A journey with God in the driver's seat
Some people would say they always knew that I would pursue a vocation to
the priesthood, but initially it was not as clear to me. Like many little boys
I wanted to be many different things, the captain of a cruise ship, a bus
driver and a lawyer, to name a few. Although I loved church and would
play Mass, my vocation did not become clear until years later.
As I matured, I learned to play the trumpet, participated in my school
choir and drama club and became involved in student government. My
education became my priority and when I reached high school I only
attended church periodically.
Church never left my life completely. The faith I received in early Catholic
school education and later through religious education helped define the
person who I was and aspired to be. During these years I participated in
many community service activities and was given the opportunity to
represent my state and school in different leadership conferences.
My life was great. As a senior in high school I was elected to five
presidential positions including National Honor Society, student body and
of the Class of 1998.1 went on to graduate third in my high school class.
Seemingly, I had everything I needed and wanted in my life. I entered the
Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and began my studies for pre-med.
I became a community advisor within Housing and Residential Life, I
pledged the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and rediscovered my faith through
the campus Catholic ministry.
I had the honor of meeting an amazing priest named Father Jefferies
Burton, S.J. In Father Jeff, I found a man grounded in Ignatian
spirituality, generosity and service to young adult ministry. Father Jeff
was the instrument God used to inspire me to realize my true vocation.
As many young adults do, I questioned everything and was searching for
my purpose in this world. Father Jeff asked me a simple yet very profound
question, "Gregory, have you ever thought about becoming a priest?"
Shocked by what he had said, I responded that I never thought about it as
a job choice or something I could do. Father Jeff began to guide me and
broaden my understanding of the priesthood. He would highlight the
qualities that he saw within me which would make me a good priest.
This invitation launched me on a journey. As I embarked on this journey
not knowing if priesthood would be the outcome, I allowed God to take the
driver's seat.
During a year of discernment at the Church of the Resurrection in
Marmora with Father Mark Cavagnaro, I formally applied to the diocese.
Father Mark's generosity and hospitality during that year was priceless.
His knowledge of the Scriptures helped me deepen my prayer life and open
my life up to God. Resurrection Parish helped me to discern my call to be a
parish priest on a daily basis. This parish continues to support my journey
to this very day.
My journey entered a new phase on March 22, 2005, when I received my
letter of acceptance from Bishop Joseph A. Galante to become a candidate
for the priesthood for the Diocese of Camden.
Bishop Galante decided to send me to the Immaculate Conception
Seminary for my theological training. I am currently in first theology and I
was instituted as a Reader on March 18, 2007. I will advance to second
theology in fall 2007. My current discernment leads me to the Gospel of
Matthew: "Look, we have left everything and followed you. What are we to
have then? Jesus said to them 'In truth I tell you, when everything is new
again and the Son of man is seated on this throne of glory, you yourselves
will sit on twelve thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone
who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children or land for
the sake of my name will receive a hundred times as much and also inherit
eternal life. 'Many who are first will be last, and the last, first' (Mt 19:
27-30)."
It is here where I find myself and as a seminarian, I already feel the many
graces of God in my life. Let us pray together each day for an increase of
vocations to the priesthood and religious life in the Diocese of Camden. Let
us also pray for those men and woman in formation programs, that they
may continue to feel God's grace in their lives and persevere passionately
each and every day. In a special way, I want to thank my parents for their
prayers and support for my vocation. I would also like to thank everyone
for your many prayers and support. May God bless each of you.
Gregory Michael V. McIIhenney
Immaculate Conception Seminary South Orange, N.J.
