Dear Disciples of Christ at Holy Spirit, St. Helen’s, and St. Mary’s,

Greetings once again from Detroit! As I continue my five weeks of summer studies toward an STL degree in the New Evangelization, please know that you continue to be in my prayers. As we prepare for my official arrival the weekend of August 8th and 9th, I thought it would be nice to introduce myself a little more personally.

I was born and raised in Munster, Indiana, the oldest of four children. Some of my earliest memories are of my whole family going to Mass together at St. Thomas More. My parents made our Catholic faith and education a priority, so my siblings and I attended St. Thomas More School. It was there that I first began to sense the Lord calling me to the priesthood.

Like many priests, I was moved to think about the priesthood more seriously after becoming an altar server. I loved everything about being an altar server, learning the names of the sacred vessels and vestments, and standing so close to the priest. As an 8th grader, I heard the story of St. Maximilian Kolbe, the Franciscan priest who gave his life for another prisoner at Auschwitz. His witness stirred a fire in my heart, and I remember thinking, I want to love like that.

I attended Munster High School, where I was heavily involved in theatre and speech and debate while continuing to grow in my knowledge of the Catholic faith. Although the desire for the priesthood never completely disappeared, I gradually began to wonder whether God might be calling me elsewhere.

After high school, I attended Indiana University, majoring in Mathematics and Computer Science with a minor in Theatre. I found it to be a time to schedule my day however I felt, and while I continued attending Sunday Mass, I was going for what I’d like to call “fire insurance.” Everything changed during my sophomore year when I was invited to a small-group Bible study. Through the witness of other faithful students, I encountered Jesus Christ in a deeply personal way, and experienced great joy at this great discovery. I became involved in Bible studies, retreats, and the vibrant community at the Indiana University Newman Center, the call to the priesthood returned. By the time I graduated, I knew I had to see where the Lord was leading. By His grace, that path led me to the priesthood.

I am very much looking forward to meeting you, hearing your stories, and beginning this next chapter together when I return the weekend of August 8th and 9th. Until then, please know that you remain in my daily prayers.

Peace, Fr. Steven Caraher