Men discerning the call
The first full week of November every year, the Church in the United States celebrates National Vocations Awareness Week. This year, the week begins Nov. 3, and we are encouraged to pray for vocations and, particularly, for those discerning their vocation: pray for those entering into the vocation of married life, those serving the Lord faithfully in the single life, those preparing for diocesan priesthood, and men and women entering religious life as brothers, sisters, and religious priests. Perhaps you might offer a Holy Hour or send a note of support to someone you know who is preparing for marriage or who is in formation for religious life or diocesan priesthood.
The first full week of November every year, the Church in the United States celebrates National Vocations Awareness Week. This year, the week begins Nov. 3, and we are encouraged to pray for vocations and, particularly, for those discerning their vocation: pray for those entering into the vocation of married life, those serving the Lord faithfully in the single life, those preparing for diocesan priesthood, and men and women entering religious life as brothers, sisters, and religious priests. Perhaps you might offer a Holy Hour or send a note of support to someone you know who is preparing for marriage or who is in formation for religious life or diocesan priesthood.
The Diocese of Birmingham currently has 20 men in formation for diocesan priesthood, 17 returning seminarians and three new men. Diocesan seminarians are being formed to serve the people of the diocese, meaning these men will return to serve in the parishes of northern and central Alabama. You may have seen these men serving in a parish during the summer or visiting your child’s Catholic school while on break. The Office of Vocations would like to share a little information about our seminarians so that you might pray for them and, perhaps, send them a note of encouragement.
Deacon Max Gallegos returns for his final year of formation. Deacon Gallegos is from Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Fort Payne and is a graduate of Jacksonville State University. His ordination to priesthood is scheduled for May 31, 2025, at the Cathedral of St. Paul.
John Gardiner, John Paul Stepnowski, and Andrew Vickery return to their respective seminaries after a summer of Spanish immersion studies in Mexico City. Gardiner is from Holy Spirit in Huntsville, and he entered seminary after high school. Stepnowski and Vickery grew up in other states and came to the diocese as college students. Stepnowski graduated from the University of Alabama, Huntsville, and Vickery graduated from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. Both discerned that the Lord was calling them to remain in Alabama to serve as priests here. Gardiner, Stepnowski, and Vickery are scheduled to be ordained deacons in 2025.
Hunter Limbaugh also spent the summer in Spanish immersion in Mexico City. Limbaugh is from Sacred Heart of Jesus in Anniston and is a graduate of Jacksonville State University.
Collins Hess remains in the diocese for a pastoral year, serving at Our Lady of Sorrows parish in Homewood. Collins is from St. John the Baptist in Madison and is a graduate of Auburn University.
Having received degrees in philosophy last spring, Justin Brouillette, Patrick Letterle, Billy Moin, and Francisco Rodriguez all began studies in theology this fall. Brouillette and Rodriguez are members of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, while Letterle and Moin were raised in other states. Brouillette is a graduate of Auburn University, and Rodriguez served our country in the United States Marine Corps. Letterle and Moin are graduates of the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa.
Having completed the initial Propaedeutic Year, Ross Gilliland, Franz Mercado, Thomas Rogers, and Nick Smith return to seminary this fall. Gilliland is from St. Cecilia Parish in Jasper and is a graduate of the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. Franz Mercado is from Our Lady of Sorrows Parish and is a graduate of UAB. Rogers is a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, and Smith is from Good Shepherd Parish in Huntsville. Both men graduated from Auburn University.
Our college seminarians, Cameron Huhlein of Holy Spirit in Huntsville, Joshua Callahan of St. Francis of Assisi University Parish in Tuscaloosa, and Michael Masny of the Cathedral of St. Paul, continue formation and studies in philosophy.
Joining the formation program this year are three new men. Benjamin Caruana is a high school graduate from Good Shepherd Parish in Huntsville, who began formation and undergraduate studies in philosophy this fall. Matthew Pickard is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and is a member of the Cathedral of St. Paul. This fall, Pickard entered the Propaedeutic Year of formation. Maximilian Waldron is from St. Mary of the Visitation in Huntsville and is a graduate of Samford University. Waldron also entered the Propaedeutic Year of formation this fall.
Please keep these men in prayer as they continue formation for priesthood in the Diocese of Birmingham. Also, please pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life, particularly in the Diocese of Birmingham.
If you would like to send a note of encouragement to our seminarians, please see the seminary information. The men are listed under the seminary they attend.
NOTRE DAME SEMINARY
2901 S. Carrollton Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70118
Ross Gilliland
Hunter Limbaugh
Franz Mercado
Matthew Pickard
Thomas Rogers
Nick Smith
PONTIFICAL COLLEGE JOSEPHINUM
7625 North High Street
Columbus, OH 43235
Justin Brouillette
Joshua Callahan
Benjamin Caruana
Deacon Max Gallegos
Patrick Letterle
Michael Masny
Billy Moin
John Paul Stepnowski
Andrew Vickery
SAINT MEINRAD SEMINARY
200 Hill Drive
St. Meinrad, IN 47577
John Gardiner
Francisco Rodriguez
Maximilian Waldron
THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE
401 Michigan Avenue, Northeast
Washington, DC 20017
Cameron Huhlein
OUR LADY OF SORROWS CATHOLIC PARISH
1728 Oxmoor Road
Homewood, AL 35209
Collins Hess
Kristin Sessions is the coordinator of Vocations Ministry for the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama.
