Brian Alford

"You did not choose me, but I chose you (Jn 15:16)." This passage always reminds me of the gracious gift that God has given to me in calling me to serve Him in the priesthood. Left to myself, I would never have thought that this was the way my life would be headed; but the invitation was not mine to give, but mine to respond to. My name is Brian Alford, and I am currently in my second year of theology at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis. My home parish is Mother of Perpetual Help in Maryville, IL. After graduating from college in 2001, I worked as a computer programmer for five years, before discerning that God was calling me to consider a vocation to the priesthood. What I am most looking forward to as a priest, God willing, is to be able to bring Jesus, especially through the Sacraments, to those who hunger and thirst for His love. To know that God is calling me to this awesome responsibility is very humbling. At the same time, I take great confidence and joy in the fact that His grace is being poured out upon me each step of the way, preparing me for this "most interesting and necessary adventure for the world" (Pope Benedict XVI).