Editor’s note: The seminarians of the Diocese of Syracuse offered the following fun facts for profiles featured at vocations-syracuse.org.
Rev. Mr. Nathan Brooks
Will be ordained to the priesthood on June 1, 2019, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Syracuse
Home parish: Divine Mercy, Central Square
Patron saint: St. Jean Vianney
Favorite Scripture verse: John 6:53. I love this verse because Jesus not only speaks to the reality of the Eucharist, he also tells us how essential it is for the Christian life.
Favorite part of the Mass: The Eucharist. Every time I receive the Eucharist I am receiving the living Jesus into my life. This gives me great strength and hope.
Hobbies: Golf, bicycling, hiking, wood working
Favorite quote: Psalm 27:4
Describe your formation so far in one word: Transformative
Favorite holy place: Rome, Italy
Favorite liturgical song: “O God Beyond All Praising”
Favorite family Christmas tradition: Mom’s cinnamon rolls!
Confirmation name: Padre Pio
In only 3 words, offer advice for someone discerning priesthood/religious life: Pray, discern, ask
Malachi Clark
Will be ordained to the transitional diaconate on April 27, 2019, at Sts. John and Andrew, Binghamton
Home parish: Sts. John and Andrew, Binghamton
Priestly mentors: Father John Mikalajunas and Msgr. Michael Meagher
Favorite Scripture verse: Revelation 12:1. I like this verse because it is one of the classic scripture verses the Church uses when speaking of Our Lady.
Favorite part of the Mass: I like the Eucharistic Prayer, because in it the Church brings the Body and Blood of Christ down on the Altar.
Favorite quote: “Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.”- J.R.R. Tolkien
Describe your formation so far in one word: Graced
Favorite season: Winter
Confirmation name: Thomas Polycarp, for St. Thomas More, whom I admire for his witness, courage and martyrdom in the public square, and St. Polycarp, whom I admire for his leadership and martyrdom.
Brendan Foley
Currently on pastoral year at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Baldwinsville
Home parish: St. James, Johnson City
Priestly mentor: Fr. Joe O’Connor
Patron saints: St. Therese of Lisieux, St. John of the Cross, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Augustine, and St. Teresa of Calcutta
Favorite part of the Mass: Receiving the Body and Blood of Christ, and taking in God’s Word in Sacred Scripture — doesn’t get much better than that!
Describe your formation so far in one word: Exciting
Favorite holy place: Where Blessed Stanley Rother (a diocesan priest from Oklahoma) was martyred. It is a simple office room at his parish in Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala, that has since been transformed into a chapel. Stains from his blood are visibly present on the walls, which served as bold reminder to me of the courage it takes to live a life after the heart of Christ.
Favorite movie: “The Sandlot”
Confirmation name: Matthew
Dennis Walker
Currently spending his pastoral year at Our Lady of Lourdes, Utica
Home parish: Our Lady of Hope, Syracuse
Patron saints: Maximilian Kolbe, Teresa of Calcutta, and St. Joseph
Favorite Scripture verse: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Hobbies: Golf, Soccer, Sports in general, reading, target shooting
Describe your formation so far in one word: Indescribable
Favorite holy place: Our Lady of Victory Shrine & Basilica in Lackawanna, N.Y.
Most important book you’ve read: The Bible. It is an essential part of my daily prayer life.
Favorite season: Summer
In only 3 words, offer advice for someone discerning priesthood/religious life: Take your time
What do you most look forward to doing once you are ordained a priest? Ministry and sacraments
John Leo Oduor
John Leo, originally from Kenya, is currently spending his pastoral year at Our Lady of Hope, Syracuse
Home parish: Our Lady of Hope, Syracuse
Religious mentor: St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Favorite Scripture verse: John 3:16. I find it amazing how God loves me so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to be born on earth and die on a cross for my sins so that I may have eternal life!
Hobbies: Reading, playing soccer, cooking, socializing, music-playing, listening
Favorite quote: “The Lord is my Shepherd there is nothing I shall I want” (Psalm 23:1).
Describe your formation so far in one word: Excellent
Favorite holy place: The Church of Lalibela, Ethiopia
Most important book you’ve read: “When Breath Becomes Air” by Paul Kalanithi
Favorite liturgical song: “Hail Mary: Gentle Woman”
Favorite family Christmas tradition: Goat eating
Favorite TV show: 24
Confirmation name: Francis. In my church in Kenya it was the Bishop who chose names for the candidates
Dc. Dan Caughey
Second Theology
Home parish: St. Anne, Mexico
Patron saint: St. Joseph
Favorite Scripture verse: Luke 1:76-77a. As I prepare for priesthood, I visualize these few words from Zechariah for John the Baptist to apply to me as well.
Favorite part of the Mass: The Our Father (it’s incredible — God is OUR father!)
Hobbies: playing bass guitar
Describe your formation so far in one word: WOW
Favorite holy place: My favorite holy place that I’ve visited is St. Mary’s Cemetery in Cortland. That’s where my wife Mickey is buried and I go to visit as often as I can.
Favorite season: Summer
In only 3 words, offer advice for someone discerning priesthood/religious life: Observe, ask, pray
Favorite Christmas tradition: Passing out Christmas gifts to the foster kids and watching them open them.
Favorite movie: “It’s a Wonderful Life”
Confirmation name: Joachim. I chose it because it sounds so cool and who wouldn’t want to be Jesus’ grandpa!
James Buttner
First Theology
Home parish: Holy Family, Syracuse
Priestly mentors: Father John Manno, Father Richard Prior, Father Joe O’Connor
Favorite part of the Mass: Communion. I’m often reminded of my friends in faraway places that have played a key role in my own faith journey as I go forward to receive communion or as I’m kneeling in my pew afterwards
Hobbies: Working on cars. I’d like to get an 80’s-era car and learn how to work on that next!
Describe your formation so far in one word: Adventure
Favorite holy place: Divine Mercy Shrine in Stockbridge, MA
In only 3 words, offer advice for someone discerning priesthood/religious life: Talk about it!
Favorite family Christmas tradition: Cutting down the Christmas tree
What do you most look forward to doing once you are ordained a priest? Hearing confessions
Confirmation name: Paul (St. Paul)
Benjamin Schrantz
Second Pre-Theology
Home parish: St. Paul’s, Whitesboro
Patron saints: St. Francis of Assisi and St. Therese of Lisieux
Favorite Scripture verse: Luke 5:1-11
Favorite quote: “Holiness consists simply in doing God’s will, and being just what God wants us to be.” – St. Therese of Lisieux
Favorite holy place: Assisi, Italy, as well as the Trappist Abbey of the Genesee
Favorite season: Fall
In only 3 words, offer advice for someone discerning priesthood/religious life: Open your heart
Favorite family Christmas tradition: Midnight Mass
Heath Munger
Second Pre-Theology
Home parish: Holy Trinity, Fulton
Samuel Gill
Second Year College Seminary
Home parish: St. Joseph’s, Endicott
Patron saint: St. John Bosco
Hobbies: playing soccer
Most important book you’ve read: St. Francis de Sales’ “Introduction to the Devout Life”
Favorite season: Fall
Favorite movie: The Last Samurai
John Brusa III
Second Year College Seminary
Home parish: Holy Family, Syracuse
Favorite Scripture verse: John 6:53
Favorite part of the Mass: I love the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God)
Hobbies: Hiking, Reading, church hopping
Favorite quote: “The average American is physically, biologically, psychologically, and neurologically unable to do anything worthwhile before he has a cup of coffee!” -Fulton Sheen
Favorite holy place: St. Vincent Ferrer Church in Manhattan
Favorite season: Spring
In only 3 words, offer advice for someone discerning priesthood/religious life: Don’t be afraid!
What do you most look forward to doing once you are ordained a priest? Serving others
Confirmation name: Bernard, after St. Bernard of Montjoux, the patron saint of mountain hiking
Joseph Ryan
Second Year College Seminary
Home parish: St. Patrick’s, Binghamton
Patron saints: St. Patrick, St. Gregory the Great
Favorite Scripture verse: Matthew 10:39
Hobbies: Golfing, skiing, sailing, reading, and hanging out with friends
Favorite quote: “Pray as if everything depended upon God and work as if everything depended upon you.” -St. Ignatius of Loyola
Describe your formation so far in one word: Life-changing
Favorite holy place: The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Favorite season: Summer
Favorite family Christmas tradition: Irish oyster stew on Christmas Eve
