Anthony Strouse 

Theology II
Sacred Heart Major Seminary
Home Parish: St. Mary Parish, Williamston 

Interests: piano playing, racquetball

My vocation began when, each Sunday I would see the priest celebrating Mass and there was a part of me, a part that I often wanted to deny as I was growing up, that desired to do what the priest was doing. I did not know exactly what that was, but I knew I wanted to do it. My vocation also began with an inner sense that God was calling me to throw aside the values of the culture and to live not for myself, but for others. I wanted to do something great with my life.

I've been a seminarian since I graduated from Lansing Catholic Central High School and I am learning what it means to be a good priest. It means being a Man of Christ, a Man of the Church and a Man for Others.

A Man of Christ finds his life by offering it to Christ. I learn how to be a good priest by getting to know Christ. I learn how to love those who are often outcasts of society, how to stand against everything which is contrary to human dignity, how to be a bridge to lead people to God.

A Man of the Church is a servant to that which is larger than him. He protects the Church, the Bride of Christ, as the Mystical Bride of Christ. He celebrates the Eucharist and the other sacraments with piety and devotion. He stands up for the Holy Father, the Blessed Mother, the teachings of the Church and is not afraid to be identified as a Roman Catholic.

A Man for Others follows the example of Christ and gives his life for the People of God. He is not afraid to serve them. He seeks ways to give up his own life for others, no matter how inconvenient it is. He works hard for the salvation of the sheep he has been called to shepherd.

There have been times when I wondered, "Am I worthy?". The answer is no. But, God has called me and He it is who will make me a good priest by forming me into a Man of Christ, a Man of the Church and a Man for Others.