Mike Likoudis Vocation Story

I was blessed to come to St. Gabriel’s for my pastoral year in September 2017 and I was there until May of 2018. I spent the year under the supervision of Fr. Don; He and Fr. Charles taught me so much while I was there at the parish.

At first, I was a little apprehensive as I started my pastoral year. What would this year look like? What would I learn? Would I have what it takes to be effective? I was coming out of religious community and still had a lot to learn about diocesan priesthood and about myself for that matter. Yet, I was excited to see what the life of the diocesan priest looked like. I immediately fell in love with the church, living in a rectory for the first time, the ministry, and especially the wonderful people to the community. As I got more and more involved in the parish, I got to know people on such a personal level. Of all the things I took from St. Gabriel’s, perhaps this was the thing that helped me the most: supportive friendships with many of the parishioners. When I came to the parish I was surprised just how much the people wanted to get to know their seminarian. They would invite me over to their house for dinner or take me out, but the most important thing was that they really seemed like they wanted to get to know me. I felt like they cared. In my mind, I had all these questions of how I would do, what gifts did I had to offer to the parish etc., and yet as the people affirmed me, I felt a new confidence in my vocation and I felt like I had something to offer.  Sometimes a little affirmation can go a long way. Through this experience I felt like if the people were happy with me and benefited from my presence there at the parish, then God must have been happy with me in this life decision of giving myself to Him and His Church. Despite some challenges, I really believe being at St. Gabriel’s that year was such a blessing. Getting involved with different ministries, going to the nursing homes, teaching classes on spirituality – all of this filled my heart and gave me a desire to keep pursing the calling.  I have so many beautiful memories of St. Gabriel’s – talking in the narthex with people after Mass, visiting homes, preaching. But what I will always remember most from my experience are the people. I say this to emphasize the role that you all play in the vocation of a seminarian. You have no idea how much your presence and support can affect the life of someone discerning the call. Sometimes support or lack thereof can be the difference between one persevering in their vocation or feeling alone and eventually losing his vocation. A vocation is a calling, but one that has to be nurtured by the individual and those around him.  The life of a seminarian or priest is certainly not easy, but I think it would be almost impossible if one did not feel loved and supported by the people around him. I thank you all for the wonderful support you’ve been in my life. I hope to one day return to St. Gabriel’s when I am ordained a priest and celebrate my first Mass there. There is not a day that goes by where I do not feel thankful for my vocation - I wouldn’t trade it for anything in this world! In April 2019 I was ordained a deacon and as I served my first Mass as a deacon, it felt like the happiest day of my life. God willing, my priestly ordination will be early 2021. Please pray for vocations and pray for me!