Jerome J. Guld
St. Mary of the Lakes, Medford
What seminary do you attend?
St. Charles Borromeo.
An interesting thing about my life is:
I have received the most enjoyment, fulfillment, and long-lasting friendships from working as a volunteer, or with the Knights of Columbus, or in Parish ministries, than in the other aspects of my life.
Prior to the seminary I:
I worked for about 20 years in the information technology field, most recently as a management consultant.
When I want to relax or have some fun I would:
ride a motorcycle, or a bicycle, or just run.
The first time I thought about a priestly vocation was:
I'm sure the thought of a priestly vocation went through my mind in high school, but I didn't give it serious through until college. Many of my friends at Christendom College, both men and women pursued vocations, but I did not strongly feel or respond to the call then. In recent years, I have sensed my vocation strongly in each Christian situation of my life.
How do you pray? What is your prayer life like?
My prayer life has been devoted to the Eucharist and Mary for many years, and regularly pray at adoration and benediction, daily Rosary and Mercy chaplet, and simple private prayer with our Lord. In recent years, daily Mass has become a part of my life, and more recently Carmelite and Ignatian spiritual exercises. I have long held Jesus Christ as my very best friend, and He blesses me by conversing with me frequently.
What excites me about being a priest is:
First and foremost, God has blessed me with a call to increase in holiness with His help. As a priest I will fulfill a great need of our time. I will have the opportunity of responding to God's people every day, and of fulfilling Christ's command to build up the Church. I will be able to do all this most uniquely and directly through ministry of the Mass, the Word, and the Sacraments.
What do you enjoy about seminary life?
It is undoubtedly a time to set aside much of the world and its concerns, distractions and temptations. This allows a tremendous focus on praying, discerning, and learning what Christ wants for me, and what He wants of me within the Church. It's also a time to build strong relationships with my brother seminarians, which I hope will be a great support for the rest of my life.
If someone is considering a vocation to the priesthood I would tell them:
Number one: pray about it! If it's a true calling, it's a gift from Jesus and He really wants to discuss it with you. If it's not, He'll be happy to explain other possibilities for your life.
Number two: don't keep it a secret! Talk to trusted friends, family, priests, etc. You're truest friends can see your character better than you, and can probably recognize your vocation sooner than you as well.
A couple books on my shelf, CD's I own or songs I have downloaded are:
The Bible, The Barclay and New Jerome biblical commentaries, Freedom to Rejoice by Fr. Iain Mathew on St. John of the Cross, anything by Scott Hahn.
A Scripture passage that inspires me is:
A Scripture passage that inspires me is: John 15:16, "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit that would last."
