Where I come from: I was born in Cambridge in the UK and moved to Australia when I was 14.

My family and I moved to Australia in January of 2001. I have one brother who is 2 years younger. In 2004, I finished school at Redfield College in Dural and have lived in Castle Hill since 2001. Until moving to Australia, my Catholic faith never meant much to me apart from what I originally perceived as the monotonous routine of attending Sunday Mass. However, over the past few years through the formation I received at my new school in Australia and the assistance of a number of priests and members of Opus Dei, my love of Catholicism and its teachings changed my entire outlook on life and on the world. I began to understand and accept that truth in its fullness existed in the faith I possessed. It wasn’t long before I found myself going to daily mass and weekly confession. The sacraments became an instrumental part of my plan of life, especially my love of the Mass, which played a large part in the enlightening of a possible priestly vocation.

As time went on, my prayer life began to focus around vocation and what God wanted of me. I was about 16 and on a silent retreat I received my first inspiration to the Priesthood. Ever since then I began to wonder whether God brought me to Australia for a reason. Why had he blessed me with a strong faith at a reasonably young age? Thus I continued to question daily “what does God want me to do with my life?” I began to get involved with an Opus Dei youth centre and on occasions would altar serve at parishes and read at mass.

Each day I kept a journal, writing down everything God told me in prayer. I would also take note of my feelings at Mass and I noticed that a pattern was starting to develop. My mind became focussed on one thing: PRIESTHOOD. My immediate reaction was “Please God NO!” I was a very normal 17 years old. I loved going out with friends, had great interest in a number of girls, I was passionate about my studies and enjoyed sports. Priesthood was definitely not on the cards.

However the call grew stronger. People would often come up to me and ask “Are you one of our future priests?” At the beginning of my year 12 courses, I knelt down in a chapel in absolute silence and said “Lord that I may see”. I then knew that I had to check this out and in turn I ended up joining the seminary in 2005 and have never been happier.

It was a demanding struggle and God really will test your love for him as you discern his call. My unworthiness was a large factor in trying to put off doing what I felt God wanted of me. It wasn’t till I came to the realisation that no one is ever worthy of such a tremendous gift of priesthood, that I was able to surrender my will to Christ and persevere. Prayer is essential.

Particular influences in my life:
Pope John Paul II had an incredible impact on the course of my life as well as my spiritual director for the past 4 years Fr. Joe Pich (school chaplain) who has helped me in numerous ways. He has been a great friend above all else and I admire him deeply.

Favourite Scripture Passage: "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32)

- from the Seminary of the Good Shepherd website: http://www.sgs.org.au/gregm.htm