Theology 2
Mount St. Mary's Seminary
Emmitsburg, MD
Birthday: March 26th
Patron
Saint: St. Michael
Home
Parish: St.
Cecilia’s, Adams
Hobbies: Hiking, mountain biking, cycling
Family: Margaret Briggs, stepfather Charles
Briggs and brothers Shawn, Matthew and David. His father, Steven, is deceased.
Favorite
Food: Copious
amounts of meat, vegetables and rice
Favorite
Scripture: “Be not
afraid, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name.” (Isaiah 43:1)
Mike is a
recent graduate of SUNY Potsdam. He begins his theological studies for the priesthood
at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD.
Hailing from St. Cecilia’s Parish in Adams, Mike is a life-long resident of the
diocese. Mike credits a former pastor, Father Martin Cline as most influencing
his decision to enter the seminary during his high school years.
When he
prays, Mike loves to say the Rosary. He credits “hanging around with Catholic
friends,” being a Camp Guggenheim counselor, the Exodus 90 program and becoming
involved in the Newman Club at Potsdam as great helps in his faith journey. When
asked what he thinks will be the best part about being a priest, Mike says,
“Celebrating mass and hearing confessions. I want to administer the sacraments
and bring people the truth.”
As for
advice to someone thinking God might be calling them to priesthood, Mike shares
that he knew in his life that he would never know for sure unless he tried it.
“Just give it a shot.” Seminary is a place to pray and discern what God’s call
is. It doesn’t mean you will be ordained immediately.
Configuration Stage IV (Fourth Theology)
St. Vincent Seminary
LaTrobe, Pennsylvania
Birthday: March 4th
Patron Saint: St.
Patrick and St. Agnes
Home Parish: Blessed
Sacrament Parish, Watertown, NY – Church of the Holy Family
Hobbies: Skiing,
hiking, kayaking, golfing, and spending time outdoors
Family: Mom
(Laurie), Dad (Gary), older sister Maeve and her husband Matt, younger brother
Daniel and his wife Hannah, and my nieces and nephews.
Favorite Food: Steak
and potatoes, and ice cream
Favorite Scripture: “I
glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do\. So now,
Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your
presence before the world existed.”— John 17:4–5
Deacon
Kevin McCullouch is now in his fourth year of theology, at Saint Vincent
Seminary. He is completing his final semester of seminary formation and expects
to graduate in December 2026. Following graduation, Deacon Kevin will return to
the diocese in January, where he will continue service in the Catholic
Community of Cape Vincent, Chaumont, and Rosiere. There, he will spend the
months leading up to priestly ordination reintegrating into the life and
ministry of the diocese and preparing to be ordained to the priesthood in the
spring of 2027.
Deacon
Kevin was baptized at St. Patrick’s Church in Watertown and grew up in Black
River. His family found their spiritual home at The Church of the Holy Family
in Watertown, where he received his other sacraments and religious education.
From an early age, parish life played an important role in his faith. Altar
serving, relationships with the priests of his parish, and especially his years
at Camp Guggenheim helped provide an environment in which he could begin
listening for God’s call. The witness of Monsignor Whitmore and Father Wiley,
both retired priests who lived and ministered in the Watertown parishes, had an
important influence on his discernment.
At
the heart of Deacon Kevin’s vocation is the celebration of the Mass. Whether
celebrated at his home parish in Watertown, along the shores of Lower Saranac
Lake at Camp Guggenheim, or in the parishes of the North Country, the Eucharist
has remained central to his relationship with Christ and his understanding of
priestly ministry. As he approaches ordination to the priesthood, he looks
forward with joy to the day when he will be able to stand at the altar and
offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the people entrusted to his care.
Deacon
Kevin also finds great peace in spending quiet time with the Lord in
Eucharistic Adoration. In a world filled with noise, activity, and constant
distraction, he has come to appreciate more deeply the words of the Psalmist:
“Be still and know that I am God.” Silence before the Blessed Sacrament
provides the space to listen for the voice of the Lord and to allow the Holy
Spirit to continue forming his heart for service among the people of God.
To
any young man considering whether God may be calling him to the priesthood,
Deacon Kevin offers the same encouragement that has accompanied his own
journey: Do not be afraid. Seminary is not a declaration that you must become a
priest; it is a place to discern God’s will more intentionally and to be formed
as a Christian man. Speak with a trusted priest, bring the question honestly
before the Lord in prayer, and give God the freedom to show you where he is
calling you. The Lord does not ask us to have the entire journey figured out
before we begin. He simply asks us to listen, to trust him, and to have the
courage to take the next step.
Configuration Stage I (First Theology)
Pontification College Josephinum
Columbus, Ohio
Birthday: November 4th
Patron Saint: St. Martin of Tours/ Sacred Heart of Jesus
Home Parish: St. Martin of Tours (Delatte, Ouest of Haiti)
Hobbies: Reading/Singing/Music/Soccer
Family: Ladouceur Flarissaint, the fourth of eight children of Yves Flarissaint
(Father) and Andreane Saint-Louis (deceased Mother one year ago), is a native
of Petit- Goave, Haiti, and was raised in St. Martin of Tours Parish of Delate.
Favorite Food: Rice and Beans, Grilled Pork, and Fried Chicken
Favorite Scripture: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… “
(Matthew 28:19)
Ladouceur Flarissaint is a seminarian for the Diocese of Ogdensburg. He earned a degree
in Philosophy from Divine Word College Seminary in Epworth, Iowa. He was born
and raised in Petit-Goâve, a small town in western Haiti, in the region of
Delatte. The fourth of eight children—six boys and two girls—Ladouceur grew up
in a Catholic family and attended Catholic schools, where he learned the value
of hard work, deepened his faith, and began discerning his vocation to the
priesthood.
He is currently in the Configuration Stage I of his formation at
the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, continuing to grow
in his spiritual, human, and academic preparation for priestly ministry.
What is your favorite
prayer and why? My favorite
prayer is the “Our Father” because I think the “Our Father” is the only
prayer in Scripture that Jesus explicitly gave to His disciples. It is my
favorite particularly in the line that is said (“Thy will be done”). By surrendering
to God’s will, it helps me learn to let go of my pride and control.
What about some advice for a man thinking about
priesthood? Based on my own experience with discerning the priesthood, I
can say that if a man is thinking about this vocation, he needs to take time to
listen deeply to God in prayer and be honest with himself about his desires,
fears, and motivations. I understand that the priesthood is not about being
perfect, but about being willing to serve with love and sacrifice, following
the example of Christ. If you feel called by God to serve the Church as a
priest, talk to a trusted priest or spiritual director who can guide you. Do
not rush, because discernment takes time, and it is all your desires and God’s
plan. I have been in formation for more than five years, and I still have about
four more years to go. What’s most important is to stay close to the Eucharist,
to Scripture, to prayer, and to people in need. If God is calling you, He will
also give you the grace to follow. Be open, be brave, and let your heart be
shaped by His will. Always let the will of God guide your discernment process.
Theology 2
St.
Vincent Seminary
Latrobe, PA
Birthday: June 4th
Patron Saint: St. Anthony of Padua
Native Country: Haiti
Hobbies: Reading and playing sports
Diocesan Home Base: St. Alexander’s, Morrisonville Favorite Food: Rice and beans, chicken and fish
(I am not fussy)
Favorite Scripture: “I have come so that you may have life, life in its fullness.” (John 10:10)
Venes Laine is a native of Haiti.
Before discerning a call to priesthood, Venes spent 14 years in a religious
community as a religious brother. For the last two years, he has studied
philosophy and sharpened his English at Holy Apostles Seminary in Connecticut.
In the fall, Venes will attend the Pontifical College Josephinum in Ohio to
finish his bachelor’s degree in philosophy.
Venes Laine gives his mother
credit for his desire to be a priest. As a child, a twin and one of 10
siblings, Venes’ mother would drag him to daily mass and force him to stay
awake. It wasn’t easy but his mother never gave up. Venes explains, “God kept
knocking at my door. Four years ago, I called mom and told her I was going to
become a priest. She was so happy. She said, ‘Thanks be to God!’ Three weeks
later, she died.” Besides his devout mother, Venes’ father was the church
sacristan. Venes’ twin brother has just professed vows as a religious brother
in Haiti. Venes explains, “I was so fortunate to grow up in my family. We
didn’t have a lot, but we were happy, and my parents shared their strong faith
with us.”
Venes’ journey toward
priesthood has been long and with many turns. His advice to someone thinking
about priesthood is simple: Trust the call, give it a try. Expect challenges
but never doubt God is in control. Venes has a home base here in the diocese.
He lives at St. Alexander’s Rectory in Morrisonville when he is home from
seminary. When he is not studying, Venes loves to read and play sports. So far,
he loves the people and the priests he has met here in the north country. This
is now home.
Propaedeutic Stage
Pontification College Josephinum
Columbus, Ohio
Birthday: September 5th
Patron Saint: The
Blessed Virgin & Mother Mary
Home Parish: Blessed Sacrament Parish, Watertown, NY (Holy Family Church)
Hobbies: Watching
YouTube, Reading, Listening to Christian Music, Spending time with my
Animals.
Family: The
late Leon Sr. (Grandfather), Lorraine (Grandmother), Laura (Mother), David
(Father), Brett (Older Half-Brother), Remington (Younger Brother).
Favorite Food: Chicken
Wings, Cake, and Ice Cream.
Favorite Scripture: Ephesians
4:23-24, “and be renewed in the spirits of your minds, and put on the new man,
created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Psalm
46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.”
Hunter
Whitney is a local of Watertown, NY, and a graduate of Immaculate Heart Central
High School. After much prayer, advice from others,
and graces, he’s become aware of a possible vocation to the priesthood. He
noticed how much the Lord’s grace changed his life and seeks continuing
to grow in holiness and follow the Lord’s will. He has
just begun the propaedeutic year of his formation at the Pontifical College
Josephinum and is striving to become the best Saint the Lord made him to be.
What is your favorite
prayer and why? The
greatest form of prayer is the Mass, but two other prayers close to Hunter’s
heart are the most Holy Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. He has experienced
many graces by meditating on the mysteries and the Lord’s passion, one of which
was a possible vocation to the priesthood.
What about some advice for a man thinking about
priesthood? Please
do not ignore the call! The Lord created all of us with a particular vocation
in mind. Any vocation, without a doubt, is how he created us to best love one
another according to the gifts he gave you. Following one’s vocation may seem
daunting, but doing so will lead you to a fulfilled life you would have never
thought possible! He knows you better than you know yourself and don’t trick
yourself to knowing other wise! If you decide to go to Seminary, you will not have to rely completely
on yourself to figure out your vocation. The Church and the Seminary formation
program is there for a reason.
Take courage and rely on the Lord and his Church. Do not listen to the doubt
and fear. Take heart! The Lord will be with you wherever you go!
