Student and Novice Bios

Mr. Matt Berrios, CSP – First Year Theology

Vocation Story:  Although I had many "warning signs" of a possible vocation when I was a child, I did not discernibly feel a possible calling to the priesthood until later in high school. It began as a small feeling that arose out of the blue one day during my high school religion class. This feeling kept growing and growing all throughout the rest of high school and college. Further, the harder I tried to ignore it, the more forcibly it returned. I did not begin giving serious consideration to the idea of priesthood until I was a junior in college. When I finally opened up to the possibility, my first thoughts immediately went to the Paulists because of what I knew of them and their mission through the priests in the Grand Rapids house. From there it was just a matter of contacting the vocations director and beginning the process.

Mr. Ryan Casey, CSP – First Year Theology

Vocation Story: I was born and raised Catholic and was involved in youth ministry in high school where I first thought about exploring the priesthood. After high school I decided to explore my faith life by experiencing other religions and Christian denominations. These paths eventually lead me back to the Catholic Church. When I became involved again with my local parish the call to the priesthood became apparent in my life again.  I first heard about the Paulists through the BustedHalo radio show on Sirius XM satellite radio and the BustedHalo website. What I found there was a community of priests who want to show that the teachings of Jesus and the Church are relevant to our lives today. This was what attracted me to this community and why I am now a part of this novitiate class.

Mr. Mike Hennessy – Novice

Vocation Story: As much as I felt called to God's service since I graduated from college in 2004, I never felt completely called to serve in a diocesan or monastic way. About three years ago, I was first introduced to the Paulist Fathers through the Busted Halo radio show, which planted a seed in my head that kept growing. Through prayer and speaking with vocation directors, I have learned that discernment is a continuing process and that the best way to know God's will is to take that first step into a formation program.

Mr. Jimmy Hsu, CSP – Third Year Theology

Vocation Story: I first considered the priesthood after going to a youth retreat in 8th grade. It was always on my mind as I went through my high school years. When I entered The University of Texas in Austin, I met the Paulist Fathers, who serve at the campus ministry at Austin. I became active in campus ministry and got to know the Paulists well. The priests became my mentors and continued to encourage my discernment for priesthood. As I was graduating, I felt that I wanted to apply to enter the seminary. With encouragement from the Paulists in Austin, I chose to apply for the Paulist novitiate. I have found the Paulist life to be very rewarding and hope that I continue to be guided through this path.

Mr. James Olague, CSP – Second Year Theology

Vocation Story: Growing up in a strong Catholic household I felt the presence of the Church early on. My great grandmother took me to daily mass and introduced me to devotions such as the rosary. My Catholic identity was intertwined with my daily life. This might sound optimistic, but when I was a child I thought every church was Catholic. I later learned, however, that that was not the case and when my father left the Church when I was thirteen, I remember how sad I felt. It was then I rediscovered my faith that led me to the openness of the priesthood. At first I applied to my home Diocese of Phoenix. I went through three years of formation when I realized I didn’t have a sense of direction. When I discovered the life of Isaac Hecker, I felt a strong closeness with his life and a much needed sense of direction with the mission of the Paulists. I took some time off and earned a Masters degree in history at the University of Nevada, Reno while I discerned a Paulist vocation. I am glad that I made the decision to explore the Paulist possibility in the novitiate.

Mr. Steve Petroff, CSP – First Year Theology

Vocation Story:  I've felt a call to the priesthood since I was young, but have spent much of my adult life running from it or making excuses. After years of spiritual wandering, exploration and struggling with my Catholic faith, I came to realize that God's love is bigger and more generous than I can imagine - and that this love includes me just as I am. I was drawn to the Paulists by their dedication to outreach, compassion and building bridges of inclusive communication among Catholics and beyond. The Paulist mission to meet contemporary culture on its own terms and present the Gospel in compelling, modern ways inspires and motivates me.

Mr. Stuart Wilson-Smith, CSP –– First Year Theology

Vocation Story: Though I was baptized Catholic and attended Sunday school throughout my early years growing up in Fredericton, New Brunswick, I was also exposed to various expressions of Protestantism. As I embarked on a spiritual and intellectual quest in my teens to find where God was calling me, I found myself to be Catholic all over again and became eager to spread the joy and the sense of peace the faith had brought me with others. Through the years I've worked, travelled, studied, and dated, I've rediscovered the call to priesthood over and over again, and I am excited to now be pursuing that call further and seeing where my Paulist journey takes me.