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Diocese of Little Rock Seminarians
en español
Learn more about our seminarians by reading the profiles below written in their own words.
2009 — III Theology
Eddie D’Almeida, St. Joseph Church, Conway
When I was a child, my mother taught me there is never an instant when God does not lovingly watch over us and desire our love for him. There are two things that are implicit in this small lesson: knowledge and relationship. We desire to know God (the source of every joy) and he desires it also since the more we know him the more we love him.
 I didn’t continuously grow in knowledge and love of our Lord. In fact, he was a distant observer through junior high, high school and half way through college.
Although present God was only distant because I did not open my heart to him but that changed one evening while in college. I thought to myself, if God is all knowing and always present then he should be Lord of my life and I should follow him.
I spoke to God about this and he answered me. His answer came in the form of slowly seducing me into getting involved in my home parish. Everyday I began to pray the rosary. I went to our perpetual eucharistic adoration chapel once a week for five years. I played guitar with the Life Teen band. I helped with a program called Catholics Returning Home and I went to daily Mass. Being at church constantly helped me discern that I might be called to do all this full time, as a priest.
It was an extremely hard decision to enter the seminary to discern this call because I had been working at a very good job for five years as a software developer, and I always wanted to get married. However, I have never regretted entering the seminary. I have experienced great personal, spiritual and intellectual growth with reassuring confirmation in the priestly call.
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If you would like to talk with someone about becoming a priest, contact Msgr. Scott Friend.
James Melnick, St. Jude Church, Jacksonville
Although I can now reflect and see God’s call swelling from an early age, I first truly considered the priesthood when I was 16, after several months of praying to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. One day, after opening myself to praying more, I just knew Christ wanted me to follow him, and so I told my parish priest.
 Perhaps it’s like when a man knows he has found his bride ... he just knows she’s the one. I entered seminary right after high school, and although it has been difficult at times, I am continually awed at how many graces God has given me through those I have met, especially our mother, Mary. I am constantly reliving the visitation, taking the role of St. Elizabeth and exclaiming, “Who am I that Christ and Mary should come to me?”
Through seminary formation, I have discovered my own weaknesses and feel my unworthiness for the priesthood, yet I have found consolation in Mary’s “visitation” to me, that is, her carrying Christ to me. It is Jesus who in turn asks not for my credentials, but only for my trust and response. The surprise of a vocation, a “call” is not a past event in which I have answered with an initial “yes”; rather, it is one that comes each day and must be met with a renewed “yes” to follow God today, surrendering all I am to him and give him permission to work and act in me.
Once we let go of our fears of a life we have not chosen, we are free to receive true life from Christ, the fount and Mary, the bearer of this fount for humanity.
This is not a mundane event that should be taken lightly. It is a mystery! We give ourselves completely for service of God and other and we begin the journey into the communion of the Trinity: we give our whole selves and receive the other, receive the persons of God, completely out of love for the other with openness to listen and then to receive. As Mary did, as Elizabeth did, as billions of others did -- this is a vocation.
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If you would like to talk with someone about becoming a priest, contact Msgr. Scott Friend.
2010 — II Theology
Jason Sharbaugh, Sacred Heart Church, Morrilton
As a young adult, I would have philosophical thoughts about life and its meaning. I did not have much of a personal prayer life, but somehow managed to meander to Mass -- even daily Mass -- quite nominally “Catholic.” I felt my thoughts and the restlessness of my life were put at ease whenever I was at Mass. Moreover, I felt a sense of peace anytime I was in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament and so I visited any adoration chapel frequently if one were nearby. This contemplative process, I later discovered was similar to the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556).
 I began to draw closer to God and discover, as St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) teaches, that God is happiness in himself. This is what he draws you to -- the happiness of living our lives in him. Ultimately, there is nothing else: “Without me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) From this continued understanding, I felt a greater desire to be with the Eucharist and to live and learn the Gospel life more deeply. It is to this end, despite my many flaws, that I made a decision to enter seminary. My prayer life has growth exponentially and, God willing, someday I just might be ordained.
Throughout my time in seminary, there has been great growth in my life in relation to myself, others and the love of God. The process of seminary formation is a very healthy process for development of the entire person into the image of Jesus Christ. One may or may not decide to become a priest, but the lifelong discernment that is available helps one to understand God’s presence in their lives, which is what a vocation is all about!
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If you would like to talk with someone about becoming a priest, contact Msgr. Scott Friend.
Tony Robbins, Our Lady of the Holy Souls, Little Rock
I realize more and more God’s love for me as I continue to follow his call. At first, there was a great struggle to try to understand why God loves me so much and why he calls me to become his priest.
 Then, God has shown me time and time again that he will not give up on me. There have been many times where I would say to God, “Okay, Lord, if you want me to be a priest then let me know,” and he would.
One time I looked at a seminarian and thought, “Now he would make a great priest. He just looks like he stands tall like a good priest who understands the dignity to which the Lord has called him.”
Then a few days later an elderly woman, who was a complete stranger, saw me after Mass and asked, “Are you a seminarian?” A little surprised, I responded, “Yes, how did you know?” And she told me I kind of stand tall like a seminarian.
This is just one of many ways God has confirmed my vocation to follow him as a priest. And as I discover more and more how much God loves me, then my struggle turns into surrender and it becomes easier to follow him. So if you have heard someone ask you, “Have you thought about the priesthood?” or if you think maybe God is calling you, then I encourage you to “come and see.” Come and see how much God loves you too.
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If you would like to talk with someone about becoming a priest, contact Msgr. Scott Friend.
Joshua Stengel, St. Anthony Church, Ratcliff
I was born and raised near Ratcliff, Ark., and attended St. Anthony Parish. My vocation was fostered early on especially by my parents, but also through the influence of my pastor, Father Harold Heiman, and the many friends and family of the parish community.
 Having another role model in my uncle, Father Mark Stengel, allowed me to think about what it would be like to be a priest. I also thank my parents for having encouraged me to think about a vocation, even in my childhood.
Attending St. Joseph School and Subiaco Academy (class of ’96) also had a lasting influence on my faith formation and my consideration of a vocation to the priesthood.
My high school and early college years were busy with studies, sports and hobbies. I especially enjoyed hiking and camping, which led me to major in biology at the University of Arkansas. I was also in the Army Reserves for eight years.
These life experiences led me to ask myself what I really wanted for my life, and most importantly, that I should ask God what he wants for my life. So I began to pray, asking God to help me follow his will. After all, as St. Augustine says, God has made each and guides each of us by his love; we are made for him, and we are restless until we find ourselves in him.
During past three years in the seminary, I have come to a greater understanding of myself and what this call to the priesthood will mean, so with joy I can confidently embrace God’s will for me.
For anyone searching for God’s call in his or her life, I would ask you to be persistent in prayer, asking God to open your heart to his will and his grace. And may we all place our vocations under the protection and intercession of Mary our Blessed Mother.
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If you would like to talk with someone about becoming a priest, contact Msgr. Scott Friend.
Joseph Archibong
“All I want is to know Christ.” (Philippians 3:7-11) I was born July 10, 1979, into the pious Christian family of Mr. Silas M. Archibong and Martha S. Archibong of Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria. I had a lovely childhood with my parents, brothers and sisters as well as with the neighbors.
 Inspired by my immediate elder brother (now a priest), I entered the seminary (Queen of the Apostles Seminary, Afaha Obong, Abak, Nigeria) at age 12 in pursuit of my dream of becoming a priest.
It was an enriching experience though it was also difficult for me at that age to stay away from my family. Not before long, I got acquainted with and felt at home in the seminary. I had excellent results and held several posts of responsibility.
With the completion of the minor seminary education in 1997, I joined an indigenous congregation: the Congregation of Christ the Emmanuel and, in 0ctober 1998, I began my philosophical studies at the Seat of Wisdom Major Seminary, Owerri, Nigeria, and graduated after 4 years in June 2002.
In October 2003, I began my theological studies at St. Joseph Major Seminary, Ikot Ekepene, Nigeria. In 2004, I transferred from Nigeria to Regina Apostolorum University in Rome, Italy, where I graduated in 2006. In October 2006, I transferred to the Lateran University in Rome to specialize in the social doctrine of the Church.
Following some period of prayer and discernment, I finally decided in June 2007 to make a change from the religious life to the diocesan priesthood. Through my contacts with the vocations director of the Catholic Diocese of Little Rock, Msgr. Scott Friend, I came to understand fully the call and mission of God for me and was accepted as a seminarian for the diocese. I transferred from Rome to Saint Meinrad School of Theology in Indiana to continue my studies and formation.
All these years and on this road, marked by meetings and partings, I have experienced the love and mercy of God and the kindness and affection of men.
Notwithstanding certain difficult moments, the success so far is all through the grace and mercy of God, and I strongly believe in the power of God who has called me and pray it will still lead me on and lead me to the end. I have no other desire than to serve God as a priest, doing his will with my whole heart, having as my goal the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
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If you would like to talk with someone about becoming a priest, contact Msgr. Scott Friend.
2011 — English As A Second Language Program
Ruben Quinteros, St. Edward Church, Little Rock
I was born in Catamarca, Argentina. I am very grateful for my parents because they gave me the opportunity to live and answer God’s call. I am sure each event in my life has been showered with the grace of God. My vocational story is a story of love as everyone’s. But in my heart, I feel God has an exclusive love for me and this love does not decrease.
 Propelled by this love, I answered yes! And sustained by this love, I am continuing my formation to serve to kingdom of God in the Diocese of Little Rock.
These days, I am studying English in St. Mary Seminary in Houston. It has been a big challenge for me, but “all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8.28)
With confidence in God and in his Church, there is only one language: Charity. Therefore, I was able to learn English, and I hope I will continue improving it. In my life I have strengths and weaknesses. In my struggles, God gives me the grace to face them and to overcome each problem. For this reason, I am very happy because God is building a priestly heart on me.
The most important thing for a seminarian is the prayer life. I want to be other Christ, but it is impossible if I do not know deeply whom I want to imitate. Only in a friendly relationship with Jesus can I be other Christ for the people and for my diocese. I can see God’s hand in my personal story.
Meanwhile, I am waiting for my ordination, and I am trusting in your prayers so I can answer with generosity to the call, which will be an incentive answer to other youth.
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If you would like to talk with someone about becoming a priest, contact Msgr. Scott Friend.
2011 — I Theology
Juan Manjarrez, Immaculate Conception, Fort Smith
I was born and raised in Guanajuato, Mexico, until the age of 11 when my family and I moved to Arkansas. It was in the States that my call to the priesthood became stronger. It was in high school where I truly began thinking about the priesthood and where I finally made my decision to enter seminary.
 One of the things that got me thinking more seriously about the priesthood is the fact that the Spanish-speaking community is growing and the number of priest that speak Spanish is not.
I saw the great need for Spanish-speaking priests and I asked myself what could I do to help? I know God has given much to me and I am only giving him back a portion of what is already his. One thing I have learned throughout my studies in the seminary is that one does not have to wait for God to talk to us face to face, because if one does, that day might already be too late.
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If you would like to talk with someone about becoming a priest, contact Msgr. Scott Friend.
2012 — IV College
Alejandro Puello, St. Mary Church, Paragould
I was born February 27, 1984, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. After living with my mother in Santo Domingo for the first 20 years of my life, I decided to transfer to Arkansas State University to continue my studies.
 The Lord had other plans for me when I came to Arkansas. He allowed me to see how much I needed him, he allowed me to “give him a chance” to change my life and so I gave in. As I began to give him more and more space in my life I started to think about the priesthood, the thought would come to me randomly throughout the day, just as it did during my early teenage years.
When I was younger I had dismissed those thoughts as products of my active imagination, but now that I was older and more open to the Lord. I consulted Father John Marconi, who at the time was my parish priest, and my dad and stepmom. All of them told me to pray for confirmation from God about those thoughts. God answered my prayers fast, faster than I had wanted actually.
Every time I prayed for confirmation of my vocation God would answer me within minutes. Then I started avoiding everything that had to do with God as my vocation “interfered with my plans”. And the Lord kept knocking on my door constantly for weeks, and I surrendered to him. I cannot fight his will. Now I try not to question the Lord, just obey him and trust he knows what to do with my life more that I do.
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If you would like to talk with someone about becoming a priest, contact Msgr. Scott Friend.
2012 — II Pre-Theology
Andrew Hart, Christ the King Church, Little Rock
I am a native of Little Rock and a lifelong member of Christ the King Church. I graduated from Catholic High School in 2001. As a seminarian, I am often asked what led me to think about becoming a priest, and I am convinced that my vocation story has its roots in the strong Catholic upbringing I received from my family, my schooling and my parish in these formative years.
 The encouragement from family and friends to be open to the idea of the priesthood was a powerful influence and a sign of the love and respect that my loved ones had for the priesthood.
After graduating from Saint Louis University in 2005, I worked for the Diocese of Little Rock. This also was a significant influence on my vocation for I was able to witness first-hand how the priests of our diocese were able to bring Christ to others through lives of joyful service.
I decided that I needed to explore the priestly life more closely, and I entered seminary in the fall of 2006. I am humbled to look back on my life now and see the hand of our Lord guiding me, molding me and eventually leading me to study for his holy priesthood.
For those of you who are still considering your vocation, I encourage you to be open to the idea of the priesthood or religious life. It is a beautiful vocation, a life grounded in the meaning and purpose of responding to the call of our Lord to serve his Church. Pray that God will reveal to you his will for your life, and take heart in the fact that he will most assuredly do so!
Please keep me in your prayers as I continue my discernment, and be assured of my prayers for you as well.
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If you would like to talk with someone about becoming a priest, contact Msgr. Scott Friend.
Mauricio Carrasco, St. Raphael Church, Springdale
I grew up in Chihuahua, Mexico, in a family of seven. I am very thankful to my parents for raising me up in a strong and faithful family. Their faith in Jesus Christ is the greatest gift I have ever received from them. When I was 11 years old, my entire family immigrated to Springdale Ark. That was my home for 10 years before I entered seminary.
 I entered seminary last year (2006) after graduating from the University of Arkansas. I just finished my first year at Saint Meinrad School of Theology in Indiana. I think of the Benedictine community, the staff and the students there as my extended family. They are good people and have made me feel at home.
I have learned so much this past year, and I truly feel blessed to be a seminarian at Meinrad. The formation there is “solid.” Like I have said, the monks there do a great job forming priests. God has been very good to me.
I ask you keep me in your prayers so I may be able to do God’s will. I pray all men being called to the priesthood will be attentive to God’s call and be brave enough to give seminary a chance.
Although I am still discerning God’s will for me, coming to seminary has taught me so much about life and about myself. The simple truths I have learned there have changed my life, thus, providing me with a true education.
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If you would like to talk with someone about becoming a priest, contact Msgr. Scott Friend.
2013 — I Pre-Theology
Thaihoa Tran
I was asked by a good friend a couple of weeks ago, “Are you absolutely sure that you will be a priest? The thought of it makes me nervous because it is a life I understand so little about and so far removed from lay people like me. Don’t you think that it’s too extreme?”
 I was taken aback a little bit by the questions, not because I did not have an answer, but because they made me realize how inscrutable I must appear to people, even my close friend, a Manhattan lawyer who just got married to the man of her dreams.
Why would anyone want to give up having his own family to pursue a life so foreign to instinct and culture? It was definitely not an easy decision, not because it was complicated, but because it requires a lot of letting go.
The funny thing is, I found the more of myself I gave up, the more I was given in return. It was as if the Lord is telling me: “Empty your hands so I can give you more.”
Blessings upon blessings poured out upon me wherever he has taken me, whether it be taking Communion to the sick with Father Le at Christ the King Church in Fort Smith or visiting the school children with Father West at Immaculate Conception Church in North Little Rock.
Yes, priesthood is extreme in self-giving, but so is marriage. Neither is for wimps. I can’t guarantee I will be smelling the cathedral floor six years from now, but the finish line does appear clearer to me as I continue on -- not because I have a better picture of it, but because I can now see better.
I am grateful to God, my family, my friends and to you for making possible this adventure of growth and discernment. Please continue to pray for me and for my brother seminarians this year.
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If you would like to talk with someone about becoming a priest, contact Msgr. Scott Friend.
Enrique Castro, St. Edward Church, Little Rock
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.” (Jeremiah 1:5)
I was born in Aguascalientes, Mexico, on Feb. 14, 1981. My interest to the priesthood has been on my heart since I was a child. In fact, I entered the seminary in Mexico when I was 15 years old. However, after three years, I left because “I had discovered that it was not my vocation.”
 At the age of 19, I came to Little Rock. I studied English and got a scholarship to study music (classical guitar and conducting) at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
At that point of my life, for about 5 years, I was having what I called, “a normal life.” I had fun, a good job, a girlfriend, a successful career (composing and arranging music, playing around with orchestras and ensembles, as well as a guitar soloist), and as soon as I graduated, I had planned to go to Indiana to get master’s degree in music conducting.
Surprise! This was not God’s plan for me. A year before my graduation, I started to feel that itch in my heart again. I fought against it, but God was so insistent. It was not easy, but in prayer, I asked God to let me know where my happiness was, where I could be more useful, and what his will was for me.
In order to start listening to God’s answer, I had to go deep in my heart and pray a lot. Now, my heart has found peace and God is taking care of my doubts and worries.
God calls, touches and enamors us, but saying, “Yes,” and making the commitment to follow him without looking back is hard to do. I do not consider myself worthy for such a special aspiration to Jesus’ priesthood, but I know that by his grace and love, I will become a good servant of him and his people and kingdom here on earth.
God chooses whom he wants to and when he wants to. I know everything he has let me learn and live through my life experiences is on his plan, and will be necessary for what he has prepared for me.
Therefore, I trust in God. I am looking forward to knowing him better and falling in love with him each day, more and more. He knocks at the door of our hearts, but we choose to open it or not.
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If you would like to talk with someone about becoming a priest, contact Msgr. Scott Friend.
Daniel Ketcher, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Fayetteville
I am a recent graduate from the University of Arkansas, receiving my degrees in international relations and German. I graduated with honors from Springdale High School in 2003. Upon entering college, I became deeply involved in the ministries of St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish.
 Serving Christ and his Church as one of his priests has always been in the back of my mind, although I cannot say I always welcomed the idea. Upon entering college, I decided then, that if by the end of my four years in Fayetteville I did not still have thoughts about becoming a priest, I would go on with whatever life offered me.
Well, life did offer me quite a lot. I was very successful at the university, made many great friends, traveled to Europe and scored very high on the LSAT exam for law school.
However, from my freshman year, I became more involved in the ministry of my parish each year. With the encouragement of Vera Zawislak, our campus minister, I began ushering. I was soon to become an extraordinary minister of Communion. I began doing everything from cooking meals to joining the Knights of Columbus, where I served as deputy grand knight and then grand knight. I participated in a mission to south Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and began serving as the sacristan for summer Masses.
Finally, I thought since I was spending so much time at St. Thomas, I might as well be sleeping there. So that’s what I did. I became one of a few resident ministers. Realizing that I was even enjoying this ministry (which involved painting, scraping, watering and basically taking care of the various physical needs of the parish), I realized that I did not want to do anything else. Everything else was rubbish in comparison to the work I was doing. And the thought came ... “What about the priesthood?” Instead of going away, the call had grown immensely throughout college. “If it would grow during college life,” I thought, “My gosh, I must discern this calling before moving on.”
So, I applied and was thankfully accepted to be a seminarian for the Diocese of Little Rock, and started my first year of pre-theology at St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana. I ask and thank you for your prayers, as I begin the mysterious and wonderful journey that lies ahead of me.
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If you would like to talk with someone about becoming a priest, contact Msgr. Scott Friend.
2014 — II College
Payden Blevins, St. Mary Church, Paragould
I have often been asked to tell the story of my vocation, and at this point, this should be very easy for me. However, it has not become any easier. I did not receive my calling at one specific moment in my life.
 Some of my earliest memories are of attending Mass and thinking about serving on the altar. It was an idea that has never left me, although at times I tried to clear it from my mind. The best way to describe my vocation during these times would be to say God was more or less “nagging” me to consider the priesthood more prayerfully.
I cannot honestly say entering the seminary has made my life easier, but the easiest road is rarely the one worth taking.
In my time in the seminary, I have come to a deeper understanding of what it means to enter the priesthood. It is a way to serve God through serving his people. In the seminary, I have learned that formation is not something the seminarian enters into on his own. He has his parish, diocese, the brotherhood of priests and fellow seminarians, and most importantly, the help of God.
The most important thing to keep in mind when considering the seminary is that the main function of the seminary is to quite your mind and hear what God is calling you to do.
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If you would like to talk with someone about becoming a priest, contact Msgr. Scott Friend.
Robert Cigainero, St. Edward Church, Texarkana
I first felt God’s call to the priesthood in the third grade. It had been about a year after I received my first Communion. I fell asleep and had a dream I was grown up and I was a priest. I was wearing a white alb and I was holding a baby in my hands. The baby was wearing a white baptismal gown and Jesus was standing behind me. He was wearing a white alb as well, but this divine light was shining on him and he was glowing. He walked up behind me, put his left hand on my right shoulder, and watched me baptize this child.
 Now I never told anybody about this dream until I got into the eighth grade. My friends and I had gotten into a religious discussion at school and I was a little reluctant to tell them about the dream. I told them anyway and much to my surprise, they were supportive of me.
That day when I got home from school I told my mom and dad about the dream. My mom started crying and my dad was very happy and said, “Robert ever since Jamie was born (which is my oldest sibling; I’m the youngest) your mother and I have prayed every night that one of our children would go into the religious life.” I was shocked when they told me this for many reasons, but mainly because all of my brothers and sisters had already married and had kids.
I would pray an hour-and-a-half sometimes two hours every night for God to give me one more sign so I would know what it was he was calling me to do. At the end of my first year of college I decided to take a year off from school, because as far as I could see, God still had not answered my prayers.
During my year off from school I worked at a gas station that my friend’s parents owned. On Ash Wednesday 2006, I confided to a best friend that I was scared and didn’t know what to do with my life and he said God would talk to me soon and let me know.
I have been in seminary for a year now, and the joy I feel in my heart is unexplainable. I have never been happier in my life. I learned Christ wants all of us to pick up our crosses, follow him, and never look back. It will be hard at times, but nonetheless it will be well worth it. So for anybody thinking about seminary do not be afraid to say yes to God’s call.
Finally please continue to pray for me and all priests and seminarians, and please pray for an increase in vocations to the religious life. God Bless!
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If you would like to talk with someone about becoming a priest, contact Msgr. Scott Friend.
Juan Guido, St. Edward Church, Little Rock
I’m from Mexico. My parish home is St. Edward Church in Little Rock. I came to the United States in 2001. My calling to become a priest started when I was seven years old. Every time I went to Mass I felt something that was calling me, it was a voice inside me that said, “Do you want to follow me?”
 My calling was stronger when I was 13 years old. I helped the pastor of my church for almost 3 years; there I learned about the needs of the church, the needs of the people. He was a great example who helped me take the path of priesthood.
I spoke to my pastor in Mexico about entering the seminary in Mexico, but God had other plans for me. My dad decided to come to the United States. It was very hard for me to leave my country, but mostly my entire parish home. The Lord works in a way that makes it hard for us to understand his love toward us.
When I came to the United States I decided to forget about my vocation, but God was still calling me. God helped me through my problems to continue my calling. With the help and support of Father John Antony and my family, my vocation kept growing so I entered the seminary in 2005.
With that, I said, “Yes” to God and many wonderful things happened in my personal life, in my family and friends. The Lord has blessed me with new friends and he shows me his love everyday.
My vocation is a gift from God. God gives this gift so we can serve him and his people here on earth with humbleness and service. God continues helping me with discernment, because I want to be an instrument of God to take the Good News to God’s people. To serve with humbleness to God and his people, this is the priority of my calling and my vocation.
In the road to priesthood he has never left me alone, he has always sent friends. In a very special way, he sent the holy Virgin Mary and St. Theresa of Jesus; they are the ones who have helped me continue loving God.
God is merciful and caring. A way to repay him all the love and blessing in my life is by giving my life to him. St. Theresa of Jesus says, “Love can only be repaid with love.”
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If you would like to talk with someone about becoming a priest, contact Msgr. Scott Friend.
Shaun Klatt, St. Jude Church, Clinton
I am the second of five boys given as blessing to Eileen and Reginald Klatt though my mother has a tendency to call her “blessings” holy terrors. My family is originally from Mesa, Ariz., and has resided in Arkansas for the past 15 years, time enough for “Southern charm” to grow on us.
 My mother and father have been separated for nearly 15 years. I graduated from Leslie High School and went on to attend the fall 2005 semester of college at NAC. I did not continue my education for a second semester because my mother developed emphysema and I needed to help take care of my family.
I first realized I had a calling when I was 6 years old while attending Mass at Our Lady of Victory Church in Fox, Ark. The Mass was celebrated by Msgr. Misac and when I saw the gifts being raised I felt a sudden pique of interest and asked my grandparents and my mother, “How can I get to do what Father gets to?” However, I did not take my calling seriously until my mother was diagnosed with emphysema. It was at that time I started questioning where my life was leading me.
I am now in my second year of philosophy at Holy Trinity Seminary, and classes at the University of Dallas. My first year was a struggle for me coming from a small educational background going into a larger academic institution.
However, after spending a summer at St. Paul Church in Pocahontas and St. John Church in Engelberg, I felt my love for the Eucharist delve deeper into my heart, while experiencing first-hand the love the people of the diocese have for their seminarians. I have often been told being a seminarian, like a priest, is a ministry of presence. I never truly understood the wisdom of those words until I spent time at St. Francis for a quick visit, or the summer at St. Paul and St. John.
My gratitude goes first to my mother and grandparents for their awesome support and encouragement of my choice. St. Jude Church has been my home away from home for the last 13 years and all the priests appointed there have been very supportive and helpful in my journey.
The parishioners have been more of a family to me. It has taken a mother to love me, but a parish to raise me, and though I have only recently been able to meet the parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi, I have felt welcomed and I have experienced the joy they share at having a chance to spend time with a seminarian.
I would like to leave this thought with any young men and women who believe God might be calling them to the priesthood or religious life: “God does not call the qualified, but qualifies the called.”
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If you would like to talk with someone about becoming a priest, contact Msgr. Scott Friend.
2015 — I College
Tony Bui, Christ the King Church, Fort Smith
The first time I thought about priesthood was about three years ago. In 2004, I went to a retreat in Santa Anna, Calif. It was a five-day retreat. During those days, I was listening to the preaching of the priests, singing praise songs, and hearing stories from other people about how God worked in their lives. I also developed a closer relationship with God.
 I converted to Catholicism in 2002, but I never had a close relationship with God. I didn’t read the holy Bible or pray often, but after I came back from the retreat, I realized the real presence of God in my daily life.
Not only did I feel the presence of God, but he also invited me to serve him. During that time, I could not make the decision because I wasn’t sure if it was the voice of God speaking to me or if I had just thought about it myself. It took me over a year to discern the thought I had after I came back from the retreat.
While studying the catechism to be baptized, one of the Dominican sisters who taught me said I should try the priesthood, but I always said, “No” until the moment I thought about the priesthood myself.
I always think back to the day the sister asked me that question, and I am certain God was speaking through her. So finally, in 2005, I went to my pastor, Father Peter Le. He gave me a lot of advice and told me about the life of a priest. I was interested in all of the stories. Father Peter asked me to talk to the vocations director. He introduced me to Msgr. Scott Friend, vocations director of the Diocese of Little Rock.
I had to go through a lot: Interviews with the vocations director once a month, interviews with a psychiatrist and physical exams. I had to see the vocations director every month for over a year. The reason why he did it was because he wanted to see if I would keep up with my calling.
I got approved by the diocese at the end of 2006, and was accepted to St. Joseph Seminary College in May 2007. My summer was busy. I used to own a business, so I had to transfer ownership to my mom and take care of all of the paperwork before I entered seminary.
I was a little bit worried about life in the seminary. I never went to a “Come and See” weekend, so all my knowledge about seminary was from other people or my own imagination.
The busiest time was the last week before I went to seminary. I had to run here, run there, and shop for school clothes to fit the dress code requirement.
Well, so far I like it very much. I like the community and environment. I also say to myself, this is home for another four years, and I’m looking forward to it.
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If you would like to talk with someone about becoming a priest, contact Msgr. Scott Friend.
Martin Siebold, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Marche
Prior to my recent insight, I have always wanted to be a priest since I was a little boy. I can remember growing up, my sister, Lauren and I, would say Mass for my parents. Now, that dream may become a reality.
 A few months before my graduation from Catholic High School, I became concerned with what I was going to do next. I was active with Catholic Youth Ministry, but I never really thought seriously about taking up a religious vocation.
Our youth group is very active and participated in so many things. We went on a trip to Mountain Home to attend a retreat called Youth 2000. We love this retreat. It is so powerful and really helped me open my ears to God. I attended the vocations meeting they had at every retreat and that is when it hit me. I wanted to dedicate my life to God. I did not know how I wanted to do this and I still don’t. But I took the most important step that would help me determine what I wanted to do. I talked to a priest about it.
The next weekend at Search, which is a retreat for juniors and seniors in high school, I was one of the leaders of the team, and I thought that I needed to talk to someone about the way I was feeling. I decided to talk to Msgr. Scott Friend. He suggested I try the diocesan priesthood out so I went on a “Come and See” at St. Joseph Seminary College where I am attending school at this moment.
As you may have concurred, I fell in love with the school. It had so many great aspects that appealed to me. I owe most of my thanks to my parents for raising me well and putting up with me through all of the hard times. I would also say that my friends played a huge role in my discernment.
But the one person I would like to thank the most is Mrs. Christie Powell, my youth director. She has shown me Christ in such a different perspective than from before, and I can never repay her. I would also like to thank everyone for keeping me in your prayers. I will continue to listen to God’s call and ask you to pray to God to reveal his plan for me. Thank You.
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If you would like to talk with someone about becoming a priest, contact Msgr. Scott Friend.
2015 — Pre-Philosophy
Raul Garduño, St. Edward Church, Little Rock
The water extinguishes the flames of the fire; the one who answered with a humble manner secures his time to come, and finds support when he’s about to fall. Jesus calls every one in his moment, it can be in the morning, noon or afternoon. He calls me in the afternoon and I answer him with faith and love.
 My intention to enter the seminary was since I was kid or when I spoke to seminarians that went to visit my parish, but in reality I wanted to meet girls or girlfriends and I wanted to meet people. But at the same time, I wanted to follow Christ and take his word to the ones in need of God’s love. All the roads lead to God.
During all these years in the seminary, I have to deal with young and adult men between 15 and 35 years of age, it’s been hard, but I have been adapting myself to that. God is the one who enters every life with a transforming message full of love and comes to reorder all the things in your life. I trust that God has called me; he put me in his path. Following him is not easy especially when you have to live with others who are younger than yourself. This is Christ’s love.
Possibly we all have God’s call, some younger than others, but God loves us the same. He doesn't care about race and color, but we all have to work hard together as priests, deacons, laity and all persons that are guided by God’s spirit.
We need an inner life and a Christian doctrine. We are the salt of the earth and light of the world because we are an example of a holy Catholic Apostolic and Roman Church. Jesus is our example and model: imitate him serving the Holy Church and all his souls.
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If you would like to talk with someone about becoming a priest, contact Msgr. Scott Friend.
German Alegria, St. Raphael Church, Springdale
I was born in San Marcos, El Salvador. I’m 28 years old, the second of three brothers. I came from a very humble family, but they always taught us the great values of unity, respect, obedience and, above all, a love for God.
 I’m especially grateful to my grandmother, Gricelda Gomez de Alegria, for all her concern and teachings to stay on God’s road. I studied social studies at the National University of El Salvador to be a teacher, and at the same time, I worked in the parish of St. Peter of Nonualco where I started my life as a lay person.
I have always enjoyed working with the youth, reading at Mass and helping every ministry where there is need. This did not start at an early age, but I’m glad God called me when I was more mature to help in the construction of his kingdom.
I traveled to the United States in 2005 with the idea of providing a better economic situation for my life. But the desire to serve God was with me, even though I did not want to give more attention to this. The encounter with Jesus was more notorious.
I got more involved with the needs of St. Raphael Church in Springdale. There, I increased my desire to give myself to God, but it has not been easy. Leaving everything for God’s love is a daily work that I have to renew everyday with a personal and free choice.
Now I’m in the seminary of Monterrey, Mexico and this is possible in great part to Sister Gisela Rivera who has supported me enormously. Also to Father John Antony and Msgr. Scott Friend, I consider brothers and parish friends. Now it’s my turn to give my “yes” to the Lord, and deliver myself entirely into his arms and embrace the cross every moment.
Brothers and sisters following Christ the Good Shepherd is the best decision one can make, and if you are not sure, don’t worry that is for God. Remember a vocation is the hope the earth will germinate authentic priests who will be willing to give their lives in the name of Jesus. Following Christ is not just for the people in religious life or priesthood, it is for me, you and everybody.
Ask the Blessed Virgin Mary, model of all vocations, to help us find our true vocation: “God give us priests. Lord give us many priests. Lord give us many holy priests.”
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If you would like to talk with someone about becoming a priest, contact Msgr. Scott Friend.
Go to Vocations and Seminarians Office.
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