It was on April 26^th 2008 that I was ordained a transitional deacon with nine other men. It was truly a wonderful day made even more special being surrounded by family and friends. That moment made me realize that I only have one more year of seminary life. I have just completed my fifth year as a seminarian and while some individual years may have seemed long, when I look back on the whole experience I can't help but say- Where has the time gone?

I remember when I first became a seminarian for the Diocese of Toledo and I told everybody that it would take six years to finish the seminary and be ordained a priest. Some people joked "Are you becoming a priest or a doctor?" I replied, "Believe me, I'll need every year." I have needed every year and have really enjoyed being a seminarian. The seminary is where you discern if God is calling you to be a priest. I have seen several men leave the seminary because they realized God was not calling them to the priesthood. There is no shame in that. They realized that God was calling them to something else other than the priesthood.

After each year I completed at the seminary I always ask the same question- "God - are you still calling me to be a priest?" If I sensed God saying yes then I came back ready to draw closer to God. Well, one more year of the seminary left- and I still feel God saying "Yes, Chris become a priest!" Now I want to make my last year at the seminary a joyous and memorable experience. I will truly enjoy being able to preach at Sunday Mass and to stand at the altar beside the priest-lifting the chalice of the Precious Blood! I must always remember that all that I am able to do as an ordained minister is for the salvation of souls and to glorify God. "He must increase; I must decrease (Jn 3: 30)."