Voices of NAC

Who is a person in your life that you are thankful for? What role has this person had in bringing you to this moment and helping you answer God’s call?

As I approach ordination to the priesthood, I am grateful to the many people who have been at work in my life and have helped me to answer God’s call. I give thanks to God for my family who has supported me through every step of my vocation, beginning with introducing me to our Lord. I am also grateful to the priests in my diocese with whom I will share a sacramental bond after my own ordination. They have done so much to help me on my own journey through their priestly ministry and by their fatherly example. I cannot wait to be welcomed into this brotherhood and to serve the people of God side by side with them. Rev. Mr. Peter Srsich ’21, Diocese of Denver

"I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you, praying always with joy in my every prayer for all of you, because of your partnership for the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:3-6

A few years before entering seminary, I visited my former fourth-grade teacher, Sr. Mary Jo Witucki, by then confined to her religious order’s home for the elderly. As soon as I entered her room, I was greeted with the same joy that I encountered my first day of fourth grade. Though I did not consider the priesthood until much later, Sr. Mary Jo’s witness to the love of Christ inspired me deeply as a child. Her stories of Pope John Paul II made me grateful to be a Catholic (and proud to be Polish!). Though she may have had higher expectations for class conduct, it was because she had high regard for our dignity as children of God. The brief visit would be the last time I saw Sr. Mary Jo before she died in 2015, but her joy at seeing her students will always remind me that whoever receives one child in Jesus’ name receives him.

David Nowicki ‘24, Diocese of La Crosse

One person that I am thankful for is my father. I think that probably goes without saying, however, my father has played a huge role in my vocation. His influence on my vocation started from a very early age. When I was growing up, he would ask me if I was thinking about the priesthood, which I would often answer quickly with a “No.” Little did I know what God had in store for me. Ever since entering seminary, I have always been comforted by his encouragement and understanding when I have faced different challenges. His constant support has truly made my time in seminary much smoother. I can’t imagine what seminary would be like if I didn’t have him encouraging me along the way. Michael Mahoney ‘23, Diocese of Des Moines

Growing up we lived three hours away from my grandmother. St. Mary of the Angels makes up the most significant part of the one street comprising Wien, MO, and I always knew that walking to Mass there would be a part of our trip. Apart from the hills, farm animals, and fishing, I more than anything enjoyed being around my family at my grandmother's. Four years ago, my grandma moved in with my parents. This has caused no little stress for my family, but the joy of being with and taking care of my grandmother has made the stress worth it. I have begun to realize that the peace and joy I experienced at my grandmother's farm as a child was not simply a result of nature or animals, but it was the result of a person that my grandmother loves and believes in more than anyone I know, Jesus Christ.

Paul Sappington ‘22, Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph