Sean-Michael Hazuda
St. Jerome Church, Houston
II Theology
St. Mary’s Seminary, Houston, TX
I am Sean-Michael Hazuda from St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Houston. My great aunt and uncle, Mary Lou and Ed Okruhlik, were founding members of the parish 50 years ago and our family has been actively involved in the parish ever since. I am grateful for the warm welcome I received from Msgr. Dan Scheel and the St. Jerome community when I too moved to Houston and became a seminarian for the Archdiocese.
Currently I am in my second year of Theology at St. Mary’s Seminary, where I am blessed to study with a wonderful group of men preparing for the priesthood. When I was in college I took several classes in American Religious History and Scripture which began my love for Theology, religion and Philosophy. The good Lord granted me opportunities to study these fascinating fields at Yale, Virginia and the Angelicum in Rome. My academic studies actually reignited my interest in the Church during my college years and I became active with religious education, served as a Sacristan and attended daily Mass.
After my undergraduate and graduate studies, the Holy Spirit led me to work for Special Olympics and a homeless shelter. My time working with the mentally handicapped as well as the very poor changed my life and gave me a deep desire to serve people, particularly those who are marginalized and disenfranchised. After much prayer I finally decided to answer God’s call to the priesthood. What a great life He has given me! During the past three years I have experienced tremendous growth as my formation advisor and spiritual director continually help me become the holy man who Jesus wants me to be. More importantly, every day my own desire and longing for holiness grows.
I have been very blessed to go on mission trips to Vietnam, Guatemala and Mexico. Working with the poorest of the poor has given me a deep understanding of the global Church and the great need to care for God’s children. I am thankful for the love of service that Christ has placed in my heart, and I pray that I will live a life of humble service that He desires of all of His seminarians and clergy.
My advice to anyone considering the priesthood is to be open to the Holy Spirit’s call in your life. The most important thing I have learned during my time thus far in the seminary and, particularly, from my missionary work, is that my life must always be a YES to God! Open yourself up to God’s will, ask Him to lead you on your journey, and pray for the grace to boldly live the life He is calling you to.