Age: 24
Home Parish: I was accepted in the Church at the Catholic Center in Athens, GA.
Seminary / Stage of Study: Our Lady of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary - Second Theology
Degree(s): BA in International Affairs from The University of Georgia
Work Experience: Technology Advisor for Faculty and Staff, 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army.
Interests: Writing, Cooking, Camping and Hiking.
Vocation Story: My vocation story is probably not the most common one. My call to ministry started out when I was protestant, the church of my childhood. While I thought of the possibility I was not serious in its pursuit. My senior year in High School found me cast in the role of a priest in the fall play. This led me to attend my first mass and with that first mass led me to investigate the Catholic faith. This led me to enroll in RCIA and to be accepted into the faith on the Easter Vigil in 2003. Throughout this time, the thought of ministry continued sporadically though I dismissed it since that would mean becoming a Priest, which of course couldn’t be the case since I was new to the faith. About a year later, I was struggling to discern what God wanted me to do with my life, not even thinking of the priesthood as I had been dating a girl for about seven months at the time. One day her and I were driving along when she turned to me and out of the blue said, "you know what? You’d make a great priest." Needless to say that got my attention. From that point on, I seriously discerned the possibility of the priesthood. My journey has led me to the beginning of my first year of theology at Mundelein Seminary. Throughout my time at St. Isaac Jogues' House of Discernment and the following summer assignment at St. Peter's in Saratoga Springs, I have been amazed at the growth I've experienced. I have been humbled by the blessings that the Lord has bestowed and am looking forward to continuing the journey to become the man that God and the Church needs me to be. One of the greatest sources of support to me this past year, in addition to friends and family, have been the parishioners at the churches I've worked at. If there are any questions that you have, please email me at iakob06@gmail.com.
