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“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.” (Luke 4:18)
 Three remarkable young men with ties to our parish are currently pursuing a vocation to the priesthood. They are Paul Buchanan, John Eckert, and Paul McNulty. In this issue of the newsletter, we would like to introduce you to John Eckert.
The call to Holy Orders is “something that has always been with me – even as a young child,” says John Eckert, 27. “My mom likes to tell a story about when I was in preschool. A girl wanted to kiss me, and I said ‘No, you can’t, because I’m going to be a priest someday!’ “
John will reach a special milestone toward that “someday” on April 26, when he will be ordained a Deacon through the power of the Holy Spirit and the imposition of hands by Bishop Peter J. Jugis. The ordination will take place during a Mass at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. John is a third-year student in the Master’s of Theology program there.
A native of Peoria, IL, John says that his faith has been a central, constant part of his life. As a youth, John attended Catholic school and served as an altar boy. He had the opportunity to explore the prospect of priestly ministry at a special camp for young men called “Emmaus Days.” John began attending the camp in the seventh grade and worked later as a counselor. During his high school years, John excelled in academics and was active in the student government, theater, and the scholastic bowl. He graduated in 2000.
While he remained open to a call to the Lord’s service, John decided to attend college and live a “normal college life.” At Saint Louis University, he joined the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and he dated. He credits a part-time job as a tour guide at an Anheuser Busch brewery with helping him to hone his public speaking skills. With a keen interest in politics and a love of Washington, DC, John considered a career in political journalism.
As he questioned his path in life, John attended silent weekend retreats, often with his father. In the quiet reflection of these weekends, he found his answer. “In college it just became more apparent that this is the way that I was supposed to go,” he said. He graduated in 2004 with a double major in Political Science and Communication.
 John entered the Josephinum seminary in 2004 and was able to transfer his affiliation to the Charlotte Diocese when his parents, John and Cheryl, moved here in 2006. John’s mother, Cheryl, is the Finance Administrator for our parish. John says that he is fortunate to have the loving support of his family, including parents who were always open to the possibility of him choosing religious life, but who never pushed him.
John encourages young people to keep an open mind about their calling in life and to consider that “the greatest needs of the world may also meet the deepest longings of your heart.” He hopes that our youth will commit to truly living their Catholic faith, whatever their vocation. “When people live their vocation faithfully, be it marriage or religious life or the priesthood,” John says, “the world benefits.”
** As these special young men follow Jesus Christ in service to His church, we ask you to please remember them in your prayers.
By Dina DeFabo Wilson
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