In a world marked by uncertainty and constant change, there are individuals who embark on unique journeys driven by deep-rooted faith and a calling that transcends the ordinary. One such inspiring story is that of our very own Matthew O’Neill, a TC senior who recently received the life-altering news of acceptance into the seminary.
The Call to Ministry:
Matthew discovered his calling at a young age, nurtured by a strong foundation of faith and a desire to serve a higher purpose. “My parents from an early age took me to church and taught me the importance of faith. They were very devout and raised me with the understanding that faith is important, and the Eucharist is important, and that connecting to God is something you should always strive to know and learn more about.” O’Neill explains that he always liked the idea of being a priest when he was growing up. “I always thought some kind of first responder work would be cool…something in service is what I’ve always been most interested in”, O’Neill says.
Prior to attending Tampa Catholic, Matthew was a student at Nativity Catholic School in Brandon. Matthew began altar serving and seeking volunteer opportunities within the church as a way to deepen his faith. He also looked up to many different priests for mentorship that came through Nativity including Father Anthony and Father Brad Reed. Father Reed remembers Matthew quickly distinguishing himself as a very dedicated altar server and as an outstanding peer leader in the youth group. “Matthew has a charisma that is both natural and supernatural, flowing from his God-given talents and from his devotion to prayer and service. Whenever there was a special event, liturgy, or community service project that called for extra servers or volunteers, Matthew stepped up. He earned the nickname "Kid Clutch" because of his reliability", says Father Brad.
Matthew's most pivotal time when considering vocations was at Camp Covecrest Catholic summer camp in Georgia. He recalls his Junior year at TC during a Holy Hour at the camp where he felt his first real calling to priesthood. His first phone call was to Father Chuck to sit down and discuss the idea further. Matthew met with Father Chuck, Father Brad, Father Xavy, and many other priests throughout the past two years to discuss the priesthood path and determine if it was the right choice for him.
Father Brad recalls when Matthew began to have thoughts about a vocation to the priesthood, “I encouraged him to explore the possibility because I saw the potential there. I think the qualities that would make Matthew an excellent priest are his enthusiasm, dedication, faith, good sense of humor and kindness. He has a tremendous ability to inspire others to love God and to serve the Church without being overzealous or overbearing. I believe what the Church needs today are leaders who can give an authentic, joyful, and non-judgmental witness of what it means to follow Christ. I believe Matthew will do this, and I am so proud of him.”
The Application Process:
The journey towards acceptance into the seminary was not without its challenges. Matthew faced a rigorous application process that included interviews, an extensive essay, and physiological and medical evaluations. “I met with many different priests from different parishes and then I eventually met the bishop to discuss my call to vocation. Generally, 17 is very young to be accepted into the seminary and I honestly thought they were going to tell me to go to college first but gratefully they accepted me.” Matthew will be attending St. Joseph Abbey in Covington, Louisiana starting in August to begin his education in preparation for priesthood.
Educational and Spiritual Preparation:
As Matthew completes his high school education, he acknowledges the significance of both academic and spiritual preparation for the challenges that lie ahead. “There is still so much for me to learn and grow spiritually but I feel prepared for the work and dedication it will take.” He credits the Tampa Catholic High School theology department for growing his knowledge and increasing his curiosity in the discipline. “I took a World Religion class with Mr. Sep and he expanded my knowledge of other religions and made me understand the importance of knowing other religions, their beliefs, and viewpoints of the world in order to better understand your own.”
We are so proud of Matthew and look forward to following his journey into the priesthood!