish, Brick. His summer parish assignments have included the linked parishes

St. James, Pennington; St. George, Titusville, and St. Alphonsus, Hopewell, in 2018; St. Mary of the Lakes, Medford,