Deacon Sean Mulcare was in the ninth grade when he experienced a call to the priesthood at Extreme Faith Camp, a popular Catholic youth summer camp in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. That desire waned a bit in high school but was revived later.
Following God’s promptings to help others, Deacon Derek Gilde carved out a 15-year career in social work and mental health. Hoping to draw more people to Christ, he entered the seminary and will be ordained a priest May 25 at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul.
Deacon Philip Conklin, 36, grew up in a faithful Catholic family in New Brighton that regularly attended Mass at St. Charles Borromeo in St. Anthony and prayed a daily rosary.
After working in the corporate world for about 12 years, Deacon Brent Bowman was in between jobs and decided to take a trip to Medjugorje. The hope was to find inspiration and guidance “for my next career move,” he said.
I believe the seed of the vocation was planted toward the end of my five years with the Companions of Christ, an archdiocesan association of priests. I knew I was not called to be a priest, but there remained this pull on my heart to be near the altar.
I attended a Christ Renews His Parish retreat in March of 2016 that included the sacrament of reconciliation. I remember preparing well prior to participating in the sacrament, and then I made a thorough confession.
