Meet Seminarian Matteo Arcara

Tell us about your family.
My Father was born in Italy and moved to the United States at eighteen. My mother was born in Georgia. I am the third of eight siblings with ages ranging from twenty-two to six.

Did you have a job prior to entering the seminary? Tell us about it.
I have worked for Panera Bread for almost two years. I worked whatever position required, either preparing the food, working the register, or merely washing dishes and wiping tables. I have greatly enjoyed my time there.

Tell us about some of your hobbies.
My hobbies mostly include reading and playing strategy games.

Tell us your vocation story?
I began to feel the call to priesthood at a young age. I would see the priest at Sunday Mass and think that it would be a nice job to have one day. When I entered High School, I began attending monthly discernment groups. As I learned how to discern my vocation, I felt more that I was truly called to be a Priest.

What is a typical day like for you?
I wake in time for morning prayers with my family, including reading the gospel and a daily homily from Bishop Robert Barron. Afterwards I go to my room and complete my school work for the day. As a homeschooler I can simply go to my room instead of traveling to a school. In the afternoon I often work at Panera for the night shift. I would get home late at night, eat a quick dinner, and go to sleep.

What do you look forward to in becoming a priest?
I want to teach others the Truth about God. In our modern world there is so much confusion and disbelief about religion. Atheism reigns supreme on the news and in the streets. I want to be able to guide everyone towards the Church and Salvation.

Who would you say has been your biggest mentor throughout this process and why?
Fr. Tyler Bandura has easily been my greatest mentor through my discernment. Through his discernment meetings he has hosted and other diocesan events I have gotten to learn about vocations and the priesthood in a way I never could have on my own.

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