Rev. Joseph Kelley
What first awakened in you the realization that God might be calling you to the priesthood?
I have always felt called by God to be a priest. I asked at a very early age to become an Altar Boy. So, in Second Grade I was serving the Tridentine Mass.
What were your initial excitements and hopes as you began to think more deeply about our vocation?
I wanted to be a priest like the priests at my parish. I wanted to help people. I wanted to be like Christ.
At what point in your life did you enter the seminary? (i.e. after high school/college/job experience)
My father got sick when I was in high school and died my first year of college so I waited until after college to enter the seminary.
What do you value most about your vocation to the priesthood? What has made your choice of a vocation “worth it” to you?
Prayer. My daily Holy Hour and the daily celebration of Mass makes it all worthwhile.
What is the most challenging part of the priesthood for you at this time?
Dealing with the business aspects of parish life. Things that you do not have to be a priest to do; for example; employee relations, salary, tuition, etc.
What are your hobbies?
Music, watching Ice Hockey and Football, going to the shore.
What does your “typical” day look like?
5:00 AM - Rise
5:30-6:30 - Holy Hour
Mass
Communion calls or hospital calls
Teaching in the grade school
Evening appointments
What would you say, from your own experience, is the most compelling reason that a young man should consider a vocation the priesthood?
This all depends on whether you feel God is calling you. If God is not calling you, you will not be happy as a priest. If God is calling you, you will not be happy doing anything else BUT being a priest.
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