Matthew had seriously considered the priesthood as a junior in high school.  On more than one occasion people had asked him if he had ever thought about becoming a priest, and he had even brought it up in conversation to a couple of priests that he knew.

As a senior a number of friends and family had advised him to go to a "normal" college first, and then if he still felt called, he could enter the seminary after he got his undergraduate degree.  "You should 'find yourself' first," they would say.

While Matthew appreciated their concern, he disagreed with their conclusion.  “I think that God may be calling me to be one of His priests.  I'm not sure, but it may be.  If that's the case, it doesn't make sense to go anywhere but the seminary.”

With this understanding Mike called to talk to his parish priest; who in turn connected Mike with a priest who serves the Church as the Vocations Director.

As the year progressed he received an application to the seminary, filled it out and met with various people whose job it was to determine if Mike was suitable for the seminary including the Vocations Director, some faculty at the seminary, and a psychologist. 

After his graduation from high school, Matthew received the approval of the Bishop and the acceptance to the seminary, and thus he became a seminarian of the Diocese of Ogdensburg.  He began his formal studies at St. Charles Borromeo seminary in Philadelphia where he began his studies in the field of philosophy. 

After four years of college seminary to get his undergraduate degree, he will be sent to major seminary where he will study theology for four more years.  God-willing, then Mike will be ordained a Priest of Jesus Christ after the completion of those studies.