Meet Michael, a parishioner of Our Lady of the Assumption in Turlock, credits his home parish's strong community with helping him encounter our Risen Lord more deeply.

"During high school, things like ARMEE and LifeTeen introduced me not only to Jesus, but also to a group of lifelong friends who shared a common goal - to live a truly Christian life." After graduating as the salutatorian from Central Catholic High School class of 2017, Michael completed his B.A. in Rhetoric from U.C. Berkeley. He says, "I always planned being a water rights attorney and work in the Central Valley, but all throughout college I couldn't shake this interest in the priesthood."

After his undergraduate studies, Michael joined the ECHO program at Notre Dame where he completed his M.A. in Theology while living in Ireland and working for the Diocese of Meath. He says, "while I was in ECHO, I began to feel the call more strongly than ever before. I knew that this time I had to do something about it, so I decided to apply to my diocese. Since I made that decision, God has continually confirmed that this is the path He wants me to walk.

"Michael's advice to discerners is: "Follow the Holy Spirit, He will guide you. You will know it's Him by the peace He brings. But, remember that peace is not synonymous with comfort. You can have peace even in the midst of fear and uncertainty. The closer you grow to God, the better you will be able to discern that peace and, ultimately, your vocation."

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