Meet Seminarian Ryan Scavnicky

Tell us about your family.
I belong to a family of 4, with both of my parents being very encouraging and supportive. I also have an older brother who lives on his own in Monroeville. I am the closest with my mom, but also have good relationships with my dad and brother.

Where did you get your undergraduate degree?

I spent 2 years at Franciscan University and plan to finish the rest of my degree during college seminary.

Did you have a job prior to entering the seminary? Tell us about it.

I have never had a full-time job, but have worked a part-time job at Play it Again Sports for the last 4 years. I work as a sales associate, providing customer service, operating the register, and helping with our inventory of products.

Tell us about some of your hobbies?

I enjoy being active by doing things like weightlifting, hiking, and just about any kind of sports. Baseball, basketball, and football are my favorites. I also enjoy some reading and have just recently begun trying to learn the guitar.

Tell us your vocation story?

I first began thinking about the priesthood toward the end of my 10^th grade year. I wondered why I should not give every part of my life to the Lord. This giving became connected for me to the priesthood as I was particularly struck by the significance of Holy Thursday. Nonetheless, after high school I was not ready to jump straight into seminary. I decided to attend Franciscan University to study theology and philosophy while also playing on the baseball team. In my time there, God brought me into relationship with a community of other Catholics who became a springboard for my own relationship with Him. He also brought me into a deeper intimacy with Himself. After this growth, the same draw I had felt at first towards the priesthood came back again with a sense of urgency, and I made the decision to enter this year.

What is a typical day like for you?

I try to start each day by going to Mass followed by some sort of prayer time. I will often work out and rest for a little while after that. I spend some evenings working at my part-time job at Play it Again Sports in Greensburg, and if not, will often spend time with family and friends.

What do you look forward to in becoming a priest?

One thing I am especially looking forward to is the fatherhood of a priest, and being able to embrace that role. It excites me to think of the people whom I would have the privilege of walking alongside throughout their relationship with the Lord.

Who would you say has been your biggest mentor throughout this process and why?

My home pastor, Fr. John Moineau has been a big mentor for me. He has walked with me during each step of my discernment and has helped me cultivate my relationship with the Lord a great deal. Also, he has been for me a witness to the love of the priesthood, through his faithful commitment to serving the Lord and his people even through challenges.

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