January Seminarian

My name is Ruben Nunez, and I am in my pastoral year. I was assigned to Saint John Neumann Catholic Church in Lilburn, Georgia. 

After this year I will be going to the seminary for my second year of Philosophy.

God wants us to know ourselves better, to know what is in our hearts, so that way we can truly understand that God loves us just exactly how we are. Even more, Jesus wants to use us despite our human condition, for He alone is the fountain of all good.

-Ruben Nunez

February Seminarian

My name is Deacon Thomas Zahuta from St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Kennesaw, GA.  I am in my last semester of seminary at Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg, MD.  I look forward in anticipation of returning permanently to Atlanta and with great joy to become a priest of Jesus Christ and his Church. 

-Rev. Mr. Thomas Zahuta

Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen (Eph 3:20-21).

Georgia Bulletin Article on the recent deacon ordination

March Seminarian

Greetings from the North American College in Rome, Italy! My name is Brian Baker and this is my third year in seminary and I cannot tell you how blessed I feel.  After years of working very hard to plan my own life and achieve a sense of fulfillment, I finally decided to completely abandon my will to God and seek his will for me in frequent prayer.  Scary at times and challenging everyday, following God’s call has given me more peace, hope and joy than I ever dared to dream for.  Please know you are in my prayers and that I am so very grateful for yours.

April Seminarian

Leonard August Pagano III was born in 1985 and nicknamed Austin.  He was raised in Marietta, GA while a parishioner at Transfiguration. 

Austin attended St. Josephs School beginning in 4th grade and continued his Catholic School education through high school at St. Pius X-graduating in 2003. 

Austin received a B.S. in political science in 2008 from Kennesaw State University, and even co-hosted a political radio talk-show as a student. 

He’s been a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Atlanta since spring 2009, and is currently spending his pastoral year at Christ the King.

September Seminarian

After discerning since my junior year of high school and actively participating in my home parish, St. John Neumann in Lilburn, I decided to join the Archdiocese of Atlanta as a seminarian in July 2004.

After finishing college in 2006, I was assigned to attend seminary in Rome, close to the Holy Father, to complete my preparation for priesthood. My experience as a seminarian has been a blessing as I have grown closer to the Lord in prayer and in the desire to spend my life following the call of the Good Shepherd to serve the Church of Atlanta.

In Christ, Llane Briese.

October Seminarian

I am a seminarian at Mundelein Seminary and converted to the Catholic faith in 2003. At that time, I embraced the faith, the universal call to holiness, and practiced daily prayer. After working for three years as an attorney, the call to follow Jesus more completely, a call that had been there for a few years, remained. By persevering in daily meditation, in the midst of work and despite difficulties, God will bring you closer to Him.  Please pray that God would give us the grace of perseverance to be holy priests with a zeal for souls for Him.

Matthew (Matt) Dalrymple

November Seminarian

Greetings! I am Deacon Michael Silloway. I am in my last year of formation at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Italy, only a few short months from being ordained a priest of Jesus Christ. Every day of my life has been a blessing, even the challenging ones. How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to me? The cup of salvation I will raise, and I will call on the Lord’s name (Psalm 116). I can’t wait to be in a parish in our great Archdiocese loving and serving you, the amazing people of God. Peace in Christ!
-Deacon Michael Silloway

Deacon Silloway was chosen to chant for the Papal Mass to close the Synod on Africa in St. Peter's! He reported, “I'll be chanting the Gospel and sitting right next to the pope. ….this is probably the pinnacle of one's choral experiences -- to chant the Gospel at a Papal Mass”.

Georgia Bulletin Article on the recent deacon ordination

December Seminarian

My name is Ian Griffis and I have just started the seminary program for the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Growing up, I attended St. Joseph's in Marietta and my spiritual life in the community there contributed to awakening the vocational call within me. Not that it was a steady, unwavering, sure choice but it was one that always came back to me, stronger each time. I am at the beginning of a new journey in my life and hope to fulfill this affirmation of my vocation to the priesthood. I am blessed to have the support and prayers of family, friends, and so many others to encourage me on the way!

Thank you!